Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-02
Mr.. Fabens to Nh. Marcy.

San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua,
May l5, 1854.
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of flag and arms of the United States
| for this agency, per steamship Star of the
West on the I'd March last.
have also to acknowledge receipt of your
dispatch, dated March q, granting me leave OF
absence for six weeks, agreeable to my request,
and it is my present intention to leave per
steamship Northern Light on or about the lst
proximo.
Since my last dispatch, (No. ~ of the Sd
March, there have been some matters of differ
ence between the people of this town and the
Accessory Transit Company Of Nicaragua.
Mr.. Joseph l.. White, agent Of the company,
left here on the 18th of March, without having
effected any settlement of existing difficulties
between the company and the town. Before
leaving, he gave instructions to the captains
and pursers of the steamships to pay no more
port charges at San Juan del Norte, and take
no letters or other packages or freight for, and
have no communication of any nature whatever
with, the people of said town. This proceed
ing on the part of the company exasperated
much the people of the town.
The ground taken by the company in this
matter was, that the territory which they occu-
pied, known as Point Arenas, was held by them
by virtue oftheir charter from Nicaragua, and
was a portion of that State that their steam
ships did not come within the jurisdiction of
the municipal authorities of San Juan del Norte,
and were consequently not to be held liable for
any port charges levied by the authorities Of
that town.
On the 18Th of April an election of town Of
fcers was held, which resulted in the choice of
an administration supposed to be friendly to
the Transit Company, and prepared to settle
all differences with the said company upon the
terms set forth by Mr.. White while here.
But, on the evening of the 9Th instant, dis
turbance took place upon the shores of the
harbor, the details of which are fully, and, as
| believe, correctly, set forth in the accompany
ing document, marked A; and, on the evening
ofthe 9th Instant, another and more serious
difficulty occurred, which is correctly described
in document B. The facts set forth in these
two protests of Mr.. Scott, general agent Of the
Accessory Transit Company of Nicaragua, are
substantiattd by dispositions taken before me
of several Of the employees of the company.
The point Of contention between the parties is,
as will be seen, the right of jurisdiction on the
part of the municipal authorities Of San Juan
del Norte over Point Arenas.
Since the occurrences described in the above
named documents affairs have gone on quietly.
On the 18th, Mr.. Scott appeared in court, that
his bail might not be forfeited, but declined
contesting the case, having already protested.
After a brief examination of the person pre-
senting the complaint, he (Mr. Scott was dis
charged. The trial Of Sloman will take place
on the 10th instant, when, rs he acknowledges
the offence with which he is charged, he will
probably be condemned to pay few dollars
fine and cost Of court
have brought this matter to your notice
because i believe that, until affairs are ar
ranged between the Nicaragua Transit Com
pany and the town of San Juan del Norte, or
until the question of sovereignty over this
town and the Territory Of Point Arenas is set
tied, there can be no permanent tranquility or
well-being on either side. i do not apprehend
that any serious disturbances will arise for the
present; but | am, nevertheless, Of opinion,
that the frequent visits to our harbor Of vessels
of war Of the United States will exercise
beneficial influence upon the interests Of all
concerned.
am, sir, with great respect, your very ODE
dent servant, JOSEPH w. FABENS.
Hon. WV. l.. NANCY, Secretary Of State Of the
United States, Washington, ID. c.