The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-21


uninitiated.
The Turks ISLAND DHFIoULTY-Our read
crs have been made aware Of collision which
recently took place at Grand Turk, Turks Is
land, between the law officers Of the Crown and
the United States Consul, Mr.. Nelson, Of Mary
land. The HERALD correspondents have duly
set forth the particulars Of the case, and it ap-
pears that Mr.. Nelson was appointed Consul, in
place Of Mr.. B. Everett Smith, removed. The
new Consul arrived while Mr.. Smith was being
tried for libel, and sat with him in the court
room. One Of the officers demanded to know
what right the American consul had within the
bar. The court said that it had no power to
exclude the Consul, but warned him not to
"dare to speak," In the evening Mr.. Nelson
went to the house Of the judge, to demand an
explanation he knocked thrice, but re-
ceived no answer, until ordered to go
home by person whom he afterwards as
certained to be magistrate. The order was
expressed in uncourteous language, and Mr..
Nelson offered to strike the magistrate, but his
arm was arrested by bystander. Subsequent
ly, Nh. Nelson apologized to the person assault
ed, and the apology was accepted. But the
matter could not end here, and the magistrate
was ordered to prosecute. He did 80, and Mr..
Nelson was fined thirty shillings. He appealed
to the higher court, and when the case was
called on it appeared that, by the neglect of
the court, no jury had been struck, and Mr..
Nelson could not obtain the record Of the pro
ceedings in the Police Court, which was net
made up and certified to according to law. Mr.
Nelson then requested that further proceedings
in the case be dismissed by reason Of informal
ity in the proceedings as above alleged. The
Judge then overruied all these objections, and
fined Mr.. Nelson twenty pounds sterling. He
refused to pay the fine and was committed to
prison. After an Incarceration of few hours
he paid the fine under protest, and was libe-
rated.
The reader viii perceive at once the unfair
manner in which Mr.. Nelson was treated, par
ticularly in the final proceedings, which are
opposed to all law and justice. 1t appears that
there has always been trouble between Ameri-
can representatives and English officials at
Turks Island, brought about by variety Of
causes, which are of local interest chiefly. The
mere personal Affairs of Mr. Nelson are matters
Of no consequence to US or to the public. He
is probably perfectly competent to defend him
self, but inasmuch as this is not the first
time that the Turks Island authorities
have set at naught the plainest priu-
ciples in order to insult our representatives
and degrade our flag in the eyes of the people,
tits incumbent upon the State Department to
take some action in the premises The Secre-
tary Of State has had the papers relative TO
this affair in his hands for some time, and he
will probably 60 quietly to sleep over them
until a Congressional committee Of inquiry
shall awake him. An American Consul has
been imprisoned; he has been deprived Of his
official dignity, robbed Of his prerogatives, and
his flag insulted. The case is one which de-
mands immediate action; knd if the Consul is
wrong let him be removed; if the English off,
Gals have erred, we should have an apology
from their government, and they should be re-
moved from the stations they disgrace.
This appears to be the plain state of the case,
and we have only to add that the sympathy of
IL
vor Of the United States Consul, and it is the
general impression Of those who are acquainted
with the facts in the case, that he has beenpe
secuted without cause.
AS there is not much hope from the State
Department., we trust that some public spirited
member Of Congress will move resolution Of
inquiry on the subject, and thus get the docu-
ments be fore the country.
Extensive COnfiagratiOn at Astoria, l.. 1.
About halfpast O'Clock yesterday morning, the in
sbants OF tho village Of Astoria, L. l., alarmed
BY the loud cry Of fire. which upon inquiry, found
10 have proceeded from burning pile Of lumber in
they way, running between the houses Of Andrew Swan
Ind Theodore Holcnbugh and although every excr.ion
was made TO cStinguish the flames the Gre continued
Il were until it had destroyed nine build
ngs on each side OF the SPOT where IL originated