Washington sentinel., 1855-03-10
Outrage Upon Americans In Nicaragua
United states Consul Threatened with


ohi'eo states Soueul AHTcdtcucd WIN
Death.
Wehavc already given an account of some
difficulty which occurred at Greytown, (San
Juan del Norte) Nicaragua, in which American
citizens were put in peril. 1t now appears that
simultaneously with these transactions, out
RACES Of even a more serious nature were be-
ing committed upon American citizens, at San
Juan del Sur, upon the Pacific side. The
Boston journal, after giving accounts Of va
rlous engagements between the revolutionary
and government or Chomoro parties, in Feb
ruary, thus details an outrage on the American
consul:
On the 20th Colonel Zatuch, with l25 men
OF the government party, arrived at San Juan
del Sur, and found the place deserted by the
rebels. The Chomoro flag was placed by him
over the guard house. During the afternoon,
the house Of our consul. Mr.. Priest, was sur.
rounded by Aatuchs men, and one Charley
Partridge, an American, who it was said had
been connected with the rebels, and who was
supposed to be concealed in the house, was
peremptorily demanded by Xatuch.
Partridge not being forthcoming, the house
was searched, but no trace of his whereabouts
was discQyered. Xatuch, in fit of indigna.
tion, then went to Mr.. Priests room, and not
withstanding that gentleman was PROSTATE
II he did not give immediate information of
Partridges retreat, in two hours he would be
shot. Mr.. Priest replied by saying that such
a thing was impossible, as he had not seen nor
heard of Partridge for some time.
But this was not satisfactory to Xatuch.
lie commanded at once the arrest Of Mr..
Priest, and had him conducted to the guard
house He caused the horses and mules of
Mr.'Priest to be taken and appropriated to his
own use; a number of other animals were
also taken from foreign subjects. For one
hour and half Mr.. Priest was detained pris-
oner, at the expiration of which he was allow
ed to return to his house.
In the evening Xatuch issued an order di.
recting the foreigners, Americans, English, and
French, to assemble, his object being to levy
upon them contribution to the amount of
$4,000. Mr.. Flint, an American, was appoint.
ed to collect the tax. On the morning Of the
list, DR.. Flint waited. upon the foreign resi-
dents, but did not succeed in raising the funds
Aatuch, finding that he could not obtain the
money from that source, went to Mr.. Priest,
and threatened that if he did not procure for
him the money within two hours he should be
shot. Mr.. Priest could not obtain the money.
and at the expiration Of two hours informed
Aatuch that he could not and should not
| raise it.
This was on the day of the arrival of the
| California steamer and there was much excite
ment among the passengers as well as among
the foreign residents who had placed themselves
under the protection Of the American consul
| Our informant called ut the Office Of Mr. Priest
| and found him writing the particulars Of this
| hlgh-handed outrage to the Department at
Washington, and setting forth the imperative
| necessity fer vessel of war upon that station
| to protect the interests of Americans.
| The difficulty had not been adjusted at the
time OF the departure Of our informant though
|. 1T was thought that some settlement would be
made through the agency Of the Transit Com
| pany, which had considerable influence over
the natives.
On the same day 1.-THE 2lsD government
force arrived at Virgin Bay, (where the pas
| sengers by the Nicaragua route embark upon
the lake, and found that it had been deserted
by the rebels. They planted the standard of
the government, and when the passengers by
the steamer passed through much excitement
prevailed. An American, named Lee, who
was supposed to have been connected with the
government party, had been brought in, and
was ordered to be shot. The agent Of the Tran
sitCompany interlered, and, through the agency
of the priest succeeded in procuring the re-
lease of Lee, and hurried him on board the
boat. Lee went as far as Greytown, and pro-
badly took the New Orleans steamer
The cause Of these outrages upon Americans
is undoubtedly TO be traced to the prevailing
impression that Col Kinney's Central Amer.
can expedition was designed to take service
with the rebels
The Philadelphia Ledger publishes an ex-
tract Of letter from Mr.. Priest to his father,
which confirms the above. He also says
"The Government took possession Of my
house and hold their councils in it, and we are
oil, in fact, treated as though we we're slaves.
have studiously avoided mixing up in their
quarrels, but neither this nor my position avail
me or the Americans anything