The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-08
Flag Officer Com {

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Hon ISAAC TouoEY,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. c.
UNITED STATES STEAMER SARATOGA
San Juan del NoIte, Nov. II, 1857.
SIR have the honor to inform you that on the oath
instant about p asteamer appeared of the harbor
and then stood off to the east down the coast She
into the harbor next morning about O'Clock. Her
conduct of the day before made suspect her. but my
suspicious lulled when she standing into the
harbor not more than fifteen twenty appeared
her deck expected her to anchor but instead of that
with full head of steam she right up for the wharf of
SCOTS buildings. l. well the first lieutenant,
thought it party sent to open the transit route
Immediately sent boat with lieutenant to board her
and to what she was, and to examine her papers.
When he returned, he informed mo that it was tho
steamer Fashion from Mobile papers all right proper
clearance cargo, &c. and number of passengers marked
the bills The passengers proved to be Walker, with
100 men, who all landed immediately before my boat
got to them Once landed, felt could do nothing,
and ii SO determined, the vessels papers all
right She had been pronounced all right by the Ameri-
custom house officers and those people appeared
passengers My position one of much embarrass-
ment The circular did not afford me any of mind,
for the Stood did not feel authorized to pro-
coed to extremties had an interview with Walker
board of my ship and told him positively he must not
occupy SCOTS buildings which considered American
property SO he has established himself above SCOTS
line. He landed fifty more at the mouth of the
Colorado before he here. They went up in boats
surprise Castillo and to try and take possession of the
steamboats, there. l have hauled my ship close up to
SCOTS buildings the steamer have caused to haul off
from the wharf The day she came in had twenty five
on the sick list, and you know how short my crew is,
besides the debated state in which the rest generally
are from frequent reapses
would be glad, indeed, If you would come here, and
you could Judge for yourself We informed by the
officers of the fbustcrs that several vessels
cleared from the United States, and that daily we may
look for arrivals they say that from 1000 to 1000 are
expected.
My crew. as told you consider too inefficient to do
anything but use the big guns might blow steamers
and all to pieces, but do not feel the circular gives
the authority it is too obscure in its directions to admit
of my proceeding to such an extreme the only way in
which l could interfere The vessels come properly
cleared for dreytown pronounced all right before
sailing from the United States and cannot in my opn
ion pronounce them wrong, and legally act against
them.
This seems to be the place designed for their landing
and no doubt Walker will direct them to do So the
cargo the Fashion has all been landed shore making
depot of provisions &c He has hoisted his flag above
and below Scott grounds The soil he is is not I'M
der my Jurisdictions but have given him to understand
very plainly that any outrage by him on American prop
erty ut that place, at Greytown will call from me i'm
mediate punishment, which would not hesitate to in
ict because that would be clear trust sincerely
mny see you very any vessels in with ir
regular papers will deain cargo and passengers on
board until your arrival But do not the authority
even to bring ship to- with shot and SHE'LL in foreign
port at the risk of destroying life and property Howev
cr / will do the best can. Mr. Cottrell, Immediately
on his arrival here reexamined the Fashion papers and
having found them to be correct has cleared her for New
Orleans, and she leaves to-day.
have the honor to remain with high respect your
obcdent servant,
FRED'K cHATARD,
H Commander
To Flag Officer II. PAuLDING,
Commanding Home Squadron,
Frigate Wabash, Aspinwall, N. G.
Respectfully forwarded to the Hon. Secretary of the
Navy by, respectfully, your obcdient servant,
Flag Officer Com'g Home Squadron.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NICARAGUA,
Punta Arenas, Monday, Nov 80, 1867.
SIR: have the honor to inform you that landed at
this port on Wednesday last from the steamer Fashion
bearing the United States flag and sailing from the port of
Mobile, Alabama. Accompanying me were a number OF
officers belonging to the Nicaaguan service, and some
emigrans from the United States who desired to become
naturalized citizens of the republic This steamer was
regularly cleared at Mobile for the port of San Juan de
Nicaragua and it acknowledged that her voyage was
legal one need not add that the President and gov
eminent of the United States fully advised of my
intention to return to Nicaragua.
We had scarcely, however, disembarked, when the
commander of the United States soop Saratoga sent
lieutenant to inform must evacuac certain property
now held by Joseph N Scott the pretended agent
on too had hauled alongside the schooner Chase, for
mery sailed under the United States flag but with
out papers as she transferred to by act before the
commercial agent of the United States nevertheless
the captain of the Fashion ordered to haul away from
the Chase and not to leave any stores for from the
ship until had complied with the order TO evacuate the
buildings now held by Scott was informed by the
ander of the Saratoga that these orders given be-
cause Mr. Scott claimed protection for the property
being American In all this Commander Chatard acted
cr ,uyte receiving SCOTS statements true, and
notncng decision the matter without hearing what
l had to say. ai
Now, beg leave to inform you that Mr. Scott holds
all the property the Point from the government of
Nicaragua and under order from President of
tho republic Furthermore, he holds the schooner Chase
as my trustee and he is protected in fraudulently
Withholding her from by officer OF the United States
navy Scott also holds other property consisting OF mil
ary and other stores belonging to this government and
these he wrongfuy and illegally retains by the aid of the
guns of the Saratoga. afa }I fa1
Notwithstanding the injustice Of the Commander,
obliged to yield to the orders Of the Saratoga But
this did not relieve from what cannot but style the
impcrtnenco of Commander Chatard Without alleging
that there had been any interference my part with
American property, he sent lieutenant to inform me
hostile and prevent it by shot and shell from leaving
the Point. inaa
Nor did this end the injustice of Commander Chaard.
This morning received nots under seal of her Britain
mic Maesys consul general for Mosquito, couched in the
following terms o-5ia akr
UNrrsD STATES SHIP SARATOGA,
OF Greytown, Monday, Nov. 80, 1857.
SIR / have been informed through Mr. Green her