Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-12-17
More Comul,eotIons.

Hardly are we well out of one difficulty with the
British authorities before into another
and this without any completely part or without
our seeking it in any way The last ndignity is the
greatest, and would have justified, if indeed it did not
demand the instant interference of the United States
naval forces.
The steamship Washington, with peaceable passen-
gers on board, arrived at New York On the 10Th in
slant from San JUAN Nicaragua, these passengers in
tending to cross over the Nicaragua route to the Pacific
ocean, on their way 10 California. They not per-
mtted TO do so and were forced to return to New York
as stated the Nicaraguan authorities assigning as
reason for their course the fear of ibusters, etc.
The United States frigate Savannah and sloopofwar
jamestown were in port at San Juan when the Wash
ington arrived there on the 18th November. Before
entering the harbo she boarded by boat from the
United States frigac Savannah She again boarded
by officers from the British menowar Leopard and al
orous after she had been boarded by the boat from
the Savannah The British asked questions as to wheth-
or there were arms and ammunition on board and re-
qesed to see the passenger list They were informed
that the ship had been boarded by officers from the Uni
ted States ship Savannah who would give them all nee
essary information The officers replied that they were
boat from the Washington attempting to land, was
chased and oyerhaued by the boats from the Leopard
Sir William Gore Ousey, the British Minister or Spy
who has been 50 long floating around Washington, was
On board the ValorouS The thing cannot be laid to
the unadvsed act of mere naval officers. 1t was done
by orders from and in presence OF British diplomatic
agent.
Docs it not appear that the commanders of the Sa-
vannah and jamestown ought to have interered to
repel force with force TO them alone belonged any
right Of surveillance American vessels at San
Juan, and for them tamely to submit to the usur-
patton of this right in their presence by the forces
Of another nation was act of degradation for
which they ought to be called to a summary ac-
count This is not a question of fi5ustering-it is
not question involving the doubtful rights of specula
tive and INSCRIPTIONS steamboat transit companies
it one involving directly the honor of the national flag
tramped upon in the presence, and might say under
the guns of our national vessels and the eyes of our
val commanders.
1t is the last feather that breaks the camels bac-it
is the last ndignty that enforces resort to the last
settlement 1t is evident-t must be evident-that the
limit has about been reached-that this thing must
cease-that no fair honorable intercourse longer be
carried on peacefully with the British authorities. Shall
we continue to carry it secondary and degraded
parties.
Evidently if these reports be officially verified, this is
the gravest of The complications which have yet arisen
between us and Great Britain; think they will be
verified we think they indicate the existence of
Outstanding between England and France to cooperate
against us on this Continent as they did against Russia
on the other.