Daily national Democrat., 1860-11-16
Some Trouble Between the Americans
and British at Panama.


from Panama, under date Of October 30th
says
You were apprised in my last that the
| British guard from the ship of war Clio left
at the British aud French Consulate M
the time of the re embarcation of the British
and American forces on the 8th. under nre-
tence of protecting these Consulales had as.
sumed a protectorate over the citv. by chal.
Longing all persons who might 6e 6assiur
through the streets on which these Cousulates
are situated.
This meddliug Of John Bull bavinc gone
on ior fortnight or more, without protest
from the commander Of the U. ). shin of war
in port, Capt. Miller began to think he
could take greater latitude So. on Saturday
night the Goth, Lieut.. W. E. Fitzhurh. of the
u. > sloop Of war st. Marys, on his refusal
to acknowledge the right Of the British sens
try at the French Consulate residence to hail
him, was arrested by the guard and kept in
confinement for nearly an hour, until Lieut.
Welsh, Of Ii. B. NJ. frigate Clio, who was at
a complimentary ball given to his comman-
der 10y The officials here cound be sent for
when he WAS released Lieut.. fitzlugh
states that, on his arrest, the sergeant of the
guard was sent Tor, who went for the lieu
tenant OF tse guard that the sergeant re-
turned with orders from the lieutenant to de
tain him and his companion, Mir Engle, son
OF Capt. Engle, u. ) N, rs prisoners, and 10
Saoot them do'on If they atteaipted 10 escape
Lieut.. " elsh to Lieut. Fitzhugh's question.
by what authority am | hailed and de-
tained 2 replied, II have orders to DO SO. q"
Ga the next evening, Dr. John Z. Kluge.
surgeon OF the Panama railroad, and con-
ductor on the same road, were arrested for
protesting against the hail Of the sentry, and
kept in confinement all night.
Lieut. Fitzhugh brought his case officially
before U. >. ilag-oilicer Montgomery, when
thnt officer addressed an energetic note TO
Capt. Miller. In this letter Capt. Miller is
told that he need not be surprised that such
unusual and seemingly such unnecessary nro.
eeedings on his part could only be regarded
as aggressive toward the United States. and
OF a nature to demand the immediate adoD.
ton of measures for the re-establishment of
the neutrality Of city aud Isthmus, which
had been violated by his forces.
This letter brought Capt. Miller immedi-
ately on board the Lancaster, when he at
tempted, first to excuse his action, and then
to place it on the shoulders Of the Inendente
and British Consul lie said that his sen
unelS must walk SoReUbere in the street
that they could not remain all night cooncd
up In the entries of the Consulates etc To
lhls capt. Mont n'somery replied that they
must not exercise any authority one inch be-
yond the private property they were sent to
protect; and he expressed much surprise that
Capt Miller should claim to do anvthiur
more, and that he should surrender the com
mand OF any portion of bis force to ANYBODY
on shore. at any rate, continued Capt.
montgomery the practice must be stopped
or shall resist 1t 10 the extent cf ali the
discretionary power placed in my hands ly
my government.
Capt Miller then said; Il shall withdraw
my forces at once. had intended TO with
draw them to day. as | must go to sea on
Wednesday," And 50 he did
Just as Capt. Miller was leaving the Ian
caster, the complaint Of DIR. Kluge was re-
ceived on board which Capt. Montgomery
made the subject of another communication
to him, in which he said that the re.embra-
cation Of hls forces and the consequent re-
moval Of the causes of complaint and the
improbability Of a recurrence of them, made
any further comment on past proceedings un.
necessary; and that any future communica-
ton he might find it necessary TO make on
the subject, would be addressed to the Com
mander in Chief of the British forces On this
station
On Tuesday, Capt, Miller replied to Capt.
Montgomery's two letters, in sort OF equiv
ocaiins manner, partially denying that he
had given any authority to his officers to
enge-piaeing the oaas on the 1ntan-
dente, or the British Consul
On the 22d, Capt Montgomery addressed
note TO the Intendente asking him whether
the exercise, by foreign force Of police
service over Panama, since the joint evacua-
tion Of the British and American forces on
the Sth instant, was under his sanction. To
this letter, the lntendente replied that neither
before nor after the da.e mentioned had he
invested any foreign force with the attributes
Of police--uRless the services rendered bv
the British and American forces in Panama.
since the 9th ScVtemOer might be looked on
as such, dc. This letter not being satismcto-
ry to flag officer Montgomery, he has ad-
dressed the lntendente another missive. in
which it is to be presumed he has asked him
to stgte-yes or no-Whether he assumes the
responsibility Of the proceedings alluded to.