The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-17


lead TO more than mere war Of words.
Some two months since new newspaper was started
In this city, entitled the Mercantile Chroc the proprie
Of which Messrs. whitehorne Plunkett-the
former British subject the latter claiming to have been
OF the old Panamena and were rented from person who
claimed TO have the right TO dispose Of them TO thebest
Il was not long before the newspaper became engaged
In controversy argument with the Vos de America,
the Official organ Of President Santa Coloma which
latter was getting very much the worst OF IT. This,
OF course. did not suit the President and bis
clique, who, as all other presidents and cabi-
doubtess-to retain their positions for another
term and they put their heads together in order TO dis
be shut M and prevented from issuing another number
inasmuch Il very damaging to their hopes and
aspirations but being In the hands Of foreigners il was
some time before plan was arranged that they thought
the same time avoid trouble.
In OF litigation that had no owner and
had to remain useless everv until the courts de-
cidcd what disposition should be made OF 1t. When
President Santa Coloma discovered this fact he made
reputation for it, on the ground that II was required for
rented !, to Nessrs Whtenone pansett had no right
10 do So This requsition was refused and 10 the mean
time these gentlemen had purchased the PRESS and held
q bill OF sale for the same, and when the
demand came for their property, accompanied by the
threat that it would be taken by force IL not given up
peaceaby they closed their doors, and laid the matter
before The consus Of Great Britain aud the United Sate
Several interviews had and passed between
the the President the sovereign State of
Panama. the populace began think the affair would
blow over and the Mercantile Chronicle continue In
peace Not however, Mr. Santa Coloma was determined
TO carry point and carry OF the press matter what
damages the general government might have to pay Ac
oordngy he ordered the project OF the department TO
break open the doors and everything belonging
to the office. This officer refused and at once resigned
The posii rendered to another, who refused to
cept under the circumstances AT last niger was
found to ill the Office and execute the mandate OF
superior. Accordingly, accompanied by guard OF
about thirty men, he proceeded TO the office OF the Mer
can M Cronce and after forcing the doors carried OF
the press and thereby prevented the issue OF another
number Of the paper. While all this being carried
on the excitement became intense. Crowds ocked
principal square which the Office located Soon
report that the United states sloopo'.war Cyane
landing armed force for the purpose protesting
the property Of who claimed to be American cti
This Of increased the uproar, and also the
size OF the crowd Women commenced leaving their
seek safety in distant localities. The gar.
rson under arms and said they would resist TO the
death the landing Of armed force OF either Americans
or Fnglishmen. No doubt they would have
after the first voley fired. When was found that
the crowd red aso and matters became
although am Of the opinion We have not yet seen the
Shortly after the excitement had subsidized placard
posted In many places about the city regarding the
AFFAIR which the name Of the Consul OF the United
States and himself indirectly threatened Tis
placard printed in the 0ousnme printing Office. and Of
must haze been by government awherity: There
dent Santa Coloma and his satellites be responsible
President Santa Coomas plea that the press was re-
quired for governments work is al stun and NONSENSE
the means Of doing not only all the government work.
but has been publishing the V0z az America since IL
frst appeared For week past large quantities Of type
have been arriving in Panama addressed TO Mr. Santa
Coloma and the opinion is that he desired TO kill two
birds with stone, stop the Mercantile Chronicle,
and obtain press for his own type without having to
II Mr Punkett s, as 10 claims TO be, citizen Of the
United States, and II the sale Of the press 10 him
legal ope this action the part OF the OF
the State Of Panama nothing more nor less than gross
and high handed outrage, and one that should be
isbed at once and 10 the severest manner. trust and
believe that Mr. Mckee the Consul OF tho United States
IN fhA nnnR
his government, will Mr. Henderson, the English Con
sui for must be settled and too how far these
miserable, petty governments can interfere with the
very much doubt the right OF President Santa Coloma
did and use an armed force to obtain that which he
could not get 10 any other manner. He should have
seen 81 TO declare the country state Of war,
that only resorted TO under the most stringent
necessity.
Every foreigner on the sthmus Is interested in the
prompt and proper decision Of this affair for matters
now are all shat they have may DO seized and carried
OF this government chooses TO II requires It. Give
these people inch and they will take furlong and lot
them once think az they win upon the slightest pretext
notice these nomipaly matters bnt 10 reality great
ones and will be mposs bilisy for foreigner
here These people must kept 10 check at all times
made feel that they cannot take the nrst step beyond
brought up with Ground turn This Lesson taught two
three times and there viii be no difficulty thereafter
provided we always have here consul like Mr. Mckee
and out' American, not one third Yankee and
the remaining two thirds s'poco tempo"
appears TO DO the settled opinion in regard 10 the
printing press affair that Mr. Plunket has mistaken his
nationality In claiming to be an American citizen and
also that Its sale to him was tumped up affair 10 order
prevent seizure this is the the authorities
justinabe in what they did but they might have
taken measures not quite so harsh.
Apart from the above everything quiet, nothing
OF local interest occurring Ihe dry season continues
but the strong nortLcry winds have in great measure
ceased leaving intensely hot weather relieved only
by light breezes from the southwark which do not 50 far
20 make IL cooler.