Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-09
THE AFFAIR AT SAN JUAN.


doubtless embodies the information received by the
Government of the late trouble at San Juan de Nj
caragua, and may therefore be regarded as anthem
TIC 1t turns out to be pretty much we intinated
in our last paper:
= In the month of February the Municipal Council Of
San juan in consequence Of dispute with the Mica
ragua Transit Company passed order for the demoli
ton Of the depot and buildings Of the company situated
Punta Arenas opposite the city This order par
tally carried into effect the 2lst of February Mean
while, the 10th Of March, the United States soopof
Cyane, Captain George \. Holins commanding,
rived at San Juan under orders to cruise in that vicinity
Immediately Captain Hollins served with protest
from the agent of the Transit Company against the order
Of the Council of San Juan, and with request to pro-
tect its property from further depreciation Accordingly
he dispatched Lieutenant Green with remonsrance TO
the Council against any additional outrage the pro-
perry of the Transit Company; but the Council replied
that they would complete the destruction of the buildings
at eleven o'clock the day, 18th of March Capt
Hollins then made protest in person the Council
against their threats but with better result Learn
ing that the people Of Nicaragua proceeding the
destruction of the buildings of the company dispatched
detachment of marines for their protection. Being for
hidden by the guard disturb the buildings the Ncara
dessted from their purpose and dispersed
sequence of their repue the Council of San Juan ab
Gated their functions. Captain Hoins deemed it neces-
sary to continue the protection of the companys proper
ty; and the application of m American citizen who
had suffered some outrages from the Nicaraguans, he is
sued proclamation warning them in to
lest the persons property of foreigners resident i'll
San Juan
This is correct version of the affair from which it
viii be that the conduct of Captain Holns was cha
racterzed by commendable promptnes energy and pru
dence."
The New York Commercial Advertiser gives the
subjoined explanation of the difficulty
San Juan del Norte has been the scene or the occasion
OF some disputes and ealouses between the United States
and Great Britain, mainly growing the actions of
their respective representatives in those localities 1t
was formerly sort Of adjunct the Mosquito territory
whose far famed king held it under the proectorae
of Great Britain In April of 1852 the was
formally transferred to the inhabitants local govern
ment Immediately formed consisting of Mayor /
President Of Council Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
and Captain of the Port We believe there is fifth off,
GER but the above four only appear in this controversy
All of these reputed to be American citizens The
government was constutionaly chosen by the people
Prior 10 this change of government early as June
1851 the Accessory Transit Company of Nicaragua oe-
cupied site on the north side of the bay of San Juan
coal depot under lease from of the Mosquito
King paying only the nominal of sixpence sterling
per month but spulating TO yacate any time when
the land should be required for other purposes 1t is
perhaps worthy of passing notice. however that this per-
permission than lease-was granted to the Atlantic
and Pacific Ship Canal Company"
Recently, the plea that the site required for
powder magazine and other purposes the agent Of the
Mosquito King called upon the company yacate it. ac-
cording to the terms of their occupancy. The company
IT is alleged, paid no attention to the request 1t is not
improbable that the demand made because of dssat
sfacton with the proceedings of the company rather
than from any real need Of land for the purpose as
signed De that it may, the request was perfectly
legal, and the Mosquito Kings agent had perfect right
wi ifv
then took the matter and made several propositions
TO the Transit Company rendering large grants Of land
the south side Of the bay and the in
pie gratis and to pay the expenses Of removal to con-
struct rail track from the bay the lagoon and to
transport the compauys supplies from the other
free; all Of which propositions having been repeatedly
rendered were as frequently uaaotieed." The Common
Council thereupon passed ordinance requiring the
company to remove within thirty days. and the same
time a number Of the most responsible citizens Of the
town proposed in writing, their signatures
give 10 the company gratis the property known the Be-
schor estate situated in the heart Of the city which has
been valued at thirty thousand dollars"
The commercial agent Of the United States was APP
pealed by the company and he is represented to
decided that the question local one and be de-
cded by the local authorities The company claim that
they occupy the land under charter from the State of
Nicaragua, granted prior the lease from Mosquito
The United States agent, however held that Nicaragua
the land in question and that the company
acknowledged the Aosqutan jurisdiction by applying for
and accepting lease from the Mosquito Kings agent
Passing over some minor matters and disputes we
the time when the city ordinance was TO take eff
feet The companys agent il is represented had resoy
ed to obey the ordinance and had made preparations for
the removal Of the company Office dsmanted barque
lying in the harbor, and the horses stores, &C. the
south side Of the bay in the town proper" The formal
election to take place the 18th Of March, and
the 10th Of March the Cyane arrived at the port Here
commences the trouble
After reciting the formalities that took place be-
tween Capt. HoLLINs and the authorities Of San
Juan, the Commercial adds
There further statements Of the proceedings Of
Capt. Hollins, which, however essential to the
main issue except they indicate stringent Of
surveillance amounting almost to blockade OF the port
which could scarcely be necessary full protection Of
the Transit Companys property. One fact, however
should not be lost sight Of The British vice consul, Mr.
foote was absent while these took place. He
turned on the l4th instant and learning that the Gov
eminent had been dissolved hoisted the flag which had
been lowered repaired board Cyane and il is be-
heyed claimed the territory Mosquitan. SO matters
stood at the last advices"
Amount Of Cumberland Coal received by the
Alexandria Canal for the month ending March 81,
1853:
Tons. Cwt
To Cumberland Coal and Iron Company. ,769 1920