Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-04-15

had news of the surrender of SAN JUAN Dl
NICARAGUA to the American sloop of war Cy
ane, under Capt. Hollins.. AS this is an even
which must seriously add to the existing EN-
barrassment of affairs in Central America, ant
still farther complicate the respective relation;
of Great Britain and the United States towards
the authorities there, and towards each other
we deem it duty to furnish all the information
at command bearing upon the subject. Sal
Juan, called by the British Greytown, is tbs
hither terminus of the Nicaragua Transit Com
pany. 1t formed for some time the subject O
dispute between the "Musquito King'-whC
was the mere puppet of British intrigue, ant
Nicaragua, but since May 1852 has been prac
tically Free Town-governed by laws and of
fcers of its own creation. Its government con
sists of Mayor, President of Council, CHIEF
Justice, and Captain of the Portal of whom
are said to be Americans. Its independence
seems, in some sort, to have been recognized
both by this government and Great Britain-in
the act of each sending there commercial a
gent.
Before it became free town, and while il
was held by the Mosquito King-or British au
thoritieS under his name-it seems that the a
gency known as the Accessory Transit Compa-
ny of Nicaragua occupied a site on the North
side of the Bay of San Juan, as a coal depot
under nominal lease from the agent of the
Mosquito King-with stipulation to vacate
when required. Recentlysuch requisition is al
legged to have been made; but the Company rot
chosnSIsny longer to recognize ''the King of
Mosquito" paid no regard to the demand. The
city government then, as we find it stated by a
correspondent of the New York Tribune took
the matter in hand and "make several PROPOSE
tons to the Transit Company, rendering large
grants of land on the south side of the bay and
on the lagoon in fee simple, gratis, and to pay
the expenses of removal, to construct a rail
track from the bay to the lagoon and to trans
port the company's supplies from one to the 9TH
er, free-all of which propositions having been
repeatedly rendered, were as frequently unnoti-
ced." The Common Council thereupon passed
an ordinance requiring the company to remove
within thirty days; and at the same time, says
the same authority, "a number Of the most res
ponslble citizens of the town proposed in wri-
ting over their own signatures, to give to the
company gratis the property known as the Bes-
Choir estate, situated in the heart of the city,
which has been valued at thirty thousand dol
dollars"
The ordinance of the council was to take eff
feet on the 18th of March. On the 10th the
Cyane arrived in the harbor and Capt. Hollins
was Immediately served with protest drawn
up by the Company against the ordinance of
the Council and his protection was besought for
their property and works. The Washington
Union states that the ordinance of the Council
had been partially carried into effect on the q,
February and that when Capt. Hollins became
apprized of the facts he dispatched Lieutenant
Green with a remonstrance to the counciagainst
any additional outrage on the property of the
Transit Company; but the council replied that
they would complete the destruction of the bull
dings at eleven o'clock on the next day, llth of
March. Capt. Holins then made protest in
person to the council against their threats but
with no better result Learning that the peo-
pie of Nicaragua were proceeding to the de-
struction of the buildings of the company he
despatched detachment of marines for their
protection. Being forbidden by the guard to
disturb the buildings the Nicaraguans desisted
from their purpose and dispersed" In conse-
quence of their repulse the council of San Ju-
an abdicated their functions, struck their flag
and surrendered themselves to Capt. Hollins is
suing the annexed
PROTEST.
GREYTowN OR SAN JUAN DEL NoRTE
Saturday, March II. 1853.
To the Commander Of the u S. ship Of Var
Cyane;
The undersigned, representing the Constitu-
tional Government of Greytown or San Juan
del Norte, to wit; T. J. Martin, Mayor; W. B.
Curing, President of the Council; Thomas
Cody, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; and
Il. J. Richards, Captain of the Port, beg leave
to say:
That this Government has been in existence
under the present organization since the first
day of May A. D. 1852, and during the time
has exercised all the rights and privileges of a
free and Independent State, enacting laws I'M
der a Constitution, and affording ample pro-
lection to person and property.
The existing Government has been recognized
by the Government of the United States of
America, as is shown by the appointment of
Henry l.. Stevenson, Esq., Commercial Agent
to this city on the part of the United States,
and by that of Great Britain blythe appointment
Of Fl. G. Fook as British Vice Consul on the
part of that Government.
The proceedings of this Government in rela-
ton to the illegal occupancy of lands belonging
to this city by the Accessory Transit Company
of Nicaragua have been conducted according
to the due forms of law recognized and ackowl-
edged by all civilized nations.
The occupancy of portion of this city
by an armed force from the U. S. ship Of war
Cyane, for the purpose of resisting the execu-
lion of legal process, issued by the authorities
Of this city, without pevious notice thereof be-
ing given to this Government, and the actual
by force and arms presented to the
officer charged with the execution of said pro-
,ess, cannot be viewed in any other light than
Is direct invasion of the territory of this city,
destructive alike to its government, its laws,
Ind consequently of the welfare and safety OF
is inhabitants.
Therefore the undersigned, in view of the
condition of affairs heretofore mentioned, and
being unable to repel force by force, now, and
~ this their act, solemnly protest before the
civilized world against this unlawful occupancy
If their territory and the subversion of their
avs.
They therefore submit as a conquered people,
md surrender to Capt. George n. Hollins, of
he U. S. ship of war Cyane, the government,
he city and the offices which they had held
and on him rests the responsible
ty for any losses or damages the city or its in
abitants may sustain in the absence of lawful
authority for the protection of persons and prop
rty.
Respectfully your obedient servant,
T. J. MARTIN, Mayor
W. B. CURING, President of the Council. !
THOS. CODY, Chief Justice Supr. Court.
II. j. RICHARDS, Captain of the Port.
We must await further and fuller intelligence
efore we can undertake to pass upon the pro-
riety of Capt. Hollins' conduct In addition
IL - IL Il Al