Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-04-06
The seizure Of san Juan.

i Yesterday we had news Of the surrender Of
4 SAN JUAN DE NIcARAouA To the American
sloop of war Cyane, under Capt. IIolns.
As this is an event which must seriously add
TO the existing embarrassment OF affairs in
| Central America, and still farther complicate
the respective relations Of Great Britain and
the United States towards the authorities there,
and towards each other-we deem ii a duty
10 furnish all the information at command
bearing upon the subject San Juan, called
| by the British Greytown. is the hther terml-
! nus Of the Nicaragua Transit Company. II
formed for some time the subject of dispute
between "tbe Mosquito king"-who was tho
mere puppet of British intrigue, and Nicaragua
but since May 1852 has been practically II
Free Town-governed by laws and officer
Of its own creation. It's government consist
of Mayor, President Of Council, Chief Justice
and Captain of the Portal Of whom ara
said to be Americans. Its independence seems
in some sort 10 have been recognized. bohl
by this government and Great Britoin-ir
the act Of each sending there commercial
agent.
Before it became Free Town.and while il.
was held by the Mosquito King-or British
authorities under his nalne-it seems that the
agency known as the Accessory Transit Com
pany of Nicaragua occupied site on the
North side OF the Bay of San Juan, Us coal
depot-undcr a nominal lease from the agent
Of the Mosquito king-with stipulation to
vacate when required. Recently such requi-
slicn IS alleged 10 have been made; but the
Company not choosing any longer to recognize
"the King Of Mosquito" paid no regard TO the
demand The city government then, as we
find it stated by correspondent of the New
York Tribune, took the matter IN hand arCl
make several propositions totbe Transit Com
pany, rendering large grants Of land on the
south side Of the bay and on the lagoo
in fec simple, gratis, and to pay the expenses
Of removal, TO construct rail track from the
bay to the lagoon aud to transport the compa
ny's supplies from one to tho other, free-all
Of which propositions having been repeatedly
rendered, We're as frequently unnoticed." The
Common Council thoreupon passed ordi-
nance requiring the company to remove within
thirty DAYS ; and at the same time, says the
Same authority, IA number Of The most respon..
sibIe citizens of the town proposed in writing,
over their own signatures, to give to the com.
pany gratis the property known as the Beschor
estate, situated in the heart of the city, whc h
has been valued at thirty thousand dollars
The ordinance OF the council was to take
effect on the 9th of March. On the 10th the,
Cyane arrived in the harbor and Capt. Hollint
was Immediately served with a protest drawn
up by the Company against the ordinance Of
the Council and his protection was besought
for their property and works. The Washing
ton Union States that the ordinance of the
Council had been partially carriedn effect on
the 2lst February and that when Capt Hol-
Inns became apprzed of the facts he "dispatch-
ed Lieutenant Gresn with a remonstrance to
the council against any additional outrage OF /
the property Of the Transit Company; but thu ,
council replied that they would complete the
destruction of the buildings at eleven o'clock
ON the next day, lth of March. Capt, Hol-
Inns then made protest in person to the coun.
ell against their threats but with no better re-
silt. Learning that the people of Nicaragua
were proceeding to the destruction Of the bull.
dings Of the company he despatched de-
tachment Of marines for their protection. Be.
ing forbidden by the guard 10 disturb the bull
dings,the Nicaroguans dessted from their pur-
pose and dispersed" In consequence Of their
repulse tho council of San Juan abdicated
their functions, struck their flag and surren,
dered themselves to Capt. Hollins issuing the
annexed
PROTEST.
GREYTowN OR SAN JUAN DEL NoRrE,
Saturday, March II. 1858.
TO tie Commander ofMe L. S. ship Of IIar
Cyane;
The undersigned, representing the Constitu
tional Government of Greytown or San Juarl
del Norte, to witt I. j Martin. Mayor; w. b .