New-York daily tribune., 1854-08-26
AFFAIRS At san JUN.
espondence Of The n. z. Tribune.

Correspondence Of The n. Z. Tribune.
SAN JUAN DEL NoRTE Monday, Aug Il, 1854.
This morning the steamship PrOmetheus arrived in
this Larbor the scene of the late exploits Of Capt.
Hons Of the Cyane The particulars of this affair
odOus and dsgraceul the more they are brought
to light. OF the beautiful town which little more than
month ago was monument OF what American en-
gy and enterprise accomplish IN tropical Wild
erness nothing now remains but heap of blackeaed
ruins. But the same spirit which stood against the
oyerbearng insoencc and injustice of the Transit Co.
and the buccaneering acts of the commander OF the
Cysne is shown in the rapidty with which the town
rising from its ruins. Already 81 houses com
pleed ard occupied, aud many in process of
erection In Il short time there will be Opportuni-
ty for another display Of the naval prowess Of the Cy
ane and its commander.
And now a word as to the discipline and gunRery OF
the Cyane. II strange that after throwing shot
and she'll into a wooden town from . o'clock in the
morning untl'3 o'clock in the afternoon, that not
a single house was fired or knocked down. | am in-
formed by competent judges who witnessed the whole
proceedings that two thousand dollars would have
paired all the damage done the town, after lombard
ment of six hours. An eyewitness states that
many of the shells exploded almost at the instant of
leaving the mouth of the guns; the remainder, with
two exceptions, passing entirely over the town.
Leaving out the Pickering matches, there was, per-
hape, as much danger on board the Cyane as IN the
town bombarded. Perhaps this may be accounted
for if the reports true that many of the best gunners
of the Cyane refused TO FIRE defenseess town, and
were consequently placed in irons The statement Of
Capt HOins in his report TO Secretary Dobbin
that the party sent to burn the town fired upon
is without the least foundation in truth. The inbab
tants had all left thetown the least resistance
of any Kind made.
The burning the town was what the Transit Com.
pany had been endeavorng to bring about for long
time 1t threatened by their agents. and 1t is sup
posed 10 be the object that Jos. l.. White had in view
when he stated, during his late visit here that in
Z" three onths from that time there would not be
dozen inhabitants in San Juan" There is good rea
son believe that il for the purpose Of producing
decided rupture with the town that Mr. Fabens
sent here as Commercial Agent. II be shown that
he was chosen and recommended by the leading men
Of the Transit Company in New-York, who promised
him all their influence and support. His Overbesring
and strange conduct made him unpopular not only
with the people of the but also with the agent Of
the Company at this place. The result was that at
the time of the affair with Borland here, he (Fabens)
had large stock Of provisions which time and the
climate We're rapidly damaging. He also had house,
which, owing TO the depreciation Of property, would
not have brought Onehalf the original cost. Ii might
be unfair TO infer that these circumstances had any
bearing in the case, that they in any manner ac-
counted for the extraordinary anxiety manifested by
Fabens TO have the town burned by the passengers at
the time that he represented 10 them that Borland was
prisoner there with his head broken. For the dam
aged provisions, however, there a market on ac-
count of the fifty men which Borland had placed on
the point occupied by the Transit Company II was
therefore only necessary to dispose of his house with
Uncle Sam for paymaster, and in this way the petng
Of Borland and burning of Greytown may prove
profitable speculation for Mr. Fabens.
Capt Hollns, in his report published, states that
during the c0nagration Of the town Capt Jolly with
the English schOoner-Owar Bermuda left the harbor
thus leaving the English subjects referred to in the
- communication Of Commander Jolly without any
- assistance should it be required" Now the facts
are these The Bermuda left the harbor for Coon Island
distant about eighty miles, with thrtysx Of the inhab
lfants OF the town on board several of them Amer
leans flying from the shot and shell thrown by ship
OF their own country. They were safely landed on
the island the English Captain and the English Con.
sul becoming responsible for their maintenance The
Bermuda returned Immediately TO San Juan TO afford
such assistance might be in her power to the house
less inhabitants. Now as for Capt Hoins, surely. if
was necessary to place fifty men the Point pro-
tect against the town at time when the people had
houses and property which might be said to be to some
extent guaranty for good behaviour how much more
necessary must il have been when these houses and
goods were destroyed and the owners rendered reck
less or desperate Yet we see Mr.. HoRns the mo-
ment the work Of demolition was completed, weigh
anchor and leave the employees Of the Transit Com.
pany without even corporas guard to protect them
The Americans in San Juan fearing that some in
Jury might be done the Transit Company by per-
sons who were left utterly destitute requested Cant
Jolly to adopt such measures as would secure the
safety Of all. Accordingly Capt. Jolly declared mar
tla law and several disordery persona were sen a.v
1hus We see that after the atrocious and cowsrdiv
conduct OF Holns, the Transit Company and ts nrc.
Perty was protected BY an English vessel of war.
A one instance, among many of personal malice
evinctd In the destruction of property here was that
oi large quantity Of gunpowder 90 tuns) belonging
- resident oi this place, WHO had been absent IN
"s"'''H curing the pss'seven HoDths ThsPowder