The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-12-15

Such, in substance, are the facts submitted
to my consideration, and proved by trustwor
thy evidence. | could not doubt that tn,
case demanded the interposition of this Gov
ernment. Justice required that reparatior
should be made for so many and such gros.
wrongs, and that course of insOlence anC
plunder, tending directly to the insecurity o.
the lives of numerous travellers, and of the
rich treasure belonging to onr citizens,passine
over this transit way, should be peremptorly
arrested. Whatever it might be in other re
spects,the community in question, in power tC
do mischief, was not despcabe. 1t was well
provided with ordnance, small arms, and am
munitiOn, and might easily seize on the un
armed boats, freighted with millions of prop
erty, which passed almost daily within its
reach. 1t did not profess to belong to any
regular government and had, in fact, no re.
cognized dependence on, or connection with
any one to which the United States or theil
injured citizens might apply for redress, OIL
which could be held responsible, In any way
for the outrages committed. Not standing
before the world in the attitude of an organ,
lied political society, being neither competent
to exercise the rights nor to discharge the
obligations of government, it was, in fact
marauding establishment, too dangerous to
be disregarded. and too guilty to pass unpun.
ished, and yet incapable of being treated in
any other way than rs pi.atical resort fol
outlaws, or camp of savages, depredating
on emigrant trains or caravans and the from.
tier settlements of civilized States.
Seasonable notice was given to the people
of Greytown that this government required
them to repair the injuries they had done to
our citizens, and to make suitable apology
for the insult OF our minister, and that ship.
of-war would be dispatched thther to enforce
compliance with these demands But the
notice passed unheeded. Thereupon, n com.
mander Of the navy, in charge of the soop
of-war Cynne, was ordered to repeat the de-
mands, and to insist upon a compliance there
with. Finding that neither the populace, nor
those assuming to have authotity over them,
manifested any disposition to make the re-
quired reparaton, or even to offer excuse for
their conduct, he warned them, by a public
proclamation, that if they did not give satis-
faction within time specified, he would bom-
bard the town. By this procedure he afford
ed them opportunity to provide for their per-
sonal safety.
To those, also, who desired to avoid loss
Of property, in the punishment about to be
inflicted on the offending town, he furnished
the means of removing their effects, by the
boats of his own ship, and of steamer which
he procured and rendered to them for that
purpose. At length, perceiving no disposi.
ton on the part of the town to comply with
his acquisitions, he appealed to the command
er of Her Britannia Majesty's schooner Ber-
muda, who was seen to have intercourse, and
apparently much influence, with the leaders
among them, to interpose, and persuade them
to take some course calculated to save the
necessity of resorting to the extreme measure
indicated in his proclamation; but that officer,
instead of acceding to the request, did moth
ing more than to protest against the contem-
plated bombardment. No steps of any sort
were taken by the people to give the salts
faction required. No individuals, if any there
were, who regarded themselvesas not respon-
sible for the misconduct of the community,
adopted any means to separate themselves
from the fate of the guilty.
The several charges, on which the demands
for redress were founded, had been publicly
known to all for some time, and were again
to them. They did not deny any
of these charges; they offered no explanation,
nothing in extenuatiOn of their conduct; but
contumaciously refused to hold any inter-
course, with the commander of the "Cyane."
BY their obstinate silence they seemed rather
desirous to provoke chastisement than to es-
cape it. Their is ample reason to believe that
this conduct Of wanton defiance, on their
part, is imputabe chiefly to the delusive idea
that the American government would be de-
TERED from furnishing them, through fear OF
formidable foreign power which
they presumed to think, looked with comPla-
cency upon theiraggressive and insulting de-
pertinent toward the United States. The
'Cyane" Mt length fired upon the town. Be-
fore much injury had been done, the fire was
twice suspended, in order to afford opportu-
nifty for an arrangement; but this was declin-
ed. Most of the buildings of the place, of
little value generally, were, in the sequel, de
stroyed but, owing to the consderate pre-
cautions taken by our naval Commander,
here was no destruction of life.
When the Cyane was ordered to Central
America, it was confidently hoped and expect
ID that that no occasion would arise for ire
sort to violence and destruction Of property
md loss of life. Instructions to that effect
we're given to the commander. And no eX-
rene act would have been requisite had not
he people themselves, by their extraordinary
conduct in the affair, frustrated all the posi-
Die mild measures for obtaining satisfaction.
A withdrawal from the place, the object OF
iis visit entirely defeated, would, under the
circumstance in which the commander OF the
Jyane found himself, have been absolute
of all claim of our citizens for
and submissive acquiescence
n national indignity. 1t would have encour-
.ged in those lawless men spirit Of inso-
ence and rapine most dangerous to the lives
ind property of our citizens at Punta Arenas,
md probably emboldened them to grasp at
he treasures and valuable merchandise con-
inuallv passing over the Nicaragua Route
{ certainly would have been more satlsfacto-
" to me, If the Cyane's mission could have
,een consummated without any act of public
orce, but the arrogant contumacy OF the Of
enders, rendered IL impossible to avoid the
alternative, either to break up the establish
uent, or to leave them impressed with the
dea that they might persevere with impuni-
v in career of insolence and plunder.
This transaction has been the subject Of
complaint on the part of some foreign pow
RS, and has been characterised with more of
,arshness than of justice II comparisons
we're to be instituted, it would not be diff
ult to present repeated instances in the his
ory of States. standing in the very front Of
modern civilization, where communities, far
ess offending and more defenceless than
ireytown, have been chastised with much
,reater severity, and where not cities only
AVE been laid in ruins, but human life has
,een recklessly sacrificed, and the blood Of
he innocent made profusely to mingle with
hat of the guilty.
Passing from foreign TO domestic affairs,
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