The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-08-10
The Greytown Affair.

The President has communicated to the
House of Representatives the papers connect
ed with the burning of Greytown by the .. S.
Ship Cyane. They occupy twelve columns of
the Union newspaper Among them is a let
ter from Secretary MARCY, dated June 9th to
Mr.. FABESs, the U. S. Commercial agent at
Greytown.
you were instructed in my former letter to
notify the people of San Juan to repair the i'll
jury they have caused to the Accessory Transit
Company, by Withholding from it the proper
ty which had been stolen and taken to San
Juan, and by protecting the persons who were
guilty of the felony. 1t is hoped that the town
will have adjusted that matter to the entire
satisfaction Of the Company, and in that way
that Commander Hollins will be relieved from
the disagreeabe necessity of taking any action
in regard to that subject. You will, ON the
arrival of Commander Hollins, explain to him
what has been done in that matter
"Mr. BOrland, Onr Minister to Central Amer
lea, has represented to this Government that
whilst recently at San Juan, he was insulted
by the authorities, 81 people, at that place
an indignity offered to the nation, as well as
to him individually, which cannot be permitted
to pass unnOtced. If done by order of the au-
thorites of the place, they must answer for it
in their assumed political character. Moth
ing short of an apology will save the place
from the intiction that such an act Justly mer-
its. 1t is expected that this apology will be
promptly made, and satisfactory assurance
given to Commander HoIIins of future good
conduct towards the United States and public
functiOnaries who may in future be at that
place. If the outrage was committed by law
less individuals without the authority or con-
nivance of the town, then it is clearly the duty
Of those who exercise the civil power at San
Juan to inflict upon them exemplary punish
mcnt. The neglect to bring them to justice is
assuming, on the part Of the nominal masis-
trates there, the Responsibility for the act of
these individuals. In such case, not
to punish is an implied sanction of the acts
of the stransSressors. 1t is hoped the au-
thorities will be prepared to satisfy Comman-
der Hollins that they have done what was in
cumbent on them in the act of bringing the
offenders to punishment
The Secretary of the Navy instructs Com
mander Holins Of the Cyane as follows:
"Now it is very desirable that the people
should be taught that the United States will
not tolerate these outrages, and that they have
the power and determination to check them
can effect the purposes of your visit without a
resort to violence and destruction of property
and loss of life. The presence of your vessel
will no doubt do much good. The department
reposes much in your presence and good sense"
Among the documents is the correspondence
between w. ID. Jolly, commander IL. b. NJ
schooner Bermuda, and Capt Holns. The
former, under date GreytOwn, July II, enters
his most solemn protest against the course
which HOllins had intimatcd to him he intend
ed to pursue toward Greytown. The inhabit-
ants of the city, as well as the houses and prop
erty, he says, are entirely defenceless and quite
at our mercy. | do therefore notify you that
such an act will be without precedent among
civilized nations, and beg to call your atten-
ton to the fact that a large amount Of proper
ty of British subjects as we'll as Others which
it is my duty to protect, will be destroyed but
as the force under my command is totally in
adequate for this protection against the Cyane
/ can only enter this my protest.
Capt. Hollins replies, (July l2,l expressing
his sincere regret that Capt. Jolly feels HIM
self under the necessity to protest against the
action he was about to take in relation to the
City of Juan del Norte. The people had seen
fit to commit outrages on the property and per-
sons of citizens of the United States after
manner only to be regarded as piratical. 81
am he says in conclusion, directed to enforce
that reparation demanded by my Government.
Be assured l sympathise with you in the 'rcs-
cue of English subjects and property under the
circumstances and regret exceedingly that
the force under your command is not doubly
equal to that of the Cyane.'
The documents comprise other papers, in
Guiding the proclamation of June "a, address
ed to those now, or lately pretending to and
exercising authority in San Juan del Norte,
asking for redress, and demanding pledge Of
future good behavior on the part Of said au-
thorities and people toward the people of the
United States and her public functionaries.