The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-08-08
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT IN RELATION 70

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT IN RELATION TO
THE AFFAIR AT SAN JUAN, OR GREYTowN.
On Tuesday The Speaker laid before the
House message from the President, in re-
ply to Mr.. Chambers resolution calling for
information relative to the recent destruction
of Greytown. Among the documents is a
letter from Secretary Marcy, dated June g.
1854, addressed to Mr.. Fabens, United States
commercial agent at San Juan del Norte, i'm
which the following passages occur:
You were instructed in my former letter
to notify the people OF San Juan to repair the
injury they have caused to the Accessory
Transit Company, 10y Withholding from it the
property which had been stolen and taken to
San Juan, and by protecting the persons who
were guilty of The felony. IL is hoped that
the town will have adjusted that matter to
the entire satisfaction ut the company, and in
that way that Commander Holius will be re-.
lieved from the disagreeable niece ssity oftak-
ing any action in regard To that subject
You will, on the arrival OF Commander He
Inns, explain 10 him what has been done in
this matter.
Mr.. Borland, our minister to Central
America, has represented to the government
that while recently al San Juan he was in
suited by the authorities or people OF that
place-an indignity offered to the nation as
we'll as to himself Individually can
not be permitted 10 pass unnoticed. Ii done
by order Of the authorities of the place, they
must answer for it in their assumed political
character. Nothing short of an apology will
save the plaee from the infection that such
an act justly merits. 1t is expected that this
ho Ia
tory assurances given to Commander HoIlins
Of future good conduct toward the United
Stat IS and public functionares who may in
future be at that pace. II the outrage was
committed by lawless individuals, without
the authority or connivance Of the town, then
it is clearly the duty of those who exercise
tie civil power of San Juan to inflict upon
them exemplary punishment. The neglect
to bring them TO Justice is assuming, on the
part of the national magistrates there the re-
sponsbilify for the act of these individuals
In such case, not to punish Is an implied
sanction Of the acts Of the transgressors. II
is hoped that the authorities will be prepared
to satisfy Commander Hollins that they have
done what sas incumbent on them in the
way Of bringing the offenders to punishment.
The following is Secretary Dobbins' letter
TO Commander Ho.lins:
Navy DEPARTMESr. June 10, 1854.
SIR-The government has recently re-
ceived intelligence that the interests of our
countrymen require the presence Of a nation
al vessel at San Juan or Greytown, and from
your experience in that region, and conf |
dence in your prudence and energy, and in
pursuance of the wishes of the President, the |
de partment has concluded to direct that you |
proceed with the Cyane to that port, so soon |
as she can fully be ready for the cruise
The property OF the American citizens inter.
ested in the Accessory Transit Company, it |
is said. has been unlawfully detained by per.
81 rs residing in Greytown. Apprehension
is felt that further outrsges will be commit
ted. Our minister, Dir. Borland, has been
treated with rudeness and disrespect. You
will, however, learn from Mr.. Fabens, our
commercial AGENT At Greytown, more par
ticularly the conduct of those people, and the
views OF our government, which have been
to him from the State Depart
ment. You will consult with him freely,
and ascertain the state Of the facts. Now
t very desirable that the people should be
taught that the United States will not tole-
rate these outrnges, and that they hrve the
power and the determination to check them.
It IS, however, very much to be hoped that
'ou can effect the purposes Of your visit with
but resort to violence and destruction OF
property and loss of life. The presence of