Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-08
ENGLAND AND THE COMMANDMENT
OF GREYTOWN.

lraaJ argus OF May zotn.
ENGLAND AND THE BOMBARDMENT
OF GREYTOWN.
The information contained in the London
Times that the Boscawen, man-of-war OF
seventy guns, has sailed from Liverpool to
Greytown, is not without its significance. Un,
der ordinary circumstances, such a proceeding
would have been unworthy Of remark, but when
taken in connexion with the recent transac
tions at Greytown, it becomes a subject of deep
interest. Fit is intended tohave any relation
to the action of the Cyane in the bombardmeni
of that town, it reminds us of an old adage
which ridicules the policy of locking the stable
door after the horse has escaped.
1t would, without doubt, be subject of the
deepest regret, both in this country and in
England, if the conduct of Captain Hollins,
acting, as we believe he did, under the instruc-
tions of government, should lead to any dis.
turbance Of our amicable relations. And vet
it rests entirely with England to say how far
she will interfere in the matter, and whether
she considers such conduct violation of the
treaty and good faith which has subsisted be-
tween the two nations We feel we'll assured
that our government acted with deliberation
and with proper regard to consequences in
this respect and that it will hold itself pre-
pared to vindicate its policy and to maintain
its honor, whenever or from whatever quarter
it is attacked.
The history of the relations of the English
government to the Mosquito territory, of her
abandonment Of her protectorate over that ter
ritory in the Spanish treaty of 1855, of the
consideration which she still enjoys in her com,
mercial privileges at the Belize, Of her renewal
of that treaty in 1924 with the Mexican repub-
lie, and Of her frequent infractions of those
treaties, until 1913 when she took forcibe posses
sion of San Juan, and changed its name, is so
well known to the country as to be undeserving
of further comment. Suffice it to say, that the
the REIMBURSEMENT Of her protectorate Of the
Mosquito coast is attested by three solemn
treaties, and that her frequent disregard of
these treaties is of a piece with the lust for
power and dominion which has characterized
her whole foreign policy.
1t is almost amusing TO witness the grave face
with (which misleading English journal, the Lon.
don Times, laments over the barbarous lombard.
ment Of this little town. There is good old
parable that says something of casting "a
beam out Of thine own eye, in order to perceive
the mote in thy brothers eye" which we
would commend to government whose char
acter has been stained, and whose annals have
been illustrated BY a succession Of crimes,
which the historian almost bushes to record
That government might easily refer to the his
tory of India, TO the prosecutions of Cheyte
Sing, 10 the wrongs Of the Princesses Of Dude,
10 the whole administration Of the great Has
tings, for whom not even his eulogist could
find an apology. 1t might refer TO thu. oppres-
sions of Ireland and draw from that source
useful lesson Of how much easier it is to
condemn another than to be pure itself 1t
might learn the same lesson while It's arms
are protecting Turkey from the domination OF
Russia, and crushing Ireland under a far more
cruel domination. it might learn that philau-
thropy is one thing and mock sentimentality is
another when II loosens the shackels Of the slave
who lands upon its soil, while il retains in a
more fearful bondage the unhappy victims Of
its looms and Of its mines. Let not England
with her black record, pirate about shocking
outrages," wanton destruction" and painful
Occurrences" at Greytown.
OF one thing we can assure the London
Times, and those for whom it speaks. The
mass Of the people Of the United States fully
justify the whole proceeding Of Captain Hol-
Inns, and support the Administration in its in.
structions. They hold moreover that for this
action they are not respopsibleto England nor
TO any other power-and while they view with
regret the active interference Of Great Britain,
they await with patience and frmness "tbe
serious attention" " which the British govern.
ment cannot fail to give to this painful occur.
renee"