Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-08-05
THE GRRYTowN AFFAIR.

The Uni0n-from the inveteracy of habit, we
suppose, which impes it. right or wrong, to contra
dict us-takes very indignant exception to the few
remarks with which we accompanied the documents
respecting the transactions at Greytown. But the
Union specifies scarcely single error, either Of fact
opinion, for our reconsideration and correction
It talks great deal about British intrgues always
safe card at pinch > about Messrs. Hulsemann,
Marcy, Koszta, and Ingraham; about the sins of
certain New York journals, of which we think very
little better than the Union does; about horse
sixteen feet high, which we presume refers to the
high horse Of the Union, but should have been six
teen hands not feet; about the Integencer's stick
ing to " its first position" about the Greytown
transaction although the Intelgencer had taken no
position on the subject at all, except to express
wish that the Government might be found blame
less in the matter 1t would be waste of time to
undertake an analysis of all these inconsequent al
usions and the Union must excuse us if we let them
pass without further notice.
The only point Of the Union's article Of yes
terday which we think worthy of any particu-
lar remark is the imputation that we accused
Capt. HeLLINs Of "barbarity" in burning the
town. We wish the Union to understand that we
have not applied any censure to the conduct Of Capt
HoLLINs. The act might be barbarous, yet per-
formed with all regard for humanity possible. As
an act of imperative Duty an officer may feel con-
strained to execute a barbarous act; and such we
presume was the case with Capt. HoLLINs' He con-
ceived that his orders left him no alternative but to
lay the town in ashes, yet we doubt not that he
deavored far as he could to avoid any sacrifice Of
life. We impute no barbarity to the officer. The
barbarty existed in his ORDERS if he construed them
Alright. But the Union tells us that the course
| pursued by Capt HoLLINs was not distinctly in
Dictated in his instructions" This, for the sake Of
meritorious officer, we regret and, he doubtless
acted in good faith his defence must be the obscure
ty Of his instructions And here, in justice to the
Government, we are free to admit the difficulty of
framing precise and definite instructions for the
punishment of such an offence and such offenders
as Capt HoLLINs was dispatched to Greytown to
punish
We apprehend that the real error in the affair
will be found to consist in little too much precipi-
fancy on the part of the Government in giving
credence to interested Statements and then resolving
too promptly to infict signal and condign punish
ment on what it conceived to be heinous national
insult yet without any distinct idea of the mode or
measure of punishment to be inflicted, an opinion
which finds much support in the articles which we
subjoin supposng them to be not entire perversons
of the truth. They are from known sources and
are quoted from the columns of Democratic
journal:
FROM THE NEW YORK EVENING POST.
Burning Of Greytoaon-M Message from the President.
We copy from the Washington Union the official re-
Of the President and Of the heads Of the State and
Navy Departments to the call Of Congress for the
relating to the recent burning of Greyown The Presi
dent sends the papers without note comment he
clines either to approve disapprove Of any thing
officially.
The Washington Union however, may be supposed to
indicate the view which the Administration is preparing
to take of the transaction That print ntimaes in
article which copy elsewhere, that Capt Hollins
ceeded his nstrucons at the time it is unwilling
to admit that there any thing in his conduct which
may not DO susceptible Of explanation Upon this point
we imagine there will be difference Of opinion
The letter Of Mr. Fabens in which he gives his account
Borands confinement at the consulate inadvertent
ly dscloses the feeling with which his conduct had
spired his counrymen board the Northern Light
When he realized the critical position in which he had
placed himself he sent Mr. Fabens the at mid
night for guard to protect him. Mr.. Fabens went to
the steamer, and instead Of returning with guard
expected, committee Of three appointed to go
ashore and consult with Mr. Borland about the course
they should take Mr. Fabens does not tell why fifty
men did not OF themselves and volunteer 60
to the relief Of American Minister in duress Every
one will however, supply the omission of Mr.. Fabenss
statement. We happen to have the explanation upon
better authority than inference We credibly
informed by who was in Greytown at the time that
the passengers declined going with Mr. Fabens because
they sad Borland had got into foolish scrape and he
might get out of it he got into it. They did not feel
disposed to countenance his conduct by going to his
sstance In this connection desire the attention Of
readers to an important letter from Mr. Wood who is
Of the principal losers by the burning Of Greyown, and
who has given facts connected with the murder Of
Antonio which add materially to Mr. Borands RESPONSE
bility Mr.. Woods statement is confirmed by
sponden of the Boston Atlas whose communication is al
so given.
Letter from Mr.. Samuel s. Wood, Of the firm Of 8. S.
Wood Son, at Greytown, formerly resident Of Peek
SKILL Westchester county, and sergeantat-arms Of the
Assembly of the State of New York in l846.
PExKsKILI, AUGUST 2, 1854.
| To the Editor Of the Evening Post:
The recent outrage perpetrated upon the defenceess
city Of Greytown, San Juan del Norte ostensbly in
part to indemnify the Nicaragua Transit Company for
injuries suffered by them at the hands Of its citizens
may give interest to some statements showing the