Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-08-09
THE SAN JUAN AFFAIR.

rbo Raleigh Register, true to its federal instincts
c.d;no fault with the Administration for the bonn
,,.dment of San Juan by the United States vessel
.f rsr Cyane Knowing that paper do, we
I" rot SURPRISED to find it taking sides with for
a." ,ountry against its own. The Richmond Enqui-
rer says:
,r;tv in condemnng the conduct of our govern
s + in its controversies with other Powers that
nr ; 6rnunciation of the Administration for the re-
tne occurrence at San Juan will be taken by the
cblic as mere outburst of party spleen and unpa-
P.tic impulse From the papers submitted to Con-
u s nv the President in explanations of the affair,
e. ;mDartial mind will deduce this double concu-
Nv frst that the Administration are not response
v'f ar the bombardment of San Juan, and secondly
% the act iscfis not deserving of censure.
The Instructions of the government to Comman-
,,r Hollns were dictated by Secretary Dobbin with
W. caution characteristic of the man, and with
ulocson of terms which excludes every inference
r riolent purpose. While directing Commander
u llns to demand reparaton and apology for out
.aes upon our citizens and insults to govern
-"snt Mr. Do5bn anxiously and carefully incucat-
~ the utmost forbearance and clemency which the
rcancy would warrant. 1t is perfectly clear that
s did not contemplate resort to such an extremi-
=. If violence much less advise and authorize it in
,drance In the spirit, the Secretary of State
enared his instructions to the United States Consul
r. San JUAN OF all the men in this country Mr..
lIarcVlS
Ofnassion the least likely to act upon imperfect in
Trmstion and the least disposed to measures Of
necessary violence. His Instructions therefore, to
Mr. Fabcns are quite calm and cautious as the
;n.ructions CT Mr. Dobbin to commander Hollins
and as little significant of predspositon to extreme
measures They submit the whole case to Consul
T.bens with the expression of an earnest desire that
the difficulty may be adjusted peaceably and with
mt resort to measures of co. cion.
In acquittng the Administration of all response
bHity for the destruction of San Juan, must not
he understood imply the least censure of the act
or of the conduct of the gallant commander of the
Cvane On the contrary We maintain that the wrongs
and indignities nii cted upon citizens and the
person of our Minister, not only justified but de-
handed signal chaStisement in the event of refu-
sat of apology and reparation The recital of these
wrongs and indgnitcs by Mr.. Borland and Mr.. Fa-
bens with the corroboratiye statement of other
American citizens, and the nsolent refusal of the
authorities of San Juan to make atonement for their
misconduct establish case which ronclusively JUS
dfeS the severe punishment inflicted by the Cyane.
San Juan was another Barrataria, q den of thieves
and murderers, who had congregated there from all
quarters of the glooc, with the hope of securely
practising their telonies in place exempt from the
dominion of law. Stimulated by British influence,
they have been preying upon the property of Amer
lean citizens for years, in contemptuous defiance of
the of the American government. When
they arrested American Minister and inflicted vio-
ence upon his person, they filled the measure of
their iniquities and wantonly provoked the retrbu-
ton which they suffered. If the government had
neglected to avenge the insult and to protect the
rights of IFS citizens, it would have forfeited all
hOrty and respect in the ewes of the world. The
honor Of the American flag has been sufficiently in
suited in the waters of this continent, and rejoice
that has been avenged and indicated at last with
becoming spirit. While extending all proper indul-
gnce to the contumacious outlaws of San Juan,
Commander Hollins resented the nterpositon of the
British officer in manner which shows his pluck,
and which will excite the admiration of his country
men. The insolent boast of Nelson's day, that
British seaman could whip two Frenchmen, re-
niated upon Lieutenant Jolly with CALLING sarcasm,
when Commander Hollins politely regretted that the
the Cyane. 1t is in this spirit that an American
sHeer should speak even to the mistress of the
SEAS"