The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-12-09

Gus assemblage, gathered from various coun
tries, and composed for the most part of
blacks and persons of mixed blood, had pre-
viously given other indications of mischie-
vous and dangerous propensities, Early in
the same month property was clandestinely
taken from the depot of the Transit Compa-
ny and taken to Greytown. The plunderers
were driven back by its people, who not on
ly protected the wrong doers and shared the
plunder, but treated with rudeness and vio-
lence those who sought to recover their prop
erty.
Such, In substance, are the facts submitted
to my consideration and proved by trust
worthy evidence. could not doubt that
the case demanded the interposition of this
government. Justice required that repara-
tion should be made for so many and such
gross wrongs, and that course of insolence
and plunder, tending directly to the insecu-
rity of the lives of numerous travellers, and
of the rich treasures of citizens passing over
the Transit-Way, should be peremptorily
arrested. Whatever it might be in other re-
spects, the community in question in power
70 do mischief was not despicable. 1t was
we'll provided with ordinance, small arms
and ammunition, and might easily seize up
on unarmed boats, freighted with millions
of property, which passed almost daily with
in its reach. 1t did not profess to belong to
any regular government, and had in fact no
recognized dependence or connection with
any one 10 which the United States or the
injured citizens might apply for redress, or
which could be held responsible in any way,
for the outrages committed. Not standing
before the world in the attitude of an organ
lied political state, being neither competent
10 exercise the rights nor to discharge the
obligations of a government, it was in fact
maraudng establishment, too dangerous
to be disregarded and too guilty to pass un
punished, and yet incapable of being treated
IN any other way than as piratical resort
of outlaws or camp of savages, depreda-
ting on emigrant trains or caravans on the
frontier settlements of civilized states.
Seasonable notice was given to the people
OF Greytown that this government required
them to repair the injury they had done to
our citizens, and to make suitable apology
for their insult of our minister, and that
ship of war would be dispatched thither to
enforce compliance with these demands, but
he notice passed unheeded. Thereupon, a
commander of the navy, in charge of the
>loop p-of-war Cyane, was ordered to repeat
jhc demands and to insist upon compli-
ancc Herewith.
Finding that neither the populace nor those
sssuming to have authority over them, man
fested any disposition to make reparation
or offer an excuse for their conduct, he warn
ed them by public proclamation, that if
;hey did not give satisfaction within time
-peciied, he would lombard the town. By
this procedure he afforded them opportunity
so provide for their personal safety. To
thosa who desired to avoid loss of property
IN the punishment about to be inflicted on
he offending town, he furnished the means
Of removing their effects, by the boats Of his
own ship, and Of steamer, which he pro-
cured and rendered to them for thai purpose.
At length perceiving no disposition on the
part of the town to comply with his requi-
stions, he appealed to the commander of her
Brittanic Majestys schooner Bermuda, who
was seen to have intercourse and apparently
much influence with the leaders, asking him
70 interpose and persuade them to take some
course calculated to save the necessity Of re-
sorting to the extreme measures indicated in
his proclamation but that officer, instead
Vt accedng to his request, did nothing more
Than TO protest against the contemplated
Commandment.
No steps of any sort were taken by the
people to give the satisfa ction required. DO
individuals, if any there were who regarded
themselves as not responsible for the miscon-