The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-08-09
Commander Ho,,ins to Mr.. Dobb,n

SIR: have the honor to report my arrival
at this port on the 18th inst, after tedious
passage Of twenty-five days. On the 2Sth
ult., when off the Bermudas, the small pox,
in its most virulent form, made its appear
ance on board, in the person Of one OF the
crew, who is now in a precarious condition.
The usual measures have been taken to pre-
vent, 1t possible, the extension OF the disease,
which hope may prove successful.
Immediately on my arrival communicated
with Mr.. Joseph w. Fabens, the representa-
tive Of the United States at this place, and
delivered into his hands the dispatch forward
ed through me from the Hon. w. L. Marcy.
Secretary of the Department Of State, of
which had been honored with copy. At
ter due consultation with Mr.. Fabens, j.
learned the demand made by him, by order of
the State Department, upon the town Of
San Juan, had not only been treated with
contempt, but threats of future violence to-
ward American citizens and property were
publicly made, if an opportunity should offer.
Alter due dellberation, 1t was thought expe-.
dent to make final demand upon the inhab.
tants for an indemnity for injuries sustained
by citizens of the United States, and for an
apology OF a satisfactory character for the
insult recently given to Dir. Borland, our
Minister to Central America.
In accordance with this decision, Mr.. Fa-
bens was directed to communicate with the
agents OF the Trarsit Company, and deter
mine upon the amount of indemnity COM
mensurate with their losses, md the sun, Of
$4,000 was agreed upon as-the smallest sum
admissible under the circumstance, which,
with a previous demand ALREADY made Of S.
600. made the sum total of $4,000 From
my know ledge ofthe ihinries, & sustained,
and the future detrment OF the Company,
&c, this sum seemed to be no more than
just. Idirected Mr.. Fabens tc make las,
appeal to the people Of San Juan before de-
cisive measures were taken. This was done
on the afternoon of the llth inst. as will be
seen in his communication dated 18th inst,
with its contents in answer to mine of ,he
day preceding.
As the result Of the demand was entirely
unsatisfactory, in my answer To- Mr.. Fsbens,
TO his communication. enclosed him copy
OF proclamation To the people o. the town,
which was posted in the most public places,
and perused by all Shortly after, OH the
morning OF the l2th, as an earnest of my in
tentlons, as set forth in the proclamation, at
the request of Mr. Fabens, n guard of marines
and seamen, under the command OF Lieuten-
ants Pickering and Fauntleroy, were order
ed on shore, 10 secure the arms and amuni-
ton, as an evident disposition. was existing
among the people TO make an improper use of
! tbs m; and so 10 assist and protect Mr.. Fa-
bens ard others in the removal OF their pro.
Perty.
| Ihisdtty vas quickly performed by the Of
fcers ofthe command, nd the arms, &C., de-
posted en- Point Arenas, in charge of the
Transit Company, to await future disposition
Al the same time. foreigners generally, and
those favorable to the United States, were
notified that steamer would be in read: ness
on the morning Of the day, of the lombard
mnnt, to convey such as were disposed tc a
place of safety.
Commander and Lieut.. Jolly, Of her Britan-
ic Majesty's schooner Bermuda, at anchor in
this harbor, was also notified by me, in per-
son, OF my intentions on the morrow, and a
tender OF assistance was made 10 him, for the
purpose ofremoving any property or persons
OF Great Britain. This offer was met by his
communication, and responded to DIS in my
letter.
Agreeable TO promise, a steamer was sent
to town at daylight on the morning OF the
18th, TO assist such as were disposed TO take
advantage OF the opportunity. A few only
accepted the proifered assistance, and were
4 conveyed 10 Point Arenas. The majority of
the Inhabitants, either from fright or wish
to set at defiance the threats made against
the town, haj left or were willing 10 remain
and risk the cons 'quences. had hoped the
show OF determination on the part of the ship
would, al this stage 1f The proceedings, have
brought about a satisfactory adjustment Of
the differences in question:, but total disre-
gard and contempt toward the Government
of the United States determined me to exc.
cute my threat to the letter..
| Ats A. A., on TIE morning of the 49, h
! inst, our batteries were opened Oh the town.
with shot and shells, for three-quarters of IN
hour, followed by an intermission OF The same
time, when they were opeued again for hal
ARMOUR, followed by second iniermissiun
OF three hours; at the expiration of this in
4 terval the firing was recommen ced, and con-
tinued for 20 minutes, when the lombard.
ment ceased. The object OF these several
intervals i'm the mbardment, was that N
opportunity TO treat Ind satisfactorily arrange
matters might be furnished the inhabitants
of the town. No advantage was taken of the
consideration shown them, and at 4P. NJ, u
command under Lieuts Pickeringan and Faunt-
| leroy was sent on shore with orders to COM
plete the destruction of the town by fire.
The property of Mr. de Barwell, French.
man, was directed to be exempted from the
destruction if possible, as had learned he
had protested and held himself sloof as far as
possible against any cooperation with the
towns people, or pretended authorities Of
San Juan.
The town was thus DESTROY cd for m O
greater part in the short space oftwo hours
No lives were lost. although an attack was
made by an armed party on the command of
Leutenants Pickering and Fauntleroy, but
on the volley being returned the attacking
party fled. The shots were returned more |
for the purpose of frightening than Destroy