The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-08-28
lcomnea,s OF the London Timss /
THE GREYTOWN AFFAIR.

We have never protested to consider the species
Of protectcrate exercised BY the Britain Govern
mens for . long series OF years over he Mosquito
Cosa a. posscssaon of any practical advantage
to the Interests the honor OF thfs country, ami
We learnt with great satisfaction about four years
axo, that treaty had bern signed at Washington,
By Sir Henry Bulwer and Mr. Clayton, the Ameri
cen Secretary Of StAtr for the purpose OF placing
the communicasion between the Atlantic and Pa.
cinc Oceans BY way of Nicaragua under the joint
protec&iou Of the maritime powers moot interested
In the prosecution Of that undertaking. The spirit
OF that treaty va perfectly ,s ~. ana Just; and,
ercised BY the British Government In It's former re-
laiions with the Musquito Indians - far back as
uader the Spanish dominion over Central America
those rights were cheerfully, and We think, wisely.
from the United States' GJyernmeut that they
would cooperate with ourselves In the only object
which gives peculiar value and importance to
that part of the globe namely. the opening of se
cure limo Vi communication between the two oceans
and the ostablishment of two free ports for ali ma
tious al each extremity of the canal For this pur
pose the commercial stations at which this transi
trade IL carried on would naturally become impor
tsnt free ciiies like the Hanseatc towns OF Europe,
having NO political character or strength, but
spected By an the world for the services they
der 70 the best interests of society.
This being the principle which the British Gov
eminent has for some time past proclaimed and &C.
ted upon with reference the passage oil Nicaragua
with considerable surprise and regret that learn
that Greytown, At the mouth of the river Sen Juan
has recently been attacked and destroyed by OF
the most extraordinary outraees ever committed
State
Greytown Is not British possession if it had
been measures would have been taken to repel SO
wanton and barbarous an attack but we have at
this time further interest in the place than tb
which results from the commercial undertakings in
which British sabjects may be engaged there. 1t Is
impossible however to lose sight of the fact which
stands recorded In solemn treaty that Great Brit
ain waived and reipquished her rights to the pro-
tectorate of the Mosquito Coast and of Greytown,
is principal trading station on the express stpula
ton with the United States that they would. in con-
junction with ourselves, guarantee the neutrality
and security OF the passage"
The object of that treaty was to promote " the
construction OF the communication between the
two oceans for the benefit of mankind, on equal
terms TO ALL and Tor the protection of the same" Ii
is certainly q more extraordinary violation of the
epirit of that treaty that an American ship of war
should have presumed, In defence of at best very
doubtful cause, to attack and destroy the principal
commercial station on that very line of communi-
cation which the American Government lie express
ly bound to maintain and protect The act of Capt.
Holiins speaks for itself. Ii is, indeed, without
parallel ia any history with which we are acquain.
ted for the place was wholly incapable Of firing a
shot In its defence, not man was killed or wound
cd In the attack, and the enterprise of mere
destruction. The American papers from which we
have extracted these details record them with the
strongest expressions of shame and regret, and we
cannot doubt that the public opinion OF the enght
ened classes In the United States will condemn
proceedings as strongly as the judgment of every
other part of the world. There is in this case no
wsT and no provocaton to account for or to palliae
such measure.
Far from being at war with the States of Central
America the Government OF the United States has
always affected to regard them with peculiar inter
est; and the first proof given OF this interest is an
act of violence which would have disgraced a buc-
cancer. Indeed, considering the species of pro
lection established by the Treaty of 1850, and the
wsIds this country and the whole world for the &c
curly OF the passage this outrage of Capt Hollins
is contempt OF the authority of his own Govern
ment, and gross breach of faith to every nation
which may have mercantile transactions carried on
across the Isthmus Of Nicaragua