New-York daily tribune., 1854-05-26

VIZ. Horue Co...... lofeo Peter Msinin, Phha w @
Robinson 5455 In hanes Of pssensers 4oo
Afs,.Sy Te,. irn'' Co so J8
We are indebted to to r. Lord, ESD, Purscr of the
Northern Light for the following account Of cean high
handed proceedings which have lately taken place at San
Juan: II seems that the evening Of the 10th inst the
river steamer Rcuh, Capt T. T. Smith, arrived at Pun'a
Arenas and lying alongside the Northern Lght TO de-
liver her paseeneers About dark, while the passengers
were passing from one to the other bungo hay
ing on board twenty thirty armed men, mostly
Jamaica negroes headed by muatto calling himself the
Marshal Of San Juan, came over from that place or
Greytown, and ranged up alongside the steamer Routh
The so-caled Marshal accompanied by several OF his
armed men Jumped on board the steamer and announced
their purpose Capt; Smith by virtue Of warrant
from the Mayor Of Goytown upon the charge Of murder
Capt Smith refused TO be arrested and armed himself for
resistance Al this stage Of the proceedings, Mr. Borand
the American Minister who the time board the
Northern Light informed of what was going on lie
Immediately board Of the ROuh where he found
crowd Of pcrsons-amoDg them number of the armed
men from the bungo in high state of excitement.
The Marshal with his was attempting TO arrest
Capt Smith, and the latter standing at his cabin-dOor,
was keeping them at bay. Mr.. Borand at once inter-
posed telling the Marsha that authority recognizedb by
the United States existed Geytown to arrest in any
way to interfere with any American citizen, and ordering
him TO withdraw his from the steamer and go away.
The Marshal proposed TO exhibit the Mayors warrant,
under which he was acting. This Mr.. Borland declined
TO examine After some hesitation the Marshal announced
his purpose TO withdraw advised by Mr.. Borland.
While this going on and before the Marshal and his
men had left the steamer, much excitement mani
tested among the who had remained on board the
bungo. Loud threatening language used by them,
and brondishng their weapons several for at
rushing board the steamer. At this moment, Mr. Bor
land taking rifle from the hands of bystander stepped
the railing upon the guards warned the in the
bnugo to keep off, and at their peril not to put foot
the Upon this the movement toward boarding
the steamer ceased and in few minutes the Marshal and
his returned the bungo, and she returned the
opposite side of the harbor.
About dark Mr. Borland, accompanied by Mr. Scott, a
Of the Agent of the Transit Company, went the
habor board of the boats of the Northern Light
70 San Juan Greyown to visit Mr. Fabons, Com
morcial Agent Soon after arriving there Mr.. Bcrand
learned at al meeting Of the people OF the town held
nj the Sationousc and presided by the Mayor il
had been proposed and seemingly agreed TO- that he Mr.
Borlandj should be arrested In few minutes the cxecu-
tion of this proposition attempted loud knocking
was heard ut the lower doors of Mr. Fabenss house. and
upon his going to ascertain the cause, body of men
armed with nuskcts consisting in part Of c regular po-
lice of the town. and headed by Jamaica negro inquired
for Mr. Borland and declared their purpose to arrest him.
Mr. Borland hearing this went down stairs, confronted the
men and demanded their business with him. Their leader
informed him they by order of the Mayor to arrest
him. because of his preventing the arrest of Capt Smith
Mr. Borland then repeated TO them what he had said to
the Marshal about their want of authority &c., and in
qucd Of them if they were not aware OF his exemption
from in his capacity OF Minister of the United States
To this they answered. they cared nothing for all that but
that they had come to arrest him, aud meant to do il.
He then warned them of the serious consequences 10 them
selves and all concerned with them if they proceeded
10 the oxemes they proposed. They replied they knew
the consequences and were prepared to meetAhem MI
Bciand then said to them they must proceed at their peril
and called several gentlemen who were in an upper room
to come down and be witnesses of the threatened assault
upon him. Upon this the leader of the armed force called
Mr. Martin lEX-Mayor as if Tor the purpose OF con-ua-
ton and Martin not answering, they went off little from
the door in the direction where from their they
expected 10 find him.
About this time Mr. BoIland being still standing the
door, the Mayor Ia Frenchman) up and said these
proceedings had been without his order authority, and
while this conversation going on some ono from the
crowd threw the fragments of broken glass bottle, which
struck Mr. Borand and slightly wounded him ON the face
The particular person who threw this missile not
cogn7cd as the night dark and crowd in the porch
and about the door, Soon after this blow iniocdup
Mr. Borland the crowd dispersed. Mr. Fsbens the Com
mercal Agent procured and crossed the harbor
to the Northern Light to make known 10 Capt Churchill
and the passengers the state of affairs the other side
meeting was held, at which il agreed TO send
Committee of three gentlemen consult with Mr.. Borlsnd
as 10 the best steps to be taken. These gentlemen with
Mr. Fabens proceeded of the steamers boats the
town. but upon approaching the shore they hailed by
number Of armed men, who fired one gun the boat
and threatened to fire into them they attempted to land
and this although informed that Mr. Fabens board
and desired 10 90 TO his consulate Being thus orcbly
prevented from landing, the boat returned to the Northern
Light.
During the night the occupied by arcd men,
whose sentnes were stationed between the American Con-
suate whore MIR. Borand and the harbor ehalens-
ing all who attempted to pass preventing boats om land
ing or leaving the shore and thus keeping Mr. Bcrland
prisoner all nigh The morning he procured boat
and returned on board the Northern Light where he was
informed by Mr. Fabins our Commercial Agent, and MI
Scott agent of the Transit Company hat from the violent
and lawlcss disposition manifested by the people OF San
Juan they did consider the persons and property o our
citizens safe from aggresOns destruction, III the
absence of force sufficient TO protect them Mr. BoranG
concurng in this opinion called meeting Of the passen
gers and proposed to engage the services of fifty men 10
remain and afford the necessary protection until our Gov
ernmeni informed Of the Of affairs should send
proper force for the purpose.
The requisite number of volunteered and were
gained under the command Of Crawford Fletcher Esq
formerly from Tennessee and now on his return from
California.
Mr.. Fsbins, our Commercial Agent, has taken up hi.
abode under their protection, and Mr. Borand on the
Northern Light, to proceed forthwith to Washington to
Jay the matter before the Government.
The above statement by the Purser ol tie Northern