Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-08-04
DAILY liRGlNIAN.
FRIDAY MORNING.. -. AUG 4, ls54
The Destruction of San Juan


House of Representatives the documents hereto
fore called for by that body relative to the des-
truction of San Juan by Capt. llollins. The pa
pers, which are vouminous. deem it unneees-
sary to publish entire; but the material part of
them will be found in the following synopsis, 1t
will be seen that the instructions TO Capt. Hol-
Inns, through which he felt authorized TO burn
and destroy feeble and defenceless town, were
that he should act under the directions of Mr..
Fabens, the American agent at Greytown.
Among the documents is letter from Secreta-
ry Marcy, dated June ., 1854, addressed IN Mr.
Fabens. United States Commercial Agent at san
Juan del Norte, in which the following passages
occur;
You were instructed in my former letter Ia
notify the people of San Juan Ia repair the iniu.
nv they have caused Ia the Accessory Transit
Company by withholding from IT the property
which had been stolen and taken TO San juan.nnd
by protecting the persons woo were guilty of the
felony II is hoped that the town will have ad.
justed that matter to the entire satisfaction OF
the company, and in that way Commander llal-
Inns will be relieved from the disagrceablo neces
sty of taking any action in regard to that sub
iect. You will. ON the arrival cf Commander
Hollins, explain to him what has been done IN
that matter.
=" Mr.. BprInnu, our minister lp NfHlT'tl EhHitiI-
ca has represented to this Government TINT
while recently nj san 3unn, he was insuted by
the authorities OF people of that place. An IN
dignity offered to the nation as well rs 10 hlm,in.
dvdually, cannot be permitted to pass unnuuced.
II done by order of the Authorities of the place,
they must answer for II IN ther assumed political
character. Nothing short OF all apology for this
outrage will the place from the infection that
such an act Justly merits. 1t r. expected TINT
this apology will be promptly madennd satisiac
tory assurances given t. Commander llnllins OF
future good conduct towards the United states
and public functionaries who may IN future be Mt
that place. If the outrage was committed by
lawless individuals. without the authority or con
nivanoo of the town, then it is clearly the duty
of those who exercise the civil power al Snn Juan
to nhct upon them exemplary punishment. The
neglect TO bring them to justice is assuming on
the part of the nominal magistrates there the
responsibility for the act OF these individuals
In such a case not To punish is an impied sane
ton of the acts of the ransgressors, Its hoped
that the authorities will be prepared to satisfy
Commander Hollins that they have done whit
was incumbent on tn m in the way Of bringing
the offenders to punishment
The following is Secretary Dobbin's letter To
Mr. Ilollins
NAVY DEPARTMENT June 10th, 1854
SIR: The Government has recently received
intelligence that the interests oi our countrymen
require the presence of "A national vessel at san
Juan or Greytown. and from your experience in
that region, and confidence in your energy aud
prudence, and in pursuance of the wishes of the
President, the Department has concluded todi-
rect that you proceed with the Cyanc 10 that port
as soon as she can be fully ready for the cruise.
The property of the American citizens interest.
ed in the Accessory Transit Company, It Is snid,
has been unlawfully detained 10y persons residing
in Greytown Apprehension is felt that further
vtn ba committed Minister Mr.
Borlnnd, has been treated with rudcncss and dis.
respect You will, however, learn from Mr.. Fa-
bens, Commercial Agent at Greyt"wn, more par
ticularly the conduct of those people, aud the
views of our Government, which have been com
muncated to him from the state Department.-
You will consult with HIM freely and ascertain
the true state of the faots. Now IT is very desi
rable that those people should be taught that the
l.. States will not tolerate these outrngcs, and
that they have the power and the determination
to check them. Ii Is, however, very much 10 be
hoped that you can effect the purposes of your
visit without resort to violence and destruction
of property and loss of life. The presence OF
your vessel will no doubt work much good, The
Department reposes much in pour prudence and
good sense.
Former dispatches have acquainted you with
the peculiar political position of this town and of
the relations of your Government to II. lou will
remain there no longer than you may deem ne
.cessary, ms il is IA warm and unhealthy climate.
You will advise the Department OF your move
ments, and after leaving Greytown you will
touch at Pensacola aud receive orders from Conn
modore Newton there, if not earlier, as you will
constitute part of his squadron.
am, respectfully, your ob't serv't,
j. c. DOBBlN.
Commander Gro. \. HoLLINs,
L. :. ship Cyane, \. York.
Among the documents Is n correspondence be-
II I.,llp dan Of
Bermuda, aud Capt lIollins-tho former dated
Grey own Mosquito, July 18th
The latter enters his most solemn protest n
cainst the course which Capt tolhns had init
mated to him he intended to pursue towards
Greytown. The inhabitants of the city, as well
as the houses and property, he SAYS, are entirely
defenceless, and quite nj your mercy. do
therefore notify you thai such an act will be
without precedent among civilized nations, aid
beg TO call your attention to the fact that large
amount of property of British subjects rs well
others, which it is my duty TO Protcct,will be de-
stroyed. But the force under my command is
totally inadequate for this protection against the
Cyane. / can only enter this my protest.
Capt. Hollins replies, July 18th, expressing
his sincere regret that Capt Jolly feels himself
under the necessity to protest against the action
he was about TO take in relation to the city of
San Juan del Norte. The people had seen fit to
commit outrages ON the property and persons OF
citizens of the United States after manner only
to be regarded as pirateel. | am, he says,in con
clnsion, directed To enforce that reparation de
manded by my government. Be assured SYM
patbse with you in the rescue of English sub
seets and property, under the circumstances, and
regret exceedingly the force under your command
Is not doubiy equal TO that of the Cyane."
The documents comprise other papers, includ-
u the proclamations of June 2ith addressed to
now or latterly pretending to and exercis-
= c., Ill 4