The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-08-12
Frem the Chicago Journal,
' ~" SHAN"no Soo. hn
The GrcytoWu Affair,


The President has communicated to the
House of Representatives the papers connected
with the burning of Greytown by the U. S.
Ship Cyane. They occupy twelve columns Of
the Union Newspaper. Among them is a let
ter from Secretary Marcy dated June 9th, to
Mr.. Fabcns, the U. S. Commercial agent at
Grey town.
''Iou were instructed in my former letter to
notify the people of San } uan to repair the in
jury they have caused to the Accessory Transit
Company, by Withholding from it the property
which had been stolen and taken to San Juan.
and by protecting the persons who were guilty
OF the felony. 1t is hoped that the town will
have adjusted that matter to the entire sits
faction of the Company. and in that way that
Commander lIollns will be relieved from the
di,a5recable necessity of taking any action in
al of Commander IIollins. explain to him what
has been done in that matter
"Mr BOrland, our Minister to Central Amer
lea. has represented to this Government that
| while recently at San Juan, he was insultcd by
the authorities or people at that placc-an in
dignity offered to the nation, as well as to him
Individually which cannot be permitted to
pass unnotccd. 1t done by order of the au-
thOritics OF the place, they must answer for it
/
an apology will save the place from the inflic-
ton that such an act justly merits. 1t is cx-
pected that the apology will he promptly made,
and satisfactory assurance given to Comman-
der lIollins OF future good conduct towards the
United States and public functionaries who
may in future be at that place. If the out
rage was cOminttedby lawless individuals with
out the authority or cOnnyance of the town,
then it is clearly the duty of those who cxcr-
OIL %
them exemplary punishment. The neglect
to bring them to justice is assuming, on the
part Of the nominal magistrates there. the re-
sponsibility for the act of these Individuals
In such case, not to punish is an implied
sanction OF the acts of the trangressors. 1t is
hoped the authorities will be prepared to sat
isiy Commander Iiollins that they have done
what was incumbent on them in the act of
bringing the offenders to punishment"
The Secretary of the Navy instructs Com
mandcr IIollins of the Cyane as follows:
"Now it is very desirable that the people
should he taught that the United States will
not tolerate these outragcs, and that they have
the power aud determination to check them.--
1t is however very much to be hoped that you
can effect the purposes of your visit without
resort to violence and destruction of prop
erty and loss of life. The presence of your
vessel will no doubt work much good The
department reposcs much in your presence and
good sense"
Among the documents, is the correspondence
between W. ID. Jolly, commander of Ii. B. NJ.
schooner Bermuda and Capt. Hollins. The for
Ller, under date Grey town, July II, enter his
most solemn protest against the course. which
liOllins had iDtmatcd to him he intended to
pursue toward Grcytown. The Inhabitants of
the city. as well as the house and property, he
says. are entirely dcfenseless and quite at your
mercy. do. therefore. notify you that such
an act will be without precedent among civil
lied nations, and beg to call your attention
to the fact that q large amount of property OF
British subjects as well as Others, which it is
my duty to protect, will be destroyed, but as
the force under my command is totally made
quate for this protection against the Cyanc,
can only enter this my protest
Capt. IIollins replies DULY 12) expressing his
sincere regret that Capt Jolly feels himself un-
der the necessity to protest against the action
he was about to take in relation to the City of
Juan del Norte. The people had seen fit to
commit Oufragcs on the property and persons
of citizens of the United States after a manner
only to be regarded as piratical. IL am'' he
says in conclusion, directed to enforce that re-
paratiOn demanded by my government Be as
sured sympathise with you in the rescue of
English subjects and property under the cir
cumstances, and regret exceedingly that the
force under your command is not doubly equal
to that Of the Cyane."
The documents comprise other papers, in
Guiding the proclamation of June IA, addressed
to those How or lately pretending to and exer-