Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-12-13
had come ~ arrest him, by order of some

While parleyiDg with Them ne was
wounded by missile from the crowd. a
boat, despatched from the American steam
er "Northern Light" to release him fIom
the perious situation in which he vas un-
derstood to be, was fired into by the town
guard and compelled 10 return. These IN
cidents, together with the known character
of the population OF Greytown, and Their
excited state induced just apprehenslons
that the Ewes and property OF our cltiZens
At Punta Arenas would be in imminen; dan
ger after the departure OF the steamer, WIN
her passengers, for New York, unless
guard was left for tier protection. FOR
this purpose, and in order to ensure The
safety OF passengers and property passing
over the route, temporary force was or
ganized, al considerable expense to the U :
nited States, for which provision was made
at the last session Of Congress.
This pretended community, heterose-
nous assemblase, gathered from various
countries, and composed for The most part
of blacks and mixed blood, Lad previously
given other indications Of nschlevous and
dangerous propensities. Early in the same
month, property was clandestinely abstract
ed from the depot Of the Transit Company
and taken to Greytown.
The plunderers obtained shelter there
and their pursuers were driven back by It's
people, who not only protected the wrong,
doers and shared the plunder, but treated
with rudeness and violence those VINO
sought to recover their property.
Such. in substance, are the facts submit
ted to nv consideration, and proved by
trustworthy evidence. | could not doubt
that tie case demanded the interrosl'lon OF
this government Justice required that re,
marathon should be made for so many and
such gross wrongs, and that course ol IN
science and plumber, tending Directly 10 tiie
insecurity Of the lives OF numerous travel
lers. and of the rich treasure belonging TO
our citizens, passing over this transit way
| should be perempiorily arrested. Wha'ev-
er it might be in other respects, the com.
munity in question, in power 10 Go mischief,
was not- des pisabIe. 1t was well provided
with ordinance, small arms, and ammuni.
ton. and might easily seize on the unarmed
boats, freighied with millions Of property,
which passed almost daily within its reach.
1t did no! profess 10 belong to any regu-
lar Government, and had in fact no reCos-
nized dependence on, or connection VIM
any one 10 which the United States or their
injured citizens might apply for redress. or
which could be held responsible, in any
way. for the ou'rages committed. Not
standing before the world in the attitude oil
an organized political society, being neither
competent 20 exercise the rights nor 10 dis
charge the obligations of government, II
was, in fact, a marauding establishment,
too dangerous TO be di.regarded. and too
guilty. to pass unpuni>hed, and yet incapa'
bic OF being treated in any other way than
as piraiica resort of outlaws, or camp oil
savages, dep edatng on cmigrant trains or
caravans and The frontier settlements oil
civilized States.
Seasonable notice was given TO ihc peo.
ne of Grrytown that this government re-
CURED them TO repair the injuries they had
done to our citizens, and TO make suitable
apology for their insult of our minister, and
tia. a .hip-of-war would be despatched
tliihcr to enforce compliance with these de-
mands But the notice passed UNDECIDED.
Thereupon, a commander OF the navy, in
charge of the sloop- -oi-war "Cyane," was
ordered 10 repeat the demands, and to IN
sisl upon compliance herewith.
Finding that neither the populace, nor
those assuming to have authority over tEem,
manifested any disposition TO make the re-
ouired reparalion, or even 10 offer excuse
for their conduct, he warned them, by
public proclamation, that If they DID not
Give satisfaction within time spt cited, he
would lombard the town. BY this proce-
dure he afforded them opportunity to pro-
vide for their personal safety. To those al
so who desired to AVOID loss of property, IN
the punis hment about to be inflicted on The
offending town, he furnished the means Of
removing their effects, by the boats OF bis
own ship, and of a steamer which he pro-
cured and t, ndered TO them for that pur'
pose. >.
AT length, percelving no disposition on
the p 1t of the town 10 comply with ms
reoulstions, he appealed to the commander
of her Brittanic Majesty's schooner "fer'
muda," WHO was seen to have intercourse
and apparently much influence with the
leaders among them,-to lntfrpose, ana
persuade them 10 take some course caicu-
lated 10 save the necessity OF resortng 10
the extreme measure indicated IN his pio-
clamation but that officer, instead OF acce-
ding 10 the request, did nothing more Than
to protest against the contemplated bonn
bardment.
No steps of any sort were taken, by the
people. TO give the satisfaction required
No individuals. if any there were, VINO re-
sarded themselves as not responsIole 'or
The misconduct Of the community, adopted
anv means to separate themselves from the
fate of the guilty. Tne several charges on
which the demands for redress were lonn-
ded, had been publicly known TO all Tor
.ome time, and were again announced 10
them. They did not deny any OF 'hrse
charges they offered no explanation, noih,
;no in extenuaton of their conduct; but
contumaceou>ly refused 10 hold any inter
course with the commander of the "oy-
ane." By tteir obstinate silence iney
seemed ra:her desirous TO provoke chastlse-
ment than 10 escape It.
There IS ample reason to believe ,ha'
this conduct of wanton defiance on their
part. is imputable chiefly to the delusive !;
dea that the American government w"uia
be deferred from Furnishing them, through
fear of d>peasing a formidable foreign
mower which, they presumed to think,
looked with complacency upon their az
oressive aud insulting department towards
the limited States. The 'Cyane" at length
fred upon Tie town. Before much injury
had been done, the fire was twice suspen-