The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-10
THE SAN JUAN Oh qaEYTowH AFFAIR.


The Washington correspondent of the New
York Times gives tho following statement of q
conversation with Col. Fremont, relative to the
causes which led to the recent cowardly and
disgraceful destruction Of the town of San
Juan: G..
"Colonel J. C. Fremont was one of the Amer
lean citizens present at Greytown at the Oc-
currence of the outrage upon Mr. Borland,
for which such fearful retribution has been
visited by Captain Hollins upon the town. As
he is well known the world over as a cool, clear
headed and truthful gentleman, his statement of
that transaction, and the facts connected with
it, cannot be otherwise than highly interesting
at the present time Upon questioning him on
the subject this morning, he very cheerfrlly
communicated to me his understanding of the
affair, which is substantially as follows:
1t was quite evident that for some reason
or other, very strong prejudice existed at
Greytown against all Americans; q prejudice
amounting almost to positive hostility; and
to conceal which, no pains whatever were
taken. The immediate origin of the difficulty,
in which Borland participated, was the homicide
Of the negro captain of a buDgo, or river boat,
Committed by Captain Smith, of steamer
plying on the river. Notwithstanding publish
ed statements directly the reverse, this homi-
eide was considered by the Americans, almost
without exception, deliberate, cold-b looded
murder, without shadow of palliation. Thore
had been some previous difficulty between
Smith and the negro.
"On the day of the homicide, Smiths steam
er ran into tho negroes bungo, when the latter
threatened to shoot Smith if he broke his boat.
The bungo however, was uniDjured. Subse-
quently the steamer started down tho river
and after it had proceeded some distance put
back again, apparently for no other purpose
than to run into tho bungo; which it did, crush
ing it ike an egg-shell. At this time the negro
was sitting in his boat with his gun across his
knees. The weight of testimony is, that he
made 10 hostile demonstration against Smith,
having neither risen from his seat nor raised
his gun, when Smith deliberately shot him.
Immediately upon being shot, the poor fellow
got up and while attempting to step from the
wreck Of his buogo. into the boat alongside of
it. his strength failed him, and he fell into the
riyer.p
Such is the version Of tho affair by Mr.. FIRE.
mont He makes the third witness, whose re-
ports show Captain Smiths conduct to have
been criminal in the highest degree. The same
writer goes on to give MIR. Frenont'S version of
the subsequent proceedings, and Mr.. Borland's
avowed motive for interference.
"a warrant wGs issued by the Mayor of
Greytown for Smiths arrest, and an officer
went on board the steamer, as every one knows,
but was prevented from getting his prisoner
By the forcible resistance Of the passengers,
headed by Borland Ia aiding the minister
thus to resist the officers, the passengers did
not intend to endorse the murder of the negro,
or absolve his murderer. On the contrary, is
would have been very easy matter to have had
him hung, on brief notice. by Committee OF
Vigilance, had either of the acknowledged lead
ers proposed it. But Nj. Borland, in speech
he made to the crowd as well as in private con-
versasion told them he was instructed not In
any way TO recognise the authority of Grey
town, deriving its authority from the Mosqui-
to Kipg) as separate and distinct from Mica
ragua. To permit the Greytown officers TO
arrest an American citizen, and try him for
crime, would be to recognise the authority of
the town government in the fullest sense and
SO DIR. Borland urged them to aid him in
crushing out this scion of the Mosquitoes
If the government of Greytown was illegal
deriving It's powers from incompetent author
ity, the act of the officers who attempted to
arrest Snith, could only be looked upon as
the act of mob, proper to be resisted by mob
force. In this opinion the whole steamers
party eoncurred And, of course, the arrest
and imprisonment of AIr. Borlsnd that night
was looked upon as she act of an irresponsible
mob, without law or authority of any kindo