Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-09-06
The Grsytorn 4fair-.Statemsnt eftAs Crep of
.--..fz, - the Cyaas

From the Boston Hefald
The following statement prepared by the crew of
the Cyane, was brought to our office by several of
the gallant tars belonging to that vessel, who earn.
esty desired its publication in the Herald 1t seems
to have been written in q candid and manly spirit
Mr.. EDITOR. Sir: Excuse the great liberty we
take in addressing you these lines; but as we have
read in the Boston papers, the incorrect account of
the burning of Nicaragua, we think it our duty, as
American seamen to represent the affair as it really
took place. Our ship was sent to Nicaragua to OBJ
tain[edress for the burning of the Companys store
houses, and the insults offered to our consul, who
had bottle broken over his head. Accordingly, rs
We understand, matters offered to be amicably
arranged if they wouldagree to pay for the burning
OF the point, and twentyfour hours was given them
to consider about it; also sending two steamers to
remove the effects belonging to all foreign residents
land, IN TACT to any other persons property over
on the American side for safety. But it appears that
the inhabitants of Greytown are nothing more than
rascally set of cut throats who sought only to lay
hold of the passengers bound to and from California
and ence them to their dens of viliany where they
were soon stripped of all they possessed. And we
do not doubt for an instant but that the enlightened
and Christian community will consider their fate as
AUST retribution for the crimes they have commit
ted. 1t is said that we fired red hot shot at the
town, which is false.
Previous to the bombardment, small party of
seamen and marines landed under the command of
our first lieutenant and proceeded to the guard house.
vi
brought off three cannon, besides a the small arms
and ammunition we could find about the place
without their daringto prevent or interrupt u.s. We
could not knock down the place, as the houses were
all built of wood and bamboo; therefore we landed
a party ofseamen and marines and burned the town
-sparing, hawever, good many of the small huts
belonging to some of the poorer sort of the native
Spanish people, who were pointed out to having
had no hand in the transactions There was an Eng.
lsh man-of-war schooner lying there at the time !;
and we can assure you that if there had been sloop
ofwar, or even frigate and they had attempted to
prevent US by force, we should have given them as
good drubbng as we gave the pirates. Our ship
carries heavy battery, four sxtyeight and sixteen
thirty-two Founders, commanded by o brave and
experienced officer in whom could place all con-
fidence. All our officers, in fact, brave and
practical seamen, and a crew that has been used to
the smell of gunpowder; therefore, it would have
been hard matter for ship of the same metal, or
even larger to have attacked us with impunity. 1t
hurts exceedingly to read the surs that are thrown
out against captain and officers who only did as
they were ordered, executing the same in humane
manner as could be expected. We request that
you will insert this in the columns Of your paper
to stop any further talk of the affair. We remain,
respectfully, your most humble servants,
THE CREW OF THE CrANB.