Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-09

institutions, and by strong attachment to the Union
Hence the constant and increasing intercourse and
vast interchange of commercial productions, be-
tween these remote divisions of the Republic. Al
the present time, the most practicable and only
commodious routes for communication between
them are by the way of the Isthmus of Central
America. 1t is the duty of the Government TO
secure these avenues against all danger OF inter-
rupton.
In relation to Central America, perpexingques-
tions existed between the United States and Great
Britain at the time of the cesSon of California
These, as well questions which Subsequently arose
concerning interoceanic communications across
the lsthmus, were, as it was supposed adjusted by
the Treaty Of Apriel 10, 1850 but, unfortunately.
they have been reopened by serious msunderSiand-
ing to the import of some ofls provisions, read
justment OF which is now under consideration
Our Minister at London has made strenuous efforts
to accomplish this desirable object, but has not
yet found it possible to bring The negotiations to
termination.
BOMBARDMEST OF GREYTowN.
AS incidental TO these questions, deem it proper
to notice an occurrence which happened in Central
America, the close of the last session of Con
greSs. So soon the necessity was perceived Il
establishing intcr-oceanic communications across
the Ishmus, 4 company organized, under
authority of the State of Nicaragua, but composed
for the most pait, of citizens Of the United States,
ior the purpose of opening such transit way, by
the river San Juan and Lake Nicaragua, which soon
became an eligible and much used route in the
transportation Of our citizens and their properly
between the Atlantic and Pacific. Meanwhile and
in anticipation of the completion and importance
Of this transit way, a number of adventures had
taken possession of the old Spanish port at mouth
of the river San Juan, in open defiance Of the State
or States Of Central America, which upon their be-
coming independent, had rghfully succeeded to the
local sovereignty and Jurisdiction CT Spain. These
nd undertook n rhanop the of the
place from San Juan del Norte to Greytown, and.
though first pretending to act the subjects of
the fictitious sovereign of the Mosquito Indians,
they subsequently repudiated the control of any
power whatever assumed to adopt distinct poiti,
cal organization. and declared themselves an inde-
pendent sovereign State. IT, at some time, a faint
hope was entertained that they might become a
stable and respectable community. that hope soon
vanished. They proceeded to assert unfounded
claims TO civil Jurisdiction over Punta Arenas, a
position on the opposite side Of river San Juan
which was in possession, under a tile wholly inde
pendent of them, of citZeuS Of the United States,
interested in the Nicaragua Transit Company, and
which was indispcnsably necessary TO the pros
porous operation Of that route across the lSthmuS
| The Company resisted their groundless claims
where upon they proceeded TO destroy some of its
buildings, and attempted violently to dspossess it.
| At later period they organized strong force
for the purpose Of demoIi<hng the establishment OF
/
feated by the nterposition of one of our ships OF
war, al that time in the harhor of San Juan. Sub
sequenty to this, in May last, body Of men from
Greytown crossed over to Puna Arenas, arroga ing
| authority to arrest, on charge OF murder, captain
of one of the steamboats, of the Transit Company
| Being well aware that the claim to exercise iurS-
diction there would be resisted them, it had been
prevosS occasions, they went prepared to assert
| it by force ofarms Oar Minister TO Central Ameri.
ca happened to be present on that occasion. Believ
ing that, the captain of the steamboat innocent,
| for he witnessed the transaction which the
charge founded and believing also, that the in
trudiug party, having jurisdiction over the place
where they proposed 10 make the arrest would en-.
counter desperate resistance il lhey persisted in
heir purpose, he nerposed ef1ecluay 10 prevent
violence and bloodshed The American Minister
afterwards visited Greylown, ard while he was
there, mob including certain OF The so called pub
lie tuncOnaries OF the place, surrounded The house
in which he was, avowing that they had come tc
arrest him. by order OF some persons exercising the
chief authority. While pareying with them, ht
wounded by a missile from The crowd. A boa
dispatched from the American s'eamer Northern
Light 10 release him from the perilous situation il
which he was understood TO be. was fired into by
the town guard, and compelled 10 return. These
incidents, together with the known character ofth,
population OF Greytown, and their excited stale, in
duced Just aHpTehensions that The lives and prop
cry of our citizens at Punia Arenas would be II
imminent danger alter The departure of,he steamer
with her passengers for New-Y otk unless aguar,
was left for heir protection. For this purpose ant
in order TO insure the safety OF passengers anl
property passing over The route, temporary force
was organized, al considerable expense TO the Unit
ed States, tor which provision was made at the las
session oi Congress.
This pretended community Heterogeneous az
semblage gathered from various countries art
composed, for the most part. of blacks and persons
OF mixed blood, mad previously given oher indi
Gallons OF mischIevous and dangerous propensllies
Early in The same month, properly was cIandesti
uefy a5strac'ed from The depot OF The Transit Com
pany and taken TO Greylown. The plunderers ob
la!ned shelter there, and their pursuers were driver
blck by lis people, who not only projected lhe
wroagdoers and shared the punder but lreatel
with tudeness and violence those who sought 10 re-
cover their properly.
Such, in substance, are The factss unlimited 10 my
consideration, and proved by trustworthy evidence
could not doubt thai the case demanded The in
lerPos on of his Government. Justice required
that repara'ioa should be made for 50 many and
such gross wrongs, and that a course of insolence
and Punder, tending directly 10 The insecurity y
The lives oil numerous travellers, and OF the rich
treasure belonging 10 our citizens, passing over this
transit way, should be peremptorily arresed -
Wna'eve! II might be in other respscls the COM
mpiy in question, in power 10 do mschief was not
desplcable. 1t was well provided with ordnance
small arms, and ammunition, and might easily
seize on The unarmed boats, ireighed with millions
OF property, which passed almost daily within lis
reach Ii did not profess TO belong TO any regular
Government and had, in fact, no recognized de-
pendence on, or connection with, any one TO high
the United States their Injured citizens mshl
apply for relress, or which could be held RESPONSE
BILE, in any way, for the onIrages committed. Not
standing before the world in the altitude of an Or
ganlzed political society, being neither competent
10 exercise the rights nor TO discharge the obga.
lions OF Government, ii was, in fact, a maraudne
establishment, 100 dangerous 10 be disregaIded, and
too guilty 10 pass unpunished, and YET, incapable
of being treated in any other way than pra,ical
resort OF outlaws, or camp OF savages, dspredang
on emgrant trains caravans and The frontier set
Elements of civilized Slales.
Seasonable notice was given 10 he people oi
Greytown that this Government required Them 10
repair the injuries thew had done TO our ci,;zsns