The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-12-13

party, having no jurisdiction over th,
place where they proposed to make tn,
arrest, would encounter desperate resis
tance if they persisted in their purpose
he interposed, effectualy, to prevent vio
lence and bloodshed.
The American minister afterwards visi
ted Greytown, and whilst he was there, g
mob, including some af the so-caIed pub
lie functionares of the place, surrounded
the house in which he was, avowng that
they had come to arrest him, by order oI
some person exercising the chief authori
ty. While parleying with them he was
wounded by missile from the crowd
A boat despatched from the American
steamer "Northern Light" to release him
from the perilous situation in which he
| was understood to be, was fred into by
the town guard, and compelled to return.
These incidents, together with the known
character of the population of Greytown,
and their excited state, induced Just ap-
prehensions that the lives and properly
OF our citizens at Punta Arenas would be
IN imminent danger after the departure
OF the steamer, with her passengers for
New York, unless guard was left for
heir protection. For this purpose, and
in order to ensure the safety Ct passen.
g rs and property passing over the route.
temporary force was organized, at con-
siderable expense to the United States,
for which provision was made at the last
S ssion Of Congress.
This pretended community, a hetero-
genous assemblage gathered from various
countries, and composed, for the most part
OF blacks and persons Of mixed blood,
had previously G ven other indications cf
mlschlevous and dangerous propensities.
Early in the same month, property was
clandestinely distracted from the DEPOT
OF the Transit Company and taken Grey
town. The punderers obtained shelter
there, and their pursuers were driven back
by Its people, who not only protected tie
wronSdocrs and shared the plumber but
treated with rudeness and violence those
who sough to recover their property.
-. Such, in substance, are the facts sub
by trustworthy evideGacaes.' 4 ae6dMnYAd
doubt that the case demanded the inter-
position of this Government. Justice re
quired that reparation should be made for
so many and such gross wrongs, and that
Course Of insolence and plunder, tending
directly to tie insecurity of the lives of
numerous travellers; and Of the rich treas
ure belonging to our citizens, passing over
this transit way, should be peremptorily
arrested. Whatever it might be in other
respects, the community in question, in
power to do mischief, was not despicable.
1t WAS well provided with ordnance, small
arms, and ammunition, and might easily
seize On the unarmed boats, freighted with
millions of property, which passed almost
daily within its reach. 1t did not profess
to belong to any regular government,and
had, in fact no recognized dependence on,
or connection with, any one to which the
United States or their injured citizens
might apply for redress, or which could be
held responsible, in any way. for the out
RACES committed. Not standing before
the world in the attitude of an organized
political society, being neither competent
70 exercise the rights nor to discharge the
obligations Of government, it was; in
fact a marauding estab, ishnent TOO dam
gerous to be dsregarded, and too guilty
to pass unpunished, and yet incapable of
being treated in any other way than as a
piratical resort for outlaws, or a camp of
savages, depredating OH emigrant rains
or caravans and the frontier settlements Of
civilized States.
Seasonable notice was given to the
people of Greytown that this government
required them to repair the injuries they
had done to our citizens, and to make
suitable apology for their insult of our
minister, and that ship-ofw IT would be
dispatched thither to enforce compliance
with these demands. But the notice pass
ed unheeded. Thereupon, a commander
Of the navy, in charge of the sloop-of-war
Cyane, was ordered to repeat the demands
and to insist upon compliance Herewith.
Finding that neither the populace, nor
those assuming to have authority over
them, manifested any disposition to make
the required reparation, or even to offer
excuse for their conduct, he warned them
by public proclamation, that il they
did not give satisfaction within time
specified, he would lombard the town.
BY this procedure he afforded them op-
portunity to provide for their personal
safety. To those, also, who desired to
avoid loss Of property, in the punishment
aboutsto be inflicted on the offending town
he furnished the means Of removing their
effects, by the boats ofhis own ship, and