Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-08-04
TREMENDOUS VICTORY


II.
It appears that some two months since
or therebouts, one Captain Smith, an
American. who commanded one OF the
small steamers on the.San Juan Riv,r
engagedin conveying passengers TO and
from Greytown and the Lake. had a.
difficulty with native Of the country,
and deliberately shot him dead with
rife from the guards OF his boat
Smith then sought refuge in the Amer
lean steamer anchored of Greytown,
where he was pursued by the police of
the town, with an order from the Mayor,
for his arrest.
Major. Borland. accredited Minister
from the United Ststes to that country,
was Oh board the steamer, having en-
gagged his passage for New York; and,
with rifle in hand forbid the police CON-
ing on board to arrest Smith, at the per-
u OF their lives ! In this he played the
part OF a bully and brageart, instead of a
high official functionary, and rendered
himself as liable to arrest for thus OBJ.
structing the execution Of the law as tn e
humblest citizen or subject. Smith
had clearly violated the law Of theland
by taking life of fellow-being, aud the
constituted authorities OF the place had
a perfect right to arrest him, and try him
for the offence by their laws; and oil
Minister Borland could be expected 10
do in the premises, was to appear be-
fore the tribunal to see that Smith had
a fair aud impartial trial. Had he done
this, he would have done his duty, and
thus subserved, instead OF thwarted, the
ends of Justice.
Arrogating to himself the right to ad-
judge the case, and setting at defiance
the laws Of the country, Minister Bor-
land went on shore at Greytown, and,
as might have been expected, be was
arrested and held in durance for whole
night. BY threats and other means, be
was finally released. Upon his arrival
in the United States he Immediately re-
paired 10 Washington, aud made state.
ment Of the affair which il is fair TO pre-.
ume was al c / Parte one, TO the gov
ernment The next thing we hear is
the dispatching. by the United States
government, OF the sloop-oi-war Cyane
with orders, as 1t is now asserted, 10 de.
mand an apology and heavy indemnity
from the authorities Of Greytown, and
upon their refusal to comply, to BON.
bard aud burn the town. Thus the
affair can DO summed up in few words.
The authorities and Inhabitants o.
the town refused to make the slightest
apology. After giving ample time, ant
no apology having been received, Capt
Hollins on The 18th issued a proclama.
ton to the authorities and resident.
that, unless an apology was made by
0 A. NJ. on the 18th, he should pro.
seed to lombard the town. No apology
came. lie in the meantime took pos,
session OF the Transit Co.'s steamers
and sent them TO the town, Offering
protection to all persons who chose to
accept; and within one minute of Tho
time designated by Capt. H., the can
onading commenced, and continued viii
brief ibtermisslon to Q p. NJ. Durint
the interval no disposition was mani
tested on the part OF the inhabitants {,
come to terms for the saving OF th'
property. Al p. NJ. party lande,
commanded by lieutenant, who burn
the town. San Jan, or Greytown, OF
the i3th, was entirely destroyed; one o
two email buildings In the suburbs re
main TO mark the spot. No lives wer,
, lost. II appears that the $4,000 wa
} for som c alleged injury done severa
, years ago TO the interests Of tho Trus
/ Company by Quarantine regulator
The property DESTROYED amounts in al
to nearly million Of dollars, two-third
Of which was owned by American cti
zens residing at Greytown engaged Il
l. trade. When the demand for the mon
ey and the apology was made by Com
4 modore Hollins, most of the chief cit
zens and mag istrates were absent on
v visit TO the interior, consequently Their
were no peraons to pay the money Or I
make the apology II there had been
disposition TO do either. The abser
parties returned to find their dwelling
u blasted heap OF ashes, their properi
. destroyed, and themselves ruined. a
together il is a most barbaroua procee,
G ing.
Il The Run FOR rn New TERRTToRm
A letter 10 the St. Louis Republican
dating from st. Joseph, which is greI
centre and haliing places for the EN-
70 grafton, writes: "They come by boat