Washington telegraph., 1854-12-27
ANSASW
NO.. So.

tion Of Greytown. and their excited state.
induced just apprehensions that the lives
and property of our citizens at Puuta Are
mas would be in imminent danger after the
departure of the steamer. with her passen-
gers for New York. unless guard was left
for their protection. For this purpose and
in order to ensure the safety of passengers
and property passing over the route. tenn
porary force was organized, at considerable
expense 10 the Z. States. for which provision
was made at the last session Of Congress.
This pretended community, heteroge.
neous assemblage, gathered from various
countries. and composed. for the most part.
Of blacks and persons Of mixed blood. had
previously given other indications Of mis-
chievous and dangerous propensities Early
IN the same month. property was clandes-
timely abstracted from the depot of the
Transit Company. and taken to Greytown.
The plunderers obtained shelter there, and
their pursuers were driven back BY the peo-
pie. who not only protected the wrong doers
and shared the plunder, but treated with
rudeness and violence those who sough: to
recover their property
Such. in substance, are the facts submit
to my consideration. and proved By trust.
worthy evidence could not doubt that
the case demanded the interposition of this
government. Justice required that repair
alton should be made for SO many and
such gross wrongs, and that a course of in.
science and plunder. tending directly to
the insecurity of the lives of numerous
travellers. and Of the rich treasure belong
ing to ouI citizens passing over this transit
way, should be peremptorily arrested
Whatever i might be in other respects, the
community in question, in power to do mis-
chief, was not despicable. It was well pro-
vided with ordinance. small arms and am.
munition. and might easily seize on the un-
armed boats. freighted with millions Of pro-
perty, which passed almost daily within its
reach. II did not profess to belong to any
regular government. and had, in fact.
no recognized dependence on. or connection
with. any one 10 which the United States
or their injured citizens might apply for re-
dress. or which could be held responsible in
any way. for the outrages committed. Not
standing before the world in the attitude of
an organized political society, being neither
competent TO exercise the rights nor dis
charge the obligations Of government, il
was. in fact. marauding establishment. too
dangerous to be disregarded. and too guilty
to pass unpunished and yet incapable Of be-
ing treated in any other way than as a pi.
ratical resort of outlaws, OF a camp of saw
ages. depending on emigrant trains or cara
vans and the frontier settlements of civilix-
ed States
Seasonable notice was given to the peo-
pie Of Groytown that this government re-
quired them TO repair the injuries they had
done to our citizens. and to make suitable
apology for the insult of our minister, and
that ship-oswar would be despatched
thither to enforce compliance with these de-
mands. But the notice passed unhee6ed-
Thereupon. commander of the navy, in
charge Of the sloop-of-war "Cyape. was or
dered to repeat the demands, and to insist
upon compliance Herewith.
Finding that neither the populace, nor those
assuming to have authority over them, man
ifes'ed any disposition to make the required
or even ID offer excuse for their
conduct. he warned them, BY public pro-
that if they did not give satisfac-
ton within time specified, be would bonn
bard the town. BY this procedure he afford
ed them opportunity TO provide for their
personal safety. To those also who desired
TO avoid loss of property. in the punishment
D bout TO be inflicted on the offending town,
be furnished the means Of removing their
effects, by the boats of his own ship. and
Of steamer which he procured and tender.
ID to them for that purpose. At length.
perceiving 10 disposition on the part of the
Town TO comply with hi requisitions, he
appealed to the commander of her Britauic
Majesty's schooner Bermuda" who was
seen to have intercourse. and apparently
much influence with The leaders among :bem
TO take some course calculated TO save tho
necessity Of resorting to the extreme meas
nre indicated in his proclamation but that
'fficer, instead Of acceding to the request,
did nothing more than to protest against the
bombardment No steps of
my sort we're takeE. by the people. to give
The satisfaction required. No individuals,
# any there were, who regarded themselves
is not responsible for the misconduct of the
adopted any means to separate
themselves from the fate Of the guilty
The several charges, on which the demands
Tor redress were founded. had been public
y known to all for some time, and were
lgain announced to them They did not
deny any Of these charges they offered
20 explanation nothing in extenuation Of
heir conduct; but contumaciously refused
10 hold any intercourse with the command
er Of the ''Cyane." By their obstinate s.
ence they seemed rather desirous to pro-
roke chastisement than to escape it. There
i ample reason to believe that this conduct Of
xanton defiance. on their part. is imputsbIe
chiefly to the delusive idea that tho Ameri-