Washington telegraph., 1854-09-06

COpy- hAlci consultation With MI.
Fabens. | learned the demand by him, made
by order Of the State department upon the
town Of San Juan, bad not only been treat
ed with contempt but threats of future VIC.
leuce toward American citizens and proper
ty were publicly made, if an opportunity
should offer. After due deliberation, Il
was thought expedent to make final De.
mand upon the inhabitants for an indemni-
ty for injuries sustained BY citizens of the
United States, and for IN apology Of salts
factory character for the insult recently civ
en- to Mr.. Borland, our Minister to Central
America.
In accordance with this decision, Mr..
Fabens was direct to communicate with the
agents Of the Transit Company, and deter
mine upon the amount of indemnity ccm-
mensurate with their losses and the sum
Of sixteen thousand dollars was agreed up-
on as the smallest sum admissible under the
circumstances. which, with previous de-
mand already made of eight thousand,
made the sum total of twenty-four thousand
dollars. From ny knowledge of the inju-
ries, etc. this sum seemed to be no more
than just and | directed Mr.. Fabens TO
make last appeal to the people Of San
Juan before decisive measures were taken.
This was done on the afternoon Of the 1th
Instant, as will be seen in his communca-
ton dated tie 18th inst. with its contents. in
answer to mine Of the day preceding.
As the result Of the demand was entirely
unsatisfactory, in my answer to Mr. Fabens
to bis communication enclosed him copy
of proclamation to the people Of the town
which was posted in the most public places
and perused by ALL Shortly after on the
morning of the 18th, as an earnest of my
intentions as set forth in the proclamation.
at the request Of Mr.. Fabens, guard of
marines and seamen, under the command
OF Lieuts. Pickering and Fauntleroy, were
ordered OH shore to secure the arms aud
ammunition, as an evident disposition was
existing among the people to make an i'm
proper use of them. and also to assist aud
protec. Mr.. Fabens and others IN the reno
val Of their property.
This duty was quickly performed BY the
officers Of the command. and the arms etc.
deposited on Point Arenas, il charge of
the agent of the Transit Company. to await
future disposition. At the same time for
eieners generally. and those favorable to
the United States, were notified that
steamer would be in readiness Oh the morn
ing Of the day Of the bombardment to con-
vey such as were disposed to place Of safe
ty.
Commander and Lieut. jolly, Of her
. - o.a u
anchor in this harbor. was also notified by
me in person fmy intentions on the morrow,
and a tender Of assistance vas made to him
for the purpose Of removing any property Of
persons Of Great Britain. This offer was
met by his communication and responded to
as in my letter.
Agreeably to promise, a steamer was
sent to the town at daylight on the morning
Of the 18th, to assist such as were disposed
to take advantage Of the opportunity 4
few only accepted the preferred assistance.
and were conveyed to Poiut Arenas the |
majority of the inhabitants either from
fright or wish to set at defiance the threats
made against the town. lad left. or were
willing to remain and risk the consequences.
| had hoped the show Of determination on
the part Of the ship would, at this stage Of
the proceedings. have brought about salts
factory adjustment ofthe differences in qucs-
ton. but total disregard and contempt to- 1
ward the government Of the United States |
determined me TO execute my threats to the \
letter.
At 9 4. NJ. on the morning of the 18th /
inst our batteries were opened on the town
with shot and shells for three-quarters of an
hour, followed BY an intermission Of the |
same time, when they were opened again
for half an hour, followed by second in
termission of three hours. At the expira-
tion Of this interval the firing was recon-
menced, and continued for twenty minutes.
when the bombardment ceased. The OBJ
ject Of these several intervals in the bom-
bardment was that an opportunity to treat
and satisfactorily arrange matters nigh. he
furnished the inhabitants of the town No
advantages was taken Of the consideration
shown them, and at 4 o'clock p. NJ. CON-
mand under Lieuts. Pickering and Fauntle-
roy was sent on shore with orders to COM
plete the destr Uction Of the town By FIRE.
The property Of Mr. De Barwel. .
Frenchman, was directed to be exempted Y
from destruction, if possible, as had learn
ed he had protested, and held himself aloof,
as far as possible, against any cooperation
with the towns people or pretended author
tiles Of San Juan
The town was thus destroyed, for the
greater part. in the short space Of two hours.
No lives were lost, although an attack was
made by an armed party on the COM
mand of Lieuts- Pickering and Fauntleroy.
but On the volley being returned the attack
ing party fed. The shots we're returned
more for the purpose Of frightening than
destroying life, and bad the desired effect.
Tie exac,r.,or done hv our sLot and sheus