Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-09-02
The Greytorn A6air-7statsment of the .Creao of
the Cy0ne.

From the Boston Herald
The following statement, prepared by the of
the Oyane, was brought to our office by several of
the gallant tars belonging to that vessel who
esty desired its publication in the Herald. 1t
to have been written in candid and manly spirit
Mr. EDITOR. SIR. Excuse the great liberty we
take in addressing you these lines; but we have
read in the Boston papers, the incorrect account of
the burning of Nicaragua, think it our duty, as
American seamen, to represent the affair it really
took place. Our ship was sent to Nicaragua to OBJ
tain redress for the burning of the Company's store
houses, and the insults offered to our consul, who
had bottle broken over his head. Accordingly, as
we understand matters were offered to be amicably
arranged if they would agree to pay for the burning
of the point and twenty-four hours given them
to consider about it; also sending two steamers to
remove the effects belonging to all foreign residents
(and, in fact to any other persons property over
on the American side for safety But it appears that
the inhabitants of Greytown are nothing more than
rascally set of cut throats who sought only to lay
hold OF the passengers boundt to and from California,
and entice them to their dens of vlliany where they
were soon stripped of all they possessed. And we
do not doubt for instant but that the enlightened
and Christian community will consider their fate
just retributon for the crimes they have commit
ted. 1t is said that we fired red hot shot at the
town, which is false.
Previous to the bombardment a small party of
seamen and marines landed under the command of
our first lieutenant and proceeded to the guard house.
and in the face of two three hundred armed men,
brought off three cannon, besides all the small
and ammunition could find about the place,
without their daringto prevent or interrupt u.s. We
could not knock down the place, as the houses
all built of wood and bamboo; therefore we landed
party ofseamen and marines and burned the town
-sparlng, hawever, good many of the small huts
belonging to some of the poorer sort of the native
Spanish people, who pointed out to having
had no hand in the transactions. There was an Eng
lsh man-of-war schooner lying there at the time
and we can assure you that ifthere had been soop
ofwar, or even frigate, and they had attempted to
prevent us by force, we should have given them as
good drubbing as we gave the pirates Our ship
carries heavy battery four sixty-eight and sixteen
thirty-two Founders, commanded by brave and
experienced officer, in whom could place all con-
fdence. All our officers, in fact, brave men and
practical seamen, and that has been used to
the smell of gunpowder; therefore, it would have
been bard matter for ship of the metal, or
even larger, to have attacked with impunity. 1t
hurts exceedingly to read the surs that thrown
out against our captain and officers, who only did
they were ordered, executing the same in humane
a manner could be expected. We request that
you will insert this in the columns of your paper
to stop any further talk of the affair. We remain
respectfully your most humble servants
TIE CREW OF THE CYANE.