Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-05

war, ~ that time IN the h1rbof OF San Juan. Sub
sequently 10 this. in May last q body Of men from
eating authority 10 arrest, on the charge Of nur-
der, captain Of one Of the steamboats, OF The
Transit Company. Being well aware that the
claim 10 exercise jurisdiction there would lie re
sisted then, as il had been en- prevous occasions
they went prepared TO assert 4 by force Of arms.
Our minister 10 Central America happened 10 b
present on that occasion. Believing that the cap
tain OF the steamboat was innocent, for he wit
messed the transaction on which the charge was
founded, and believing, Also that The inirudine
party, having jurisdiction over the place here
they proposed 10 make The arrest, would encoun-
ter desperate resistance il they persisted In their
purpose, he interposed, efiectpally 10 prevent
violence and bIoodshed. The American minister
afterwards visited Greytown, and whilst he was
there, mob, including certain Of the socalIed
public fnnctionaTies Of the place, surrounded the
house in which ne was, avowing that they had
come TO arrest him, by order Of some person ex-
ercisng the chief authority. While parleying
with them he was wounded by missile from the
crowd. A boat, despatched from the American
steamer "Northern Light 20 release him from
the perilous situation in which he was understood
to be, was fired into by the town guard, and CON-
PEELED TO return. These incidents, together with
the known character of the population Of Grey
town, and their excited state, induced Just appre
tensions that the lives aud properly of our CHI
zens al Punta Arenas would be in imminent
danger alter the departure of the steamer with
her passengers, for New York, unless a guard
was left for their protection. For this purpose
and in order 10 ensure the safety Of passengers
and property passing over the route, temporary
force was organized, at considerable expense 10
the United States, for which provision was made
at the last session Of Congress.
This pretended community, heterogeneous as
sembage, gathered from various countries and
composed, for the most part, Of blacks aud per-
sons OF mixed blood, had previously given
other indications Of mischievous and dangerous
propensties. Early in the same month properly
was clandestinely distracted from the depot ofthe
Transit Company, and taken 10 Grcytown The
plunderers obtained shelter there, aud their pur-
suers were driven back by its people, who not
only protected the wrongdoers and shared the
plumber, but treated with rudeness and violence
those who sought to recover their property
Such, in substance, are the facts submitted 10
my consideration, and proved by Trustworthy
evidence. | could not doubt that the case de-
manded the interpostion Of this government Ju.
tice required that PREPARATION should be made G.
so many and such gross wrongs, and that o. VI
of insolence and plumber, tending dire curse
insecurity of the lives of nume-- city TO The
and Of the rich treasure belor -.ous travellers
passing over this transrs lying 10 orr citizens
| torily arr ested VIZ way, should be peremp-
| respectsLtbs~ hatever il might be, in other
| mischief community in question, in power TO dc
yid~ , was not despicable. II was well pro-
j ed with ordnance, small arms, and ammun
ton, and might easily seize on the unarmed boats
freghted with millions of properly, which passed
almost daily within It's reach il did moi profess
TO belong 10 any regular government and had, in
fact, no recognised dependence on, or connexion
with, any one 10 which the United States or theil
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 TO exercise the rights mol
to discharge the obligations of a government il
was, ia fact marauding establishment, too dan
gerous 10 be disregarded, and too guilty to pass
unpublished, and YET incapable of being treated in
any other way than as piratieal resort Of out.
laws, or a camp Of savages, depredating on emf.
grant trains or caravans and the frontier settle
| ments Of civilized states
Seasonable notice was given 10 the people oil
Greytown that this government required them to
| repair the injuries they had done TO our citizens
and 10 make suitable apology for their insult OF
our minister, and that ship-ofwar would be dis
patched thither to enforce compliance with these
demands. But the notice passed unheeded. There
upon, a commander of the navy, in charge of the
sloop-of-war Cyane," was ordered 10 repeat the
demands and 10 insist upon compliance there
with. Finding that neither the populace, nor those
| assuming 10 have authority over them manifested
4 any disposition 10 make the required reparafion
or even 10 offer excuse for their conduct he
warned them, by public proclamation, that If
they did not give satisfaction within time spcci-
| fed, he would lombard the town. Tnf
| By this procedure he afforded them opportunity
! 10 provide for their personal safety. To those
also who desired TO avoid loss Of property in the
| punishment about 10 be inflicted on the offending
town, he furnished the means OF remoyisr their
effects by the boats of his own ship, and of
steamer which he procured and rendered TO them
for that purpose. AT length, perceiving no dispo-
sition on the part Of the town TO comply with his
requisitions he appealed 10 the commander of her
Britannia MaJesty's schooner Bermuda who
was seen 10 have intercourse, and apparently
much influence with the leaders among them--to
interpose, and persuade them 10 take some course
calculated 10 save the necessity OF resorting 10
the extreme measure indicated in his proclama-
ton but that officer, Instead OF acceding 10 The
request, did nothing more than 10 protest against
the contemplated bombardment. No steps OF any
sort were taken, by the people, TO give the salts
faction required. No individuals, If any there
were, who regarded themselves as moi responsible
Tor the misconduct Of the community adopted
any means TO separate themselves from the fate
| OF the guilty. ~
The several charges, on which the demands for
redress were founded, had been publicly known
10 al Tor some time, and were again announced
| 70 them. They did not deny any OF these charges
they offered no explanation, nothing in extenua.
ton OF their conduct; but contradictory refused
10 hold any intercourse with the comma nder of
the "Cyane." BY their obstinate silence they
seemed rather DESTROYS 10 provoke chastisemeut
tnan 10 escape II. There Is ample reason TO be-
ieve that this conduct ofwanion defiance, on their
part, Is imputabe chiefly 10 the delusive idea that
the American Government would be deferred
from Furnishing them, through fear Of dsplessinga
formidable foreign power, which, they presumed
TO think, looked with complacency upon their az
| gressive and insulting department towards the
United States. The "Cyanev at length fred upon
the town. Before much injury had been done the
IRE was twice suspended, in order 10 afford an OBJ
Portunity for an arrangement but this was de-
clined Most ofthe buildings Of the place. of little
value generally, were, ia the sequel destroyed;
but, owing TO the consideraie precautions taken
BY orr navalcommander, there was no destruction
Of life. f Hf
When the "Cyane" was ordered 10 Central
America, Il was confidently hoped and expected
that no occasion would arise for resort 10 vio-
lence and destruction Of property and loss OF fe"
Instructions 10 that effect were given 20 her com.
mander. And no extreme scf would have been
requisite had not the people themselves, by their
extraordinary conduct in the Affair." frustrated ali
the pessibe mild measures for obtaining satisfac-
ton. A withdrawal from the place, the object of
his visit entirely defeated would, under the cir
cumstances in which the commander Of the Cv
ane' found himself have been absolute abandon.
ment OF all claim Of our citizens for indemni6ca
ton, and submissive acquiescence in national In.
dignity. II would have encouraged in these law.
less men spirit Of insolence and rapne most dan.