The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-08-05
Destruction Of Greytown,

The following are the particulars of the de-
struction Of Greytown, by the U. S. frigate Cy-
ane:
Greytowu consisted of about eighty houses,
nearly all of them built of wood and BY far the
greater proportion of them constructed in the
U. S. and taken there on shpboard. One of
these--Lyon's HOtel-cost S15,CO Not more
than One-fOurth of the houses in the new part
of the town, which has been built since 1850,
were occupied. They have heretofore been oc-
cupied, but were deserted from business con-
siderations some time previous to this affair.
The population of Greytown consisted of about
500 persons altogether, of which number ten or
twelve were from the United States, about
twenty-five were Englshmen, and twelve
Frenchmen and Germans The remainder of
the population were Jamaica negroes and ma
tives. The Americans, English, French and
Dutch were engaged in bookkeeping and
trade.
The houses occupied by the natives and ne
grocs were principally frame buildings, with
roofs of matched palm-leaf
When the Cyane appeared before GreytOwn
and demanded satisfaction to the amount OF
$4,000, threatening bombardnent if not COM
piled with at given hour, it was not believed
by the inhabitants that the town was to be de-
moished. pilagcd and burned They expected
that few shots would be fired into the town,
that few houses would be perforated, and then
hostilities would cease. Most of the English,
however, went for protection on board of the
British war schooner Bermudas. Capt. Jolly,
laying in the harbOr. Mr. Fabens, U. S. Agent
together with six or seven of the Americans,
sought protection under the flag of the United
States, On board of the Cyane, and the remain
der of the inhabitants Of Grey:own. including
all of the French and natives. together with a
fpyy EDUliSh aud A,no loft ho v1a 6nr
ing the night and morning preceding its de-
struction. They all encamped together on the
shore in the wOods about mile distant. Not
anticipating the entire demolition of the town
by bomb-shells and torches, they took but little
oftheir effects with them. All the property
left was destroyed. Consequently the homeless
inhabitants were in great suffering for the want
OF fC ol, and OF clothing and protection from the
weather. They had stretched up sheets for
tents. and many were obliged to sleep in the
I open air. without the least shelter and were
haltfanished for the want of food. A brig lad
en- with provisions, which had just arrived as
the bombardnient commenced, has probably
supplied them.
The terms of Capt. Hollns not being com
piled with, he opened his fire promptly at the
appointed time, nearly every shot doing eyecu
ton. He fired about two hundred shots, but
not burning up the town as be desired. be sent
, ashore launch with lieutenant and about
twenty five men, who proceeded to set on fire
all that remained of Greytown. The amount
Ofproperty destroyed by this hombardment ID
stated to be half million otdollars.
The day before the bombardment Capt Hol
Ems took possession of the guns which were fol
the protection Of the town. and took them tC
Punta Arenas, and placed them in the keeping
Of the agent of <hc Transit Company. During
! the bombardmInt two shots were aimed at the
flagstaff from which f1oatcd the Mosquito flag
The first ball severed the halyards. and down
came the flag to Nafmast, and the second ball
cut the staff half OF, from which it was sus-
pended.
While the Cyanc was cannonading. note
was received by Capt. Hollns from the Captain
of the British schooner Bcrmudas, stating that
be regretted that had not British vessel OF
war there of the size of the Cyane: he would
compel him to desist. Capt. Hollins, in reply
to the note, regrt tied that Capt. jolly had not
ttco just such as he believed the United States
could get possession of them on the same terms
us they got the Cyane. There was good deal
of anxious looking for the British mail steamer
ncc. .hcn hourly expected and remarks were
made that when she all. ed hostilitics would
be Immediately suspended. Just as III. own
was to be fired the expected mail steamer ar
rived. but much to the surprise of all the Eng
lishmen. the work of pillaging and setting fire
to the town went forward. When it was all
over the British mail steamer left for some
other port, having the Bcrmudas in tow