The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-30
WASHINGTON. MAY q. 1854.
The Recent affair al San Juan de Nicaragua.

Intelligence hasreached here of an important and
reliable character. which puts very different as
pect upon the unfortunate affair at San Juan de
Nicaragua, from that sought to be conveyed by the
ex.parte statement of the gentleman subscribing
himself "R. Lord, Purser." This information comes
from persons who were witnesses of the whole trans
action, from the murder of the unofending native
down to Mr.. Borland's last Quixotic man9uvre. As
Mr.. Lord was doubtless where hsd duty required him
TO be-on board of his own steamer-he could not
possibly know anything, personally, OF the ira nsac-
tons which he assumes to describe, Indeed, 1t Is
perfectly well understood that Mr.. Borland himself
is the author Of the extraordinary document to
which Mr.. Lord anixes his signature and high off,
cial designation.
The facts Of the case give to you in nearly the
precise words Of an eyewitness, who can have no
possible reason to misrepresent them. They are as
follows:-
Captain Smith, Of the steamer Routh, when com.
ing down the river, near San Juan, ran 80 CLOSELY
upon loaded bungo going up the river as to alarm
the owner lest 1t should be crushed. He called out
to the steamer to take care, and some high words
took place. the patron Of the bungo evidently sup
posing the intention was to run into him. The
steamer, nevertheless, went on; but after going
down the river nearly half mile, to point where
it was wide enough to enable him to turn, the cap
tain put about passed up the river above the bung,
turned about and came down on the latter head on.
The patron of the bungo had an old rusty flint fowl
ing piece In his hands, which he held by the barrel
near the muzzle. As the steamer approached he
The response was rife shot from Capt. Smith,
which killed the poor fellow on the spot The bum
60 was crushed to pieces. Incredible as il may ap-
pear it is said the captain of the steamer was abe
ted by person who afterwards figured in the affair
in very conspicuous manner.
he body OF the murdered patron was taken to
San Juan, near which place, as have said the deed
was committed, where the proceedings took place,
which the .partcipators in the murder have taken
pains to have announced as "a high-handed out
rage We shall probably be able to get at the truth
better when we come to hear the other side.
Even according to the suspicious er pate statement
OF Mr. Lord, it appears that the only offence which
can be charged against the people Of San Juan is that
they attempted to arrest q murderer whose crime
had been committed within their own de fcto and
well recognized jurisdiction. II any disturbance
arose, 1t was in consequence Of an illegal resistance
to authority, and the unjustifabe intervention of
him into great deal of trouble.
There Is another element in this affair which
should not be forgotten. 1t is the arrogance and
undisguised hostility Of all the officers and agents
OF the Nicaragua Transit Company towards both
the people Of Nicaragua and those of San Juan,
which have made all their intercourse an uninter-
rurted series Of broils. Life has been lost, on
more than one occasion before, in consequence.
Of the government of San Juan in this case, but
they win fail for it is perfectly well known that
pending the settlement of the Mosquito question,
upon which the question of the ultimate sove-
reignty over San Juan depends, the existence Of a
provisional government there has been directly re-
cognized by England, and tacitly acceded by the
United States. In consequence, the authorities of
that town, under constitution formally published,
have exercised power for every purpose Of govern
ment, equally over the town and an extent Of some
thirty miles up the river. It is universally admit
ted that they have discharged their functions faith
fully and well. As the only authorities who could
by any possibility take cognizance of crime, it was
init murder within the limits of their authority.
This they attempted to do, but were iorcibly re-
sisted by . body of men, with an American Minis
ter at their head
1t will not do for Mr.. Lord or rather Mr. Borland,
ing, "that the United States recognises no auth0-
rty in San Juan to arrest an American citizen
The fact that the United States has agent in San
JUAN who receives his ereqtafor from thu authori-
ties of that place, proves the contrary.
Nor will 1t do to represent San Juan as made up
OF Englishmen and Jamaica negroes. A majority
Of its officers, and larger part of its people, are
Americans.
1t is necessary that the public should be informed
Of these facts before making up their opinions or
this affair. When the other side is heard, / appre
hend there will not be much left Of the statement
Of Mr.. Lord.
And here we may express regret that our gov
erDment have allowed the anomalous condition Of
things in San Juan to continue so long. II, as the
United States has always commended, the port be
longs to Nicaragua, in heavens name let Il be res
tored to her. If, on the other hand, as England
contends, It be-. ags to the socalled Mosquito king
let him have It, Or If it Is proposed to let an indie
pendent power spring up there-and this has been
the practical course Of events-let that be under
cfnnd coaa fha uonfou lns,oo <o NJ
affairs should terminate, and If the unfortunate oc
currence above alluded to have other effect than
to call the attention of the American government
earnestly to the condition Of San Juan, it will NOT
be without mitigating result.
need not add that Mr.. Borland will find his con-
duct wholly unsustafned by the government here
with which he 10 far from being in good repute.
Correspondence Of the Philadelphia Leager.l
WASHINGTON, May ~, 1854.
lord Elgin's Missio,,-EnglGnd and Cuba Rn
sn0rs Contradicfed-An Important Omission fu
some Of The Loading Pepes Of an Order IL COIN.
Gen: Tyson, Of Reading, Psmnsyivamia. =
Telegraphic rumors have gone out from this city
&c the effect that Lord Elgins mission here refers
to Cuba as well as Canada. think can most po-
stively assure you that this is untrue. These ru-
mors may lead the public to understand that Eng
is2d s ofciously intermeddling with our difficulties
with Spain, which might create very wrong i'm
preston at this time, and excite the public mind
more than circumstances warrant at present. Eng
land has in most positive terms, and of her own
accord, without being asked officially, denied the
charge. Lord Clarendon took especial occasion to
write private letter to Mr.. Champion, denying the
existence Of any treaty with Spain or France the
subject Of Cuba, (Which, dare say, he read to the
Secretary of State,) and the letters from our own
ministers abroad to their friends, state clearly and
without reserve that the same assurances were made
to them by men in official and social positions, hav
ing no doubt upon their minds that it IL really the
desire Of England and France to remain on good
terms with us. Unless the British government
through its principal Secretary Of Foreign Affairs
and her Minister here in Washington, lies, no ere
dence can be given to newspaper reports and tele
graphic inuendos on the subject.
The attempt to "AfricaHze" Cuba Is also mos
positively denied by all the British government
officials and the British Minister here in Washington
have no doubt Lord Elgin has most positively de
MED it, and the eternal reiteration Of the charge
cannot but prove highly offensive to the British
government. Such charges could not be made ID
England, against our administration and President
without exciting public indignation here, and ex
citing national animosities.
There il portion Of the diplomatic correspon
h.x.v x1n 80 LII