Washington telegraph., 1854-08-23
Bombardment Of Grertoua

inel OF lacfs ~ the New York IrlbUae, of the
42Jth, concerning the refent destruction of that
place by the U. S. soop-ot-war Cyane, Capt Hol-
llns, fuli particulars OF which we gave Yesterday.
From this statement we take the following ex
tracts:
The first part relates only to certain coal priv
lieges, granted by the King of Musauto. through
his agents, the British Consul and Vice Consul.
and Is not important
In the month Of March, 1852, the agent Of the
Alng formally made over to the inhabitants OF
| the city the government and control thereof and
on the 9th OF the same month a constitution was
adopted and a municipal corporation elected by
ballot. The following is the preamble to the
constitution:
I'VE. the native and adopted citizens OF Grey
town or San Juan del Norte In Central America.
In order to establish a suitable Government to
secure the blessings of liberty establish Justice.
insure domestic tranquility, and promote the gen
eral welfare. do adopt the following constitution
for the city of Greytown or San Juan del Norte.
and define the boundaries of the same as follows:
Commencing at the mouth OF Indian river thence
running up through the channel OF said river ff-
teen miles, thence in direct line SO as to include
the head of the lnacbuca rapide thence down the
San Juan river to its junction with the Colorado
thence down the channel of the Colorado to the
Caribbean Sea-
This constitution was ratified by the agent OF
the King, who has not since attempted to exercise
any sway, or derive any revenue from the town
or port. The flag OF Mosquito continued TO be
used as the municipal ensign, at the request of
Com. PARKER.
BY this constitution, trial by jury and the writ
of habeas corpus were secured to all OF the citi-
zens, and the common law OF England was incor-
porated into all OF the courts of the government
and the decisions of the Supreme Court OF the
United States We're conclusive In all SIMILAR cases.
together with all other liberal provisions, such as
Americans had been accustomed to at home.
This constitution was ratified at an open con-
veuton of the citizens of all natonalities, and is
dated the 29th March, lSJ2 and signed Thos
Cody, President; Henry L. Stevenson, VIM. E.
Sheldon, Secretaries.
During the existence of the Government the
agents and employers OF the Transit Company,
which had meanwhile obtained from the State of
Nicaragua a charter for transit route, repeated
lv availed themselves of the local courts and re-
cognzed the jurisdiction Of the authorities by vot-
ing at the elections, etc.
Pending this, the agent OF the King, finding that
the Transit Company were erecting hotels. stores
etc, on the land, where they had the privilege
of only landing coal. to the great prejudice oi the
town proper, directed them by note TO vacate to
which they gave no attention.
In the month oil February. 1888. the CITY Coun-
ell finding that the growing requirements of the
city needed a quarantine ground for smallpox pa
tients who frequently We're among the passengers.
and room for powder magazine pilot house and
lighthouse, enacted an ordinance requiring the
Transit Company to vacate Punta Arenas. except
for coal depot within thirty days, and at the
same time rendering large grants on the south side
of the bay and on the Lagoon, equally eligible:
also ordering the removal Of certain thatched
house standing on private land outside OF the lease
limits within five days. at the expiration OF which
time it was carefully taken down by the author
tiles.
Before the expiration OF the thirty days the L
S. ship Cyaae arrived and interposed her guns and
blockaded the port, when the Government re-
signed into the hands of Commander H0llins but
were restored within about two weeks. Since
then harmony. as general thing, has existed. un-
til the Hon. Solon Borland forbade the arrest OF d
homicide and nterposed himself officially to pre-
vent it, harangulng the excited crowd, styling
them the of scum of hell etc.
The sequel to these events took place on The
18th July. in the barbarous destruction Of our pro-
perty and the ruin of majority of the inhabitats
Of the town.
All Of which we submit TO the public on behalf
OF the inhabitants OF San Juan now houseess in a
tropical climate in this unhealthlul season of the
year.
The following is taken from statement made
by two ladies, residents Of the town, who wit
messed its destruction. and is also taken from tie
Tribune, to which paper il had been furnished BY
a writer:
This lady Informs the writer that on the 18th
inst. soon after the arrival OF the Cp7He there be-
ing no Government to treat with, her commander
caused a written demand to be published in
French, Spanish and English, requiring the peo-
pie Of San Juan to pay the sum Of 514 COO, and
make an apology by 9 a. n. OF the next day
Many OF the Wealthiest citizens OF the town were
a5seut: some OF them in this city and their fami-
lies in San Juan--anG there beiag 90 Governments
the money demand was not OF course complied
with, nor was the apology furnished, and the con-
sequence was the destruction Of the entire town.
together with all the merchandise and household
furniture and the inhabitants, many of whom
were foreigners driven to the forest Tor shelter
du.ing this death-dispeusiug, rainy season in the
tropics
When we consider that more than three-fourths
OF the property destroyed belonged TO Americans
and the value thereof being full Sl.0O0,000, and
the preteXt thereto, we led to ask ii the 60
vernmeut of the United States is not responsible
10 her citizens thus injured by national ship,
whether in obedience to instructions or not: also
to those Engllshmen and Frenchmen who have
likewise been ruined! This lady further informs
the writer that the magnaninous offer of the
commando. OF the CygHc OF comfortable seat on
the quarter deck of his ship whence TO lool, out
upon the destruction OF their property. the ac-
cumulatIOn OF years was scOrnullv rejected bv all
OF the American citIzetis except the immediate
family Of the Commercial Agent. as was likewise
the kindness of the Agent of the Transit Com
pany, Of free passage home, except by two ia-
valid ladies'.
This is a bad piece of business, as It stands
But we have Only heard one side. as yet Let Us
await full official particulars before we abuse
either the President or his officer. We are per
suaded Capt. Holhns has not acted without au-
thorty, aud the President. doubtless has good
reasons to justify any measures OF retaliation he
may have decided upon. At all events. u is bad
policy to go off half coekea.' IN 3. Bel.
DEATH OF TIE NoToRIous JoAoU1x.-Tbe
Placer California Democrat thus describes the
death OF this celebrated bandit, after long pur-
suit By party of Rangers. under Lieut. BYTnes:
They tthe banGits) were encamped on the bank
of the Rio Coatura, at its sink They were mis-
taken as to the character OF their approaching