Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-02
Mr. Fadens 70 Mr. Marcu.
COMMERCIAL AGENCY, u. S. A.,
San Juan del Norfe Nav az 1914

DIM onnco my last dlspatcn, NO. B, dated
May 10, 1894, accompanying protests of the
general agent OF the Accessory Transit Com.
pany, OF Nicaragua, very serious difficulties
have arisen, growing out Of an attempt, made
by the people of this town, to seize the person
OF the American minister in Central America.
Mr.. Borland, while on his return to the United
States. This extraordinary measure was I'M
dertaken, as | am informed, in consequence of
the ground taken by the minister, that the
people now occupying this town had no juris.
diction over Punta Arenas, or the steamers of
the Transit Company. You have, doubtless,
before this received full details of this affair
from Mr.. Borland himself, and will merely
state briefly the facts in the case as they fell
under my own personal observation.
On the evening of the 10th inst, at about
the hour of 6, p. m, Mr., Borland arrived at my
house. He informed me that a native boat
man had been shot upon the river by the cap
tain of the steamer in which he Mr.. b. was a
passenger; that upon arriving in our harbor,
an armed force boarded the steamer, and de-
manded the person of the said captain that
he Mr.. B. told them they had no authority or
jurisdiction in the matter, and that he should
not permit the captain to be arrested by them.
While we were conyersing upon this subject.
information was brought by friend that the
authorities of San Juan had decided upon the
arrest ofthe American minister, and in about
FIVE minutes time an armed force of some six
or seven men-mostly, it appears, Jamaica
negroes muskets in their hands, drew up
in front of the consulate, and in o very excited
manner demanded the American minister. I
proceeded to the door, and while endeavor-
ing to learn more in detail the character of the
movement, Mr.. Borland himself came forward.
He spoke to the group lat this time, in addition
to the six or seven men with muskets already
mentioned, there were some thirty or forty
others, principally blacks from Jamaica and
San Domingo, and Hin state Of intense ex-
citement) in calm and digni6ed manner;
asked them if they were aware of the conse-
quences of these proceedings, &c. To which
had been prepared to die since A o'clock, D. m.
Mr.. Borland then spoke to me apart request
ing me to leave Immediately for the steamship
Northern Light, lying in the harbor at the
time, and if possible return with aid. As
left the house, in obedience this request,
fragment Of a broken bottle was thrown at Mr..
Borland, striking him in the face, and drawing
blood therefrom. / will here add that never
saw more Infatuated mass of human beings
than were, on that occasion, in forcibly posses
sion of the consulate, and so great was the ex
element in town against the Transit Company,
from the moment when the information of the
death of the aforementioned boatman arrived,
that it is my firm belief that if the captain who
committed the act had been delivered up, he
would have been torn in pieces, or hung i'm.
diately without trial or examination.
When | arrived ON board the Northern Light,
stated the case to Captain Churchill, who
gave me permission to lay it before the pas
sengers. 1t was then decided, after mature de.
Liberation, that committee of three should be
appointed to return with me to San Juan, com.
municate with the minister and agree upon
the most proper course to take under the cir
cumstances. In company with this committee,
| set out on my return to town but on ap-
preaching the shore, we were ordered off. The
quartermaster replied that the consul' was on
board, and going to his house. The answer to
this was, He can't land" Upon our ven.
turing to proceed, shot was fred by one of
the party above our heads while three others
pointed their muskets directly into the boat.
We then put about, and returned to the ship.
Ii was then past midnight. All this time we
had been under great anxiety as to the per.
sonal safety of Mr.. Borland; and it was to
assure ourselves upon this point that the steps
last described above were taken.
On the following morning, between the hours
Of seven and eight, a. m, Mr.. Borland taking
advantage of momentary lull Of the excite.
ment, left the consulate for the steamship, in
with Mr.. f. +. Mason, an American
gentleman residing with me. He was received
on board the Northern Light with every mani.
lestation of sympathy and Joy on the part of
his countrymen. What followed, you are doubt
less aware of. consultation was subsequently
- - \
Mr.. j. II. Scott, agent of the Accessory Transit
Company, Captain Churchill and myself we're
present. and it was decided, as necessary under |
The circumstances, TO leave an armed force at
Point Arenas for the protection of the Aces. |
sorry Transit Company and the American in. |
erests at San Juan del Norte. Fifty men were |
enrolled, of whom Mr.. Crawford Fletcher was |
elected captain. These men are |
now on duty at Point Arenas, and am con-
sinced that their presence at that point has |
kept in check the violent passions Of the lower
class Of people Of this town, and prevented |
urther and yet more serious disturbances.
Many rumors of what was contemplated have
cached me, but as have no positive proofin |
he matter, defer communicating them until |
AN do so personally.
The Northern Light sailed on the evening Of |
he 18th instant On the next morning the
British war steamer Argus arrived in our
larbor. The people Of this town, as learn,
pplied TO the commander for an order TO dis.
'erse the force at Point Arenas, which he de.
lined giving. This vessel remained four days
n port, and then sailed for Port Royal, in ia.
naica. did not have the pleasure of seeing
er commander while here neither did he com.
nunicate with the agent or any officer Of the
transit Company, or take any steps, so far as
am aware, TO inform himself of the American
ide of the affair in question. On the morning
( the arrival Of this vessel all the authorities
{ this town resigned their Offices, and the place
emains TO this time without any form of gov
the station-house with the arms and
ammunition belonging to the town, is in posses
ion Of the Jamaica negroes, 1.-THE same parties
tho committed the outrage previously spoken
E)
j am Of opinion that there can be no perma-
ent peace in this place until the question Of
overeignty is definitely settled, and respon.
ible government established.
/ am, sir, with great respect your obedient
ervant, JOSEPH w. FABENS.
on. WILLIAM l.. MARCY,