The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-12-12


lations which have long existed between this
government and Brazil, it may bo expected
that tho ponding negotiations will eventually
reach favorable result.
Convenient means Of transit botwoen the
several parts of q country are not only dcsi-
rable for tho objects of commercial and per-
sonal communication, but essential to its ex-
istance under ono Government. Separated
as are the Atlantic and Pacific cities of tho
United States, by the whole breadth of tho
continent, still tho inhabitants OF each are
closely bound together by community of ori
gin and institutions, and by strong attach
mont TO tho Union. Hence tho constantly
increasing intercourse and vast interchange
Of commercial productions between these re-
mo,o divisions Of tho republic. Attho pres
ent timo tho most practical and commodious
routes for communication between them are
by tho way of the Isthmus of Central Amer
lea II is the duty of tho Government to Sc
cure these Avenues from all danger of inter-
ruptions. In relation to Central America,
perploxing questions existed between the u.
States and Great Britain at the time Of tho
cession of California. These, rs well rs
questions which subsequently arose concor-
ming Inter Oceanic communication across
the Isthmus, were rs IL was supposed, adjus-
ted by tho treaty of April 10Th, 1850, but un-
fortunately they have boon ro-openod by Sc
rious Misunderstanding as to the import of
some of it's provisions, a ro-adjustment Of
which is now under consideration. Cur
Minister at London has made strenous efforts
10 accomplish this desirable object, but has
not yet found it possible to bring tho nego-
iiat ons to termination.
AS incidental to these questions, doem it
proper to notice an occurrence which hap
pcned in Central America, near the close of
the last session of Congress. So soon as tho
necessity was perceived of establishing in
ter oceanic communication across tho 18TH
mus, company was organized under au-
thority of tho State of Nicaragua, but COM
posed for the most part OF citizens of tho u
nitcd States, for the purpose of opening such
transit-way by tho River San Juanand
Lake Nicaragua, which soon became an elli-
gible and much used route in tho transpor-
tation of our citizens and their property be-
tween tho Atlantic and Pacific. In the
meanwhile and i'm anticipation of tho COM
plction and importance of this transit-way a
number of adventurers had taken possession
of the old Spanish town ut the mouth Of the
river San Juan, in open defiance Of tho State
or Statos of Central America, which, upon
their becoming independent, had rightly
succeeded to the local sovereignty and juris-
diciion of Spain.
These advcnturers undertook to change
the namo of tho place from Juan del Norte
to Greytown, and though, at first pretending
to act as tho subjects of the fictitious sove-
reign Of the Mosquito Indians, thoy subsc-
qucntly rcpudiated tho control of any power
whatever, assumed to adopt distinct polit-
ical organization and declared themselves an
independent sovereignty. If at the same
time faint hopo was entertained that they
might become stable and respectable com
munity--that hope soon vanished. They
proceeded to assert unfoundcl claims TO civil
jurisdiction over Punta Arenas, position
on tho opposite side eff tho river San Juan,
which was in possession, under title wholly
independent of them. of citizens of the Uni
ted States, interested in the Nicaragua Tran
sit Company, and which was indispensibly
necessary to tho prosperous operation of
that route across the Isthmus.
The Company resisted their groundlcss
claims. whereupon thcy proceeded to de-
stroy some of its buildings and attempted
violently to dispossess it of its property. At
later period they organized a strong force
for tho purpose of demolishing the establish
ment o. Pun,a Arenas, but this mischcvous
design was frustrated by the interpositon Of
one of our ships of war, at that tmc in tho
TIarbor of San Juan. Subsequently to this,
in May last, body of men from Greytown,
passed over to Punta Arenas arrogating au-
thority to arrest n Captain of ono of tho
steamboats, of tho Transit Co. Very we'll a.
ware that the claim to exercise jurisdiction
there would be resisted thon, as it had becn
on previous occasions, they went prepared
to arrest him by force of arms Our Minis
Tor to Central America happened TO be pres
ent on tho occasion, believing that tho Cap
tain of tho steamboat was innocent for ho
witnessed tho transaction in which the
charge was founded, and believing, also, that
tho intruding party having no jurisdiction
over tho place where they proposed to make
tho arrest. would encounter desperate rc-
sistance, If they persisted in their purpose,
he interposed cifcctuslly to prevent violence
or bloodshed.
The American Minister afterwards visited
Greytown, and while there, mob, including
certain of the functionaries of the place, sur
rounded tho house in which no was, owning
that they had come to arrest him by order of
some persons, expressing the chief authori-
ty. Whilo parleying with them, ho was
wounded by a misseI from tho crowd. A
boat despatched from the American Steamer
Northern Light to reloaso him from the per-
lous situation in which he was understood
to bo placed, was fred into by tho town
guard and compelled to return. These in
cidents, together with the known charec ctcr
of tho population of Greytown, and their
exciod state induced just apprehension that
the lives and property of our citizens at Pun
ia Arenas would be in imminent danger af-
ter tho departure of the steamer with her
passengers for Now York, unless guard
was left for their protection. For this pur-
pose, and to ensure the safety of the passcn-
gers and property passing over the routc, a
temporary force was organized at considora-
bic expense to tho United States, for which
provision was made at tho last session of
Congress.
This pretended community, n hetorogono-
ous assemblage. gathered from various coun-
tries, and composed for the most part Of
blacks and persons of mixed blood, had pro-
viously given othcr indications of mschovous
and dangerous propens,ies. Early in the
same month, property was clandestinely ia
ken from thotlcpot Of the Transit Co. and ta-
ken to Greytown. The plundcrcrs obtained
sholtcr there, and their pursuers were driven
back by its people, who not only protected
tho wrono-doors and cha rod Tho nlnndor but