The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-12-13

across the lsthmus. The company resist
ed their groundless claims, whereupon
they proceeded to destroy some OF its
buildings, aud attempted violently, to dis
possess it.
At later period they organized a strong
force for the purpose of demolishing the
establishment at Punta Arenas, but this
design was defeated by the
interposiiion Of one OF our ships of war,
at that time in the harbor OF San Juan.
Subsequently to this, in May last, body
of men from Greytown crossed over to
Punta Arenas. arrogating authority to ar
rest, on the charge of murder, captain
of one Of the STEAMBOATS, of the Transit
Company. Being well aware that the
claim to exercise jurisdiction there, would
be resisted then, as it had been on previ-
Gus occasions they went prepared TO as
sert 1t by force of arms. Our minister to
Central America happened to be present
on that occasion. Believing that the cap
tain of the steamboat was innocent, for
he having Witnessed the transaction on
which the charge was founded. and be-
lieving. also. that the intruding party.
having no jurisdiction over the place
where they proposed to make the arrest
would encounter desperate resistance il
they persisted in their purpose. he inter-
posed effec,ually, to prevent violence and
bloodshed. The American minister af.
terwarGs visited Greytown, and whilst he
was there, mob including several of the
SO called public functionaries of the place,
surrounded the house in which he was. a.
vowing that they had come TO arrest him.
by order of some person exercising the
chief authority. While parleying with
them he was wounded by a missile from
the crowd. A boat, despatched from the
American steamer Northern Light to re-
lease him from the perilous situation in
which he was understood to be in, was
fred into by the town guard, and compell-
ed to return.
These incidents, together with the known
character Of the population of Greytown,
and their excited stale, induced just ap-
prehensions that the lives and property OF
our citizens at Punta Arenas would be in
imminent danger alter the departure ofthe
steamer. with her passengers, for New
York, unless guard was LETT. for their
protection. For this purpose. and in or
der to ensure the safety of passengers and
property passing over the route, tempo
rary force was organized. at considerable
expense 20 the United Suites, for which
provision was made at the last session Of
Congress.
This pretended community, a hetero-
geneous assemblage gathered from various
countries, and composed; for the most
part, Of blacks and persons OF mixed blood.
had previously given other indications Of
mischievons and dangerous propensities.
Early in the same month, property was
clandes.inely distracted from the depo,
Of the Transi, Company, and taken to
Greytown. The plunderers obtained shell
ter there, aud their pursuers were driven
back by its people, who not only protect
ed the wrongdoers and shared the plum
der; but treated with rudeness and vic.
lence those who sought to recover their
property.
Such, in substance, are the facts sub
mitted to my consideration. and proved
by trustworthy evidence. could not
doubt the case demanded the interposi-
ton of this Government. Justice requi-
red that reparation should be made for so
many and such gross wrongs; and that a
course Of insolence and plunder, tending
directly TO the insecurity of the lives OF
numerous travellers. and OF the rich trea-
sure belonging to our citizens passing over
this transit way, should be peremptorily
arrested. Whatever it might be in other
respects, the community in question, in
power 20 do mischief was not despicable. |,
was we'll provided with ordinance. small
arms. aud ammunition. and might easily
seize on the unarmed bosts, treighted with
millions Of property, which passed almost
daily within its reach. 1t did not profess
to belong 10 any regular government ;
and had, in fact. no recognized depend
ence on, or connection with, any one to
which the United States or their injured
citizens might apply for redress, or which
could be held responsible. in any way.
ing before the world in the attitude Of an
organized political society, being neither
competent TO exercise the rights, nor to
discharge heoblig gations Of a government,
it was in fact, rnarauding establishment,
too dangerous to be disregarded, and too
guilty TO pass 'unpunished, and yet inca
pehle of being treated in any other way
than as pira,icsl resort OF outlaws, or q
camp of savages, depredaling on emf,
grant trains or caravans, and the frontier
settlements of civilized States.
Seasonable notice was given TO the peo.
pie of Greytown that this government re-
quired them TO repair the injuries they had
done to cur citizens, and TO make suitable
apology for their in suit Of our munster, and
that ship OF war would be despatched
thilher TO enforce compliance with these
demands. But the notice passed unheed
ed. Thereupon commander of the navy
In charge of the sloop Of war "Cyane,'
was ordered 10 repeat the demands, and tc
insist upon a compliance herewith. Find
ing that neither the populace. nor those
assuming to have authority over them
manifested any disposition 10 make the re-
quired reparation, or even to offer excuse
for their conduct. he warned them, by
public proclaim alton, that if they did no
give satisfaction within time specified
he would bombard the town. By this pro
cedure he afforded them opportunity t,