The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-10
The Central American Question.


A pamphlet has been recently prblished in Francs
setting forth the losses and suierings OF certain
french residents at Greytown during the bonbard
ment OF that place, scme two years since, by the
American fTigste Cyane. This pamphlet, which l.
written in an excited spirit, Is intended appeal
to public opinion on both sides OF the channel, in
the hope OF bringing such pressure to bear upon
the British government will conpel them 70 act,
and to demand iDdsmniticntion from that OF the
United States for the Losses incurred by the settlers
at the hards OF Captain Hollins. No doubt the at
tack upon Greytown and its unfortunate Inhabitants
Sas g'9ss outrage, and, II we remember Alright,
the aneode was 50 tar made that President Pierce
refused to ad lpt the acts OF the commander of the
Cyane; that officer was considered by the American
have exceeded his duty, and was dealt
with accordingly.
The line taken by the writer or writer's Of the
pamphlet IN question has been followed by certain
politicians in This country and adopted by the oppo-
sltion press. For ourselves, we cannot sec hov the
british government Is concerned in protecting the
French settlers et Greytcwn. Such policy would
naturally be pursued by France, but those who
recommend u to our government are Ignorant OF
the nature OF the relations OF this country with Grey
town and the neighboriDg coast IL il quite true
that ia lS48 we expelled tbe Nicaraguans from that
place Chen known as San Juan de Nicaragua), and
included 1t In the Mosquito Protectorste, properly
so called; and that this course was taken by the
British government for the purpose OF pre-
venting the deliberate and persistent encroich-
ments OF the republic upon tho territory OF the Nos
guitos, which we were bound by engagements OF long
10 IrFrerFe fnNlDidtcs ana 10 prevent tue
monopoly by Nicaragua Of the mouth Of the river
ssn Juan. This we have ofectually prevented, aud
The bombsrdment OF GreytJwn, although admittedly
an outrage "a against the settlers, did not in any
way endanger the object We had In view in the
seizure OF the place, much less did IL overthrow the
policy which dictated that seizure. Had the
Cyane landed her sailors and marines and taken
possession Of the town, and had the Ameri-
Can government att mpted 10 jCs'ify that act, II
would bave been quite a different matter; that
would have constituted direct violation Of the
BulwerClayton treaty, which could not, OF course.
he tolerated. Or bad any British srniects
suffered by the bombariment. our government must
have demanded satisfaction from the Cabinet Of
Washington. neyopd this, cannot understand
what business tn British government would haveto
move in the question; and no doubt Lord Palmer
sioD ly whose advice Gfeyiown was seized in lS4S,
a OF the same opinion. 'rhe occasions of offence
between this govern npent and that Of the United
States have beer sufficiently numerous of late with
out seeking TO add 10 them on frivolous pretences.
A 6eet Of British and American ships Of war IL now
lying before Crcytown TO preserve the strict ncu-
traty Of that place and the surrounding territory
in Central America. Beyond that necessary duty
sc teeye aud tTust their orders do not and vii MT
extend.