New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-02-03


Unmindful of the screech owls lay
With his ho-oo-oo.
-
Tho Padding Outrnge-CIaim for Indem-
nifty.
The ultimate consequences Of Com. Paulding's
course at Punta Arenas are not yet fully developed
Many of those who suffered by it are at Washington,
waiting Paulding's arrival, with the intention Of
bringing suits at law for private damages. Below
we publish the petition Of a Scotchman residing on
Punta Arenas, who rented his premises to Walker,
and claims that he injured and plundered by the
United States forces, as also his claim against this
Government, forwarded to Lord Clarendon:
To the honorable tbs Secretary Of ths
The petition of Robt. r. Craig, native of Scot
land and subject Of her Majesty Queen of Great
Britain and Ireland, and now a resident at Punta
Arenas in Central America, showeth; That your
petitioner has lived at this place. engaged in lawful
business, for several years. where he has house and
made other improvements on piece Of land pur-
chased from the pilot of this port. That the 18th
day Of last month a party OF men arrived at this
port in the American steamer Fashion, from Mobile
these men were under the command of Gen. VIM.
Walker, armed and equipped for war; that the u S.
ship-ofwar Saratoga was lying in the harbor at the
time, opposition being offered to Gen. VIM Walker
and his armed followers that your petitioner rented
TO Gen. VIM. Walker part OF his premises and also
received large quantity of provisions in his ware
each package your petitioner advanced on the seeu
rity of the provisions $780, that the Sh day OF the
present month the commander Of tie U. S. Navy took
Gen. Walker and his followers prisoners and sent
them on board Vessesofwar lying in the harbor that
on the 10th day OF the month number of armed men
under the command of Lieut.. Girardi, Of the Uuited
States Navy landed your petitioners premises and
demanded delivery OF all the provisions etc. stored
on account of Gen. VIM. Walker that your peti.
toner answered that they could have them upon
payment Of bis claims and not till then at the same
time handing the lieutenant note for the commander
OF the Sarat0ga a copy of which is enclosed and
marked No. l. The officer refused to receive the
note, and ordered his men to break open the store
houses, which was done, and your petitioner was
made prisoner and kept under guard until all the
goods were removed from his premises. That during
the time your petitioner kept prisoner by Lieu
tenant GIrardi, the armed men under his command
had full possession OF your petitioners premises and
were allowed to do and take what they pleased help
ing themselves freely to liquors. and Carving away
clothing and other private property of your petit
TONER, That copy OF the account presented to
Com. Paulding by your petitoner-the same being
duly certified to by Is. W. Matzmur, c0mmissary OF
General Walkers forests herewith enclosed and
marked No. 2. Therefore your petitioner most hum
bly, begs the honorable Secretary Of the United
States Navy that he may order said account to be
paid, and also cause an inquiry to be made as to the
damage sustained by your petitioner by having his
premises iorcibly entered and property destroyed by
party Of armed men under the command OF an off.
Ger of the United States Navy, in order that your
petitioner may have justice and receive recompense
therefor.
-. 80, RoBT. A. CRAIG.
PUSTA Arenas, Central America,
December l6 1857. {
My LOrd-I take the liberty Of enclosing to your
lordship copy oil petition have this day forward
ed to the honorable Secretary of the Navy of the
United States OF America.
Your lordship must be aware that the point on
which have built my house is in disputed territory
whether pertaining to Costa RIGA, Nicaragua or the
Mosquito King under British protection, being I'M
settled.
Several months since Costa Rican force landed on
the Point took forcible possession of my premises and
DID me serious damage, OF which | made complaint
to, and asked protection from her Maestys Consul
residing at Greytown. He answered "that he could
do nothing for me- as the Costa Rean flag foated on
the Pointp
Last month, General Walker and a party of eli.
busters as they commonly called, landed on the
Point and raised the Nicaraguan flag. These people
made fair bargain with me for the rent OF my pre-.
misses paid for what articles they purchased OF used
OF mine, and committed no OutIages. Having a large
quantity Of provisions stored in my house advanced
them live hundred dollars holding their goods as col
lateral security. OF General Walker or his men
have no complaint to make since their advent my
property returned an income-for many months before
Il was unproductive. Yet DR.. Green, her Maiesty's
Consul, residing at Greytown, urged me TO protest to
him against these men occupying my premises warn
ing me, il did not so protest, should lose my right
|
On the 10th of this month the Commodore of the
United States naval forces here, having made Walker
and all his men prisoners, forcby removed the prop.
erty into my stores refusing to pay me my rent or
the money advanced, for which held the provisions
as collateral security; was made prisoner and my
own personal property carried away, / then sent
protest to Dr. Green, and enclosed my passport as
British subject travelling TO this country and asking
his interference in my behalf Her Maiesty's Consul
Dr. Green, residing at Greytown treated my applica.
ton with contempt which, my lord must be my ex-
cuse for presumng to address your lordship on this
subject.
am poor man, my lord a loyal subject of her
most gracious Majesty, and am not aware of having
committed any crime or done any act by which have
forfeited my birthrght the proud privilege to boast
myself Briton with the right to my countrys pro
lection from oppression by any power ON EARTH
am too poor my lord, TO protest. for reasons Of
State, against men who modest me not but on the
contrary were doing me an actual benefit and who
being permitted to land in this country by the com.
mander of United States ship Of war, | had good
reason TO suppose engaged in lawful enterprise
have the honor to be your lordshps most obedent
humble servant,
To the right honorable the Earl Of Clarendon, Sec
rotary Of State for Foreign Affairs etc. etc. London
England