The Sun. — 1857-06-20 (London, England)

THE BOMBARDMENT OF GREYTOWN.  Lord C. HA.MILTON then rose to ask what steps her , Majesty's Government bad taken to obtain compensation for the British subjects residing at Greytown whose property was destroyed when that town was bombarded in 1854 ; and if it would lay upon the table of the house copies of the communications that had taken place on that subject with the Government of the United States. He said some persons in New York formed a company called the Transit Company. This company obtained on certain terms a piece of land which speedily became covered with buildings. Not content with this piece of land they were constantly asking for large grants, though they refused to fulfil the conditions on which the first piece of land was granted. It appeared that the Government at Washington appointed a gentleman to represent them at Greytown, and this gentleman was con nected with the company. The consequence was, that he was constantly promoting squabbles between the company and the local authorities, and he went so far on one occasion as to withdraw from the local authorities a person Who ',lad committed a murder. The authorities had no power co resist the encroachments of the company, and ',bey resigned en masse, and requested the British consul to carry on the government. The Americans then busied themselves with getting up cases -of grievance. These were not submitted to arbitration, but the ipse dixi4 of the American was taken, and claims of compensation were made for alleged injuries to American property. The local authorities could only remonstrate, and the American consul said he had referred the matter to the Government at Washington. Nothing was heard of the reference till on the 12th July, 1854, an armed corvette arrived in front of this town, and the captain sent a message to the authorities, that if they did not pay 24,000 dollars within 24 hours the town would be bombarded. The authorities drew up a protest, as did also the British vice-consul, and these pro• tests were sent on board the corvette. Within the 24 hours the corvette began to bombard the place, and continued so to do until they had fired 250 to 300 shells into this unresisting town. Not content with that the captain landed e. body of men, Who destroyed what re• rosined of the town, and among other property set fire to the residence of the English vice-consul, who had his flag flying at the time. Thisaccount was not frornßritish residents only, but the French and the Italian residents drew up a similar account. In consequence of this outrage the whole population were driven to take shelter in the neighbouring forest. This transaction took place three years ago. No attempt as far as he could learn had been made to offer any explanation, still less auy compensation. He had told the house that a number of fictitious claims were made by the Americans, but that no attemp was made to suomit them to aroitration. In the meac [ time a document bad fallen juts the bands of some of the partie% which showed that these claims were mere pretences. It was a letter written by Mr. White, the agent of the Transit Company, addressed t[l the A merican representative at Greytown, as follows : " Captain Hollins—[the officer in command of the corvette]—leaves hers next Monday. You will see from his instructions that much discretion is given to you, and it is to be hoped that it will be so exercised as not to show any mercy to the town or the people. If the scoundrels are 2"4(115- Punished we can take possession, and build it up as a business placo, put in our own officer, transfer the Ititi:iction, an people know the rest. It is of the last impor••nee that th of the town should be taught to fear us. Punishment will teach them, after which you must agree with them mato theorganisation ofe the:government." That was the statement and he asked the noble lord if any steps had been taken to obtain compensation? One word in favour of the United States government. He believed. that thep were not originally cognisant of what was goag to be carried on in their name, but they had involved themselves by not punishing the perpetrators of the otth-age. Public opinion in the United States hid