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

THE BOMBARDMENT OF GREYTOWN.  Lord C. HAMILTON then rose to ask what steps her Maje,ly'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 askieg 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 re'present them at Grey town, and this gentleman was con neetzd with the company. The consequence was, that he 'was constantly promoting squabbles between the company and the local authorities, and he went so far cn one occasion as to withdraw from the local authorities a person who had committed a murder. The authorities had no power to resist the encroachments of the company, and they resigned en masse, and requested the British consul to carry on the government. The Americans then busied themselves with getting up cases of grievarce. These were not submitted to arbitration, but the ipse dixit of the American was taken, and claims of compensation were made for alleged injuries to American pro• perty. The local authorities could only remonstrate, and the American consul said he had referred the matter to the Government 4t 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 protests 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 a body of men, who destroyed what remained 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 fromßritish 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 shelterin 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 any compensation. He had told the house that a number of fictitious claims were made by the Americans, but that no attempt was made to submit them to arbitration. In the meantime a document had fallen into the bands of some of the parties, which showed that these claims were mere pretences. It was a letter written by Mr. White, the agent of the Transit Company, addressed to the A merican representative at Greytown, as follows : " Captain Hollins—[the officer in command of the corvette}—leaves here next Monday. Yoa 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 Isrcyto he town or the people. If the scoundrels are soundly taus tha Punished we can take possession, and build it up " a business; place, put in our own officer, transfer the jurisdiction,ftad you know the rest. It is of the last reaperj,,u,st,ne people of the town should be taught to fear agree with tuhmesmiltaswtoillthteeaocrghatnhiesaintionafotefrthwah:giochveyrnoma must Thaty s twe pa ss thead sbteaeteamtaeicnetuatnod obtain nasekoemd compensation?, antoibolne3lorodnief believewti rd i Ltd ftahvaotuf hoefp thevvr OUnnol„tt sa originally States cognisant government.of w hila et 04110 011 in their name, but they had Public opinion in the Uthneit'pe iwnaysolgve'degthteombseelves by not punishing edrpsettartaetsorhsiodf the outrage.