The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-10-06

is now perfectly well understood that the
razee Independence and the steamer Princeton
have been ordered to San Juan de Nicaragua,
and that they will soon depart for that desti-
nation. There are but two rational objects
which this expedition can have in view, viz. :
to arrange for the settlement Of the various
English, French, Nicaraguan, and American
claims arising out of the destruction Of San
Juan, or political purpose, to terminate Bri-
fish pretensions, and efftot restitution of the
port to Ncarasua--its rightful sovereign.
The force under orders is unnecessarily large
for any peaceful purpose, such as the compu-
tation of damages, which it is obvious could be
better effected by avoiding any display Of
strength. Furthermore, we are not justified
in believing, from any thing this administration
has done, that it has sufficient foresight and
discretion to make virtue Of what must ulti-
mately become necessity, by indemnifying the
innocent sufferers from the great naval achieve
ment OF San Juan. The truly manly course to
be pursued in repairing wrong committed
under niisapprehension of facts or through tie
mistaken zeal of a subordinate, is unquestion-
ably to pay sll real damages in the ease volun-
tarily and without any attempt to eyade re-
sponsibility. Such course would comport With
the national honor and dignity, and whatever
charge it might bring upon the treasury would
be received with satisfaction by great aid
generous people. But, as we have said, such
course is hardly to be expected from this for
clblefeeble administration.
On the other hand, we doubt if this expedi.
tion can have political purpose. If the ad-
ministration ever INDUCED any design of cradi-
eating the fraudulent protectorate which Great
Britain assumes to exercise on the Mosquito
shore, so far as it affects the sole point of any
geographical or political Importance, 1t has
lost the only favorable opportunity. II, after
his wonderful feat Of arms at San Juan-in
which that protcctorate was defed and put
down for the moment-Captain Hollins had
been instructed to remain in occupation of the
port, or to have put the legitimate owner in
possession, "the nine points" which, in the law,
are regarded as Of so much importance, would
have been on our side. The English govern.
ment would have been obliged to submit to the
course Of events, or take the onus and respon-
sibility Of an act of war on the United States,
by attempting to expel our force, which it is
not at all likely, under the circumstances Of her
position, she would have thought Of doing. But
before the ashes Of San Juan were cold. Capt
Hollins sailed away, leaving the inhabitants
without shelter or food, to die Of exposure and
famine. Nothing could be more favorable to
the English. They were enabled to consecrate
pretensions which few, even in San Juan, were
disposed to admit, by acts of humanity and
kindness. They fed and sheltered the people,
restored the government Of the place, and with
out opposition from any quarter, re-asserted, in
the most formal manner, pretensions we'll nigh
abandoned. They are actually in occupation
Of the port supported by force larger than
that which is on the eve Of sailing from our
shores. Every advantage, therefore, is now in
their favor. We must acquiesce in the existing
state Of affairs, or take the responsibility Of
overt acts upon ourselves; and this the admi
nistration will not dare TO authorize its officers
to do. II is not so ignorant as not to know
that no rupture with England on question Of
this kind, would meet with acquiescen,e, much
less support, in the nation. Politically, there
fore, or 80 far as this expedition may be sup
posed to have political object, it will prove
ruthless.
What then, IL may be asked is the design of
so large display Of naval force in place 80
insignificant as San Juan? We can only an
F1er that, probably, like most other acts OF
INC government ishas no design at all, and tina