Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-27
Another suspected FmiDustering Move

llgerents under Colonel w aiker. Information
OF the whole affair was given to the United
States District Attorney, Mr.. McKeon, who has
taken the necessary steps to prevent the depar-
ture of the men.
The Herald says:
"The Nicaraguan Transit Company,it seems,
are deeply interested in the matter, and had
furnished each member OF the party with free
ticket to San Juan, and their counsel, Mr.. JOS
l.. White was addressed in a written commu-
nication by the District Attorney, who, we I'M
dersand has sent on to the President for in
structions as to how he shall act in the case"
The following is Mr.. McKeon's letter to Mr..
White:
U. S. DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE,
New York, Dec. %. 1855.
Sir: The proclamation of the President of
the United States, under date of 9Th December,
instant, has established the fact that in various
ports in the United States organizations have
been effected for the invasion of the State of
Nicaragua, and have been instructed to use
all lawful means to prevent such infractions of
the law of the United States
In my interview with you at your residence
late last evening, stated to you in substance
as follows:
Under the name Of colonists it is evident that
persons are about to leave this port Tomorrow
The real object of the parties engaging these
men is to make use of them on their arrival in
Nicaragua for military purposes. No man of
family is taken, active young men are prefer
red. An advertisement appears in the public
papers in the following words:
"WANTED-Ten or fifteen young men to go
short distance out Of the city. Single men
preferred. Apply at 347 Broadway, corner of
| Lombard street, room twelve, between the hours
of ten and four. Passage paid"
| Information reached this Office that at this
| place persons had been engaged to leave in
| your steamer, the Northern Light. A meeting
of the men engaged was to have been held at a
| place in this city late last evening, and a men,
| orandum of the time and place of meeting was
delivered to each person. | went last evening
to the rendezvous. There was quite a number
of men attended, as they understood for drill.
was informed by some of them that there had
| been collection Of men also had during the
day in Brooklyn. A number of persons in the
early part of the evening gathered at the Office
| in Broadway. The name of Parker H. French
being connected with this proceeding, callad
at once on him and gave him notice of what
had heard, and that should not permit vio
lation of the law of the United States. Mr..
French disavowed any connection with any ar
rangement tending to violate the neutrality of
the country, but admitted that he was anxious
to have Nicaragua settled by colonists He
admitted that he had procured the publication
Of what he says is decree of the government
of Nicaragua in the Herald.
You stated to me in reply that you were no
party to any such arrangements that Mr.. Par
ker FL. French had applied to you to carry about
500 men to Nicaragua, under an alleged de-
| cree granting to colonists bounty in land.
| That as common carriers you would carry all
who in good. faith intended to expatriate them
selves, and to avail themselves Of the so-caed
DEGREES, but that You declined to carry armed
men, or an organized company, or persons who
had enlisted, or intended to enlist on reaching
| Nicaragua.
! On suggesting 10 you that / was informed
| that the ship had cannon and other munitions
Of war, you stated that you did not know Of any
munitions of war on board of your ships,
though you would carry them for the govern
ment of that country. | deem it my duty to
state 10 you the views upon which | will con-
slider it incumbent upon me to act in this mat
| ter.
You are aware that by the terms Of the con-
vention between the United States and the gov.
eminent Of Great Britain, the United States
are bound to repress all attempts at COLOMBIA
ton in the territory Of Nicaragua, and that it
/ is the duty Of this government 10 carry this
| stipulation into full effect / also state to you
that the sources from which the alleged decree
/ for the encouragement of colonization in Mic
| aragua is said to proceed is not recognized by
this government as the government Of Mica
ragua. Until such a recognition by the Presi-
dent, am bound to consider the makers Of
that decree as within the Presidents procla-
nation, to be invaders Of the State Of Nicara.
| qua, with whom we are at peace, and to look
upon the transportation Of persons intending
to take possession of lands in Nicaragua under
that pretended decree to be one Of the acts OF
beginning and setting on foot, or providing or
preparing the means for the invasion of that
State forbidden by the statute, denounced by
the President of the United States, and fla
grant breach of treaty stipulation.
The President is determined to avert all these
lawless acts, and he will not hesitate TO exer.
| else that direct authority which has so happily
prevented the fu6lment Of the plans Of Henry
| l.. Kinney and his associates. | hope my re-
port may reach him in time to act as in bis
judgment he may think necessary. 1t is pro-
per for me to state that have had an occa-
sion heretofore TO call your attention to an at
tempted violation Of law by persons transport
ed in your ships, and that your vigilance and
activity were not sufficient to prevent breach
Of our neutrality laws.
Hoping that no act of yours, or Of your com
pany may tend to leopard the safety of the
persons and property Of our citizens, whom
designing men are alluring by false hopes Of
wealth and station, and thus throw discredit
upon the United States as violating our laws
and solemn treaties, ! am, sir, very respect
fully, JoHN McKEoN,
/ y. s. District Attorney
We learn by telegraph that the United States
Marshal for New York, yesterday detained the
Northern Light from sailing, and that it crea.
ted much excitement at the wharf among the
passengers.