Washington telegraph., 1856-04-09
Biographical Sketch of General Walker.


As Gen Walker, by his expedition to
Central America, and instalment into pow
CT in that interesting country, has become
q very important parsonage in the eyes of
the American public, we suppose our read
ers VIII peruse with some interest, the fol-
lowing sketch of the life of that distin-
guished adyenturer
General William Walker, at present
Commander-in-Chief of the army of the
Nicaragua, Is native of Tennessee, and
belongs TO an old, respectable and wealthy
family His father intended that he
should adopt the legal profession, and he
received classical education: He evinc-
ed dislike for the study of the law-his
mind tending towards historical lore, chem
istry, mineralogy and kindred sciences
1T an an early age he made the tour of
Europe, and finished his education at one
of the German Universities; here he learn
ed to write and speak the French, Ger
1uan, Spanish and italian languages. He
read with ayidity all books of travel, and
his mind was continually upon dreams
OF adventures in new countries. Being
pressed to choose a profession, he adopted
that OF medicine, and studied two years
III Paris
Bat our hero preferred the sword to the
scalpel, and refused to write an. d. at
ter his name He returned to America,
and about 1919 became connected with
the New Orleans Crescent, of which he
was part proprietor He assumed the ed
itorial management of that journal, and
l. IL = Il.
liberation of Cuba. But they all failed,
and the Crescent waned rapidly. Mr..
Walker. made his hegira from New Or
leans in 1919 or 80, and turned his face
towards the new El Dorado.
In San Francisco he became connected
with the Herald, then just established
there by Mr. John Nugent, graduate of
the New York Herald Office. After this
he went to Narysville and engaged in the
practice of the law-having been admit
ted To the bar of Louisiana previous to his
going to California His popularity, abil-
ity and large acquaintance specially
with Southern and Western people-gave
him lucrative practice, but his mind
turned upon other things.
In 1888 he began to think of the SOnO-
IA expedition Santa. Anna was then in
the full flush of his power, and was turn
ing his steps towards an imperial throne
The people of Sonora despised Santa An
m, and were In open rebellion against
his authority The house of Gaulana,
which Is the Oldest and wealthiest family
In Sonora, and which has ruled the State
for many years, had got up an armed Op-
position 70 Santa Anna's government, and
invited NIr. Walker to join them with
his friends They offered him large grants
Of land, if he would assist them in estab
fishing a republican government In 1891
Walker organized his expedition and sail
ed from San Francisco They were to go
first to the Gulf of Guaymat, but through
the treachery of Gaulana, did not succeed
IN SO doing, and fortified themselves at the
Encanada- The expedition remained here
three or four months, the members all be-
ing personal friends of the commander,
and resolved to stand by him to the last
His Mexican friends, however, did not
keep their promises, and the affair was a
failure Mr. Walker beat retreat to
San Francisco, where he was arrested and
tried before the United States Circuit
Court, for an alleged violation of the neu-
trality laws He defended his own case
with great ability, and was acquitted
He settled the principle of law for that
court, and Its decision Is now precedent
On the books
Mr. Walker now engaged in politics,
which were running very high, and was
a delegate to the Democratic State Con
yentiOn of 1854, when the Democratic
party split. He edited the Sacramento
journal
About this time he read Mr.. Squlers
pleasant book about Nicaragua, and be
came at once In love with the country
lie was aware that there was civil wal
going on, and talked with some of his
friends as to the practicability of assisting
the then Democratic party Soon after
Mr.. Byron Cole left San Francisco to trav
el through Honduras as the agent OF the
MInlng and Trading Company, and MIR
Walker obtained through him an exact
report as to the state of affairs in Nicara
qua Mr. Cole, having finished his busl
hess In Honduras, went with Col. Well
81 San Francisco, to Nicaragua, from
whence they transmitted to Mr.. Walkel
an accurate statement of the political at
Iairs OF the country. The leading mem
Ders OF the Chamorro party urged Mr.
1oie to return to San Francisco and brin:
NJ Walker down, ard commission a
Veneral was sent to him with grant o