Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-11-14
General William Walker.

We perceive in many of our exchanges, within tho
last few days, an extract from a late number Of
Blackwood's Edinburg Magazine on Nicaragua in
which it is stated that General William Walker,
whose position in its affairs has drawn all eyes upon
him, is about forty years of age, and is native of
Alabama, and giving some details as to his early
life and education, which are sometimes correct and
sometimes otherwise.
The writer Of this article has known William
Walker from his childhood, and has it, therefore,
within his power 10 correct several errors which pre-
vail with regard to him. In the first place, then, be
is native of Nashville, Tennessee, his father being
of Scotch birth, coming, we believe from Glasgow,
its vicinity; his mother, who was a sister of John
| Norvel, at one period Senator III Congress from
Michigan, being native of Kentucky. William,
the eldest of their children, is about thiryhree or
four years of age, is of rather diminutive stature,
whitish hair, fair complexion, much stained on the
cheeks and about the eyes with treckes, gray eyes,
and a countenance, on the whole rather tame and
unprepossesstng. His voice is decidedly nasal being
what the children call sing song his manners are
uncommonly quiet and reserved, If not awkward hut
when in company with intimate friends, and when
interested in any object, he wakes up and his whole
appearance greatly changes
At school and college, Walker was most taciturn
and sudious he was particularly proficient in ma.
thematics aid the exact sciences and on his gradu
alton at the University of Nashville, he went TO Ed
inburgh where he went through the school OF medI
cine and afterwards attended lectures that science
ton of middle and southern Europe. On his return
TO Nashville he found that neither his health his
Y temperament fitted him for the life of physician,
and came to this city with the intention of studying
e law and obtaining admittance to the bar. He pur'
s sued his studies for time, and admitted to
practice but never, we think, made any very siren
uous attempt 10 advance in the profession Shortly
e afterwards he became connected with the Crescent
and devoted himself with great earnestness and yea
to editorial labors. The experiment did not how
f..k ho hoI nfaI o0d
therefore gave il up, and followed The example Of
e many other adventurous and ambitious spirits by 60
% ing to California In that State he was also lOI
N a while connected with the press, and at the perC1
ID of the descent upon Sonora, which he made WIN
" handful of followers, he was, if we have not been
al msinformed, again trying his luck at the bar Ho"
ever -advised and unfortunate that adventure may
IN be regarded by many, all will agree that so tar as "
n history has TRANSFERRED Walker displayed lndomna
10 BILE nerve and herosm in the midst OF the sterne'
d, difficulties. ,,,-,,.o
~ Under his calm and unreserved exterior Wake
e. conceals the rarest determination and the most "
st fnching courage. He is, are inclined 10 thnA
he slightly fanat;cal in his views when InefeSeu
A. resolved upon a matter and probably never ehlAA
+; of concession to any person, or under any C!r'uu
% stances He is also strictly just ana Al ~
Nv course and little given TO making ds'incuons ~
81 treatment of those who offend against dlScphns
an In proof of this we heard the other Gay, from T
nc reliable source that his own brother VINO heiu
rn commission, having been guilty OF an lmPruutb
le which disqualified him for duty at inc monen, an
1er ordered that he should be reduced to the rahH
a. his commission forfeited, nor would ne receuo
M his position although strongly urged to cenenO'
an by many of his leading and most trusted
nm The most serious error which Walker mas Ia
wn ted since he landed in Nicaragua, and one
III unquestionably compromised him TO 49, ami De
degree in the eyes OF many who are Willie 81; nh
srous 10 aid in any steps which have ioI 100 80.
iect the settlement of affairs in Central AnleU t
:; such manner as will tend to the estaOlsni, -;cr
~ order, and the prevention OF European hnan h
AGAINST the interests of this country, mas J;Ina
~ very Objectionable character of several hu 1 or
~ upon whom he has conferred responslOle ""N
. spicuous positions e.onlirg sue
" There was no excuse for instance, for senaius
ork man as Parker f. French minister to TINS NM
and try, nor for comforting high military ram ID
the Schlessinger. He is now, however, haPPny ,t me
both, and among the many brave and lntells1 Gill n
zine who are aocking to join his Standard DC bo
mes doubt find better material of which to MAJ mail
thy colonies and plenipo,entiaries. That ne Ti mougr
ect- tain his position against the motley hos! "a HON
natives and adventurous Europeans VIII ho " H
o will have TO contend there can be no W Esnch
non great danger would be from an invasion W boe
English forces but that scarcely occur acce
H will be also prepared to resist it by the lgratio
sion of strength which he will receive Oy i"'
~ from this counry.-LOutS1GnG Co"t@'
Ike In