Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-02-11
Correspondence.
SAN JUAN, Jan. 8, 1855.

Correspondence.
SAN JUAN, Jan. 8, 1856.
/ propose giving you some reliable Information
as to the present position of Gen. Walker the new
ruler of Nicaragua and the condition of this coun-
try subject at this time of much interest to all
Americans and one that has been much garbled
by those Interested or by those who have been in
huenced by some consideration to endeavor to
make the worse appear the better part
As you well know, previous to the coming OF
Walker this part of Central America was for the
last fifty years the scene of war, oppression, vio-
lence, and contention, which resulted in gain only
to the leading men, the people as usual being the
sufferers. Lately, spirit of resistance has shown
itself, and two organized parties have been con
tending for the mastery--the aristocratic, headed
by Chamora and Coraes; and the democratic, or
revolutionary party, by Castillon. The last named
organization, finding that notwithstanding they
were the great majority Of the people, and their
cause was righteous one in the sight of God and
man. they likely to fail for the want of lead
er, sent, after due -deliberation, for Walker and
gave him pressing invitation to head these forces
which Walker accepted short time after, with
commission as a General in his pocket signed
by Castllon, accompanied by about sixty Amer-
cans, all well-tried, trusty fighting men, he en-
barked for this new field of enterprise. In less
than month he arrived with his little army at Re-
people, and great demonstrations of Joy and salts
| faction were manifested on the OCCASION as he
came to aid the oppressed in their revolution.
He did not allow much time to elapse before he
had sought for and engaged the arst0cratic forces
He found them short distance from where he
| landed, numbering over six hundred men. With
out hesitation he commenced the action. He
| fought from sunrise till midnight. His sixty men
killed some one hundred and fifty of the enemy,
with loss to themselves of but two men. His
ammunition by this time failing, he was compelled
| to retreat In doing So he made forced march
through country covered with swamps and jun
giles, without food for forty-eight hours, or even
guide, trusting to his compass for his direction
Notwithstanding these difficulties he accomplished
a distance Of sixty miles, his men, worn out with
fighting, fatigue, and hunger, dropped in their
trscks; human nature had endured to the utmost
point of endurance.
Walker alone, of all his hardy companions, with
musket on shoulder, guarded his men while they
slept
Having been reinforced by additions from the
natives, he fought the enemy many times after, and
always with success.
His next in command, Colonel Hornsby, one Of
the celebrated Texan Rangers, commanded the
Americans, and Walker in person the native por-
tion OF his little army; and it was remarked that
these natives never behaved so well before in ac-
ton as they did under his eye and direction.
In less than two months after his landing at
Realeio, he succeeded by ruse de gaerre in eva
ding the aristocratic army, which had assembled in
great force near one of the main roads leading into
Granada, and at which place they expected to
make their grand fight, and at one blow crush the
revolutionists and Walker, and put an end to the
war. BY good generalship Walker managed to
get in the of this formidable force, seized one
of the steamers belonging to the Transit company,
crossed the lake, and at daylight landed on the
lake side of the city of Granada the then capital
of Nicaragua. His whole force with rush pushed
for the plaza, the Americans as usual in advance.
A short fight ensued. The enemy was expelled
and in full retreat and victory declared in favor OF
the people. Walker in two hours after he had
landed had driven off the enemy and was In peace
full possession of the city, with all the archives OF
the government and of government officials. With
| out loss of time he at once commenced negotia-
tions with Chamora and Corales and by his good
management tact and discretion, in humoring the
prejudices of the leaders and principal men OF the
opposite party, his efforts were successful and a
fusion was the result, and peace ensued.
Patricio Rebis, native of Nicaragua, then re-
| siding at Greytown, was duly elected President
and assumed that position, and Walker was pro.
| claimed by general consent the commandern.
| chief of the Army, and was installed. His inau
guration was celebrated with oil the pomp and
| splendor the Church could invest it, Father veia
Il
| occasion, and attributed Walkers coming to an
especial mercy of God, and congratulated his hear.
1 ers that the revolutionary party had succeeded
and that peace, liberty, and happiness were now
secured to them, and enjoined it upon them to be
firm and constant in their loyalty to their deverer
and general.
His course since has been marked by intell
| gence, humanity, frmness, and exact justice. He
at once abolished all the most oppressive laws
Il am NOR fubi hut
injurious and oppressive on the producer and were
doubtless one of the of their lack of energy
and industry all "internal duties" and "hcenst
| taxes another most oppressive exaction. He ha,
also managed to bring under perfect control al
adverse factions. He has inspired the peaceful
part of the inhabitants of this long distracted coun
try with confidence and respect, and they are il
| consequence returning again to their homes ant
| forsaken pursuits. Everything he touches Seems
to revive under, his guidance, and in short, the
country for years past was never quiet and pros
porous,
i Walker has effected treaties with the Indians,
| who, strange to say, are devoted to him. and are
the men he most trusts. He employs them in al
his most secret expeditions, they act as bis cou-
riers and his personal guard. To account for this
| there has existed among these strange people for
many years, legend to this effect That for many
years the country would be depopulated by wa,
and bloodshed, and this state of things would con
tinue, and the earth never be at peace, or ibert,
be enjoyed "till the coming of a small man soit]
| grey eyes as their delverer." He was to com,
from the North with but few followers; he woulC
fight many battles, and the people would soor
flock to his standard he would conquer all thei
enemies, and all would be happiness and JOY il
| the world.
Such is the legend as it was known by many
long time since, before the name Of Walker wai
known or heard Of