Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-05-17
PLAQUEN1INE. PARISH OF IBERVILLE La MAY H. 1856
A Letter from GEN. walker.

The following letter from Gen. Walker to
Senator Weller, was read in the Senate, on
the first instant, and excited much interest,
from its reference to "Bit8h Intervention" in
behalf of Costa Rica:
GRANADA, April Is, 1856.
Hon. JOHN B. WELLER, U. s. Senate:
My Dear Srr-By the last papers from
New York, learn that when was denounced
in the Senate for the conduct Nicaragua has
pursued towards tie Transit Company, you
were so generous as to undertake tn defend
me from the aspersons of men utterly iguo-
rant of my char. cter. In consequence OF this,
| take the liberty of writing some facts in
relation to things here, and these facts will,
think, prove not unimportant to the Govern
ment of the United States.
You have doubtless learned from the
newspapers how pacific was the course Nj
caragua proposed to pursue towards the other
States of Central America. Notwithstanding
all our overtures of peace, the neighboring
Governments showed themselves, if not posi-
itlVeIy, at least negatively hostile to the actual
administration of Nicaragua. 1t was con.
stanty asserted, not only here but also
throughout Central America, that the States
were stimulated to this conduct. by English
and French agents. But it was not until the
correspondence of the Consul General of Costa
Rca, in London, was intercepted by me few
days ago, that positive evidence was afforded
OF the active sympathy the British Governs
ment manifests for those who oppose the
Americans in Nicaragua. The correspondence
shows that England is furnishing arms to our
enemies, and at the same time the whole Brit
lsh West India squadron is sent to San Juan
del Norte. in order that the moral weight Of
the English Government may be thrown into
the scale against our Republic.
| do not know how these facts NAV appear
to the people of the United States, but to me
they seem directly at variance with American
principles and American interests. These facts
are patent to all, and their significance is ap>
parent to the most superficial observer. There
are other circumstances connected with the
present war raging in this State and in Costa
Rica, which may require Interpretation, in
order to make their importance felt.
The Government Of Costa Rica has never
yet declared war against the Government of
Nicaragua; yetft has invaved our territories,
and has murdered American citizens who have
never forfeited the protection of the United
States Government. This has been done
under cover of decree issued by the Presi-
dent of Costa Rica, declaring war against the
American forces in the service of Nicaragua.
10 declare war against the forces in the ser-
vice of Nicaragua, and not against Nicaragua
herself, is to deny in the most positive and
offensive manner, the right of Americans to
engage in the service of foreign state. Not
only has this declaration Of war been made in
this offensive and unheard of manner, but
another decree has been published, ordering
all the American prisoners of war taken by
Costa Ricau forces, to be shot. This is to
deny TO Americans engaged in foreign SER
vice, the common rights to which soldiers are
entitled by the laws of war Such DEGREES as
those have mentioned, not only throw Costa
Rica, as | conceive, beyond the pale of cv~
lized nations. but they directly affect the honor
and dignity Of the United States.
They (the Costa Ricans) attempt to control
the American people, and keep them within
limit which the American Government has
never prescribed. Costa Rica says Americans
shall not emigrate TO Nicaragua, and take arms
in her service. 1t remains to be seen whether
she can sustain herself in so singular posi-
ton. In such a war as they are now waging
against US, there can be but one result. They
may destroy my whole force-a circumstance
deem almost impossibe-they NAV kill every
American now in Nicaragua, but the seed is
sown, and not all the force of Spanish America
can prevent the fruit from coming to maturity.
The more savage the nature of the war they
wage against us, the more certain the result
the mere terrible the consequences may
not live to see the end, but feel that nv
countrymen will not permit the result to be
doubtful. | know that the honor and the in<
terests of the great country which, despite of
the foreign service am engaged in, | still
love to call my own, are involeed in the pres
ent struggle. That houor must be preserved
iDyiolabe, and those interests must be ieale
ously maintained
So far, we have had great moral odds against
us. The Government to which we all natu-
rally look for aid and comfort, has treated us
with coldness and disdain. There has been
no Government to encourage us and wish US
I" God speed" Nothing but our own sense of
the justice Of the cause we are engsged in,
and its importance to the country of our birth,
has enabled us to struggle on as far as we
have done. We may perish in the work we
have undertaken and our cause may be for a
time lost; but if we fall, we feel it is in the
path of honor. And what is life, and what ia
success, in comparison with the consciousness
of having performed duty, and of having co.
operated, no matter how slightly, in the cause
Of Improvement and progress? | begin, how.
ever, to leave facts, and therefore will cou-
slude. WIN. WALKER.
A R,of =, E9oy,.,at. l.. .t