Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-02-07

! The USrTED STATES AND GIcARAGUA.-lHr.
| !Harcys Instructions to .Nr TReeEer-A letter
of instructions from Mr. Marcy TO Mr. Wheeler,
the United States Charge d'AfaircS to Nicara-
/ qua, in regard to the course which he is to pur-
sue towards the government of that State has
been made public. tits dated November S, 1855,
and among other things says:
Themiserable condition of Nicaragua is much
regretted and deyolvcs upon this government
| perplexing duties. While adhering to our set
tied policy of leaving to every nation the man
agement of its own internal affairs, we have inn
portant duties to perform in regard to our citi
zens who may be resident with or passing thro'
its territories. The recent murders and outTa-
gcs committed upOnthem in the State of Nicara-
/! qua must be atoncd for by the authorities of
that country. The perpetrators of these crimes
must he punished, the sufferers Unidentified,
and the families of the murdered be provided
for. Whenever that country has responsible
government, q due measure of satisfaction will
be demanded. In the present condition of af-
fairs there it Is difficult to decide who has the
responsible government on which the demand
t of satisfaction can be made. 1t appears that
band of foreign adventures has invaded that
unhappy country, which, after gaining recruits
| from among the residents, has, by violence,
overturned the previously existing government,
and now pretend to be in poSscssion of sovereign
authority. The knDwedgewc have of their pro-
! ceedinS does not authorize the President to re-
cOgnize it Us the de tacto government of Nicara-
! qua, and he cannot hold OrPermit you to hold in
your official character any political intercourse
with the persons now claiming to exercise the
sovereign authority Of that State. Itappesrs to
/ be no more than violent usurpation of power
brought about by an acknowledgements
military force, and yet unsanctioncd by the will
or acquiescence of the people of Nicaragua. 1t
has more the appearance of successful marau-
/ ding expedition than change Of government
rulers.
Should the mass of the people of Nicaragua
be unwilling or unable to repel this inroad or
shake off this usurpatiOn and ultimately submit
to its rule, then it may become de ,TactO gov
crnment, and responsible for the outrages which
i have been committed upon the rights and person
fof American citizens. Then the Government
will demand and exact ample indemnity and salts
/ faction from it.
/ The President instruct you to abstain from any
\ official Intercourse with the persons now cXer-
icising temporary control over some parts of
Nicaragua. In such dubious state Of affairs
you cannotbc expected to act in your official
character until yourcccive instructions from your
/! Government, but you will be entitled to all the
immunitics ola Minister if you do not act to for
felt them.
You will remain in the country and keep Your
Government welladvised of the actual condition
of affairs therein. Youwill observe great circum-
spection in your conduct. You connot retain a
right TO the privileges of Minister if you inter
med die with the concerns ofany of the parties
The Secretary further says:
Orders have been issued for some public ships
to visit the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mica
ragua They will have instructions to look to
aud protect the persons and property of our cit-
zens, but there should he no misapprchensions
as to the extent to which they have right to
interfere. The commanders Of such ships have
no right, except in very extraordinary cases, to
send forces to operate on land, and in no case
could they be permitted to take part in the con-
fiicts of the contending parties within the limits
of the cuuntry. They can, and should, protect
our merchant vessels from illegal seizure and pill
lage, and afford an asylum for our citizens who
wish to escape from scenes of violence and blood
shed and secure depository for their property.
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