Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-02-09
Tho United States and Nicaraugus.

Mr.. Mercy's Instructions 10 Mr. Wheeler.
letter Of Instruction.. from Mr. Mar.
cy to Mr.. Wheeler, tn" United States
Charged Affairs 10 Nicaragus, in regard
to the course which he is to pursue TO-
wards the government Of that State, has
been made public. 1t is dated Novem-
Der 8, 1855. and, among other things
says:
The miserable condition Of Nicaragua is
much regretted and devolyes upon this
government perplexing duties. While adj
herring TO our settled policy Of leaving TO
every nation the Management OF its own
internal affairs, we have important duties
to perform III regard to ouT citizens who
may be resident within or passing through
its territories. The recent murders and
oulrages committed upon them IN the State
osNitaragua, must be atoned for by the
authorities of that country. The rerpe.
traitors OF these crimes must be punished
The sufferers Unidentified, and the families
oil the murdered be provided for. When
ever that country has respectable govern
ment, due measure of satisfaction will
be demanded. In the present condition OF
affairs there, it is difficult to decide who
has the responsible government OH which
the demand Tor satisfaction can be made.
/: appears that band of foreign adven-
turers 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 III possession of sover-
e'gn authority. The knowledge we have
OF their proceeding does not authorize the
President TO recognize it as the de facto
government of Nicaragua, and he can
not hold or permit you to hold in your Off
cal character any political intercourse
with the person now claiming to exercise
the sovereign authority of that State. 1t
appears to be no more than a violent usur.
patton OF power brought about BY an ire o.
ular selt-orgaaized military force as vet
unsanctioned by the will or acquiescence
Of the people of Nicaragua. Ii has more
the appearance Of a successful maraud,ne
expedition, than change Of government
rulers.
Should the mass Of the people OF Mic
hragua be unwilling Or unable to repel this
lnroad or shake OF this usurption, and ultl.
mately submit to its r.le, then it may be-
come de Jdcto government, aud respon-
slble tor the outrages which have been
committed upon the rights and persons OF
American citizens. Then the government
will demand and exact ample idennily
and satisfaction from it.
The President nstrucis you 10 abstain
| from any official intercourse with the per-
sons now exercising d temporary control
over some parts Of Nicaragua. in such a
dubious state Of affairs you cannot be ex-
pected to ac; in your official character, un-
I'll you receive instructions from your gov
ernment, but YOU will be entitled TO all
the immuniiies OF a Minister Il. v Oh do not
act to forfeit them.
You will remain in the country and
keep your Government we'll advised of the
actual condition of affairs therein. You
Will observe great circumspection in your
conduct. You cannot retain a right 10 the
privileges Of Minister if you interme,i-
die with the concerns OF any of the parties
The Secretary further says:
Orders have been issued for same n,,hLc
ships to visit the Atlantic and Pacific
coast OF Nicaragua. They will have in.
struetions 10 look 10 and protec, the per-
sons and property OF our citizens, bu,
there should be no misapprehensons as
to the extent TO which theJ have right
to interfere. The commanders of such
have no right except in very extraordina
ry cases, to send forces to operate ON land
and in no case could they be permitted to
take part in the conflicts of the contend
ing parties within the limits of the coun.
try. They can, and should, protect our
merchant vessels from illegal seizure and
plllage, and afford an asylum for our citi-
zens, who wish to escape from scenes of
violence and bloodshed, and secure de-.
p,sitory for their property.