The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-05-24
GEN. WALKER TO SENATOR WELLER.

GEN. WALKER TO SENATOR WELLER.
GRANADA, April Is. 1856.
Hon. John B. Weller, U. s. Senate:
My Dear Sir:-By the last papers
from New York | learn that when |
was denounced in the Senate for the
conduct Nicaragua had pursued to-
wards the Transit Company, you
were so generous as to undertake to
defend me from the aspersions OF men
utterly ignorant of my Character
In consequence of this, take the lib
erty of writing some facts in relation
to the affairs here, and these facts
will, think, prove not unimportant to
the Government of the United States
You have doubtless learned from
the newspapers how pacific was the
policy Nicaragua proposed to pursue
towards the other States Of Central
America. Notwithstanding all our
overtures of peace, the ncighboring
Governments showed themselves. ii
not positively, at least negatively hos
tile to the actual administration OF
Nicaragua. 1t was constantly assert
ed, not only here, but throughout Cen
tral 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 Rica in London was
intercepted by me q few weeks ago
that positive evidence was afforded OF
the active sympathy the British Gov
ernmcnt manifests for those who OPP
pose the Americans in Nicaragua.-
The correspondence shows that Eng
land is furnishing arms to our enemies,
and at the same time the whole Brit
ish 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 may
appear to the people of the United
States, but to NE they seem directly at
variance with American principles
and American interests. These facts
are potent to all, and their significance
is apparent to the most superficial OBJ
server There are other circumstan-
ces connected with the present war
waging 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 yet it has
invaded our territories and has mur-
dered American citizens who have
never forfeited the protection Of the
United States Government. This has
been done under cover Of q decree is.
sued by the President of Costa Rica
declaring war against the American
forces in the service of Nicaragua
TO declare war against the forces in
the service of Nicaragua, and not
Nicaragua herself, is to deny in the
most positive and offensive manner
the right Of Americans to engage II
the service of foreign States. Not
only has this declaration of war beer
made in this offensive and unheard o
manner, but another decree has beer
published, ordering all the American
prisoners of war taken by Costa Rical
forces to be shot. This is to deny tt
Americans engaged in foreign ser
vice the common rights to which sol
diers are entitled by the laws Of war
Such DEGREES as those | have mention
ed not only throw Costa Rica, as con
ceive, beyond the pale Of civilized
nations, but they directly affect the
r honor and dignity of the United
| Sfafoc