Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-06-04

tr;storv of the yub,es i'm Nicaragua

Padre Will, the new Nicaraguan Minister, in
his letter to Mr.. Marcy, gives an account OF the
troubles il Nicaragua, their c;uses and SO forth
He commences by saying that Immediately upon
the Inauguration of Don Fareto Chamorro as
Director of Nicaragua, three years ago, he be-
gan to show a tendency to despotism, and com
menced criminal proceeding against those citi'
zens who showed too great love for liberty
The Padre says:
The greater part of these men were liberal
members OF the constituent assembly which had
been convoked for April, 1854, and possessed toe
much Integrity to vote away the the liberty Of
Republic Among them were Don Francisco
Castillon and General Jerez; the former vel
known, upright, and influential atriotlc citizen
man of liberal views, of a superior education
and a correct knowledge OF the world that he
had ACQUIRED during long residence at differ
ent courts of Europe; the latter is also OF SIM,
lar charcter, views and experience. These anc
other patriots Chamorro imprisoned, and ban
ished subsequently to Honduras. Gen Jerez, at
the head of few courageous men, returned tt
Nicaragua and at Chinandegs, the first arga
town near the borders OF Honduras, ne organ
lied Provisional Government.
The popular masses joined him freely, they
having become alarmed at the proceedings O
Chamorlo. The forces of the provisional Gov
ernment marched to Leon, where Chamorrt
| had his camp and as soon rs both armies me-
the whole Chamorro force came over to Gen
Je,ez Chsmorro then took refuge in the city
of Granada, and by sacrificing the wealthy por
ton of the population, lie assembled together
force of one thousand men, to stand siege o.
nine moths in the Plaza-luring which time &
large portion OF this beautiful city was complete
ly destroyed. The Provisional Governmen
was compelled to raise the siege, and invited a
merican citizens TO lend their aid TO it. Ninety
OF them responded TO the irritation and became
naturalized citizens of that country.
Shortly after Chanorro died, and the Constr
tuent Assembly, tramplng on the very constitu
ton they had made but few days before, AFRO
gated themselves the ordinary legislative power
and appointed Don Jose Maria Extrada as th'
successor of Chamorro, whose footsteps he begaI
to follow. This is the style OF Government
which has been styled legitimate, and whiel
was not and could not be so according to tn
constitution of that State, because Chamorro'
term of office having expired, only the people
| Nicaragua, represented by the Justas OF the DE
partments. and never the Assembly, ought t.
have appointed the successor With the assist
ance of our brave allies things were soon chang
ed, and our forces took possession of the city o
Granada on the 18th of October, 1866. AT thi
time the Americans in the service of Nicaragua
did not number more than one hundred and tit
ty men, commanded by General Vim. Walker.
He goes on to state that thus assisted by thei
American allies, they must form new govern
ment, with Rivas as President, and Walker q
general in chief of the military forces of the Re
public. The election of Rvas. he says, was ap
proved of by the general voice of Nicaragua.
Socrates did not urge his friends to enter ear