Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-12
NICARAGUA-A RETROSPECT.


question is assuming amidst the important
topics OF public discussion, renders it i'm
portant that every one should have pro-
per understanding of the how and where
fore of Walkers connection with the
government of that country A succinct
retrospect Of an event. which is probably
the precursor of an enduring Anglo-Saxon
nationality in Central America, will not, we
apprehend, be unacceptable. The n. o.
Bee condenses the facts from an exceeding
ly careful and perfectly fair account pub
lished in the March number of BLacEaoooFs
Magazine, as follows:
Since the dissolution of the Central Ameri-
can confederscy the various States composing
II have been constantly engaged either in san
culinary strife with one another, or torn by
civil connections. Nicaragua, which has been
particularly favored by nature, possessing a
soil of unrivalled fertility, climate generally
healthy, aud immense mineral wealth, has suf-
fered more from intestine troubles than the
others. There are, or rather WERE two parties
in the State, styling themselves Democrats and
Legitimists At the head of the former was
Francisco Castillon, a man of ability and su-
periOr education; the latter recognized as their
chief Don Fruto Chamorro who in 1854 was
President Of the republic. Chamorro evinced
energy and determination, but was despotic
and imperious to an intoerable degree His
conduct in issuing decree declaring himself
President for four years more than the usual
term, precpitated the revolution which event
ually called Walker into the country. The
Ehroa l. Il
town of Leon, having population of rather
more thai $4,000, was the headquarters of the
Democrats; the Legitimists were entrenched
at Granada, the Chief city of the republic. The
Democrats took the field, defeated Ohamorro
near Leon, and marched TO Granada, to which
they laid siege. In a few months they became
mas ers of the entire country, with the eXcep-
ton of the beleaguered portion of Granada,
where Chamorro and his Legitimists had tor
titled themselves.
The Democrats then proclaimed Csstillon
President, and organized a regular government.
Meanwhile the Legitimsts maintained them
selves in Granada, which, though beseiged,
had never been regularly invested, and at
length Oastilon's army finding it impossible to
reduce them, broke up their camp and with.
drew TO Leon. The Legitimists issung forth
from Granada, overlook them, and a bloody
fight ensued, in which some three hundred
men were killed The Granada party now
regained possession of the southern part of the
State, while the Democrats continued TO hold
Leon and all the Northern portion. While the
war was raging, Oasillon bad engaged the ser
vices Of q few Americans, whom be bad picked
up in San Juan del Sur and Virgin Bay. The
fighting qualities Of our countrymen, and
pecially their experiences with the rife, created
favorable impression of their proves. Walk
er's daring expedition to Sonora had been
much talked Of, and accounts Of this intrepid
filibuster had reached Nicaragua. 1t was not
long, therefore, before runors prevailed that
negotiation had been concluded between Walk
or 10 SAP Francisco, through bis agent in Nj
csrsgus, and the Democratic Government,
whereby large tracts of land and other privi-
leges were granted him, on condition he would
repair to the help of the Democrats with q
certain force.
In the month of May lest, Walker with fifty
six men, arrived at RealejO, and marched to
Leon to join the Democratic army. The Le-
gitimists hearing of his arrival, made great
preparations 10 resist him. Walkers first eX-
petition was against the town of Rivas, then
in the hands of the Legitimists. At the very
first volley the native troops, to the number
of 200, ran away and left Walker, with his
tifty-six Americans, to bear the brunt of the
contest against an opposing force of about four
hundred. Walkers men Occupied house, from
which their rifles poured out death upon the
foe. The Legitmsts after losing seventy sol
ders, set FIRE to the house, compelling the
Americans to abandon it, and cut their way
through the enemy, which they accomplished
With loss of six men, and retired unmOlested
TO San Juan del Sur, and thence to Realejo
Shortly before these events, Gen. Chamorro
died, and was succeeded rs Genersl-in- Chief Of
the Legitimist party by Gen. Corral.
In August Walker returned TO San Juan
del Sur, with force Of rs Americans and
200 Nicaraguans, marched to Virgin Bay, was
attacked by q vastly superior number of lie
R.tmists, aud drove them back 10 Rivas, with
considerable loss. lie then returned to San
Juan, where he remained quietly, receiving
renforcements from California, aud enlisting
from the passengers passing through the ooul-
try. In October last having succeeded 10
raising a little army Of 200 Americans and $50
natives, he proceeded 10 Virgin Bay, and em-
bsrked his force, landed two miles from Grana
da, and marched directly upon that strong
hold Corral the Commander, was in Rlvas
Ct the time, expecting an attack on that point.
The garrison was taken by surprise, hired
few shots, ana then surrendered. Walker
took possession, established rigid discipline,
protected the inhabitants, and prohibited
everything like plumber or spoliation. Ia the
interim, Oastion, the 'emocratio leader, had
been carried off by cholera, and Walker, be-
ing General-in- Chief, was offered the Pres-
dency, which he declined. Rivas alone now
remained to the Legitmists, and by the efforts
of Col. Wheeler, the u. 5. Minister, Gen. Cor
raj, who held that town, was induced TO ne
gotiste treaty Of peace with the Democrats
Soon after, Corral entered Granada with bic
fnllnNwad. tha rival
armies fra;ernized, aud became one under the
command of Walker, and government was
organized aud proclaimed as follows Don
Patricio Rivas, President; Gen. VIM. Walker,
Oommander. in Chief; Gen. Maximo Aeres,
Minister of State; Gen. Poncano Corral Mn
lister OF War; Dol. Parker H. French, Minister
of the Hacienda; Don Flrmln Ferrer, Minister
of Public Credit.
With subsequent events the reader is IA
miliar. The treachery Of Corral; his prompt
trial and execution; the appointment of MIR.
French ~ Minister to the United States; the
refusal OF the President 20 recognize him; the
rupture of diplomatic intercourse between the
two countries; the hostility OF Costa kica Ia
the Rlvas administration, and the war which
Las broke out between that State aud Mica
rAgua, are all Of very recent occurrence. The
preceding resume will enable those who have
NOT arsfally followed this epis0ds Of hlibaster-
ism 10 comprehend its prominent features,
and to view underssaBdiRgly whatever may
trsnspirs Ia future.
sW- A telegrsphe despatch from Washington
10 Toe Louisville journal, dated MAJ 9th, says:
The Cabinet meeting yesterday resulted 10 no
further action upon the recognition OF walkers
Ciovernment or The reception Of Minister Vigil, The
question upon lie adjourned basis al the meeslngoi