Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-22
From the New York Irish News.
Nicaragua.

we PICK our way Win HIM over the open
beams of the new wharf" and brushing past
the hotelrunners, mount and "patter away on
our little eatlike horses" towards the town.
We turn with him sup the beach towards
leafy and outrageous PATH" and by-and-by
catch glimpse of the city - mile further on"
Dismounting, we find ourselves-the magic Of
his pen is so compete-in "a dIowsy, quaint
old Spanish town, of narrow streets, and spa
cious tiled roofed houses" over which, in every
quarter Numbering cathedrals," gray with
age, and crumbling, tower and dominate"
After breakfasts right comfortable breakfast
at Manewil's Hotel we climb up on the
heels of the Herald correspondent, the tower
or one Of those old edfces, and we behold the
city sitting in a broad plain, backed by
lofty range Of noble mountains, towards the
west"
Then comes vigorous sentence descriptive
OF the breeze which gives " constant agitation
to the grand lake which shares the title Of the
State, and gives refreshing breath and tempera
ture" to the city of Grenada. We know well
what this fresh and fierce breeze is. The first
time we crossed the Lake of Nicaragua was on
the last night of 1853. 1t was perfectly, sweet
ly calm oil night. II was SO at dawn of day.
when the dense mist, slowly rising off the wa
ter, gradually disclosed to us the beautiful co
lossal islands of the Lake of Nicaragua and the
dark-green outline, with q scant slip of glitter
ing sand, along the lake to northwards. Tn
about an hour, there came, as it were, from the
deep threats of those volcanic islands, an inn
petuous blast, ripping up the dull waters, lash
ing them into foam, and, like tumbling,
countless pack of maddened hounds, whose
forms were lost and turned to shadows in their
speed and rage, beating against our boat,
which, with oil its might Of planking and ma
chinery, seemed with much violent straining
to urge ia way against them. With still
greater difficulty we came to anchor, mile
or 80 off from the shaky wharf at Virgin Bay
and in tnmult Of surf and breakers, landed
by means of huge iron scow, filed up with
alright boxes, on that sacred spot.
The Herald correspondent says, that "look
ing. down from where he stood, there was
nothing in the town ITSELF" Two features,
however, relieve the monotony of tiles and
adobes. He points his impatient finger to
them so strikingly, we ourselves see them from
the belfry in which he pencils down his brisk
and flashing notes-"in the broad plaza in the
centre, the Nicaraguan flag, near General
Walkers quarters, and the brilliant folds of the
the house Of the American Minister"
The rattle of drum brings up to the plaza,
| where "the entire body of the new recruits,
brought by La Virgin, are mustered, in con-
nection with most Of the force already stationed
| in the CITY," 1t is an animated spectacle, and
the correspondent whispers TO us 'sit is much
| needed" for
"The slackened emigration of the two previ-
Gus steamers had given hope to the Chamor-
istas, or malcontents, and they had begun not
only to persuade themselves that the cause Of
Walker was declining with his countrymen,
but to entertain plans of resistance and revolt.
Accustomed to continual political changes,
| and the successive overthrow Of government
after government, these short-sighted people
had almost persuaded themselves that the
limit of American control had come, and they
began to exhibit an insolence of manner TO
single soldiers passing through the streets,
| which gave q word of warning, and at the
same time severely tested the good sense and
patience of the troops. Now, however, every
| thing is changed The chopfalen Chamoristas
| suddenly became pliantlv civil, or suddenly
| respectful, and the glee passed from their faces
to those of their brown brethren of the demo
cratic faction"
And, again, it so happens that an Envoy from
San Salvador arrives in town, with directions
to demand "to what extent Nicaragua intends
to increase her standing army" He stands on
the Plaza, in the foreground Of the crowd and
sees the first company of new recruits march
in. But, before the rest take up their positions,
he withdraws, shakes his head, and walks re-
6ectingly away. The correspondent from whom
we quote, tells US that, since the above speeta-
Gle, the Envoy has $50 slackened his tone, and
shown SO much respect TO General Walker and
his power, that he Is perhaps, afraid to go
back; for he has asked for commission in
Gen. Walkers army
Speaking Of Colonel Wheeler, whom he
visited Immediately after the review on the
Plaza, this graphic and dashing writer says:
1T is hardly necessary for me to say that
find him high in the estimation of the best
people Of all parties here, and possessed of an
influence which renders him efficient, as well
with all classes Of the native population as with
General Walkers government. IL would be n
fatal mistake for the United States government
to remove him from his present useful position,
for / am we'll persuaded that such an insult
would not only widen the breach with Mica.
ragua, but deprive American citizens in this
country of that protection which may become
so necessary to al men with white faces, during
the agitations which are now impending through
out Central America. ] am also persuaded that
we're he removed, no other minister would be
received here"
OF Gen. Walker, the correspondent gives US
this clear aud 6nely-coored picture:
I" / found something in his face that had
not observed before and may add, that never
saw him look so WE'LL There was thesame re.
NAL smile, the same quiet cordiality Of manner,
the same mild, musical and even tone Of voice,
the same simple transformations bearing but
his lower face, which had previously been full,
had been reduced by thought, and the intel
lectual portion Of the head doomed above il like
globe. His eye, too, which ! had always
rebounized as fine seemed IN have pxnanded
and strengthened under the new responsibilities
OF mind, and exhibited new grasp as well as the
repose Of conscious power. Pale blue in color
so pale with some, to pass for gray, il is full
Of limpid light and deep expression. Though
penetrating, it cannot be called keen or sharp,
hut it makes its way TO the observers mind by
the slow, steady pressure ofunwavering volume
Altogether, for man so utterly unstudied in
display, ! never saw one Of more impressive
presence, and it is difficult TO conceive, even
while looking at him, that he does not stand