Washington sentinel., 1856-05-17

roads, was passed.
Mr. Ma LoRy spoke on the subject Of the Ma
val Board replying 10 all The arguments urged
against the Board but taking notice of the
personalities which had been ntermingled in the
discussion.
message was received from the President Of
the United States on the subject of Central Ame-
rcan affairs, and announcing that he has received
Senior Auguslin Vljil as Minister 10 the United
States from Nicaragua, etc. tThe message ap-
pears elsewhere in our columns)
Mr.. Mason moved 10 refer the message TO the
Committee on Foreign Relations, and that il be
printed.
Mr.. CRITrEspEN said he regarded the subject
very important one, which ought not 10 pass
from The consideration OF the Senate into the
hands of the committee without remark. He had
seldom, if ever, listened 10 message from the
Executive which was fraught with more absorb
ing interest, which might lead 10 snch serious
consequences In a few weeks time the country
would be agitated from one end TO The other
this subject, and might result in being in
voed in war. II we were TO have war, he
wanted il 10 be accepted or denounced by Sena-
tors In an open, manly manner and not have
course of policy pursued by which we should go
on step by step blindly until we fall into the
pit. The government Of Nicaragua which the
President has officially recognized was thing
of yesterday, as il were-at any rate, the shoes
not yet worn out upon the feet of those who
had wrought this new revolution, and already the
Executive had become satisfied of its perma-
nency, and its capacity 10 discharge its duties
a naiion in the great family OF nations.
This seemed 10 him a very hasty conclusion TO
arrive al in a matter of so much consequence, the
revolution having been effected too as the Presi-
dent admits, by the co operation of our own
countfymen who went there contrary 10 The laws
of this country Was this the national prudence
which had hitherto guided our conrse! What
said Jackson when Texas long stood knocking
for admission into the Union, even after we were
assured of her ability 10 govern herself; and
when she had by repeated victories established
her title TO be considered one of the communities
of the world? Jacksons message gave a
thorough, profound, and patriotic rebuke 10 every
principle in the present message.
We mix ourselves up in the affairs of other
nations as dangerously sometimes, by recognizing
these communities suddenly arising into exist
ence by entering into entangling alliances
W ith foreign powers.
Mr. Mason said that he could see no objection
TO reference. The documents merely informed
the Senate of the actual condition of the country
in which we take great deal of interest. The
President had learned that,a change had taken
place in the government of Nicaragua which sim
ply amounted TO the fact that they had one set Of
law makers in lieu of another, and being satisfied
that the new government was government de
fdctO, and had sufficient ability 10 conduct the af
fairs of the country, the President felt himself
called on 10 receive its Minister. That all.
The argument of the Senator from Kentucky in
the case of Texas would not apply here. That
was new nation in the family of nations, but
Nicaragua has been recognized political com
munily ever since 1924, at time, in confedera
lion with other States, and afterwards a sepa-
rate State When they changed their govern
ment all we have rg ght TO inquire is Is il real
government, and have they shown sufficient sta
bity to enttle TO regard them. We have had
a Minister resident there several years, and she
has had one here. We have been on terms of
political intercourse with Nicaragua for series of
years, as we have with other governments, and
he President by virtue OF his office must regulate
our diplomatic intel course with foreign Ministers.
This existing government of Nicaragua has been
established six or eight months, and SO far as we
are informed II is government OF greater stability
han has existed in that unfortunate country for
many years. The Senator had spoken OF war
Who are we 10 go 10 war with ? Whence is the
cloud 10 arise Does he allude TO foreign
government that has more than once
ntermeddled, we have never done, but have
always refrained from doing with the domestic as
well as the political affairs of Nicaragua Are
we TO he deferred by that power from acknowl-
,dging that Government Mr. Mason said if he
thought the recognition of this government would
bring TO an issue the questions pending be-
ween and any foreign power in which We are
n the right, he would not hesitate 10 do il. He
lad not refused 10 recognize the existing govern
nenls of France when they had passed through
he various stages nj mOnhTCny andrcny, military
lespousm, as a republic, and at last auto
:racy.
Mr.. PRATT said that the government of Nicara-
qua being recognized, our citizens would have
light 10 go there and could make that a stable
which was not so now. He thought
hat nineteen-twentieths of those who had es
ablished the government were Americans who
lsd gone there in violation of the neutrality
avs.
Mr.. Mason said the recognition would not af
ect our neutrality laws in the slightest degree.
)ur citizens are al liberty 10 go where they choose,
md after they have reached a foreign country
hey could engage in any pursuit they pleased
Mr.. WELLER gave a history OF the struggle be- |
ween the Chomorro and Castion parties, saying |
hat Walker went there by invitation Of the latter |
fter he had succeeded in establishing himself al
he head of the Nicaraguan army. THIS present
government was established by aid of North
nericans al the request OF the natives, and dur
ng the SIX months II has been IN operation there
las been no civil war, and he knew of no party
n Nicaragua who were trying TO upset the exist
ng government. There was no other pretended
government there. He alluded 10 British interer-
nee in behalf of Costa Rica and said the British
government had during the last eight years an
lexed tw0hundred thousand square miles. being
more than the territory Of all the Central Ameri-
an States combined. Our Central American
fairs fast coming 10 a head. IL may be we
hall be precipiiated into a war but if so we may
ime. desire war with no county, represent
constituency upon HON will fall the foil weight
# the first blow that shall be struck, but If we
o have war let il be on this great principle We
ire on the right side and the God of our fathers
will go with Us and give victory. Thrice is
le armed who hath his quarrel just
The documents were then ordered 10 be printed,
md without taking the question on he reference,
he Senate adjourned.
In THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. KNowI.-
roN, rising to a question Of privilege, submitted
he follow preamble and resolution:
Whereas a difficulty occurred nj Wizards
Hotel in this city, on the sth instant, between
Hon. Philemon T. Herbert, member Of this
House from the State of California, and Thomas
Heating a waiter nj said hotel, which resulted in
The death OF said Heating from pistol shot fired
by said Herbert; and whereas, upon the examin-
alton Of said case before Justices Smith and Birch,
Of the District OF Columbia the said justices were
divided in their opinion as 10 the propriety Of
allowing said Herbert 10 obtain bail and whereas
said Herbert was then taken on the writ OF habcas
eorpns before Thomas n. Crawford, Judge Of the
Criminal Court Of the District Of Columbia, and
the decision OF the said Judge was follows
''That the prisoner enter into arecognizance, with
one or more good surety or sureties, in the sum
of gtn OOO cond,tioned for his anpearancs nj The