The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-29
POLITICAL REVIEW OF Y4S last TWO YEARS.
SECRET HISTORY OF THE WALKER EXPEDITION.
How il was Initiated, Aidsi and Supported,
and is now Opposed by The TranSi.
Company.
Connection Of Messrs. Vanderbilt, White, Gays-
son, Morgan, Randolph, George Law, SoulS
and Goicouria with the Movement.
Interesting and Important Bis.orie ii Details,
AS DC, EC

GS, de-. Go
The secret history Of the Walker expedition to
Nicaragua and Of the career of the fbusters there,
has not yet been written. Yhe generally accepted
version of that invasion a, that Walker was
invited by the chiefs Of the revolution, in
1854, to come to their aid with all the
force be could muster; that be accepted the in
vtation, went there, and after some defeats aud
msfortunes finally set himself up as military dicta
tor of the republic. To q certgin extent that view
is correct Our object, however, on the present &C.
casion, is to show that the idea OF inviting Walker
and his band was not an original one with the revo
iutionary or democratic party in Nicaragua; that 1t
originated with the principal managers and agents
of the Nicaragua Transit Company in New York and
San Frnncisco; that money, arms, ammunition and
transportation were furnished him by that company.
and that the present imbronio, in which Messrs.
Walker, Goicoura, Vanderbilt, Garrison, Morgan.
Randolph, Heiss and George Law, are mixed up,
has arisen from az curious combination Of schem-
ing, intriguing and cheating all round the board -
sny Richelieu, Talleyrand Beaumarchais has ever
been engaged in.
NICARAGUA IN 1856.
To understand the matter correctly ii will be ne
cessary to 60 back two years land take glance
in 1854, was Don Fruto Chamorro. Since the e.
tabishm,n mt Of the independence of the Central
American States in 1921, there has been, in all Of
them, save Costa Rica-and particularly in Nicara-
guam unceasine struggle going on between the
conservative and democratic parties or at least be-
tween parties adopting those titles. Chamorro Was
the President and representative Of the conservative
party in Nicaragua. In the spring Of 1854 revols-
tion was organized against his government. Ii
principal leaders were Don Francisco Castillon-
formerly Cabinet Mnister-and General Naximo
Jerez who assumed military command OF the insur-
gents. In May, 1854, battle fought the results
of which were the defeat Of Chamorro and his army,
and the occupation by the revolutionsts Of the city
Of Leon, town next in importance to and the rival
| Of Granada, the capital. Thenceforth there were
two governments in the republic-Chamorro, the
actual de jrrs President. governed in Granada; and
Castilon, who assumed the title aud duties Of Pro
visional President, governed in Leon. For some
ten twelve months this state of things continued.
At length the Chsmorristss-as the troops who
supported the President were eallsd-were besieged
in Granadn. Chamorro defended the place with
much bravery for several months. He died on l2th
March, 1855, and the Presidency passed into the
han6s Of Don Jose Maria Estrada The neighboring
States made some efforts to effect compromise he
tween the contendng factions but without success.
San Salvador proposed through her Commissioner
plan ef settlement. This was to declare on both
sides general oblivion Of the past and con. pltte
amnesty; that the mutual expenses Of the should
be charged as a debt 10 the State; that Estrada
should be recognized as President for the spase q
year, after which Constituent Assembly should
be convoked and that Castillon should be provided
with diplomatic mission in Europe. This propo-
siti,n. favorable il to all sides, fell through,
and the internecine strife continued.
WALKER INVITED TO NICARAGUA.
II was In this condition Of things that CastiiIoa
was induced 10 propose 20 Col. William Walker 10
come TO the aid Of the revolutionary or democntic
party Of Nicaragua. Walker had given evidence on
former occasion OF his readiness 10 embark in such
an enterprise. He had In 1854 organized an expe-
dition into Sonora, and declared himself President
Of Lower California. He did not, however, long e.
JOY this selfcreated distinction, but managed To
make his way back with six OF his followers, to San
Francisco, where he arrested for violation Of the
neutrality laws, put his trial. aud acquitted. On
this trial he defended hmself-or to his principal
role Of buster Walker adds the minor rides Of law
yer, physician, journalist and lnguist. BY this
fiasco of his he acquired much celebrity and Thus
recommended himself 10 the attention Of Castllon.
Saazar, and other revolutionary leaders. certain
Mr.. Byron Cole, friend of Walkers, and who had
been prospecting Honduras and Nicaragua a. the
agent OF mining and trading company. was en-
poyed 10 treat with Walker. The bargain was
easily concluded. Walker received his commisson
as a General in the Ncanguan army. and grant
Of $4,000 acres Of land and on the 5th Of May he
set sail from San Francisco In the brig vesta, with
a party Of fifty six men who had been with him n
Sonon, and included several who had served In the
war against Mexico, and In the ilibustering exped
tion against the island Of Cuba.
RIAL ORIGIN OF Wal KER's INVITATION.
As we have intimated, the idea cf inviting Walker
and his party to aid in the defeat Of the Chomoiso
party Of Nicaragua did not originate with Caston
or Salazar. II was brilliant idea Of the msnagevs
| and principal agents Of the Transit Company. The
| incessant state Of revolution In which Nicaragua
found herself was highly injurious TO the interests
of the Company. Its property was being constantly
subject 10 taxation and its treasury 10 hauls for the
benefit Of one or the other Of the contending fac
tons. Besides, the prosperity Of the country on
which the profits Of the Company were more or lees
dependent, was impeded and prevented by these san
| culinary struggles. And 20, between Morgan and
10. White in New York, and Garrison, the agent Of
| Company, in San Francisco, the scheme was con.
cocted Of getting up an Independent flibustering
| forsy, seizng upon the Nicaragua route and the
territory within which II ia embraced, ana thereby
avoiding In future the system Of extortion and in
convenience to which they had been subjected Tho
political condition Of Nicaragua afforded them At
| the same time motive for and means Of sccsm-
| plishpg this movement. Castilon was, by them q
their agents. induced TO make TO Walker the propo-
sition 10 which we have referred and thus wAs laid
the foundation Of that movement which has anniha-
lated Nicaraguan nationality, and which now en-
braces within its scope the organization OF grand
federal republic to be composed OF all the States q
Central America, Mexico and such Of the Southrn