Washington sentinel., 1856-04-05

SkS- We commend to our readers the fol-
lowing editorial from the NeU York NeiOs,
upon the late intelligence from Nicaragua.
The lateness of the hour at which Ee re-
ceived an extended account of affairs in Gen.
tai America, prevents us from giving it an in
sertion in to-day's issue. 1t will appear ia our
next.
The Crisis In Nicaragua.
After some days of anxious suspense, during
which conjecture had full play to coin all kinds
Of imaginary seizures and detentions, the
arrival Of the Daniel Webster at New Orleans
on Saturday last, and of the Star of the West
at this port yesterday, places US in possession
Of by far the most important news we have yet
received from Central America since the pro.
clamation of Walkers Government. Juan r.
Mora, President of the Republic of Costa
Rica has declared war against General
Walker in such tremendous terms that were
words cannon balls, the poor "fllibusters"
would stand but a poor chance indeed This
terrible State document greatly reminds US Of
those issued by Santa Anna in the years
1876 and 7, and will, no doubt, be attended
with precisely similar results. Walkers men
il styles "horde of bandits" who "vilify, rob,
and assassinate," the Central Americans, and
who are to be forthwith "annihilated"-b
not by these ugly faces and somersets of war,
we respectfully beg leave to urge
This oyerpowering bombast, dated San Jose,
March |, is followed by a declaration that
Costa Rica does not recognize the Provisional
Government and a note to the agent of the
Accessory Transit Company, suspending their
steam traffic on the River San Juan and Lake
Nicaragua, under pretense that the Company
have favored the passage of the bandits" at
the same time citing the Administration ofMe
United States as authority for this charge.
Walker replies to this demonstration-the
work, undoubtedly, of outside intrigue-by a
calm, dispassionate address to the people of
Central America, setting forth the fact of his
having been invited into. Nicaragua by the
Democratic party Of that republic;' his efforts
to restore peace and cultivate friendly relations
with the neighborng States; the late political
reforms he has introduced, and the machiua-
tions OF the servile party against one and all
Of these acts consecrated to humanity. Finally,
he concludes in these manly terms:
''Our profiered friendship has been rejected We
can only make them feel that our enmity may be
as destructive as our friendship is faithful and
true
Both papers will be found under the appro-
pirate heading in our columns, and we leave
readers to judge of the tone and spirit per-
vading both. We do not think they will be
long in making decision.
| Now for a few of the facts in this case
After his peace mission had been refused, and
Mora's furious declaration issued, Colonel
Schlessinger, Walkers ambassador, was, on
March 3, escorted out of Costa Rica. But one
day later the war defiance from San Jose
reached Granada, Walkers headquarters, and
elected the response above given. 1t there
awakened Indignation while it aroused enthu
| siasm. In an hour the democratic camp was
astir with the joyous fever of battle, and rank
and file Wed with their officers in preparation
Tor the field. During the evening of the 10th
three hundred Americans embarked for Virgin
Bay, and on the llth Schlesseuger followed
with two hundred and eighty more. Mean
while, reinforcements amounting to nearly -four
hundred men had reached Granada, where
| General Walker, on the 18th of March, issues
general order, commanding his army to hold
| itself in readiness for immediate service.
On the other side, the most extravagant
accounts are published in the Costa Rica
official journal, The Boletin, announcing that
the whole country was focking to Mora's
standard, thousands of men volunteering with
money and arms, ETC., etc. Again, even
| Americans stated that Walkers force did not
exceed the force of 1000 illfed, ill.clad, i'll
paid, and dispirited invalids, against whom al
least 5000 well provided native troops were
marching under the lead of European officers.
A fearful prospect indeed!
Well, what has been the result of all this
crushing Costa Rican movement? Witness
the following dispatches from an officer:
VIRGIN BAY, Friday, March 2l-6 p NJ
have this moment received the enc osed letter
by courier from ZaPaya; the dispatches for The
| President 60 on 10 Granada by land.
i An officer had also arrived, who confirms This
intelligence and says Colonel Schlessinger would
enter Guanacasta al o'clock this morning
| The steamer from California brings but few
men for Walker
regiment Of native volunteers have rendered
their services TO the Government.
ZAPAYA, Tuesday, March is, 1856.
| We entered this place al A. M. The enemy
was in sight, numbering 500, and was strongly
posted We sent out two companies Of Fry's
| Regiment as skirmshers. The enemy ran. Popu
| lalion about 5000.
/ We captured two brass nine e-pounders and three
| carronades, with sidcrable ammunition and al
least 300 mules and horses.
Don Juan Buis is said 10 be in the mountain.
with 400 men.
Moreover, Walkers whole army we're repre-
sented as already fully furnished with arms
horses, and ammunition, in perfect health, and
animated with the highest enthusiasm. The
Central American States had by no means
responded to Mora's appeal with either una
nimity or warmth. Only rumors reach US from
Guatemala, the most dangerous point, and Sar
Salvador has actually sent an ambassador to
Granada with conciliatory instructions.
We can, therefore, admit only Costa Rica a.
the hostile power; and what front does she
PRESENT. According to her last census, Costa
Rica numbers no more than 1901 inhabit
ants, including men, women, and children, with
a large proportion of native Indians TO make
up the total. Consequently, the extent Of bel
levy, en- mdsse, fit 10 bear arms at all in the
face of an enemy worth noticing, cannot
exceed 5000 or 1000 men. The last reliable
account from that region betrays deficiency
of war material, as well as Of counsel and dis
cipline, and we may easily conjecture the
impression such forces will be apt to make
upon the men Of the Red Ribbon.
Again, in addition to the North Americans
and Irishmen under Walkers command, he
4 hao 18th him at laaut nna rar,rnart oc a.o,,