The Washington union., 1857-06-11
For the Union.
A TRUE HISTORY OF THE PROJECT OF THE EX-
PEDITIoN OF WILLIAM WALKER.
WAsHlNGroN, June 9, 1857


Mr. EDITOR notice that large portion of the press of
the country has been lately occupied with retrospective
allow me to say post ao criticisms of the Walker expe
don since the return of its gallant leader to this country
under circumstances of misfortune. 1t that
term is too harsh to apply to the enterprise since its
failure it is characterized the awless and rapa
cious undertaking of an adyenturer whose audacty has
been properly punished. i beg however, to express
conviction that notwithstanding these and mis-
representations the public judgment has not yet passed
upon the enterprise Of William Walker, which properly
awaits the verdict of time.
Having devoted much attention to the political history
of Central America, have made it point to acquant
myself particularly and intimately with the historical cir
cumstances under which Gen. Walker entered the
try 1855 There has yet been precise history OF
these circumstances Of events in Central America
temporaneous with the conception of the Walker exped
ton II it will not be imposing upon your space by too
much of detail, i will undertake to write, within the
brefest possible limits such history, which, although
of events somewhat distant may derive interest
from its opportuneness at this moment and its relations
to an exciting public opinion
Since the trpartte union Of the States of Nicaragua,
San Salvador and Honduras under the title of the
tiona representation of Central America in ls49 and
the disorders consequent thereupon, comparative po
cal quiet had prevailed throughout the country until
1854 when revolution in Nicaragua, involving to some
extent the other States, took placea movement term
natcd it will be readily recolleccd by the erection OF the
Riyas. Walker government This revolution first broke
out on the of the presidential election in Nicaa
qua in the fall of 1853 but although the riots at the
polls was its starting point it in all respects stug
Gle between the political faiths in Central America
that had been in conflict for thirty years.
The candidates for the Office of President which had
been vacated by the death of pineda, and for which
election was held in the fall of 1853 Fruto Chamor
ro of Granada and Francisco Castellon, of Leon The
former was ura-serve in his politics and particularly
inmica to the immigration of foreigners while the lat
ter was distinguished for the liberal political education
which he had acquired by extensive travel in Europe
having been minister to England and to France well
as for his position in the liberal party being with Caba-
mas of Honduras its chief leader and enthusiastic
representaye When the day OF election came Chamor-
ro who at the time was in command of the army, be-
sieged the polls with his soldiers and In the riots which
ensued some of the Casteon men killed and it is
said that others bayonetcd in cold blood for refusing
to vote on the side of the army BY such violence and
by an alleged fraud in the returns Chamorro claimed
have been elected. He commenced his administration
by alrogating the constitutional privileges of the people
and banshng Castcllon and about twenty of his part
sans including that other distinguished party leader
Gen Jercz on the pretence that they entertained
enable designs.
Castellon and his friends well received in Hondu
ras by Cabanas who had succeeded Lindo in the pres
dency and to whose identification with the democracy of
the country have already alluded After brief recu
pcraton, Casellon, in company with General Jerez
turned to Nicaragua and landed at Realeo the 4th
May 1854 at the head of about two hundred They
received with the usual boundless demonstrations
Nearly the entire population Of the country pronounced
for Casteon and he was made Director of the proys
ional republic which Immediately established at
Chnandega Chamorro at first defeated in series
of wecontested battles and driven into the city of Gra
NADIA but the siege of the city raised and the
continued with various
These revolutionary movements, particularly as Illus
travc Of the old party distinctions of Cepral America
not confined to Nicaragua Guatemala was strong
y interested in the Of the Chamono party TO