The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-12-31
THE GREAT FILLTBUsTER AGAIN
LET LOOSE.

Walker, the great fillibuster, after having
been arrested and sent home by Commodore
Paulding, and brought on here by the Marshal
of New York, has been turned loose by the
Government with q hint, we suppose, that he
had better hasten TO raise more men, and re-
turn to the scene of his late adventures.
And now we call attention to the letter of
Commodore Paulding to the Secretary of the
Navy below, with the simple remark that we
do not believe it was the wish of the Admins
tration that Walker should be molested, nor
that he should be prevented from raising an
armed force in the United States with which to
invade Nicaragua; and that he knew the pri-
cate wishes of the Cabinet were with him.
FLAG SHIP "WABAsH,"
of Aspnwall, December Is, 1857.
Sir: Ny letter of the 9th instant informed the
department thatI had broken up the camp of Gen.
eral Walker at Punta Arenas, dsar,ned his lawless
followers, and sent them TO Norfolk in the " Sar-
atoga" The General came here with me, and win
take passage in one of the steamers for New York,
where he wipresent himself TO the marshal Of the
district.
The department being in possession Of all the
facts in relation TO Walkers escape with his fol-
lowers from the United States, as well as the let
tiers Of Captain Chatard and Walker TO me after he
! landed at Punta Arenas the merits Of the whole
question will, presume, be fully comprehended
I could not regard Walker and his followers In
| any other light than as outlaws who had escaped
b from the vigilance of the officers of the govern.
ment, and left shores for the purpose ofrapine
and murder, and saw no other way TO vindicate
/ the law and redeem the honor Of our country
than by disarming and sending them heme.
II u - -. ~
| ity that have incurred, and confidently look u
y the government for my justification.
| Regarded in its true light, the case appears u
I me clear one; the points few and strong.
Walker came to Point Arenas from the United
States, having, in violation of law, set on foot
military organization to make war upon people
with whom we are at peace. He landed their
/ with armed men and munitions Of war, in de6anc,
! of the guns of a ship-ofwar placed there TO pre-
! vent his landing.
With nothing to show that he acted by authori
] ty, he formed camp, hoisted the Nicaragua
| flag, called IL the Z" Headquarters Of the army o
| Nicaragua" and signed himself the commander
| in.chief.
| with this pretension, he claimed the right Of
| lawful government over all persons and thing
within sight Of his flag. Without right or author
| ity he landed fifty men at the mouth Of the rive
Colorado, seized tho fort OF Castillo, on the Sal
Juan, captured steamers and the goods Of mer
| chants In transit 70 the interior, killed men, an,
made prisoners of the peaceful inhabitants, send
ing TO the barbor of San Juan del Norte some thir
! ty or forty men, women, and children, in tn
steamer " Morgan"
In doing these things without the show Of au
thority, they we're guilty Of rapine and murder
and must be regarded as outlaws and pirates
They can have no claim TO be regarded in an
other light.
Humanity, as well as law and justice, and ma
tional honor, demanded the dispersion of thes
lawless men.
j The remnant of the miserable beings who SUI
rendered at Rivas were conveyed In this ship Las
summer 10 New York, and their sufferings ar
yet fresh In the memory of all on board
Besides the sufferings that would necessarily o
inflicted upon an innocent and unoffendmg pee