Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-07-03
Correspondence of the 6 south.n
Gen. MAKERS Person aud Manners
WAsHIseTos. JUNE 81, 1857.

WAsHISGTos. j uEE 81, 1857.
Since the return of Gen. William Walk
er 10 this country, Tor. more properly,
since his visit here. as he speaks of Mica
rapua as .. his home. j. the newspa-
per men, as well as the daguerretopists.
have been busy with his portraiture. IL
is really amusing TO read the many and
different descriptions of the personal! ape
pearance and manners of the former Pres
sident OF Nicaragua; and itwould indeed
be difficult for any of his friends to recog-
Mise him in the pen and-ink sketches that
have been going the rounds of the press:
A New York paper thinks his sunbufnt
countenance and high cheek bones gives
him the singular appearance Of an Indian
Chief. Another thinks the constant and
peculiar smile he wears give him 4 rath-
er idiotic appearance. All are anxious
to discover some singular feature in the
ordinary and plebian person of the distin-
guished hero /; and so. for want of any
thing else, they have dilated upon that
wonderful blue, gray eye" the iustte
aud fascination of which are purely inns
aginsry. The fact is, there is nothing about
Gen. VITO attract attention, unless it is, sol
10 speak, the entire absence Of anything
remarkable in the person of a man so dis
tinguished in his character and deeds.-
His appearance is naturally insignificant,
and constantly under mask ofapathy.
THERE is no doubt but that it Gen.
Walker had been more commanding in
his person or more imposing in his man
ners, he would have been much more
successful in inspiring strangers with
confidence in his enterprise. AS 1t is.
the FIRST impressions he makes, particu.
larly to vulgar observation, are very un.
favorable, and it is difficult for those who
desire to unite their fortunes with him. TO
feel any enthusiasm or even confidence in
the presence of little man, whose whole
appearance is that of the most vacant in.
anity. TO be sure he has now iIlustra.
ted his character by his deeds. and has a
history with which to kindle the popular
breast; but at the commencement of his
career. he experienced great difficulty on
account of the misfortune Of his person,
and the singular apathy Of his manners.
II was very slow work when he first
commenced to enlist men in his enterprise
Of daring; and many who were really
anxious to GO on his first (the Sonorian)
LA PCutLOlp "OiO uISGOuthkVA ShO
personel of their would be leader, and acN
tually ridiculed the idea Of following the
fortunes Of such man. 1t was on the eve
of this Expedition that l first knew Gen.
Walker, having obtained an introduction
to him, with the view Of prosecuting my
own fortunes among the placers OF Arizo-
MIA. Instead of the magnificent looking
adventurer | had expected TO meet.
found myself face TO face with
little, freckled faced man, who shook
hands very much like somnambulist
might have done, and who spoke with
melancholy drawl in his voice. that was
really distressing. after the notion which
FIRST struck me that he was slightly de.
mented, and that his enterprise was pro.
badly one OF The fruits Of spirtualism or
some such mania. had been induced to
have this interview by particular friend.
Judge L., who having despaired of "ma.
king his pile" in California, was anxious.
as he said. TO go with Walker, II there
was any chance to get contract from
the Government 10 kill Apaches as SO
much a head" The Judge, l should
premise. was from one of the Western
States, and was blessed with that peculiar
combination of affected dignity and tall
talking. technically termed the faculty Of
" blowing" He was evidently anxious
to impress Walker with his importance !;
and regarding him with severe expires.
sion of dignity, he commenced to voluu-
teer long advice about the management.
Of the Expedition the maintenance Of pro.
per military discipline, the necessity Of
vigor and courage to sustain such an en- !.
terprise, &C.. &c. Walker listened in his
usual apathetic manner, occasionally
punctuating the Judges discourse with
the drawing monosyllable of I" ye.es."
And. sir" continued the Judge, with
fervor. "if the Governor does not do as
we bid him, We will have him shot in the
plaza"
Ye-es," replied Walker, in tone OF the
most melancholy stupidity, and without
the least sign Of animation.
The judge was disguised, and abruptly
closed the interview. After passing out
Of the room he turned to me. and sudden
y towering on tiptoe with dignity. said,
p" have nothing to do with that man -
adding. in tone of cortemptuous pity,
" ne is poor visionary fool" Lam sor.
~ to say that I shared the misiudgment
OF my friend, the Judge, and followed his
advice.
There is great improvement remark.
ed at present in Gen. Walkers manner
by those who knew him some years ago.
de is not so taciturn as formerly. and he
Is evidently endeayoring to popularize his
manners and, in fact. he has made more
efforts at animation since bis late landing
at New Orleans than ever before. He
probably feels the necessity now of DO.
pular address. He still, however, speaks
of his future with nassinn1ass nnnRdanaA