The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-30
THE WALKER EXPEDITION INTERESTING OFtI
cIAL CORRFssp0NDFNCE HA#


c1AI CORRESPONDENCE. AB
We have been kindly permitted to place before
our readers this morning the following letters from
Commodore Pauldng to the Navy Department, in
which, it will be perceived, that officer gives brief
but interesting account Of the dispersion of the
Walker expedition and of the sending home of its
chief and his followers:
FLAoSHp WABASH"
~ OF Aspinwall, Dec. 49, 1887.
SIN My letter OF the 18th inst informed the depart
ment that had broken up the camp of General Walker
Punta Arenas disaned his followers and
them to Norfolk In the Saratoga" The General came
here with me, and will take passage in of the steam
for New York. where he will present himself the
marshal OF the district
The department being possession of all the facts In
relation to Walkers escape with his followers from the
United States well the letters OF Captain Chatard
and Walker to after he landed at Punta Arenas the
merits OF the whole question will presume, be fully
comprebended a
| could not regard Walker and his followers in any
other light than outlaws who had escaped from the
vigilance OF the officers OF the government and left
shores for the purpose OF rapine and murder and
other way to vindicate the law and redeem the honor
of our country than by dsarming and sending them
home.
In doing so am sensible of the responsibility that
have incurred and confidently look to the government
for my ustioation
Regarded in its true light, the case appears to me
clear one the points few and strong af&f
Walker to Point Arenas from the United States,
having In violation Of law foot military organ
zition to make war upon people with whom are at
peace. He landed there with armed men and munitions
of war, in defiance of the guns of shp-ofwar placed
there TO prevent his landing.
With nothing To show that lac acted by authority he
formed camp, hosed the Nicaraguan flag called it the
Headquarters Of the army Of Nicaragua" and signed
himself the commander in chief
With this pretenson he claimed the right of lawful
government al persons and things within sight of
his flag Without right authority he landed fifty
at the mouth OF the river Colorado seized the fort of
Castillo the San Juan captured steamers and the
goods of merchants in transit to the interior killed men,
and made prisoners of the peaceful Inhabitants sending
to the harbor Of San Juan del Norte some thirty or
forty men, women and children, in the steamer "Mor-
gan.
In doing these things without the show of authority,
they guilty of apne and murder, and must be
garded as outlaws and pirates They can have no claim
to be regarded in any other light
Humanity, as well as law and justice and national
honor demanded the dispersion OF these lawless
The remnant of the miserable beings who surrendered
at Ryas conveyed in this ship last summer to New
York. and their suerngs yet fresh in the memory of
all on board
Besides the suerings that would necessarily be inHct
ed upon innocent and unoffendng people, these law
less followers of General Walker misguided and deceived
into career Of crime would doubtless have persisted in
Central America their mutilated and fostering bodies
have been brought back their friends at the expense of
their country.
sufficient have disarmed and to the United States
Gen William Walker and his outlawed and pratica fol
lowers trial. for whatever action the government in
its wisdom may think proper to pursue.
Captain Ommanny, Of I'll B. NJ ship Brunswick,
offered TO cooperate with in removing the party
| from Point Arenas but, they my conntrymen
deemed it proper to decline the participation Of foreign
flag.
am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
tM II. PAULDING,
Flag Officer, Commanding Home Squadron.
The Hon. ISAAC ToUCEY,
Secretary OF the Navy, Washington, d. c.