Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-02
CAPTTULATroN OF wA1Kpp

The information received with the announcement
Of Walkers arrival at New Orleans, that be had
e captulated with all the force under his command
e Commander Davis Of the United States sloop of
war St. Marya was something that many, like
surselves could not properly comprehend. The
United States Government had in no way been
party to the revolution in Central America and hence
the difficulty Of ooneeiving how an American vessel
should become the ALI of the Costa Rieans in re-
duciug Walker and his followers terms Of eapitu-
lstion and the evacuation of Rivas This mystery
is partially explained by apaper which we publish IN
smother column, drawn up by Gen. Henningson, who
negotiated the capitulation with Capt Davis Of the
St. Marys. from which its terms may be gathered,
as well as the circumstances under which IT was made
Cen. Henningson's statement is very plain and
simple. and carries with it every evidence of can
dor and fairness We trust, however for the credit
Of our Government that there is mistake somewhere
as to the authority claimed and exercised by Com
mander Davis in his official capacity.
Capt Davis seems to have acted throughout IN
concert with the Costa Ricane, having opened ne
gotiations with them for the evacuation of Rivas
without the knowledge or concurrence of Walker,
and having finally, n he eneays camp, forced Gen.
Remington to accept the terms which he offered,
by declaring that he had embargoed Walkers schoon-
er, the Granada and had determined to seize it be-
fore leaving San Juan del Sud- which he further de-
cared be would do in a few days. Gen. Walkers
determination when his position in Rivas became
desperate, was, as stated by Gen. Remington, TO
cut his way through the enemy to the Pacific, and
embark on the Granada. This last means Of escape,
-, IL, h, 4, 20, IL
learned, to be taken away from him by the seizure
of his vessel by a United States man of war. He
was therefore, compelled to accept the alternative
offered him, and capitulate to an American officer
that had hitherto pretended to be neutral in the
revolutionary struggle of Nicaragua. And all Of
this was said to have been done under express in
struetions from our Government. We acknowledge
our surprise but shall be very much mistaken if the
people Of this country will not require investiga-
ton into this matter, with the view of seeing who
are the responsible parties for such an unprece-
dented policy, and upon what fimsy pretexts it has
been based. We agree in opinion with the Augusta
Constitaioaglist, that if Walker had maintained
himself at Rivas for few weeks longer, he would
have had no enemy but Costa Rica and her Central
American allesto contend within other words, that
the administration had determined that England
should no longer sustain Costa Rica in its struggle
against him. The policy the part of the govern
ment of the United States-Observing strict nsu-
ality ITSELF and requiring the same Of Great Brit
ain in reference to this Central American embrogO
would have resulted in the complete and triumph
ant success CT Walker. But before it could be car
ried out he is forced abandon Nicaragua, by what
seems to US the hostile intervention Of officer Of
the American navy The affair with thelight before
US has an ugly look.
Gin the meantime, Nicaragua, relieved Of the
presence of American illibusters, is left prey to
the ntrgues and struggles Of the rival interests of
Leon and Granada, and is not relieved Of the pres
ence of the allies, who united to defend her nation
atty, and viii now attempt to partition her among
themselves and quarrel over the division Of the
spols."