New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-18

America perceived the policy OF the United States
Government they entered into league for the eIpul
sion Of the American. from Nicaragua. On the Ist Of
March, 1856, Costa Rics declared war, not against
Nicaragua, but against certain class OF persons resi-
don't there, and accompanied tbs declaration with
other DEGREES disgraceful the age and revolving 20
civilization Costa RIGA invaded our Territory, and
was repealed by the courage a the naiurazed Ameri-
cans.
But coon after the enemy retired L became apparent
that Don Maxine Jerez-rhO bad, for his own pur-
poses again entered the cabinet of the Provisional
Pre.ident-was smarting under the defeat of hs war
policy and cOnspiTng with Don Pairico Rva- TO
oin the other States in their OppOsi) 20 the Amerl-
cars. This was So papaps hat in the election for
President in June last, became candidate before
the people and was elected by large majority. The
great objection urged against ny election was, .hat
was NOT native Of Nicaragua. The Constitution OF
1854 however required such qualification; and
Don Fruio ChanorTo himself a native OF Gaute
nala As the Office Of President not known in
the Constitution Of 1888 IL il clear that the quaica
Cns for the office 20 be fixed by the Constitution
Of 1854 which alone created such a Chief Executive.
Duty 10 the Americans who had been invited 10
Nicaragua required 10 accept the place OF Presl-
dent no matter how anxious might be 70 escape ~
labor, and responsibilities. Their interests %
NV ewes above and beyond ali others; for them
verify believe the welfare OF the whole country, and
its utility TO all the civilized nations Of the GARTH de-
pend.
II is unnecessary for 10 recapitula;e the events
Of the struggle in Nicaragua for the last year. You
az well others familiar with the dangers through
passed. You know whether not they have sus-
tained the ancient fame Of their for yaOr and
good faith You know how they have met the open
foe and the lurking pestlence, with nothing but
sense Ct duty and justice 10 sustain them IN the hour
Of Trial. Alone in the world, unrecognized by the
Government 10 which they naturally looked for sym
patty aid cOuntenance, they have still shown that
they knew how to die in defense OF rights Justly &C.
quired and attempted be wresed from them by viO
lence and fraud. 1t merely behooves now to state
how the evacuation of Rivas effected aud how
the Americans in Nicaragua became eKiles from the
On the 22d of March last, the olled force Of Costa
Rica. Guatemala San Saliva hoHduras opened
n cannonade on the Town Of RIyas, where the main
body Of the army of Nicaragua situated; and on
the morning Of the 3d. they made general assault,
which was repused with great loss the part OF the
enemy. Aiterwsrd they attempted 10 invest the town,
but never fully succeeded, on account OF the vast
force required for such an undertaking. On the llth
of April they again assaulted Rvas but were driven
back with even loss than on the I'D of March.
In order TO show how the enemy were reduced after
the 18th Of April need only state that on the even
ing of that day single officer, accompanied by ma
tive servant. passed out OF Rlvas and went down 10
San Juan del Sur He there received the letters sent
to ne from New-ioIk by the steamer of the 10Th ot
March and brought them TO Riyas on the morning of
the 18th Of Apnl. This fact, let me say, was known
to Con nander Davis.
From the 23d Of March until the 23d Of April,
knew that Conn. Davis in correspondence with
the allies concerning the state Of the force in Rlvas.
knew that he was receiving information from them
calculated a. mslead him in relaOnto my position and
prospects. But Conn. Davis was in the mean while,
making such professions OF friendship for his country
men il Nicaragua that disposed to attribute his
conduct TO an over anxiety for the garrison OF Rvas
On the 23d Of April however, circumstances occurred
which led me doubt the sincerity of his prOtesa-
tOns.
On that day the second lieutenant Of the ST. Marys,
Lieut.. Houston, accompanied by non commissioned
officer Of Marines into Rvas for the purpose OF
conducting the wOmen-bOth American and native
from that place to San Juan del Sur While in the
town Lieut. Houston expressed his great surprise at
the good condition Of the garrison, and at the spirit oil
cheerful confidence which pervaded the officers and
men, But during his presence, he and the solder OIL
marines with him gave information TO the garrison cal
culated 10 diminish the courage Of the command.
These acts derogatng from their neutrality were done
in violation of an order by me that the soldier oil ma
Zines was not to repeat in Rivas any OF the reports
circulated by the enemy in San Juan del Sur. The
effect of Lieut. lIoustons visit was apparent from the
d,-eitions which Immediately followed it.
Another circumstance occurred during Lieut. Hous-
tons stay in Rivas 10 which afterwaid learned to
attach importance. That officer informed me he was
ordered by Commander Davis to tell me that any
communication | desired 10 make to Mr.. L. j. Mac
donald agent o. Messrs. Garrison, Morgan " Sous,
might be made nder Enclosure TO Capt. DAVIS HIM
self Although felt such an offer was departure
from duty the part of nited States officer, dd
not n, state TO take advantage of the Offer informed
Lieut. Houston that did not desire to write TO MIR.
Macdonad but that he might say to Commander
Davis from me, and with the understanding that i
| considered my position at Rivas impregnaoe to Me
fierce nj the disposal of the enemy, as long as my pro-
vsious lasted that if COL LOckrdge did not join he
in Kivas by the time my cOmmissary stores were ex-
haused would abandon the place and Join the force
on the San Juan river; and that considered myself
entirely able and competent TO carry out SUCH move
| mcnt. When learned atterward that this message
| was never delivered TO Mr. slacdonald, was forced
| 10 consider Commander Daviss offer an effort to
draw from me a declaration which he might afterward
| turn 10 my disadvantage.
| After the vsit of Lieut. Houston heard no more
from Comm ander Davis until the Both Of April, when
two aides de.camp from the enemy came under nag
of truce from that officer to myself The letter pro-
posed that should abandon Riyas and 90 aboard OF
| the ST. MaTy's TO Panama, Commander Davis under
| taking to guarantee my personal safety Although
this proposition was extremely otfensive-lDslnuatiDg
as cid that my personal safety, instead oil the honor
| and dignity Of the Government of which was The
Executive, might prove determining circumstance
IRA military COW entiOn-l replied that the PROPOSE
ton was vague and suggested his coming into kivas
| and personal conference between us. only SUP
mitted 10 the modification of answering such letter
on the suppOstiOn that Commander DAVIS might nave
information did not possess and when might Jusuly
the substance, though not the manner of his offer lie
| answered by saying that he sorry foand his
| proposition vague; that he proposed should aban-
| /" don the enterprise and leave the country; that
might rely on the fact of Col Lockridge having lett
the San Juan River; ana, finally, that he had mature
" considered the invitation to enter into Rvas aud
| had decided uneserveGly, not to take such step.
The tone OF TN. note was II pOssOte more oiIebsl'e
than that Of the first; and the Use ot the word enter
| prise" in connection with government which Com
| mander Davis had studiously Acknowledged by adj
| dressing ne as President but a few weeks preyl-
| ously sounded strangely discOrdant. As, however,
the letter stated the evacuation OF the San Juan River
| the frat news had of this event. stopped 10 an
sweI the offensive note by proposing to send two Of
| fceIs-Gen. HenniDgsen and COL Waters-to meet
| Commander Davis provided they had safe conduct
| from the allied General. An answer soon came, Ia
| closing the required safe conduct; and the answer
was in effect that Gen. HenningSen and Col. Waters
should proceed at once 10 the headquarters OF tue
ntr..rL Ir..lh