Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-07-31

THE LAST ADMINISTRATION AND THE !" FI.-
LIRuSTERS y

General Wool has written letter dated Troy,
July 49, to the EHtsgsnesr touching that passage
in General William Walkers letter to President Bu-
chanan, in which, referring to the grant Of cooni-
cation from Don Francisco Castillon and under the
provisions of which he (Walker) went to Nicaragua,
he says:
ssAs soon as received It, (the grant, showed
it to the United States District Attorney for the
Northern District Of California, and to the General
commanding the Pacific Division, who then had spe-
oal powers and instructions from the President un-
der the neutrality act Of 1878. Both these officers
informed me that could act under the contract not
only without fear Of interference on their part, but
with the express that they would do all in
their power to forward the enterprise"
General Wool gives narrative exhibiting the rea-
why he did not, on the occasion referred to- in
terfere with General Walker. In December 1853
General Woolrwas ordered to Washington, where, al
conference with President Pierce and the Secretary
Of War, Jefferson Davis, he was informed that. Gun
less the expeditions then fitting out from California
against the territories Of Mexico could be prevent
ed certain importa negotiations pending between
Mexico and the United States could not be adjusted
that war might be the consequence; and that
having great confidence in his General Woods sslone
experience and judgment" the command of the Pa
cife department. was offered to him. Gen. Wool
accepted, and received his written instructions
Jefferson Davis directed his attention to certain
special duties devolFing on him in addition to the
ordinary duties OF the military command, Sc.
Among these duties will be the duty of zaqta-
GiRing our international obligations By preventing va-
LQfR expeditions against the territories Of oreiqa pcsp
ers. Confidence is felt that you will, to the utmost
OF your ability use all proper means to detect the
fitting out of armed expeditions against countries
with which The United States are at peace and will
zeaously co operate with the civil authorities in
! maintaining the neutrality laws"
The President, in proclamation given to General
| Wool, calls upon
"All officers of the Government civil and militia
ry, to use any efforts which may be in their power
to arrest for trial and punishment every such offend
| er."
Thus fortified, Gen, Vol was not long in dis
covering, as he says himsef that Col Watkins and
Mr.. Emory were recruiting men for Walker, then in
| Lower California; and that the Mexican Consul,
| DelVale, dnd Patrice Dillon French Consul, were
raising an army for Raopsset Boulbon's designs on
| Sonora "Upon the facts which obtained and pre-
sented to the District Attorney" writes Gen. Wool
Watkins, Emory, and the two ConsuIs were arrested
tried, and with one exception, convicted. Walker,
| being forced to surrender was sent to Gen. Wool,
under whose auspices he indicted and tried, but
not convicted. AT this point General Wools nara
tive becomes so interesting that any attempt at con-
| densation would spoil it.
'AbOut this time received an extraordinary let
ter from the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis an
| extract Of which is annexed