The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-11-19
The NORTHERN PRESS.
From the ~ Y. Commercial Advertiser, Nov, g.
LETTER FROM GENERAL wALKER-cEN-
TRIAL AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

LETTER FROM GENERAL WALKER-CEE-
TRIAL AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
General William Walker, of 6libustering and
Nicaraguan celebrity, has caused the publics.
ion of letter nominslly addressed to the Sec
Setary of State, in which he claims to be the
Eghtful and lawful Executive of ,Nicarsgua,
enjoying the rights of hospitality within the
limits of United States territory In this
capacity he enters his protest against certain
alleged proceedings of Guatemala and Costa
Rica, in the following terms:
"The want of all official intercourse between
,he Government of the United States and that
Of Nicaragua viii, hope, be snfS Gent excuse
~ my addressing you ON the faith of public
report. Bot the rumor comes in such form
that | am satisfied the ministers OF Guatemala
ard Costa Rica have attempted to tlishonor the
Republic of Nicaragua in the eyes q the United
States; and am further convinced of this fact
y decree of President Moss, dated at San
Jose, on the 7th of August las, an ordered to
- communicated to the diplomatic yorps gener-
sly.
The Ministers of Costa RIGS anGsG uatemala
attempt to humiliate Nicaragua by presenting
themselves to the United States ss her protect
us and guardians. In behalf of the Republic
II which claim to be the rightful and lawful
assumption on the part Of Costa Rica and Qua
F4mala, and ask that the Government of the
United States will not permit itself to be inhu-
tnced by such pretens;ons or the part of these
.wo Central American Powers. On the contrary,
! is to be hoped the United States WILL by its
Jonduct, assert and vitldicate the independence
# its sister Repubhc,-the sovereign State of
Nicaragua.
= " II is my duty furtl er to say that the people
vi Nicaragua have not consented to the military
authority at present exercised over them by the
SCENTS Of Costa RIGA and Guatemala, and that
hey therefore cannot be held responsible for
my interference of these latter States in the ad.
pinisiration of the municipal regulations of
sour Government. Conceiving that the Minis.
sers of Costa Rics and Guatemala cannot justi.
- any suggestion they make to the United
states concerning the execution of its own acts
1f Congress, desire to relieve Nicaragua from
Ivy responsibility for such oficious informed
Hing"
The other portions of tbe,letter refer to the
allegation that he, general Walker, has viola
sed or intends to viol1te the neutrality laws of
he United States, which charge he processes to
deny with scorn and indignation superadded.
BE afficms that, having been received in the
United S'ates when forced for a time to leave
Nicaragua, be has in sll respects been obedient
% It's laws" and he "begs to assure the Score
.ary Of State that he shall not so far forget his
.uty, as officer of Nicaragus. as to violate
rhose laws" while enjoying the hospitality of
she country. The GOODNESS and seeming SINGER
~ with which these asseverations are made, in
she face of notorious facts, are characters
lie of the man.
But the subject embraced suggests word or
two OF comment. 1t appears to be placed be-
zond doubt, that internecine wars are again
brewing upon the Central American continent
h seems impossible for those Republics to be
t,ng Eat peace with one another" and they
gYem resolved by their own feuds to invite for
tIgn aggression and filibusterism. Late advices
from that quarter show that Costa Rica has so
u assumed authority over Nicaragua as to
eke possession of the San joan river, and pro-
Tibit Nicafaguan boats from navigating it and
kaAt she has commissioned Co. Cauty to take
Possession, by force, if necessary, of fort San
Carlos.
The Plea in justification of this high-handed
proceeding ia, that new invasion of Central
3merics is threatened, and that Nicaragua is
Incompetent to its prevention. 1t is to be &C.
euowedged that there 10 show Of force in this
argument, and it is understood that Guatemala,
Honduras, and San Salvador, on the same plea
~ selt-protection, are pledged TO support Costa
GIca's policy. A triumph Of fiiibusterism in
nicaragua would disturb the trsnkuillity, if not
Eetil the safety, of those neighboring Republics.
: But on the other hand, it ia not yet proved
Cat Nicaragua is unable to cope unaided with
sny attempts upon her territories. On the con-
t5ary, she affirms her capacity and asserts her
Eight to manage her own affairs and protect
her own dominions, without interference from
other States. But even were there reasonable
aOubts of her ability or Of her inclination, the
Saanner of Costa Rica's interference and the
sprit displayed by that Republic have more of
the appearance of arrogance and dictation than
Is compatible with good feeling, friendly pur-
pose, and o due respect for Nicsragua's sover-
e.gnty. She does not appear to have been con-
sailed or invited to cooperation with her sister
Republics. Costa Rica does not 80 much as
proher assistance to her weaker neighbor, but
Steps unbiddeu into her territory, laws an en-
barge upon her river, and seiaes and fortifes,
fer Costa Rican, and not Nicaraguan use, upon
her strongholds. This gross assumption of
power on the part of Costa Riea is essentially
h2Stite in its character, whatever may be its
and IS Nicaragua has the re-
sources she claims to have, It must and will be
resented and repealed by force. From all re-
ports, the new President of Nicaragua, General
MARTINEZ, is not made of the metal likely to
submit quietly to such arrogant dictation.
The conclusion, then, is inevitable, that if
Costa Rica persists il, her present attempt to
SGT aside the sovereignty of Nicaragua, another
deadly prOtracted war in Central America is to
be anticipated; and if Costa Rica is backed by
the three Republics named, it is not likely that
she Will recede from the position she has as
sAmed. General Walkers sagacity teaches
hiEn, that !. such war is once commenced, it will
he waged with such mutual luminosity and
erceness that all the parties to it will be great
L. weakened, both in physical aud moral power,
and that the extremity to which the hostile Re-
E.pblics will be brought by sucA conflict will. be
bis opportunity. Hence he is in no way
anxious that the threatened feud should be
averted; and, seeking to create the impression
that at present he does not contemplate a re-
tlrn to the scene of his late explAits, he merely
makes o formal protest against the assunp
ton" of Costa R'ca and Guatemala, and does
not press any action upon the United States
Government. Il is possible, boy, ever, that cur
GoveTnment suspects that this 'coarse Of the
Costa Rcan Government is c>nuected with
contemplated supremacy over>thA Transit route.
and It is more than possible tt&at the United
States will pursue its own poscr in relation TO
f. without consulting General v alker.
From the indianapolis Undl Daily Journal November
THE SPLIT wIBEaIz G.
1t hns hardly escaped the. at ention of anv
close observer of the movement Sc parties. tbat