The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-16

THE ADMINISTRATION AND CENTRAL. AMs-
RIcA-GENERAL HEssNasEs's LErrER.--We
published yesterday a curious and remark
able letter which has been addressed to Gen.
Cass by Gen. Henningsen on behalf Of the
native supporters of Walker in Nicaragua,
whose safety and freedom were guaranteed by
the terms of the capitulation Of the Elibusters
ut Rivas with Commander Davis, of the United
States sloop-ofwar ST. Marys.
The letter is well written and logical docu-
ment and sets forth the position of the contend
ing parties at Rivas on the LIST of May last, and
the immediate causes which led to the captula-
ton, in more succinct and satisfactory manner
than anything that has been heretofore pub
lished. Gen. HenHngsen takes the ground
that the forces in Rivas were abundantly able
to cope with the enemy besieging them; and
frankly acknowledging the straits to which
they were reduced, he proceeds to show that
the enemy were not in much better condition,
and that they were besides disheartened, short
of powder, and threatened with cholera and
the rainy season, without any hope of rein
forcement. At this juncture Commander Davis
interviewed in the strife, and commenced
his negotiations for the surrender Of Gen.
Walker by announcing to his commissioner
that he should seize the schooner San Jose, con-
tanning his reserve of arms and ammunition,
which the allied army of Central America were
utterly powerless to do.
On learning this fact Gen. Hcnningsen entered
upon the negotiations with Commander Davis,
and the stipulations agreed to were entered
upon solely on the faith of an officer of the
United States, who, commanding the forces of
this country in that region, was looked upon as
its representative. 1t was on the faith of this
official character and tacit guarantee of this
country to the terms of surrender that con-
ditions were consented to that never would have
been accepted on the faith of the Central Ameri-
can governments alone. Prominent among these
who had served with Walker should be per-
mitted to reside unmolested wherever they
pleased in Nicaragua. This was guaranteed by
the American commander and Gen. Henning-
sen assumes that his course substantially binds
the United States to protect them. The i'm
condition of Gen. Pineda, who was one
of the persons that capitulated at Rivas,
under this treaty with Commander Davis.
lie is represented to be man of high honor
and fidelity and brother of former President
of the country. In spite of the terms of the
stipulations with Commander Davis he is now
set to work in chains upon the roads in Segovia
by the present government Of Nicaragua, and
Gen. Henningsen now appeals to our govern
ment for redress, and for the fulfilment of that
direct responsibility which, as he claims, at
tsches to the government of the United States.
We are not disposed to discuss the question
how far the acts of Commander Davis involve
the responsibility Of our government to see that
the stipulations made with him are carried ont;
but the publication of this letter at this juno
ture, Immediately after the departure Of Walker
for Nicaragua with the avowed purpose of re-
dressing the wrongs of himself and his followers,
seems to us more like on attempt to further
bcfog the Central American questions, and to
involve our government in new and still more
complicated discussions. The ground that
Gen. Henningsen has broken presents a new
view of matters, and may yet be onc of the
many rightful causes that shall lead our gov
eminent finally to send down a force, and,
taking possession of the Transit route, admins
ter Justice to our own citizens and all others and
secure that isthmus TO the peaceful transit of
the whole world.