Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-23
NICARAGUA AND THE UNITED STATES.
LETTER OF GEN. WALKER
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

WASHINGTON, June To- 1857
SIR: On the first of May last entered into
convention with Commander Davis of the L. S.
sloOp St. Msry's to evacuate the town of Rivas, in
the territory Of Nicaragua. Justice to myself, as
well as to the republic of which claim to be the
rightful and lawful chief executive, requires to
communicate to your excellency the circumstances
which attended this convention. And in order that
the events which led to the agreement between Com
mander Davis and myself may be more fully under
stood, beg leave to narrate some facts connected
with my presence and authority in Nicaragua which
have never been properly presented to the govern
ment of the United States
In the month Of May, 1854 few exiles from Nj
caragus landed in the port of Realejo, declared
against the then existing government Of the republic
and secured within tive months possession of nearly
all the principal places in the State. They soon
organized provisional government of which Don
Francisco Castellon was the head. 1t soon became
apparent, however, that although the vast majority
Of the people Of Nicaragua were friendly to this
movement, it was likely to fail through want Of
proper military force and organization. Castellon,
therefore, sent TO mel was then residing in San
Francisco contract authorizing me to raise three
hundred for the service of the provisional gov
eminent. This contract l rejected, because it was
contrary to the act Of Congress of 1918; and sent
back the agent employed by Casellon, with instruc
tons to secure, if possible, grant Of colonization,
which would not make me amenable to the laws Of
the United States
Such a grant was obtained and as soon as re-
ceived it showed it to the United States district at
tOrney for the northern district of California, and
to the general commanding the Pacific division who
then had special powers and instructions from the
President, under the neutrality act of lS4S. Both
these officers informed me that could act under the
contract not only without fear of interference on
their part, but with the express assurance that they
would do all in their power forward the enterprise
Not only did sail from San Francisco with the ap-
probation and Wellwishes of all the federal author
ites but the American sailors from revenue cutter
then in port actually bent the sails for the vessel as
she was towed out of the harbor.
After arriving at RealijO, and my fellowcolOnists
were regularly naturalized citizens of Nicaragua
and it became necessary for US to use our arms in
defense Of the rights had acquired under the pro-
visOnal government. 1t was soon apparent, how
ever that the presence Of the Americans in Nicara
qua was not acceptable to all the adheTents of Cas-
tellOn, and therefore informed the provisional di
rector that if cooperation injurious to his
cause and prospects, would willingly retire from
the country. But Castelon insisted that the Ameri-
cans were the only hope for the democrats not on
ly Of Nicaragua but of all Central America, and he
begged with fervency and perseverance that we
would not think Of abandoning him in his extremity.
Thus appealed to and besOught, we undertook the
campaign, which ended in a peace between the con-
tending parties, and / may safely assert that the
American influence was chiefly instrumental in
achieving the treaty of the 23d October, 1865.
By this treaty of the 23d October the old egiti-
mist government recognized the rights OF the Ameri
naturalized in Nicaragua under the grant from
the provisional government. And in order to re-
strain, the legtimists said the excuses of the
democrats, made arrogant by their success they in
sisted that should retain command of the army Of
the republic.
Soon after the inauguration Of the provisional
president, under the treaty of the 23d October one
Of the Americans in Nicaragua was accredited as
minister to the United States. An American was
selected by the provisional president at the sugges-
ton Of members Of his cabinet-all natives of Nj
csragua-that such person would be more accep-
table in the United States from his knowledge of the
language and laws Of the country to which he was
sent. Unfortunately for Nicaragua and Central
America this minister not received by the gov
eminent of the United States
About the time the news Ofthe refusal on the part
of the UnitOd States to recognize the NIcaraguan
minister reached Granada General Cabaffas was APP
plying to the provisional government for assistance
TO regain his authority in Honduras. opposed this
policy and endeavOred to impress on the government
that the first necessity of Nicaragua was peace
Instead Of making war on Honduras, I suggested
the Droprety of sending the other States of
Central America declaring our peaceful intentions
and soliciting friendly intercourse. These sugges-
tions prevailed with the provisional president but
not palatable TO the minister Of relations Don
Maxine Jerez, who resigned in consequence of the
peaceful policy pursued by the government.
In the meantime DEGREES had been issued inviting
emigration to Nicaragua, offering grants of land and
other privileges to such took up their residence
in the State. Under these DEGREES a large number
Of Americans and other foreigners emgrated to Nj
caragua and extensive interests were acquired by
them in the country.
As soon, however as the other States Of Central
America perceived the policy of the United States
government, they entered into league for the ex-
pulsion Of the Americans from Nicaragua. On the
lst Of March, 1856, Costa Rica declared war not
against Nicaragua, but against certain class of
persOnsresdent there, and accompanied this deola-
ton with other dscrees dsgrAceful to the age and
revolving to civilization. Costa Rica invaded our
territory, and we repealed them.
But soon after the enemy retired it became appa-
rent that Don Maxine Jerez-Who had for his own
purposes again entered the cabinent of the provis
iOnal presdent-Was smarting under the defeat Of
his war policy, and was cOnspiring with Don Pa
trcio Rivas to join the other States in their oppos
ton to the Americans. This palpable that
in the election for President In June last became
q candidate before the people and was elected by