Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-06-26
Nicaragua and the United States.
etter of Cen IInikcr 10 TIE President nfthe I,fed

| o. NE'ry's, 10 eVacuate the town OF RIvas, the
territory of Nicaragua. Justice to myself as we'll
as to he republic of wh ch claim to be the rightful
and lawful chief executive, requires me to communi-
cate to your exceilency The circumstances which at.
te' dfd this convention. And in order that the events
which led to the agreement between Commander
Davis and myself nay be more fully understood, beg
leave 70 narrae some facts connected with my pres
ence and authority in Nicaragua which have never
been properly presented to the government Of the
DnIled States
In the month of May, 1854, few exies from
Nicaragua landed in the port of Realeio declared
against the then existing government cf the republic
and secured within two months Possession Of nearly
all the prnci pal places in the State. They soon Or
ganlze q provisional government of which Don
Francisco Casteon the head 1t soon became
apparent. however, that although the vast majority
| of the people OF Nicaragua were friendly to this
movement, it likely to fail through want of pro-
per military force and organization; Castelon, there
| toFe sent to me-l was then residing in San Fran
CISCO contract authorizing - raise three hun
lied men for the service of the provisional govern
ment. This contract rejected, because it was con-
trary 10 the act of Congress of 1878: and sent back
the agent employed by Castellon, with instructions
TO secure, if Eossibe, grant of colonization, which
would not make me amenabe TO the laws of the U.
| States
! Such grant was obtained, and as soon as re-
ceived il showed it to the United States District
Attorney for the northern district of California, and
to the general commanding the Pacific division, who
/
| President, under the neutrality act OF 1878. But
these officers informed me that could act under the
contract, only without the fear of interference on
their part, but with the express assurance that they
would do all in their power to forward the enterprise
Net only did sail from San Francisco with the ap-
probation and we'll wishes of all the federal author
ties, but the American Sailors from revenue cutter
then port actually bent the sails for the vessel as
she towed out of tn, harbor.
After arriving at Reaejo, and my fellowcolc-
nlsis regularly naturallzed citizens of Mica
ras ua, and it became necessary for us to use our
arms in defense of the rights we had acquired under
The provisional government. 1t was soon apparent,
however, that the presence of the Americans in Nj
caragua not acceptable to all the adherents of
Castelon, and therefore informed the provisional
director that II CO operation was injurious to his
cause and prospects, we would willingly retire from
the country But Casteon insisted that the Ameri.
cans were the only hope for the democrats, not only
of Nicaragua but of all Central America, and he
begged with eryency and perseverance that we would
not think of abandoning him in his extremity. Thus
appealed 10 and besought, we undertook the cam
paign, which ended in peace between the contend
ing parties and may safely assert that the Ameri
can influence chiefly instrumental in achieving
the treaty of the 23d October, 1855.
By this treaty of the 23d October the old legit:.
mist government recognized the rights of the Amer
."rN naturalized in Nicaragua nnder tho from
the provisional government. AND in order to restrain,
as the egmists said, the excesses of the democrats
made arrogant by their success, they insisted that
should retain command OF the army of the republic
Soon after the Inauguration of the provisional pres
ident under The treaty OF the 29d October, of
the Americans in Nicaragua was accredited as min
ister TO the United States An American select
ed by the provisional president at the suggestion of
members of his cabinet-all natives of Nicaragua
that such q person would be more acceptable in the
United States from his knowledge of the language
aud laws of the country to which he sent Un- |
fortunately for Nicaragua and for Central America,
II 1ipISf n M
the United States.
About the the time the news Of the refusal on the |
part of the United States to recognize the Nicaraguan
minister reached Granada, General Cabanas ap, |
plying to the provisional government for assistance
10 regain the authority in Honduras. opposed this
policy and endeavored TO impress on the government
that the first necessity of Nicaragua peace In
stead of making war on Honduras, suggested the
pTopriey OF sending notes to the other States OF Cen
trail America, declaring ou peaceful intentions and
soliciting friendly intercourse These suggestions
prevailed with the provisional president, but were
not paatabe The minister of relations, Don Maxi
mo Jerez, who resi- gned in consequence of The peace
fui policy pursued by the government.
In the meantime DEGREES had been issued inviting
emigration 70 Nicaragua, Offering grants OF land and
other privileges to such took up their residence in
tie State. Under these DEGREES large number Of
Americans and other foreigners emgrated to.Nlcara-
gua and extensive interests were acquired by them
III The country.
America perceived the policy OF the United States
eovernment they entered into league for the
pulsion of the Americans from Mica arasua On the |
it of March, 1856, Costa Rica declared war, not
against Nicaragua but against certain class OF per
sons resident there, and accompanied this declara
ton with other declees disgracetul 10 he age and
revolving 10 civilization Costa kica invaded our
territory and repel!ed them.
But soon after the enemy retired it became apparent
tbat Don Maxine Je!ez-wbo mad for his own pur
poses, again entered the cabinet OF !he Provisional
prvs;dei twas smaEtlng under the defeat or his
DO icy and was con>prng with Don Pattlcio Rivas
to Jon the other States III their opposition TO the
A,nericans This was 50 PAL pable that in the cleo
ton for President, in June last, became candidate
before the people, and was elected by large majority
Tie great objection urged against my election was that
was not native OF Nicaragua The constitution
Of 1854, however, required no such quaLhcauon and
bon Fruto Chamorro himself was a native of Guate
maia. AS the Office of President was not known in
the constitutions of 1888, it is clear that the quali6ca
tions for the Office were be fixed by the constitution
of 1875 j. which clone created such chief executive
DUTY to the Americans who had been invited to
Nicaragua required me TO accept the place of Pres-
dent, matter how anxious mlgAt ~e to escape its
and responsibilities. lheIr interests were TO
nv ewes above and beyond all others; for them
verify believe the welfare Of the whole country, and
its utility to all the civilized nations OF The earth,
depend.
il is unnecessary for me to recapitulae the events
of the Struggle in Nicaragua Tor the last year. You
A. we'll as Others, are familiar with the dangers
through which the Americans nauralized in Nicara-
qua have PASSED. You know whether or not they
have sustained the ancient ame of their race for
valor and good faith You know how they have met
the open foe and the lurking pesilence, with nothing
but sense OF duty and justice TO sustain them IN
the hour of trial Alone in the world, unrecognized
by the government to which they naturally looked
for syempathy and countenance. they have still
shown that they knew how to die in defense OF rights