Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-06-24

by the steamer OF che S0th OF Marcn, anu ofou6us
them to Rivas on the morning Of the 18th OF April
This fact, let say, was known to Commander
Davis
From the 2Sd of March until the 23d Of April,
knew that Commander Davis was in correspondence
with the allies concerning the state of the force in
Rivas knew that he receiving information
from them calculated to rnslead him in relation to
my position and prospects. But Commander Davis
was, in the meanwhile, making such professions OF
friendship for his countrymen in Nicaragua, that
was disposed to attribute his conduct to an over.
anxiety for the garrison of Rivas. On the 23d OF
April, however, circumstances occurred winch leu
me to doubt the sincerity of his protestations.
On that day, the second Lieutenant Of the Saint
Marys, Lieut.. Houston, accompanied by nom
commissioned officer of marines, came into hiVas
for the purpose of conducting the women-both
American and native-froom that place to San Juan
Del Sur. While in the town, Lieut.. Houston ex-
pressed his great surprise at the good condition OF
the garrison and at the spirit of cheerful confidence
which pervaded the officers and men. But, during
his presence, he and the soldier ofmarnes with him
gave information to the garrison calculated to d.
minish the courage of the command. These acts,
derogang from their neutrality, were done in viola
ton of an order by lie that the soldier of marines
was not repeat in Rivas any of the reports crcula-
ted by the enemy in San Juan del Sur. The effect
of Lieut. Houston's visit apparent, from the de-
sertions which Immediately followed it.
Another circumstance occurred during Lieutenant
H"ustons stay in Rivas, to which afterwards learn
ed to attach Importance That officer informed me
that he was ordered by Commander Davis to tell me
that any communication desired to make to MIR. y.
j. Mcdonald, agent of Messrs. Garrison, Morgan &
Sons, might be made under enclosure to Capt. Davis
himself Although l felt such an offer was depar-
ture from duty the part Of United States officer
did not hesitate to take advantage of the offer.
informed Lieut. Houston that did not dese to write
to Mr. Mcdonald but he might say to Commander
Davis from me-and with the understanding that
it was to be communicated to Mr.. McDonald-that
considered my position ut Rivas impregnable to
the force at the disposal of the enemy. long my
provisions lasted that if COL Lockridge did not join
me in Rivas by the time my commIssary stores were
exhausted, would abandon the place and join the
force on the San Juan river and that considered
myself entirely able and competent to carry out such
a movement. When learned afterwards that this
message was never delivered to Mr.. Mcdonald,
was forced to consider Commander Davis offer
effort to draw from me declaration which he might
afterwards turn to my disadvantage.
After the visit of Leut. Houston | heard no more
from Commander Davis until the goth of April,
when two aids de camp from the enemy came under
flag of truce with letter from that officer to my
self The letter proposed that should abandon Ri
vas and go aboard of the St. Mary's to Panama,
Commander Davis undertaking to guaranty my per-
sonal safety. Although this proposition was ex-
tremely misunderstanding, as it did, that my
personal safety instead of the honor and dignity of
the government of which was the Executive might
prove determining circumstance in military con-
vention-1 replied that the proposition was vague,
and suggested his coming into Rivas. and person
al conference between US. l only submitted to the
modification of answering such letter on the sup
position that Commander Davis might have inform
alton did not possess, and which might Justify the
substance, though not the manner of his offer. lie
answered by saying that he was sorry | found his
proposition vague; that he proposed 81 should aban-
don the enterprise and leave the country" that
might rely on the fact Of Col. Lockridge having left
the San Juan River and, finally, that he had ma
turely considered the invitation to enter Rvas, and
had decided unreservedly, not to take such STEP
The tone of this note was, if possible, more often.
sive than that of the first; and the of the word
"enterprise, in connection with government which
Commander Davis had studiously acknowledged by
addressing me as President" but few weeks pre-
viousy, sounded strangely discordant. As, howev-
err the letter stated the evacuation of the San Juan
river-the first news had Of this event. stopped
to answer the offensive note by proposing to send
two officers-Gen. Henningsen and CO... Waters-to
meet Commander Davis, provided they had safe con-
duct from the allied General. An answer came,
enclosing the required safe conduct and the answer
was in effect that Gen. Henningsen and Col Waters
should proceed at to the head quarters of the
allies as Commander Davis instructions required his
speedy return to San Juan del Sur was surprised
to recognize the body Of the note the handwri
ting of General Zavala-one of the Generals of the
allied forces who spoke and wrote English-and to
find that such note signed by a protested neu
trail.
For what passed between Gen. Henningsen and
Colonel Waters and Commander Davis, refer you
to the report of the former officer herewith enclosed
and the terms of the convention at Rivas. Allow
to suggest, that the convention itself is the best
evidence the army in Rvas was not on the of de-
structon dissolution. If the peril to my command
, as great as has been publicly represented, the
allies would never have permitted to evacuate the
place, not only in safety, but with honor
In his interview with Gen. Hennirgsen, Comman-
der Davis had expressed his "unalterabie determi-
nation to seize the schooner Granada and this had
been a determining circumstance with me in signing
the convention l was therefore, surprised on the
morning after I went aboard the ST. Mary's to hear
Commander Davis propose that should deliver the
vessel to him without the necessity for the of
force. This rejected. He then proposed should
deliver the vessel on condition he gave the
and ammunition on board of her. l replied not
rag or splinter should be given up, except to an
overwhelming force for the honor of the little vessel
was in her hall and rigging and in the flag she BORE
and, in comparison with this, the value of the prop
erty aboard her dross. Need l express
surprise that United States naval officer should
make so dishonorable proposition?
Finding that Commander Davis appeared to hest.
tate in the execution of what he had declared his
unalterable determination" endeavored to con-
vince him Of the gross wrong and injury he would
commit by the seizure of the Granada. endeavor-
ed to satisfy him he had no right to question the
flag of The schooner while she lay in the port Of San
Juan that whilst there she was in the territory of
Nicaragua, and subject only to the sovereignty of
that Republic; that it was unworthy of the United
States thus to rample the most sacred rights of
a sister State and that could not and would not
believe his government would sanction such viola
ton of international law. He replied he would weigh
what had said, and again on the subject;
but without any further conversation he gave writ
ten orders to his First Lieutenant to seize the Gran
ada by force. The order was executed. The First
Lieutenant boarded the Granada with small force.