, 1858-12-17
The Presidents Proclamation Against
FiIibusterS.

The Presidents Proclamation Against
FillbuSteS.
Whereas, information has reached me
from sources which cannot disregard. that
certain persons, in violation Of the neutral
ity laws of the United States, are making
a third attempt to set on foot q military
expedition within their territory against
Nicaragua, foreign State with which they
are at peace.
In order to raise money for equipping
and maintaining this expedition, persons
connected therewith, as have reason to
believe, have issued and sold bonds and
other contracts pledging the public lands
Of Nicaragua and the Transit route through
its territory as a security for their redemp-
tion and fulfllment.
The hostile design Of this expedition is
rendered manifest by the fact that these
bonds and contracts can be Of no possible
value to their holders unless the present
government Of Nicaragua shall be over.
thrown by force.
Besides, the Envy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipoteniiary Of that govern
ment in the United States has issued a no
tice, in pursuance Of bis instructions, dated
the 9th instant, forbidding the citizens or
subjects Of any nation--except passengers
intending to proceed through Nicaragua
over the Transit ronte from ocean to ocean
Ito enter It's territory without regular
passport signed BY the proper Mihister or
Consul General Of the republic resident IN
the country from whence they shah have
departed Such persons, with this excep.
ton, win be stepped and compelled to re-
turn BY the same conveyance that took
them to the country.
From these circumstances the inference
is irresistible that persons engaged IN this
expedition win leave the United States
with hostile purposes against Nicaragua.
They cannot, under The gniso which they
have assumed, that they are peaceful MI.
grants, conceal their real Intentions. and
especially when they know 10 advance that
their landing will be resisted, and can only
be accomplished by an ogerpowefine force.
This expedient was successfully fcsorlcd 10
previous to the last expedition. and the
vessel 10 which those composing it we're con-.
veyed to Nicaragua obtained clearanca
from the Collector Of The port Of Mobile.
Although alter careful Examination no
arms or munitions Of war we're discovered
on board, yet when they arrived 10 NIcara.
qua they were found to be armed and
equipped, and immediately commenced hos.
tiities.. The leaders Of The former illegal
expeditions Of the same character have
openly expressed their intention to renew
hostilities against Nicaragua. One Of
them, who has already been twice expelled.
from Nicaragua, has invited through the
public newspapers American citizens to
emigrato to that republic, and has dcsigna.
ted Noble as the place Of rendezvous and
departure, and San Juan del Norlo as lho
port to which they IRE bound. This per-
son, who has renOuneed bis allegiance 10
the United States, and claims to be prcsi-
dent Of Nicaragua, has given notice to the
Collector Of the port Of Mobile ihat luo
or three hhndrod Of these emigranls win be
prepared to embark from that port about
the middle Of November.
For these and other good reasons, and
for the purpose Of saving American ciil-
zens who may have been honestly dlIuded
into the belief that they are about 10 pro-
ceed to Nicaragua as peaceful em'srauis.
if any such there be, from the disastrous
consequences 70 which they will be exposed.
i, james Buchanan, President Of The Uni
ted States, have thought il it 70 issue ibis.
my proclamation, enj0ining upon on officers
Of the government civil and mili,arg, 10
their respective spheres. to Be Tigllant ac-
tive and faithful in suppressing these i|ie-
gal enterprises, and IN carrying out iheir
standing instructions 70 that effect. and ex-
horting all good citizens, By their respect
for The laws and their regard Coz ihe peacs
and welfare Of the country, to aid the el-
forts Of the public aathofilel IN the dis
charge Of their duties
|. 10 testimony whereof ] have. herennlo
set my hand, and caused fhe seal Of iho
( United States to beaiixed to these presents.
Done at the City OF Washington this
/. lthirtieth day Of October, one thousand
eight hundred and hity-eighl, aud Of lho
. lIhdependeueo Of the United States lhg
d sighly-thiFd.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
! BY the President
LEWIS Cas-. Secretary q State.