New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-07-22


The Washington Union having aatiy e0ntFadicted E
certain statements reported to have been made By
General William Walker in a speech tie latter pub-
fishes the following letter touching The matter
MOBILE, July 10, 1858.
sIE On returning to this city day or two ago /
read in your journal extract from the Washington
Union, denying certain statements which, it re-
ported, had lately made In a speech delivered at
New Orleans. The writer 10 the Union has been mis-
informed to the fact Of the speech said to have
been made by me at New Orleans but as long ago /
as the month Of January last publicly made here
andsnce then elsewhere statements which are anaIo
gOus in nature, though not entirely Identical with
those attributed to me BY the Washington ueygspa-
per. As you suggest the propTety Of publishing the
evidence which these siatlnents we're made
hope you will not deem me intrusive Il furnish Jon
with the facts Of the case.
In the month of October last was in New Orleans
preparing 10 return to Nicaragua. About the middle
of the month Gen. Henningsen arrived from Wash
ingtOn and after we met he informed me that
he had important news to communicate. He then
proceeded to state that while in Washington he had
held several conversations with the Secretary OF War
that in the course Of one Of the interviews the Secre
tary had informed him Of the determination on the
] part Of the President 10 arrest the expedition to
Nicaragua adding, at the time, that the acqui-
aition OF Cuba during his administration an OBJ
iect dear to the heart of Mr.. Buchanan The 9ecFe-
try further proceeded to say according Gem Hen
nngseu's report, that if would turn attention
to Mexico and enter into the service Of ComonOft we
/ should have the support of the U. s. Government
that while IN the Mexican service we might by some
act, such as tearing down the flag of Spain, bring
about war between Mexico and Spain, and-Cuba
| might then be seized by the former power. The
Secretary, according to the report received inform
ed Gen. Henningsen that means would not be lacking
for such an enterprise, and when pressed BY the
General to state how the means could be had be re-
Piled a have gone the length Of my tether before
| can say more it will be necessary for me to see
person above me.p
In the next interview the Secretary informed the
General that be not authorized to 70 further but
that be might rely implicitly on the means being pro.
yided if the enterprise undertaken. When Gen.
Henningsen made this communication to me was
shocked at its nature and remarked that the Govern
ment could hardly be in earnest. He said that he
had been authorized to place before the character
of the conversations held with the Secretary of War
and to communicate them also to friend of the Mica
raguan cause residing in New Orleans.
The foregoing are facts which have substantial
ly detailed In speeches made here and elsewhere.
I have been careful always to state the source OF
my information, and need hardly say that am
firmly convinced Of the truth and accuracy Of the re-
port made to me by Gen. Henningsen. / have ever
found the General to be not only Of strict truth
and honor, but also careful in his use Of language
and particularly accurate in the reports he makes
about public matters In controversies Of such moment
as these l have narrated would rely on his state
ments as implicitly as if B. had heard myself what
had passed between the Secretary and himself.
In the recent trial in New Orleans endeayored to
place these facts in the shape of legal evidence
j General Henningsen was summoned by me as a wit
ness for this purpose. But when the question wat
put with the view of elictng these facts the District
: Attorney Immediately objected, and the presiding
: Justice ruled out the question without waiting tC
hear the object had in trying to eecit the testimony
Permit me to add that have been driven to SPEAK
of these matters by the course the Government has
pursued towards me. Not satisfied with taking from
me the rights and the property held in Nicaragua
high Federal officers have attempted to deprive me
of my honor also. The good name have inherited
from my fathers has been the object OF attack by those
whose positions should have raised them above the
indulgence of personal abuse. as the advocate of
cause know that the consequences of the enterprise
e which l. an humble instrument in the hands of {
/ Higher Power, have naugurated, viii be felt and ap
s. preCiated when the of the most illustrous
J my radueers shall have PASSED into obscury if no
o into shame and ignominy. AS a man, even though
had none Of the charity which suffereth long and
% kind would not so far stoop to cherish any feel
ing of personal enmy towards those who, forgetfu
Of their stations do not hesitate to maign me and m
n motives, But when through me high funetionare
4 aim blow at mighty movement, Justice to th
cause have espoused requires me TO repe the attack
Under such circumstances scon the counsel of thos
g who advise submission to wrong because tile arm
e raised to sme strong and belong to powers hg
in authority; and be- to that individual or to tina
II people with whom such slavsh counsels prevail
Your obedi servant, Wd WALKER.