Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-06
By James Buchanan,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
A PROCLAIM

BY James Buchanan,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
"A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas information has reached me from
sources which | cannot disregard that certain
persons, in violation of the neutrality laws OF
the United States, are making a third attempt
to set on foot a military expedition within
their territory against Nicaragua, foreign
State with which they are at peace. In Or
der to raise money for equipping and main
tanning this expedition, persons connected
Herewith, 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 redemption and fulfill
ment.
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 envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary of
that government in the United States has
issued notice IN Pursuance Of his lnstruc-
tons. dated on the 9th instant, forbidding
the citizens or subjects Of any nation except
passengers intending to proceed through
Nicaragua over the Transit route from
ocean to ocean to enter its territory without
a regular passport signed by the proper min
lister or consul-general Of the republic resi-
dent in the country from whence they shall
have departed. Such persons, with this ex-
ception, will be stopped and compelled to
return by the same conveyance that took
them to the country" From these circum-
stances the inference is irresistible that per-
sons engaged in this expedition will leave
the United States with hostile purposes
against Nicaragua. They cannot under the
guise which they have assumed that they
are peaceful emigrants conceal their real in
tentions, and especially when they know, in
advance, that their landing will he resisted,
and can only be accomplished by an over
towering force. This expedient was sue
cessfully resorted to previous to the last ex-
petition and the vessel in which those com
posing it were conveyed to Nicaragua, OBJ
tanned clearance from the collector of the
port Of Mobile. Although after careful
examination no arms or amunitions Of war
were discovered on board, yet when they ar
rived in Nicaragua they were found to be
armed and equipped and Immediately com
menced hostilities.
The leaders Of 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 in
vited through the public newspapers Amer
lean citizens to emigrate to that republic
and has designated Mobile as the place O
rendezvous and departure San j uan del Nortt
as the port to which they are bound. This
person, who has renowned his allegiance t.
the United States, and claims to be Presi
dent Of Nicaragua has given notice to thu
collector of the port of Mobile that two OF
three hundred Of these emigrants will b
prepared to embark from that port abou
the middle of November.
For these and other good reasons and fol
| the purpose Of saving American citizens wht
may have been honestly deluded into th'
belief that they are about to proceed to Mic
aragua as peaceful emigrapts if any sucl
there be, from the disastrous consequences
to which they will be exposed, I, jane
Buchanan, President of the United States
have thought it fit to issue this my procla
nation enjoining upon all officers Of tn
government, civil and military, in their re
spective spheres, to be vigilant, active, ane
faithful in suppressing these illegal enter
prises, and in carrying out their standing
instructions to that effect exhorting all gooe
citizens, by their respect for the laws anc
their regard for the peace and welfare O.
the country, to aid the efforts Of the public
authorities in the discharge Of their duties
In testimony whereof have hereunto Sc
my hand and caused the seal Of the United
States to be affixed to these presents.
Done at the city Of Washington, tn
H.. s. thirtieth day Of October, one thou
sand eight huhd1ed and ffty-eight
and Of the Independence Of the Uni
ted States the eighty-third.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Rv tho President.