The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-11-10
A Proclamation by the President.

. WASHINGTON, Oct. 80.
Whereas, information has reached me
from persons, in violation Of the neutrality |
laws of the United States, are making
third attempt to set on foot military ex-
peditioh within their territory against Nj
caragua, foreign State, with which they
are at peace, and in order 20 raise money
for equipping and maintaining this expe-
dition, persons connected Herewith, as
have reason to believe, have issued and
sold bonds and other contract, plcdging
the public lands in Nicaragua the transit
route through its territory as security of
their redemption and fulfilment The
hostile design of this expedition is render
ed manifest by the fact that these bonds
and contracts can be of no possible value
to their holders unless the present Gov
-ernment of Nicaragua shall be overthrow
by force. Besides, the Envoy Extraordi-
nary aud Minister Plenipotentiary Of that
Government in the United States has is
sued notice in pursuance, of his instruc-
tons, dated the twenty-seventy inst, for
bidding the citizens or subjects of any na-
tion, except passengers intending to pro-
ceed to Nicaragua over the transit route
from ocean to ocean, to enter its terrific
ry without regular passports, and signed
by the proper Minister of Consul General
of the republic resident in the country
from whence they shall have departed; !
such persons, with the this exception, will
be stopped and compelled to return by the
same conveyance that took them to the
country. aa
From these circumstances the inference
is irresistible that persons engaged in this
expedition will leave the United States
with hostile purposes ngainst Nicaragua.
They cannot, under the guise which they
have assumed, that they are peaceful en-
igran:s, conceal their real intentions, and
when they know in advance that their
landing will be resisted, and can only be
| accomplished by an overpowering force.
This expedient was successfully resorted
tospreyious 70 the the last expedition,
and the vessels in which those composing
il were conveyed to Nicaragua obtained
a clearance from the Collector of the port
of Mobile, although, after careful exam
ination, no arms or munitions of war were
discovered cn board; yet when they arriv-
ed in Nicaragua they were found to be
armed and equipped, and Immediately
commenced shostilities. sr.i. T.t
The leaders of the former illegal expo
ditions were of the some character, and
have openly expressed their intention to
renew hostilities against Nicaragua. One
! of them, who has already been twice ex-
PEELED from Nicaragua, has invited thro'
/ the public newspapers, American citizens
1 to emigrate to that republic, and has de-
signated Mobile as the place of rendez-
yous and departure, and San Juan Del
Norte os the por to which they are bound
This person, who has renounced his ollie.
glance to the United States, and claims
to be President of Nicaragua has given
notice to Collector of the port of Mobile
that two or three hundred of these emf.
grants will be prepared to embark FROM
that port about the middle of Novem-
ber. IN e @ SIS guaaoE
For these and other good reasons, and
for the purpose of saving American citi
zens who may have been honestly deluded
into the belief that they are about to pro.
ceed to Nicaragua as peaceful emigrants
if any such there be, from the disastrous
consequences to which they will be ex
posed. !, James Buchanan, President o
the United States, have thought it ft to
issue this, my proclamation, eDjoining upor
all officers of the government, civil and
military, in their respective spheres, to ust
every means to use every means to sup
press these illegal enterprises; and, In car
rying out their standing instructions t.
that effect, exhortiug all good citizens. BY
their respect for the laws, and their regarf
for the peace aad welfare of the country
to aid the efforts of the public authoritie
: in the discharge of their duties.
In testimony Whereof have hereunt,
p set my hand, and caused the seal of th
y United States to be affixed to these pres
e ents; Done at tho City of Washington
this, the thirtieth day of October, 1858
and of the independence of the Unite,
!, States the eighty-third. Signed
= JAMES BUCHANAN
n By the President: LEWIS CAss, Sec'y G
State.
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