New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-01-06

Com. Pauldings letter to the Navy Department, in
justification OF the seizure of Walker and his men
FLAGSHIP WABASH,
on Aspinwall, Dec. Is, 1871
Sir: Ny letter of the 18th inst. informed the De-
partment that had broken up the camp Of Gen.
Walker at Punts Arenas, disarmed his lawless fol-
lowers, and sent them to Norfolk in the Saratoga.
The General came here with me, and win take pas
sage In one Of the steamers for New York, where be
will present himself to the Marshal Of the District
The Department being in possession Of all the
facts in relation to Walkers escape with bis follow
from the United States as well the letters Of
Capt. Chatard and Walker to me after he landed at
Punta Arenas, the merits OF the whole question will,
presume, be fully comprehended
could not regard Walker and his followers in any
other light than outlaws who had escaped from the
vigilance OF the officers Of the Government, and left
shores for the purpose Of rspne and murder and
saw no other way to vindcate the law and redeem
the honor Of our country than by disarming and
sending them home.
Ia doing 50 am sensible OF the responsibility that
Ihsve incurred, and confidently look TO the Govern
ment for Justification
Regarded in its true light, the case appears to me
clear one the points few and strong.
Walker came to Point Arenas from the United
States, having in violation OF law, set foot mill
taTy organization to make war with people with
whom we are at peace He landed there with armed
men and munitions OF war in defiance Of the guns of
q shipOf-war placed there to prevent his landing.
With nothing to show that he acted by authority,
he formed camp, hosted the Nicaraguan flag, called
it the Headquarters of the army of Nicaragua, y
and signed himself the commander-inehief
With this pretention, be claimed the right OF q
lawful government all persons and things within
sght0f hisfiag. Without right authority he landed
fifty at the mouth Of the river Colorado, seized
the fort Of Castillo the San Juan, captured steam
and the goods of merchants in transit to the int
rior, killed men and made prisoners of the peaceful
inhabitants, sending to the harbor OF San Juan del
Norte some thirty or forty men, women and children
| in the steamer Morgan.
In doing these things without the show OF authority
they guilty Of rapine and murder, and must be
regarded as outlaws and pirates. They can have no
claim to be regarded in any other light.
Humanity, as well as law and justice and national
honor, demanded the dispersion OF these awless men
The remnant of the miserable beings who sur
rendered at Ryss were conveyed. in this ship last
| fresh in the memory OF all on board.
Besides the sufferings that would necessarily be in
| fiicted upon an innocent aud unoffending people
these lawless followers Of Gen. Walker, misguided
| and deceived into career of crime would doubtless
have persisted in Central America or their mutateG
and fostering bodies have been brought back to the
| friends at the expense Of their country.
For the above reasons, which appear to my mind
| quite sufficient, / have dsarmed and sent to the
United States Gen. VIM Walker and his outlawed anC
pratcal followers for trial or for whatever action the
Government In its wisdom may think proper Il
pursue.
Capt. 0mmanny, Of H. B. NJ. ship Brunswick, ;
| offered to cooperate with me in removing the party
from Point Arenas but, as they were my country
men, deemed it proper to decline the participation
Of foreign flag.
lam, air. vsTJ respectfully, your obedient servant,