Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-27
MITCHELLsvILLE, Nov. 1858.

: WASHINGTON. Nov. 2l-it appears that
Messrs J. Hessie and company, of Mobile,
made application to the collector of that port
for clearance of the bark Alice Painter,
with provisions and passengers for Greytown.
The cargo consisted of -four, pork, beef.
sugar. etc, and agricultural and mechanical
implements, with a few articles of house
hold goods. Between three and foIr hun
dred men, calling themselves emigrants, were
ready to embark. with view, it was stated,
of becoming resident citizens of Nicaragua.
The Collector learned from quarter not
liable to be misunderstood, that the persons
who proposed to emgrate by the vessel were
furnished with passports from Senior lrlssarri,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenlpo-
tertiary of Nicaragua.
The notice of the clearance OF the vessel
was given by Gen. Walker. From what can
he gathered on the subject, the Treasury
Department has no doubt that the persons
who have set on foot the enterprise, whatever
ii may he. are in part, If not entirely the
same as those who were concerned in the
equipment. loading, and clearance OF the
Fashion in the year 1857, (November,) at the
port of Mobile.
What subsequently TRANSFERRED was wholly
inconsistent with the truth of the represen-
tatons at that time made 10 the Collector.
AS arms and ammunition in large supplies
were landed with the cargo in Nicaragua, it
clearly appears that false manifcsts were
used to procu' the clearance Of the Fashion,
and il also appears that false papers in rela-
ton to Che character of the cargo, were pro-
duced to lull suspicion as to the true charac-
ter of the voyage.-Those facts carry with
them the irresistible conclusion, first, that
the expedition escaped by false and deceptive
proofs at the custom-hOuse, and second, that
il was in violation of the laws a military
expedition. set on foot in the United States
to be carried on from their territory and jur-
isdiction.
The persons who were active in prompting
the equipment, loading and clearance OF the
Fasion, are prominent in experimenting the
equipment. loading. and clearance of the
Alice Painter. The pretences which were
made use of to influence the clearance of the
one are the same those now presented to
obtaa clearance for the other.
1t is singular fact, there has appeared in
the newspapers a circular letter. as Identical
in its language with those of Gen. Walker.
Both of them invite emigrants to come to
Mobile. They speak of associations having
been formed in this country to colonise a
foreign State, without any concurrence or
sanction of the authorities of the State, or
any communication with them. When it is
known under what auspices these associations
have been formed, their design appears more
conspicuous.
The Secretary OF State, 1t appears, inquired
of Senior Irisarri whether he had given pass
ports 10 the emigrants, and found the fact to
he otherwise than believed by the Collector
of the port of Mobile. None such have been
issued under his authority or within his in
formation. II passports have been shown the
Collector, the fact furnishes another circum-
stance TO make him distrust the good faith OF
the applicants. In fact, il should be conclu-
sive on his action, without proper pass
ports il is admitted that the these persons
could not go to Nicaragua as peaceful emf
grants. If these persons were furnished with
written passports from the Nicaraguan Minis
ter. Ii would present an entirely different case,
and one in which the Collector would be Justi-
fed in granting a clearance.
For these RESPONSIBILITY set forth in the re-
ply to the Collector letter-he is directed to
withhold the clearance applied for.
1t is not intended by the instructions TO in
terfere with any lawful trade between Mobile
andithr port of San Juan de Nicaragua or any
other foreign port, or to prevent peaceful
emigrants from proceeding in good faith to
settle in Nicaragua, or any other foreign
country. And should any such case occur,
free from the circumstances surrounding
this one, clearances will be granted to such
vessels.
These illegal expeditions have already en-
barrassed the powers of the Government OF
the United States. They violate the laws OF
nations and the acts of Congress and tarnish
The national character. Nicaragua is entitled
to repose in the confident belief that we shall
faithfully execute the laws, and the United
States shall maintain relations of peace and
enmity with her government and people.