Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-01-05

Correspondence of the Nashville Daily Patriot.

i correspondence
WAsHINsros, Dec. 80, 1857.
| DEAR SIR:-fou will have learned that
Gen. Walker arrived here last night, iu charge
of Marshal Rynders, and was enthusiastically
cheered by large crowd on entering Browns
Hotel. where he took quarters. The popular
feeling is in warm sympathy with him. The
| general instructions under which Com. Panl-
ding acted, (Which have been pntlished,)
| merely authorized him to avail himself If 'all
| legitimate means" at his command to enforce
the neutrality laws; and did not justify his
| invading the territories of Nicaragua or Costa
Rica to capture Walker. Pauiding's report to
| the Secretary of the Navy, in " hch he details
| the Circumstances of the arrest, admits that
he is ''sensihe of the responsibility have (he
| has) incurred" in transcending the authority
| of the United States, and violating the laws
of nations and the provisions of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. But he seems to have felt that
Walker was an ''outlaw and pirate" and,
therefore, says he confidently looks to the
government for Justification" Gen. Walker
| and Marshal Rynders Immediately called on
the Secretary of State, when they were told
cognize Gen. Walker as prisoner, and that
it was only through the action of the judiciary
he could be lawfully held to answer any
charges that may be made against him. The
Cabinet are understood TO shrink from all re-
sponsibility for Pau'ding's action. Yet it is
apprehended that judicial proceedings may be
commenced against Gen alker. The prompt
and brilliant capture of Fort Castillo and the
river boats, has added lens Of thousands to
the enthusiasts in the flbuster cause; and my
opinion is, that this unauthorized capture of
Walker and his troops, will greatly facilitate
important aid to Col. Anderson, and Ultimate
ly secure Walkers permanent success in Cen
trail America. Stability, peace and quiet on
the transit routes between our Pacific and At
lantic possessions, are of vast importance to
American trade and interests. AS long As the
miserable natives are left to manage Central
American affairs these results cannot be had.
see no other means of securing them than
the secure ascendency of Walker and his gov
eminent there.
Gen. Walker claims to be citizen and the
President of Nicaragua. He was on Nicara-
gnan 'erritory, and had right to feel that he
was secure against the military or naval for
ces of the United States, the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty of 1850, expressly provides that ''neith-
err the United States nor Great Britain will ev-
er" occupy" ''or exercise any dominion over
Nicaragua, Costa Rics, the Mosquito Coast or
any part of Central America" This Com
modOfe Paulding knew, or ought to have
known. He will be recalled, and Lieut. Ell
gin sent ont and put in commend. This will
imply censure both upon the commanders of
the Wabash and Saratoga Com. Paulding
should, and presume will, be court martialed.
A sea captain, as long in the service as he
has been, who knows so little of The metes
and bounds of the authority of the United
States ought to be suspended from the service
as an example to others.