Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1858-01-20
Message Of the President in Rela-
tion to the Arrest Of Gen. Walker.

In re+ppnes TO a call OF the Senate, Iii
President, on the TIL inst, transmitted Il
lasi body The correspondence in his posses
son in relation 70 he Iaie arrest of Gen. Wal
Der, and accompanied it with the following
MESSAGE.
q submitting 10 rhe Senate The papers "a
~htch they have called, / deem ii proper /,
make 4 few observations.
il capturing Gen. Walker and his com,
psnds after they had landed on the soil of Nj.
saragua, Commodore Paulding has, in N,
opinions committed a grave error. II is auitt
evident, however, from The comm quotations
herewith transmitted, that this was done from
pure and patriotic motives, and in the sincere
conviction That he was promoting the interests
and yindicating the honor Of his country. Ia
regatd TO Nicaragua, she has sustained no in-
Jury by the act of Com. Paulding.
This has enHred 10 her benefit, and relieved
her from dreadful invasion. She alone
B0nld have aHy right 10 compiain'o of the vio-
lation of her territory and it is quite certain
abe will never exercise This right. It unoues-
tiOHably does not iie in the mouth Of their III.
vaderst to complain ia her name that she has been
rescued BY Com. Paulding from their assaults.
The error of this gallant officer consists in
exceeding his Instructions, and landing his sail.
ors and marines 10 Nicaragua, whether with or
without her consent, for the purpose of mak
ing war upon any military force whatever,
which be might find in the country, no matter.
ron whence they came. This power certain.
y gid not belong to him. Obedience to law
ana conformity to instructions are the best
and safest guides for oil officers, civil and nils
Aaty, and when they transcend these limits
and Get upon their wi personal responsible
W evil consequences almost invariably follow.
Under these Circumstances, when Marshal
hyndeFs presented himself at the State Depart
ment on the Goth nit. with Gen. Walker in
custody, the Secretary informed him that the
Executive Department Of the Government did
net recognize Gen. Walker al d prisoner
tasE a lad no directions 70 give concerning
niin and that il is only through The action
2 we judiciary that he could be lawfully
use s1 custody, to answer any charges that
aiigas ee brought against him.
Y tnls Tar disappearing the conduct of
commodore Paulding, no Inference must be
aIaWn mat am less determined than / have
sfef eeen TO execute the neutrality laws of
w United States. THIS Ii MY imperative
aatYs and shall continue TO perform It by all
~ neans which the Constitution and the
avs nave placed in my power.
NJ opinion Of The value md Importance of
shese laws corresponds entirely with that ex-
pressed oy Nr. Monroe 10 his Message 10 Cons
gfess Of December q, 1879. That wise, pru-
GENT and patriotic statesman, saFs: : II is Of
we highest Importance to our national charae-
ans indispensable TO the morality Of our
sitlzens. that aii Violations &c ours neatraljty
snoHla be prevented. No door should Be- le6
sA .ef Nc evasion Of oar laws; no opporlue
Aaosaea 70 any who may Be disposed 10
.l1sntage Of Is To- compromise the
shsTssat or The honor Of the nation.n
"a stlnse % setting Oh foot Or providing
- @saas IoF & military expedition within he
@Asssa @tassA TO make war seaiast ! foreign