The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-02-10

territory. Certain il was that Nicaragua has
no actual or potential jurisdiction over It.
lf not ousted by Costa Rica she was at least
ousted BY Walker when he landed and took
possession Of the locality in question. Nica>
ragua being thus powerless at this point, It
was no assumption on the part of Commodore
Paulding to suppose her sovereignty waived
in behalf of those who landed as her friends
and allies. Secretary Thompson, in his in,
structions 10 Commodore Porter In 1928,
authorized that officer to enter the territories
Of the Spanish dominion in pursuit OF pirates,
on the ground that such pursuit, though
conducted upon the soil Of friendly Power,
could not be construed into an invasion ct its
sovereignty. Il was the act Of an ally. not of
an enemy.
In the present case. Nicaragua. through
her recognized Minister, had solicited an
interference at this very point for the pre-.
vention of Walkers descent. Commodore
Paulding, it is true. had no express instruc-
/ tons authorizing the arrest, but those OF
Lieuteant Amy seemed to cover the case.
For, ii he and Captain Chatard were expect
ed to turn back the expedition within the
port OF San Juan, it should be remembered
| that that port was no less within the jursdc-
! ton Of Nicaragua than the soil Of Punta Are
mas itself; aud hence Commodore Pauldng can
no more be said to have violated the jurisdlc-
tinn of Nicaragua in arresting Walker at that
place, than Captain Chatard would have done
By arresting him in the harbor, as waseypect I
ed at his hands. II any terror" had been
committed By Commodore Paulding, i Ger.
tainly was not /" grave" one, as the Pres
dent termed it. but was just such conduct as
might have been expected from bluff and
honest sailor, anxious to do his duty and To
protect the honor Of his country.
Commodore Paulding had done no whence
20 the people Of Nicaragua, but his conduct
throughout had been that Of the friend and
ally.
Our Government, in other days, Continued
Mr.. p has given much broader exIensi.n
to the doctrine nnw invoked in defence oi
Commodore Padding than is necessary 10
shield the conduct Of that officer. When, in
1885 and 1886. part Of the army OF the
United States vas advanced u Nacogdoches
then more than thirty miles beyond the Inn
It's Of the United States, Mr.. Forsyth, the
Secretary Of State at that date, justified .hi'
forward movement, in reply to letter Of Mr.
Gurastiza, the Mexican Minister, on til,
ground that it was designed, IN a spirit o.
amity, To cheek the approaches OF persons ~
tending to wage war against Mexico, and he
added that, in the performance Of such !
friendly " service" to that country, h. held
II lawful to pursue citizens Of the United
States into the heart of the Mexican terrific.
. ry." This was a broad declaration. and
would at least suffice TO show that Commodor,
Paulding was not the first to give LIBERIA
construction to the principle involved by hi'
arrest Of Walker on the soil Of Nicaragua.
Mr.. Pearce concluded his remarks by !
generous defence Of Captain Chatard from
The allegations brought against him, AID By
} few eloquent observations on the reciproca
duties Of citizens TO their Government ant
Of the Government to good citizens. Ill
! desired to see the Government ,igllant, bn
/ Jest and courteous in its foreign intercourse
! and he would have it magnanlmuus toward
/ feeble Powers. Especially did he expect !
! 10 crush with broad and heavy hand til
! turbulent spirits who rebel against the re
straints Of municipal and international law.