New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-07
GEN. WALKER TO THE PRESIDENT.
WAsuIscroy Ian a 1853.

WAsHISGToS, Jan. q, lSJS.
SIR: On the 18th of June last had the honor to
address you q letter relating to the in which
emigrated from California to Nicaragua, the events
which followed my presence in Central America, ana
the unjust and illegal acts by which was forced for
time TO abandon my adopted country In that letter
stated facts which defy my enemies to conrovert;
and then hoped your Excellency would take steps
for the punishment Of the gTevOus 0fienses against
richt. Justice aud common law committed by United
States officers in the seizure of Nicaraguan vessel
in Ncaraguan port. Commander Davis has, how
ever gone unrebuked far a. am informed, for
his gross violation of international law and ot the Con-
st,uton of the United States. And it grieves Inc to
say that | am again obliged 10 approach you with Il
complaint against another and yet higher officer o the
United States navy.
In approaching YOU as q supplant for justice
know that il is necessary for me to remove erroneous
impressions which have been made on your mind con-
corning my conduct IN connection with Nicaraguan
affairs. Corrupt and malignant persons have sur
rounded your Excelleacy and poured into your ears
false stories concerning events in Central America.
And now to you, the President OF the lned States,
directly charge and stand ready TO prove what say,
that your officers of the Navy not only by iresponsl.
bic statements through the press, but aso IN official
communications, have misstated facts and fasihed
events. Feeling and believing a. do that you would
not willingly wrong any individual, no matter how
humble am satisfied that the summary Judgment
Won pass on my conduct in your Annual Message To
Congress is the result of incorrect information; and
trust and confidently expect that when the truth Is
placed before you your judgment Will acqult me OF
the grave charges brought a9hln-t me-
Permit me then, If you please, before L proceed 10
call YOUR attention to the conduct OF Commodore
Pauding to deny most unequivocally that have
ever been engaged at any time or IN any manner WIN
any unlawful expedition against Nicaragua. In
your Message to Congress You seem 10 imply that my
first departure from san Francisco was illegal; for you
saw "vhen it first rendered probable that an at.
tempt would be made to get up another unlawful
expedition against Nicaragua. With all Difference
| beg leave to repeat what said in previous letter
and to again inform YOU that left San Francisco IN
May, 1850, with the sanction and approval OF the
Federal officers of the port, and that the captain OF
the revenue cutter sen his sailors TO bend the sails
which carried us from California TO Central America
Allow me to suggest that the Government OF
the United States recognized and legalized the lnme
date results of the emigration from California In the
reception Ot Padre vigil a. Minister rom tue hePuo-
lie of Nicaragua
Not only was the first expedition, as ii has been
called to Nicaragua entirely lawful IN ITS origin but
all its consequences marked by strict adherence
TO law and Justice. Some hsve told you, know,
that arn man without faith and without mercy
but from the beginning to the end OF my career IN
Nicaragua challenge the world TO produce q single
violation of public fath-a single deviation from the
great principles of public right and public justice
On the contrary, the Americans in Nicaragua have
always maintained the faith and honor OF their race
in the ndt of falsehOod and reachery on the pan OF
their enemesn the face of countless hosts arrayed
against them no less than in the presence OF famine
and of pcstence. Our conduct in the midst of trials
and of dangers is sufficient answer to the epthets
which have been hurled against w. aud when the pas
sons and the preudces OF the present have died away
We calmly await the judgment OF posterity on our
conduct
but an officer of the United States Navy forced us
TO become exiles from Nicaragua; and let ME remind
YOU OF the fact that from the moment We touched our
natal soil We protested against the illegaty and In
Justice of the act and de ,aed intention to return
TO the land whence We had been wroDgfully brought
Everywhere before the functionaries of the GOvern
ment in the presence of assembled multitudes OF the
sovereign people we declared that no effort should
be unused in order to regain the nights wrested from
US BY frasd and illegabty. DO You suppose ina, II
we had been conscious of any violation % intended
violation of law would thus have proclaimed our
objects and intentonsl l. it the habit OF offenders
against public right or conspirators against Pubnc
Justice to herald their acts on the corners OF the
streets and publish their wrong-dongs In the market
place Would we have violated the public con-
science of this nation by calling on the people to as
regard their own enacted statutes No, Mr. fresi-
dent; let all your Distrct-Attorneys exhaust Their
energy and their ingenuity, let them attempt to wre,'
the law TO purposes for which II never was intended
they cannot make good the charges which nave
been made against Us. Once the Dstrict-Aitoney oil
the United States attempted to convict me OF breach
Of the neutrality laws, but Jury OF the County rem
dered verdict of not guilty almost without iea'
ing the box. Again, like effort would be cro"heu
with a like result.
After long effort and much patient endurance we al
length sailed from Mobile for San Juan de Nicaragua
ON the 18th day OF November last. The vessel on
which We sailed was regularly cleared by the Col.
eotor of the port, and special inspector was su'
aboard to examine the cargo and the passen2Sss'
Our rights too Nicaraguans were ackno"leusou'
for the Collector refused 10 clear the Fashlon' "tu
CAPTAIN Fayssoux commanding on the ground tia' ne
wa. not "A citizen of the United States. Wun Arosu-
~ egi,ler ard c.esreuct We supposed. "leu on'' On