Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-07-25
MOBILE, July 10, 1858.
Editor Mobile Register:

Editor Mobile Register:
SIR: On returning to this city day or two ago,
read in your journal an extract from the Washing
ton Union, denying certain statements which it was
reported, had lately made in a speech delivered
at New Orleans The writer in the Union has been
msinformed to the fact of the speech said to have
been made by me at New Orleans; but as long ago
as the month of January last publicly made here
and since then elsewhere, statements which are
analogous in nature, though not entirely Identical
with those attributed to me by the Washington
! newspaper. As you suggest The propriety Of pub
fishing the evidence upon which these statements
we're made hope you will not deem me intrusive
if furnish you with the facts Of the case.
In the month of October last 1 was in New Or
leans preparing to return to Nicaragua. About the
middle Of the month Gen HenUiDgsen arrived from
Washington, and soon after We met he informed me
that he had important news to communicate. He
then proceeded to state that while in Washington
he had held several conversations with the Secreta
~ Of War; that in the of one of the interS
views the Secretary had informed him Of the de-
termination the part Of the President 10 arrest
the expedition to Nicaragua, adfng. at the same
time that the acquisition Of Cuba during his ad
ministraion was object dear to the heart Of Mr..
Buchanan. The Secretary further proceeded 10
say, according to Gen Henningsen's report that If
we would turn our attention 70 Mexico and enter
into the service of ComonfOrt we should have the
support of the U. S. Government; that while in
the Mexican service we might by some act, such
as tearing down the flag Of Spain, bring about
a war between Mexico and Spain, and Cuba
might then be seized by the former power
The Secretary, according to the report received,
informed Gen. Henningson that means would not be
lacking for such an enterprise and when pressed by
the General to state how the means would be had
he replied Il have gone the length of my tether;
before can say 1t will be necessary for me to
see a person above me-" In the next interview the
Secretary informed the General that he was not sus
INIT he
lily on the means being provided if the enterprise
were undertake. n. When Gen. Henningsen made
this communication to me was shocked at its nature
and remarked that the government could hardly be
in earnest He said that he had been authorized
to place before the character of the conversations
held with the Secretary of War, and to oommuui
cate them also to friend of the Nicaraguan cause
residing in New Orleans.
The foregoing are facts which have substantially
detailed in speeches made here and elsewhere. l
have been careful always to state the of my
information, and l need hardly say that l am firmly
convinced Of the truth and accuracy of the report
made to me by Gen Remington. l have ever
found the General TO be man not only of strict
truth and honor, but also careful in his of Ian
guage and particularly accurate 10 the reports ne
makes about public matters. In controversies of
such moment these l have narrated l would
rely on his statements implicitly If had heard
myself what passed between the Secretary and
himself
In a recent trial in New Orleans l endeavOred to
place these facts in the shape of legal evidence.
Gen. Henningsen was summoned by eas q witness
for this purpose But when the question was put
with the vie of eciting these facts, the District
Attorney Immediately objected, and the presiding
Justice ruled out the question without waiting TO
hearthe object Ihad in trying TO elicit the testimony
Permit me to add that have been driven to speak
of these matters by the course the government has
pursued towards me Not satisfied with taking from
me the rights and the properly held in Nicaragua
high Federal officers have attempted to deprive me
of my honor also The good name have inherited /
from my fathers has been the object Of attack by
those whose positions should have raised them above
the indulgence of personal abuse As the advocate |
Of a cause, l know that the consequences of the /
enterprise which l. an humble instrument in the /
hands Of a High Power, have inauguraied will be |
felt and appreciated when the names Of the most il
ustrous of my traduces shall have passed into Obscu
riIy, if not shame and ignominy. As man, even |
though had none of the charity (Which sufereth /
long and is kind would not so far stOop as to
cherish any feeling of personal enmity towards
those who, forgeful Of their stations, do not hest
tate to malgn me and my motives But when |
through high fuHcGonaries aim a blow at a /
mighty movement Justice to the cause have esN
such circumstances scorn the counsel Of those who
advise submission to wrong because the arms raised
to smite are strong and belong TO powers high IN .
authority; and Wo be to that individual that psO
pie with whom such slavish counsels prevail.
Your obdt serv't,
WILLIAM WALKER.