Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-01-01
The Capture of Walkers Forces.

We give in full all The details Of the capture of Walk
ers army that have yet been received On the face of
it, without further explanations OF the statement of quail
flying circumstances we can only come to one concl-
sion, and that is that Commodore Paulding has acted
without warrant in the laws of nations the municipal
laws Of the Union the instructions given him by the
Executive Government of the United States. We can
not what right he had to land troops the soil of
country with which the United States is at peace and
fOrciby take therefrom any person persons can
not what jurisdiction he could claim over the soil of
Nicaragua. If Walker had violated any of the neutral
ity laws of the Union he might have been claimed from
any foreign Government in pursuance of treaty spuIa
tiOns if any such existed but surely the United States
claims no Jurisdiction over her expatrated citizens Sup
pose that Great Britain should land force down at Bald
Head to capture persons whom she claimed offending
subjects of her Government-what would we think p
What would we do or say?
There are only two suggestions upon which the
ton Of Commodore Paulding can be justified. Either
Walker and his men had been guilty of piracy and were
beyond the pale of the laws Of nations, they had
mtted such acts at GreyOwn constituted against
the United States and called for the intervention of the
forces of the Government placed there for the protection
of American interests 1t is not pretended that the
charge of piracy can be sustained There is nothing
shown to indicate state of war.
We await further developments. Perhaps satisfactory
reasons may be assigned in justification of the course of
Commodore Paulding If they are not assigned it will
be the duty of our government to punish Paudng and
replace Walker. 1t is always best to know all before
coming to positive conclusions By forming and ex-
pressing decided opinions in the absence of definite nfor
nation much injustice may be done and preudices may
be so strongly enlisted to be irremovable by
facts which would be perfectly satisfactory to cool and
unbiased Judgments 1t may be urged that we are
bound by treaty to protect the Transit Route and its
property, and that Intervention of the character which
has been used, demanded for this purpose At any
rate let us see farther That at least can do no harm
There be doubt but that great excitement exists
at the South with reference to this matter and that this
excitement is peculiarly intended in the States lying
the Gulf Of Mexico,
The following from the Journal of Commerce gives
all the official light that has yet been thrown on the
subject We have no hesitation in expressing opn-
ion that Commodore Pauldng had no right to execute
United States process foreign SOIL and that his
arrest Of Walker in the manner stated by him in his let
ter to the Marshall of the Southern District of New
York, was wholly illegal -
General Walker Us. Neao York.-The General arrived
here last night and presented himself to the U. S. Marshal
this morning, and handed to him the subOned documents
The Marshal has let him go large, parole and intends
to accompany him to Washington tomorrow.
.. S. FLAG SHIP WABASH,
Oft San Juan Del Norte, Dec. 18th, 1857.
SIR This will be handed to you by Gen. VIM. Walker
who has given his parole of honor that he will present.
1t to In person.
With the naval force of this squadron | arrested Gen
Walker in Puna Arenas the Sth instant for violation
of the neutrality laws of the United States he having set
foot in the United States unlawful military organization
to make people with whom at peace, and
the time Of his arrest at the head of said organization
in the act of making above stated.
As Marshal of the Southern District of New York
sign him to your custody.
am, sir, very respectfully, your ob'd,t serv't.
H. PAULDING,
Flag Officer commanding U. S. Home Squadron.
To ISAIAH RYNDERs Esq, T. S. Marshal of the Southern
District of New York
The option being given go the United States i'll
the Saratoga or take passage at from AS
pnwa to New York. have preferred to return by way
AsplnWa and will deliver this communication in tC
the Marshal for the Southern District of New York
WILLIAM WALKER.
u S. Frigate Wabash, of San Juan Del Norte Dec 18th
1857.
BG@As was to have been expected, the Department
of State refused to recognise the arrest of Gen. Walker
by Com. Paulding. On Tuesday evening Marshal Ryn
ders called upon Gen. Glass; at the State Department
having General Walker in custody, informing Genera
Cass of the circumstances already known to the public
The Secretary of State replied that the Executive De
parment of the Government did not recognise Genera