Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-04

The question whether Commodore Pauldlng
VAS correct in his action is some what new
and certIinly important, but we apPrehend
that the principles which apply to the case
are very simple. The distinction to be made
i very plain between the relations Of the
Government ID Walker, and the relations OF
the Government to Nicaragua.
If Walker is citizen of the United States,
as probably a large portion OF his lorce are
then there Is no doubt whatever ot too rlght
Of Commodore PauIding and the government
t. seize him.
The RIGHT is one which is inherent to the
relation of all citzeaS and subjects to their
Governments. he protection OF the gov
ernment follows the sui ject wherever he goes
II United States citizen is in trouble III the
heart of Europe, Asia or Africa, the power
of the government to protect extends u him,
and his claim on the government Is perfect.
II woaIi be an absurdity 10 suppose that
citizen il such circumstances has such rights
and claims, without having any cOrreSPon-
DIM duties. He is subject, and is in all
respects amenaUle To his own government; so
that, ii the permission 0! the power IN whose
territory he u.s. be obtained, there Is nothing
70 forbid the officers OF his own government
pursuing him u the remOtest part oil the
earth, arresting and Bringing him home.
The permission Of tle foreign government
is not necessary ~ between the subject and
his own government Ii is only an inter.
national right The principle may be stated
10 these broad terms, that government has
absolute right 10 arrest It's own subject wher-
ever it can fad him.
The invasion Of foreign territory Tor this
purpose is an offence to the foreign power, but
nyt an oisnce to the criminal arrested. lie
can take no advantage Of it. Once arrested,
il i none Jf bis business where be Is arrested.
His ONLY apueal for redress is to the govern
ment wuich has been invaded Walker,
therefore. il a citizen of the United States,
has no remedy in the present case. lie was
properly arrested.
But il is said that he claims u be q clti-
zen of Nicaragua and rs such he demands
I to be replaced 10 the position IN which he
was fouud If a citizen Of Nicaragua, his
claims mast come before the government In
an official way. Governments 60 not treat
with individual subjects OF foreign powers,
even though they are such distinguished nj
lbusters rs Mr. Walker. lie must 20 to the
Government vi which he is a subject, and
send his demand 10 the / uited States through
an official channel, when it can be treated
with some attention. !! will then be time =
ask who and what he and his force were,
and what ought to be regarded a. the proper
measure of damages. Ii his own govern
meat does not choose i urge his claim on
our government, then he IS without remedy.
Il il no offence to arrest foreign citizen on
foreign soil, unless the foreign government
chooses u prosecute the claim OF its subj ct.
Walker has always been willing Il claim
citizenship Of the United States when 1t
served his purpose, aud to throw it oil when
he felt 80 inclined. Whether citizen OF for
eign, he has disgracad our country in the
eyes OF the civilized world long enough
The present. administration has been strong
in its opposition 10 FliiUustcT!sm. Ii has
carried cut the pledges which Mr. Buchanan
mad. at thc outset of his presidency, and has
done more to put down th, sort OF piracy than
had been accomplished 10 eight years before.
Mr Buchanan well knows, from his personal
experience abroad, the disgrace which has
been brought upon our country in the eyes oil
Intelligent people 10 Europe by similar STRAIT
cal expeditions, and he has acted firmly and
decidedly 10 the matter. His instructions to
Commodore Padding were peremptory, and
that ylgiIant officer in carrying them out has
set his foot On the territory Of Nicaragua,
without the slightest danger Of giving offence
to that government He broke up nest Of
maraudeIS ana sent them to their own gov.
eminent Tor such treatment rs might be
dred e2pcIient and proper. We trust that
the government will commend the gallant o.
icer for this firm AMI admirable conduct-
IF he be not commended, If the government
disapprovas Of his course, q lasting faint Of
Glhbustcrism will attach to our government
itself. 1t will be impossible for an Amer
can to defend bis country in Europe. The
British commander present st the scene OF
Nalker's capture was willing to join in it,
and his report T. his own government will go
far 10 establish the character OF the present
Administrator abroad. But a disapprOyal
# Commodore PauldIug would 20 still fur
thcr b lower Its position, and 1t Will never
altCrwagd be possible to deny that our gov
eminent al lCa.t wluGs at the course OF the
fliibuslcrs.
We are 0! opinion that the government has
made mistake in dschargiDg Walker and
very serious mistake. 1t forger, or bur
giar, or murderer, had been seized On foreign
soil, and brought by force of arms to America,
it would be far from any ones thoughts to
discharge him because he vas wrongly arrest
ed. Once here, be should be held for trial
TOR his crime, and the question Of his illegal
arrest would relate to bis captUTs. So in this
case, ii the instructions 20 repeatedly and
strongly issued to all government officials
mean anything. and ii the Administration
wshc, to be understood rs acting seriously 10
the matter, they should have seut Walker to
some Court for trial instead Of declaring to
the world 1--WE have nothing to do with him.
IL is possible that the course OF the Govern
mcni may be explained by saying that when
the New York Marshal brought Walker to
Washington, he had no warrant to hold him,
and the Government had no authority to give
The Marshal a warrant. Ia reply to this 1t
seems t. us that when a notorious offender,
escaped from Justice by FORGETTING his bail
bond in New Orleans, and for whose escape
District Attorney is said to have been DIS
missed, is brought to the government at
Washington, they should cause instant COM
plant AMI process to be issued against him,
aud send lin to NV York, the port of bis
arrival, or New Orleans the port Ot escape,
for proper trial.
Toey are 10 danger Of presenting the vC-
PC .lrpftry u