, 1859-04-09
3@rc8a & Uribtt1tc.

SATURDAY, ApRIL ., 1859,

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A SPE0K OF WAR.
Western readers who have little direct con-
cern in the contest between the rival CONNER
clal interests which layo been struggling for
supremacy in Central America, have not paid
much attention to tue uows from TINT quarter.
They have passed over. with nothing more than
single glance, whatever the public Journals
have contained in reGercQce to commercial;
corporate or diplomatic jarrings in that cdln-
ny, content with the general idea that all the
steamship and other companies have only pri-
vate gain in view, and that the diplomatic ef-
forts for which they have created q necessity,
were nothing but commercial cheating on
national scale But affairs at last have become
so bellicose in tha. quarter, that plain
statement Of the nature, cause md extent os
the difficulty, through which war with Nicara~
qua is Threatened, will not be aniss.
A few years ago Nicaragua granted to the
American Transit Company certain rights and
franchises, in return for which that Company
undertook to establish line Of communication
across tic Continent, from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, by way Of the San Juan River and
Lake Nicaragua Tie line was opened and
has, at all times when the peace Of tllr country
was not interrupted, 1'een kept open for the
commerce Of The world. 1t is believed that
the Company bus discharged its obligations to
thc government by which their lators were
sanctioned, and that they arc still entitled TO
exercise all the powers and enjoy all the
iu,muuities conferred upon them. But
during the excitement growing out Of
the invasion Of Walker and his gang,
the reputation Of tile American Company
suffered by reason Of 4 supposed connection
with that robber and his crew. While it was
at tile lowest: Monsieur Belly, a French adven-
turcr, appeared in Nicaragua, and By skihul
manipulatious. won over Martinez, the Presl-
dent. to Ills yiews. Between tile two, influence
enough was brought to bear upon the Legisla-
turc to induce that body TO transfer ito Belly
til: rights and privileges previously accorded
to citizens Of the United States, though the
contract viii. the Transit Company was not
formally annu!led. Mons. Belly departed for
france. with his papers in his pocket; and a
few d2ys since, We chroniclcd lis return. at
TIT head If au expedition, prepared to CON-
,ncncc tic labor which lie had engaged to per-
form. About that time, a sloop-of-war, bear
ing tie United States flag, appeared off the
roast. and the frightened otlicinls, rnistaking
hcr fur n filli|,ustering craft, made lasto to
Seize The steamers belonging to the Company,
to prevent their cooperation with the men
whom it was supposed the sloop-oi.war would
laud. Tic vessels were given up, wien the
error was discovered; hut no step toward the
restoration Of tho rights Of which tho Compa-
ny are deprived, las been taken. Dispatches
setting forth these facts, were sent to Wash
iu.to'l, and Mr.. Buchanan having no scheme
on hand for the extension Of Slavery, set him.
self to work to secure for our citizens the pro-
lection which they have heretofore solicited III
rain. a lsearcr Of dispatches was seut of to
Mr.. Lamar, the American representative, who
is instructed to demand indemnity for the ont
RACES that have been committed and guar
antys against their repetition The
Gulf Squadron las lad orders tc
assemble as soon as possible al
SIN jun del Norte, OIL tic Atlantic coast
and Ill the vessels Of war in tic Atlantic are
Jpi aft N,tf
OIL the Pucific. Enlcss the demands Of OH
government arc complied with. tile towns
within range Of thc guns Of the two fleets vii
he seized and held until apology is offered AMI
restoration made. The representatives Of the
foreign powers, at Washington, have hccn, il
is stated, warned Of the Presidents intentio,
If Nicaragua shall refuse TO yield.
THUS the case staals rs it is presented tc
the American leor1. i'll the Presidents organ
We d. not know how much OF the statement
put forth in the Washington Sfar, from wl'icl
Ne e'.ldt,sse the above will bear scrutiny witt
view to ascertain the truth. Doubtless 1ha
relation IL made which is best calculated tt
Justify the Presidents action. Tue story j:
rk7m,t!. We may believe. knowing the sonrct
wiesur it comes But knowing other, ",
MUST accept it un,il lis relutat}on comes. u
lie i1lcatimc lot Us he thankful, if, unde
this meal there be no scheme Of the SLAYER,
Propaganda concealed, aud if the threat Of wa
for the defence Of the rights Of American citi
xclls he not a threat Of All outrage rpfl til
rights Of man!