The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-04-01

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States sloop-oEwar Decatur appeared of San Juan del Sur,
and sent her boats ON shore for water. The sleepless
spies were ON the alert; and taking the Decatat for a
hilibuster craft, and the water boats Ca be filled with
armed invaders, the greasers hed 20 the bushes, thence to
the President, and reported the country already invaded
and Allied with armed men. Martinez bosom soolled
with patriotism, aud was almost wild with Che hope OF
enoounterine the enemy. Martial law Was declared, The
war trumpet sounded, forces were called out, and The
President, having placed the chair vi State ia otheE keep
ing, put himself at the head of the army. All the pornp
and parade OF glorious war was going on in a style TO be
seen and appreciated only in Nicaragua, when news came
that there were DO ~hllibusters at San Juan del sur--that
the ship was an American man of war.
" On the nth OF March an order on command, signed
by an official at Fort San Carlos, dated the 10th, was
served on Capt. Holton, Of the lake boat Cass- Yrisarri,
en- Immediately under the guns Of Fort San Carlos, TWEEN
ty-sevcn miles distant. An hour was given Holton to
reply |; and If at its expiration he refused to comply with
the order, himself and men were to be regarded as 'sas-
picious 10 the peace OF the republic
1.-The order was served on Holton by an officer Of the
Nioaraguan army, accompanied by armed soldiers. Upon
his protesting against such proceedings and refusing To
obey the order, the officer and soldiers took forcible pos
session of the Cass- Yrsarri and carried her to Fort San
Carlos Holton attempted. and asked permission to leave
the boat, but was forcibly detained until the 18th, when,
at the interposition of Mr.. Bills and Mr, Schlessinger,
the agents Of the company, he was set At liberty.
On the 18th a SIMILAR order was served on Captain
Carman, of the Cathadne Maria, lying at Castillo Rapids.
from the commander of Fort Castillo. He declined com
plying, anu the SAtldfiut malta was bCjn0Q Oy tho MICA
raguan officials. Carman hauled down the American flag
in token of q cumpulsary surrender. The commandante
then sent to the fort, got the NicSa aguan flag and hoisted
it on the Catharine Maria.
q In attempting to take her to Fort San Carlos she was
run on a rock at 1oro Rapids, whcrc she now lies high
and dry.
. So ends the Joe White Company.
t" In view of all this, Nicaragua has thrown open the
transit free TO the world. Read the following
"The Senate and Chamber Of the republic of Nicara.
qua decree
a. Art, 1. The transit route over the isthmus of Mica
ragua is free for all nations, consequently there is not
recognized or permitted over it a monopoly in favor Of
any person or company.
~ Art. 2. The Decentralization and transportation Of
troops, arms, and munitions of war cannot be permitted,
except in accordance with a treaty stipulation to that eff
"t Art. 3. The government will regulate the manner of
making the transit effective, consulting the security and
convenience ofthe republic.
".Art. a. The government will also, take upon itself
the imposition of a charge for transportation, moderate
and equal for all nations,
"'Art. 5. This decree shall not be construed in any
manner 30 as to be an obstacle to the opening of the in
teroceanic maritime canal.
Given at Nicaragua, in the hall of the Chamber of
Deputies, February rs, 1852"
"You will see the officials put the seizure of the boats
on the ground of an anticipated invasion, and the fear of
their falling into the hands of the invaders. On the other
hand, the American agents say that il is a gross invasion
of their rights, and seizure of the company's boats and
property to prevent the opening of the transit, and done
through English and French influence
The forts of Castillo and San Carlos are to be given up
to M. Belly and his men for their headquarters Three
treaties negotiated by Sir Gore Ouseley have been ratified.
The workshops and houses ON Punta Arenas belonging
to the Accessory Transit Company have heen swept away
by the sea. According to the Panama Star, it was the
government officers who took possession of
the American lake boats, which had been abandoned to
NJ. Belly. The same paper reports all the southern part
of Chill in the hands of the government. Talca had been
delivered up to the government without fighting, and the
general opinion was that in q month the country would
be as quiet as ever.