WALKER'S EXPEDITION ΤΟ NICARAGUA; A HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL AMERICAN WAR; AND THE SONORA AND KINNEY EXPEDITIONS, INCLUDING ALL THE RECENT DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE, TOGETHER WITH A NEW AND ACCURATE MAP OF CENTRAL AMERICA, Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by STRINGER AND TOWNSEND, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. n JONES & DENYSE, STEREOTYPERS AND ELECTROTYPERS, 183 William-Street. R CRAIGHEAD, PRINTER, PREFACE. It is designed to present, in this volume, an outline of the occurrences of the last two years in Nicaragua, rather than a complete history. The limited time that has been devoted to its preparation, which has obliged the author to throw together as many facts as possible in a given space of time, must be his apology for any want of arrangement, or carelessness of style that may be detected. The book has been written, published and put in circulation in twenty days. The facts, names and dates, however, which have been for some time prepared, may be depended on as correct. The columns of El Nicaraguense and the New York Herald have been liberally drawn upon for valuable information, which, in the rush of events in Nicaragua, could not have been procured from data previously collected. The author is under obligations to E. Gould Buffum, Esq., a brother editor of the Alta California newspaper of San Francisco, for assistance in compiling notes previous to the writing of the book. If it can aid in disabusing the public mind of the erroneous impressions in relation to Nicaragua and its American residents which have obtained from the unworthy efforts of our enemies, both here and in that country, the object of the author will have been attained. NEW YORK, June 11th, 1856. HISTORICAL RESUME OF NICARAGUA, Life of William Walker-His birth and Education-Arrival in California -His Versatility-Visit to Guaymas-The Lower California and Sonora Expedition-Proclamation of the Republic-Address to the People of the U. 8.-Battle of La Paz-Sailing of the Anita-Passage of the Colorada on Rafts-Terrible Sufferings-Return to San Diego-Sur- render and arrival at San Francisco-List of Killed and Wounded- Origin of the Nicaraguan Expedition-Negotiations with Castellon- Difficulties in San Francisco-Grand Coup de Main-Sailing of the Brig Vesta Cause of the Castellon and Chamorro Revolution-Pro- gress of Walker and his Companions-Arrival at Realejo-Departure for El Jigante-Battle of Rivas-Political Affairs-Occupation of San Juan del Sur-Battle of Virgin Bay-The Cholera-Death of Castel- lon-Taking of Granada-The New Government-The San Carlos and Virgin Bay Massacres Col. Wheeler's Recognition-Execution Recruiting in California-Extraordinary scenes in San Francisco Harbor -New York Recruiting-Granada-Execution of Patrick Jordan- Trial and execution of Don Ponciano Corral-Kinney's application to General Walker-List of the Army-Col. French as Nicaraguan Min- ister at Washington-The Marcy and French Correspondence-"The Northern Light Difficulties "-Recall of French and dismissal of |
