Filibustering

Narciso Lopez 1849-51 in Cuba William Crittenden with 156 from South & Europe, but Webster's 1851 Calderon letter apologized

Jane Cazneau 1853 in Dominican Republic vs. Haiti for Marcy & Pierce, but unofficially McClellan's survey of Samana Bay for Navy

Pierre Soule 1854 in Madrid authorized by Democratic administration of Pierce and Marcy to offer $130 million for Cuba, but refused, Soule conspired with rebels, Black Warrior ship aiding rebels was seized, Ostend Manifesto sent from Belgium by Soule with John Mason in Paris and James Buchanan in London, but leaked to press and denounced by abolitionists and by House Whigs upset over Kansas Act, denied officially by William Marcy who recalled Soule.

Gov. John Quitman of Miss. planned invasion of Cuba, was friend of Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, supported by resolution of Sen. John Slidell of La. on May 1 to suspend neutrality laws, but backlash over Ostend Manifesto caused Pierce to enforce neutrality laws and invasion called off by 1855.

William Walker - "The little gray-eyed man of destiny" - from Tennessee, religious, educated, militant; influence of Young America Democrats, and George Brickley's KGC to carve out 25 new states; Sonora expedition 1853, trial and acquitted 1854; to Nicaragua for Liberal Party to bring "order" out of chaos; 58 "Immortals" land at Realejo 1855; Battles of Riva, Virgin Bay gained control of Transit route with Charles Morgan vs. Commodore Vanderbilt; took hostages, founded newspaper, supported by consul John Wheeler; gave free steamship passage, land to immigrants; Sharps rifle, Colt pistol, Bowie knife; execution of Coservative leader Ponciano Corral; Costa Rica army tries to intervene, but cholera; made himself president July 12, 1856; slavery, confiscation, arms from British Henningsen; siege of Granada Nov. 1856


revised 2/8/02 | Firebells | Civil War