William Walker
American filibuster who repeatedly interfered in Central American affairs, until finally the Hondurans put him in front of a firing squad. Citizens of these countries today are far more aware of Walker than Americans are, his escapades in the realm of Manifest Destiny leaving a bad taste in the mouth that continues to this day.
Walker was a Freemason.
Timeline
| 8 May 1824 |
William Walker born, Tennessee. |
| 1838 |
Graduates, University of Nashville. |
| 1850 |
Moves to San Francisco, CA. |
| 16 Oct 1853 |
Leaves for Guaymas, Mexico. |
| Nov 1853 |
Proclaims a Republic of Lower California, in La Paz on the Gulf of California. Institutes Louisiana laws over the new "country." |
| 1853 |
Abolishes Republic of Lower California, in favor of Republic of Sonora, with capital Ensenada. |
| 8 May 1854 |
Surrenders to U.S. Authorities, primarily because of desertions. |
| 1854 |
Charged with violation of neutrality laws. Acquitted. |
| 3 May 1855 |
Sails for Nicaragua. Appoints himself President of Nicaragua. Revokes the license of Accessory Transit Co. (owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt) to ferry passengers overland between the two oceans, in favor of a new company owned by two of Vanderbilt's former employees. In response, Vanderbilt sends forces to Central America to overthrow Walker. |
| 1 Mar 1856 |
Costa Rica declares war on Walker's forces. |
| May 1857 |
Surrenders. Leaves Nicaragua. |
| Nov 1857 |
Arrives in Punta Arenas, Nicaragua. Commodore Pauling leads a U.S. anti-filibustering expedition to retrieve him, and brings Walker back to the United States. |
| 12 Sep 1860 |
Handed over by British authorities to the Hondurans. Tried by Honduran court martial, and executed by firing squad. |
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