Cornelius Vanderbilt: A Hero

Cornelius Vanderbilt was one of the wealthiest men in history. Since 1849, his company had controlled transit lanes across Nicaragua. But once he took power, the American filibuster had revoked Vanderbilt's company charter and stolen all of its boats. In December of 1856, Sylvanas Spencer led 120 Costa Rican soldiers on a canoe rate of the port of Greytown, Nicaragua. They met with President Mora and 800 more troops there, now armed with guns comparable to those provided by Vanderbilt. The situation degenerated until, on May 1st, 1857, Walker surrendered to the US Navy and was taken back to New Orleans. An impromptu parade carried him to a fine hotel where he delivered