There is evidence that, after Walker's bid for U.S. recognition failed and his militia was ousted from the country, Appleton began to employ his ships in support of the Confederate states, at least in gun-running if not by allowing his ships to be used in the transport of slaves.
Following Walker's unsuccessful bid for U.S. recognition and the expulsion of his militia, Appleton started using his ships to aid the Confederacy, likely through supplying weapons or facilitating slave transport.