[Translation.]

Mr. Molina to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit to your excellency the annexed copy of the decree issued by the government of Nicaragua on the 11th of September last, establishing a system of passports and the rules to be observed by the agents of the republic in granting them, with respect to foreigners who have not previously settled therein, who may wish to go to the interior or to reside in its territory.

I avail myself of the opportunity to reiterate the assurances of distinguished consideration with which I am your excellency’s very obedient servant.

LUIS MOLINA.

His Excellency William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States.

[Translation.]

Mr. Minister: The president of the republic to its inhabitants: Considering the necessity of putting the republic on its guard against the inconveniencies and dangers which in all time, and especially under present circumstances, may happen to it from emigration from abroad without the precautions which are observed by civilized nations in similar cases, in the use of his extraordinary powers in the department of police decrees:

Art. 1. From and after the last day of November next the commanders of ports and prefects of the frontiers of Nicaragua shall not permit any foreign persons who have not previously settled in the republic to go into the interior, unless they present a passport from the respective ministers or consuls thereof at the ports or places of their departure, in which passport is to be given the name and surname of the person in whose favor it is issued, his profession or trade, the purpose for which they come and their nationality, the signature of the minister or consul and the seal of the republic.

Art. 2. The ministers or consuls of the republic, in issuing these passports, will observe the following rules: 1st. The treaties of Nicaragua with any nations, and reciprocal privileges to the respective subjects or citizens. 2d. That they who solicit the passport are not discharged criminals, and that if they have no money they are not, on the other hand, beggars, or sick or crippled persons, who come to rely on public charity, and that neither are they men without profession or trade, vagabonds, or persons badly provided for. 3d. That neither are they freed negroes or other degraded caste of people, unless they have a [Page 907] special permission for themselves or on account of others to go into the interior. 4th. That in case of coming with a design to colonize, they must have permission from the government, ratified by the chambers, and must in nowise be under the protection of another government.

Art. 3. In order that this decree may reach the knowledge of all persons who may be interested in it, the ministers of this republic at foreign courts, to whom it will be immediately communicated, shall make it known to those of the respective nations and shall procure its publication in the principal newspapers, communicating it to the consuls of the republic, and appointing them at places where there are none and where they may deem them necessary.

Art. 4. With the same object, the list of our consuls abroad and of those who may be newly appointed, shall be communicated to the commanders of our ports and to the prefects on the frontiers.

Art. 5. Central Americans and Spanish Americans only will be permitted to go to the interior on a passport of the respective port or frontier authorities, which will be issued in the same form and under rules 1st and 2d of art. 2.

Art. 6. Notwithstanding all that is hereinbefore provided, persons who go into the interior of the territory of the republic by evading the foregoing provisions or by practicing deception in regard to their place of departure, nationality, profession, trade, or purpose for which they come, will be liable to be sent out of the country at their own cost and to other proceedings to which their acts may have given rise; to which intent the authorities of the frontiers who may give or issue passports will make a list, setting down the circumstances that the passports ought to contain; which list they will transmit at the first opportunity to the ministry of the interior, and said ministry will cause it to be published in the official newspaper for the knowledge of the local authorities.

Art. 7. When the transit from one ocean to another is open, nothing of what is hereinbefore provided shall include passengers, but only those persons who come to go into the interior or to reside in the republic, and the company cannot leave them on our territory except upon those conditions, but must carry them away in the same vessels which brought them.

Given at Managua, on the 11th of September, 1862.

THOMAS MARTINEZ.

And I communicate it to your excellency for your knowledge and for fulfilment so far as your excellency is concerned, the honor befalling me of subscribing myself your excellency’s obedient servant.

PEDRO ZELEDON.

His Excellency Señor Don Luis Molina, Minister Plenipotentiary of Nicaragua, &c., &c., &c.