Mr. Rousseau to Mr. Seward.
No. 7.]
Legation of the United States of
America at the Republic of Honduras,
Tegucigalpa, September 12, 1866.
Sir: On the eve of starting to Gracias, to
present my credentials to President Medina, I received a note from W. C.
Burchard, enclosing a copy of the official gazette published at
Comayagua, with translations of two articles which appear in the paper.
As the publication of these articles has created no inconsiderable
excitement here, I deem it proper to send them to you. I enclose
translations as furnished by Colonel Burchard, and also the newspaper
itself. I apprehend there is little or no foundation for what is
asserted; but from my knowledge of the condition and feelings of many
who were engaged in the late rebellion in the United States, such an
expedition is not, in my opinion, improbable.
Honduras is deluged with rain now every day, which renders communication
between the different departments very tedious and uncertain, and hence
the great length of time between the date of the letters and the time
the information reached here.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washing ton, D. C.
Mr. Burchard to Mr. Rousseau.
Consulate of the United States
of America at Comayagua and
Tegucigalpa,
September 11, 1866.
Sir: The government gazette of this
republic of the 18th of August, which has this day been received,
contains official communications from the “commandante” of Truxillo
and Omoa which have caused not a little uneasiness in this
community, as they speak of a new invasion of filibusters from the
United States.
I have the honor to remit you herewith a copy of the gazette and a
translation of the two communications referred to.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. C. BURCHARD, United States
Consul.
Hon. R. H. Rousseau,
United States Minister Resident,
Tegucigalpa.
[Translation from the official gazette.]
Consulate of the United States
of America at Comayagua and Tegucigalpa,
Truxillo,
July 11, 1866.
Sir: Day before yesterday information was
brought to this office by a person from the island of Bonaca that
one of the American vessels anchored at Ruatan is loaded with arms
and munitions of war, concealed underneath a small lot of lumber. It
is also asserted that two schooners, engaged in the fruit trade,
have sailed for New Orleans in search of adventurers, who are to be
armed on that island (Ruatan,) and from there undertake a
simultaneous expedition against the ports of Truxillo and Omoa.
This news is not entitled to absolute credit, considering the zeal,
fidelity, and honor of the governor of Ruatan; but as there are at
present in the United States a multitude of people without
employment and without fortune, who seek adventures to make up for
the losses sustained in the late rebellion, it is not unlikely that
such projects exist, and which will be carried out if found
practicable.
As our relations with the island of Ruatan are obstructed in
consequence of the small-pox which is prevailing in this city, I
have not been able to write directly to the governor upon this
subject, but have done so by way of Bonacca, but it is uncertain
whether my communication will reach him.
[Page 537]
It is advisable, therefore, that you address him and recommend him to
search the vessels anchored in those islands and find out the truth
with reference to the arms referred to.
The commandante of this port, General Alverado, left three days since
for La Criba with an escort of fifty men to make investigation
relative to an arrival of foreigners on some kays or islands called
Graciosas, where Walker arranged his expedition in the year
1860.
I communicate to you these details in order that you may make such
arrangements as may be necessary.
I am your attentive servant,
The Commander-in-Chief
of the port of Omoa.
Office of the Minister of
Foreign Relations of this Republic,
Gracias, July 26, 1866.
It is in
conformity with the original.
JOSÉ MARIA CIZNEROS.
The foregoing is a faithful translation from the
official gazette of August 18, 1866, No. 45.
WM. C. BURCHARD, United States
Consul.
[Translation from the official gazette of August 18, 1868.]
Consulate of the United States
of America at Comayagua and Tegucigalpa, Omoa,
July 15, 1866.
Sir: To-day at twelve o’clock I received
the despatch, a copy of which I have the honor herewith to remit, in
order that you may place it before his excellency the Lieutenant
General and President of the Republic, and inform him, at the same
time, that day after to-morrow, the 17th, I shall despatch the
packet schooner Colibri, under the command of Lieut. Colonel Pablo
Nuila, with fifty men and a piece of artillery, in order that in
conjunction with the governor (of Ruatan) and in conformity with my
instructions, he may find out if it is true or not relative to the
munitions of war on board the vessels anchored at Ruatan, as stated
in the enclosed despatch copy, and if found to be true, that they
(the munitions) be transferred to the Colibri, and that the
authorities of Ruatan, in conjunction with the commander Nuila,
declare them confiscated or a lawful prize, (cu comiso ò buena
presa,) as also the vessel which may have them in custody.
Be pleased, sir, to elevate the foregoing to the knowledge of his
excellency the Lieutenant General President, and believe me your
attentive servant,
The Minister of Finance and War
of the Supreme Government of
Honduras.
Office
of Foreign Affairs of the Republic,
Gracias,
July 26, 1866.
It is a
faithful copy.
JOSÉ MARIA CIZNEROS.
