No. 95.
Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.
Livingston, in Guatemala ,
January 23, 1874. (Received February 20.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the government of President Arias has been overthrown, and he is now a prisoner.
The attack upon Comayagua was made on the 8th instant. After five days’ desultory skirmishing President Arias surrendered himself and his small garrison of about three hundred men to the commanding officer of the forces of Guatemala, Salvador, and of the provisional government of Señor Leiva. Ex-President Medina was liberated from the prison in which he has been kept in close confinement by President Arias for nearly two years.
The government of Leiva has no opposition now, and as it is the only one of any kind in Honduras, I propose to avail myself of the opportunity to present my letter of credence.
I hope this action may not be considered hasty, and may meet your approval.
My route will be via Omoa and Puerto Cabello, and thence across the state of Honduras to Comayagua. In order to obtain transportation it will be necessary for me to go to Belize, as there are no boats, except open dories or bungos, plying between this point and the ports of Honduras. Making due allowance for the necessary detentions, I cannot hope to be back in Guatemala before the 1st of March.
I have, &c.,