No. 95.
Mr. Bayard
to Mr. Hall.
Washington, February 7, 1888.
Sir: I have received your No. 766 of the 11th ultimo. It appears that the Government of Guatemala in 1881 granted a concession to an association of Americans for the construction of a railway from Champerico to Retalhuleu; that the “Champerico and Northern Transportation Company of Guatemala “successfully carried out the provisions of the concession, article 2 of which stipulated that no person or enterprise should have power to construct a railroad at a less distance than 15 leagues on either side of the line, and that by lately granting another concession to Messrs. J. L. Buerron & Co. to construct and operate a railroad from Ocos to Quesaltenango, lying within the previous concessionary line, Guatemala, it is claimed, has violated its obligation of 1881. Accordingly, the Champerico Company has protested to the national Government against this infringement of their rights, and filed a copy of such protest with your legation.
To enable the Department to act in this matter, should they desire its future intervention in behalf of their rights, the Champerico Company should set forth their complaint in a memorial properly sworn to and supported by affidavits, in accordance with the provisions of the circular, several copies of which are herewith transmitted for your own and the company’s information, through its agent.
I am, etc.,