Mr. Gresham to Mr. Baker.

No. 169.]

Sir: Instructions were addressed to you on the 26th ultimo, at Bluefields, directing you to investigate the killing of William Wilson by the Nicaraguan acting governor of Rama on the 22d of March last, and to secure, if possible, the arrest and trial of his slayer.

Since then the report of Captain Watson, of the San Francisco, on the same subject, has been received, as also your dispatch of May 2, on the general situation at Bluefields, in which reference is made to the Wilson murder.

As it appears from your dispatch to be doubtful whether, in view of the irregularity of mail communications with Bluefields, you will have then received my instructions of the 26th ultimo, I send you a duplicate copy thereof.

Captain Watson’s report, and the evidence in the case, leave no doubt that Wilson was shot by the acting governor of Rama, Norberto Argüello, without provocation; that Noyles, one of his policemen, was accessory to the murder and was himself only prevented from actually dispatching Wilson by the snapping of his cartridge; that the dying man was most harshly treated by his unfeeling jailers; and that the promises of the superior agents of Nicaragua touching the arrest and punishment of the murderer have not been kept.

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Notwithstanding these specific orders stated to have been given by Señor Madriz to Governor Torres, of Rama, to arrest Argüello and hold him for trial, the governor has permitted the murderer to go at large. It is notorious and uncontradicted that Argüello has been at liberty in the town of Bluefields under circumstances which establish the culpability of Governor Torres in sheltering him from the consequences of his crime, and emphasize the indifference of the superior Nicaraguan agents to their plain duty in the matter. More than this, Governor Torres has replaced Argüello’s accomplice, Noyles, in active police service, he having been, as you report, promoted to the position of chief of police of the town of Rama.

The whole business is marked by such contempt for the most obvious dictates of justice, and such disregard of the simplest obligations of international duty, as to call for urgent and solemn protest on the part of this Government.

I am directed by the President to instruct you to demand that the Government of Nicaragua shall manifest its disapproval of the conduct of its officers in terms admitting of no misapprehension. You will ask that the culprit, Argüello, be brought to immediate trial, that his protector, Governor Torres, be dismissed from office, that the murderer’s accomplice, Noyles, be dealt with according to his deserts, and that besides the atonement so to be made by the Government of Nicaragua for the action of its agents in this case, it shall adopt such measures as will leave no doubt of its sincere purpose and ability to protect the lives and interests of the peaceable citizens of the United States dwelling in the reservation, and to punish crimes committed against them.

Captain Watson’s report shows that he fully understands his duty in the premises and is prepared to perform it. Your course in fulfillment of this instruction should make it clear that you, as well as Captain Watson, are obeying the instructions of this Government.

I am, etc.,

W. Q. Gresham.