Mr. Guzmán to Mr. Gresham.

[Translation.]

Sir: As I had the honor yesterday verbally to inform your excellency that I would do, I now send you two documents which go to show that my Government has acted with the utmost rectitude and good faith in the case of the murder of the American citizen, Wilson, which is so much to be deplored. All possible efforts have been and will continue to be made in order to capture the offender, for, as I have repeatedly assured your excellency, my Government earnestly desires to prevent so heinous a crime from going unpunished.

I reiterate, etc.,

H. Guzman.
[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]

Mr. Madriz to the American Consul.

Honorable Sir: I have the honor to transcribe to you a communication which I have this day addressed to the inspector-general of the Atlantic coast:

While you are at Rama, engaged in the performance of the duty which I this morning had the honor to assign to you, I wish you to devote special attention to securing the arrest and imprisonment of the criminal Norberto Argüello, who murdered the American, Mr. Wilson. This is urgently required by justice and by the necessity of giving a warning to others who may be criminally disposed. I trust that you will spare no pains to attain this end.

[Page 477]

In bringing the foregoing to your notice, I take pleasure in further stating that I have sent a telegram, via San Juan del Norte, to the minister of justice, requesting him to communicate with the judicial authorities of all places in the interior where the aforesaid criminal may be arrested, and that I have sent a circular note to the governors of San Juan del Norte, Rio Grande, Prinzapolka, and the district of Cape Gracias à Dios.

With all consideration, etc.,

José Madriz.
[Inclosure 2.]

Mr. Madriz to the Governor and Intendent of San Juan del Norte.

Sir: Norberto Argüello, who killed an American citizen, has escaped from the jail at Rama. If he comes to San Juan del Norte arrest him and send him under a strong guard to the governor (of Pol.) of the district of Siquia, who is the proper magistrate to take cognizance of his case.

Your obedient servant,

J. Madriz.
[Inclosure 3.—Translation.]

Mr. Cabezas to the Governor of Bocas del Toro.

Sir: I have learned that Norberto Argüello, who has committed the crime of murder, is at Bocas del Toro. This criminal made his escape from the jail here on the 9th ultimo, and the aggravating circumstance in the case is that this is his second offense, he having previously escaped from the jail at Rama. Argüello killed an American citizen named William Wilson, and, owing to the fact that the murdered man was a foreigner, the act has given rise to a difficulty with the American Republic. In view of the cordial relations existing between the Government of Columbia and that of Nicaragua, and of the fraternal bonds which have united the two nations, I have thought that a request from me would be favorably received by you, especially since public justice has been doubly outraged by the criminal, and since the credit of the Nicaraguan authorities may be said to be at stake, inasmuch as they are charged, although unjustly, with partiality in this matter.

I beg you, in virtue of the foregoing, to be pleased to issue orders for the arrest of the aforesaid Argüello, and to place him in secure custody until the minister of foreign affairs can present a formal demand for his extradition.

Offering you reciprocity in similar cases, I have the pleasure, etc.,

R. Cabezas, Commissioner.