No. 134.
Mr. McAdoo
to Mr. Gresham.
Navy
Department,
Washington, December 21,
1894.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith extracts
from a letter received this day from Capt. G. W. Sumner, U. S. N.,
commanding the U. S. S. Columbia, and dated off
Kingston, Jamaica, December 11,
Very respectfully,
Wm. McAdoo,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 134.]
Captain Sumner to
Mr. Herbert.
U. S.
S. Columbia (First
Rate),
Kingston, Jamaica, West
Indies, December 11,
1894.
Sir: (1) Since completing my No. 74 yesterday I
have received the following information from the commanding officer of
H. M. S. Mohawk: She is being coaled preparatory
to leaving for Havana on Friday, next then to Bermuda to join the
squadron there, and where she is expected to arrive by the 27th inst. He
states that everything was perfectly quiet at Bluefields at time of his
departure. Most of the time since we left was spent at Port Limon,
making a run up to Bluefields about every fortnight and remaining there
two or three days. He was relieved by the Pelican
and left for this place on Friday last. Cabezas was still in charge of
affairs at Bluefields, with Weinberger as alcalde, or chief of the
municipality. He thinks there no longer exists any necessity for keeping
a man-of-war. in that vicinity, but that the consular representatives
would be fully capable of handling the situation while it remains as at
present. There was nothing to turn over to his relief, the Pelican, except the case of a family at Little
Com Island, which he had no time to conduct to a finish.
Cabezas promised him, however, that they would be allowed to return, and
that their property would be restored to them, but as most of the latter
was in live stock, the Nicaraguan soldiers had probably exterminated
them by this time. He succeeded in effecting thereturn of Conner
(English subject), whose property on Great Corn Island was in danger of
confiscation. There were a number of vague charges against this man, but
upon a close investigation Captain Stuart proved to his satisfaction
that none of these charges could be substantiated, or in fact had any
foundation, and he had no further trouble in getting permission for
Conner to return.
* * * * * * *
(6) Captain Stuart, of the Mohawk, has kindly
furnished me with a copy of a late “Decree of amnestyissued by Cabezas,
copy inclosed, marked A.
* * * * * * *
(10) I shall be ready for the trip to Bluefields, if so ordered, as soon
as we have finished coaling.
Very respectfully,
G. W. Sumner,
Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. S.
Columbia.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 134.]
Copy of decree of amnesty translated by Lieutenant
Pears, R. N.
Rigoberto Cabezas, intendente general of the Atlantic Coast:
Considering that since the organization of the municipal council and of
all the measures adopted by the Government of Nicaragua, it is possible
to concede, without prejudice to the public peace and to social
interests, an amnesty in favor of certain persons concerned in the
rebellion of the 5th and 6th of July last.
Considering that both the foreign citizens as well as the natives now
acknowledge without restriction the national authority and laws, and in
the desire of showing each day greater tokens of the sentiments of
elemency which the Government of Nicaragua harbors: By virtue of the
powers vested in me,
Decree,
- First. Pardon is granted to the following persons: Messrs. J. W.
Cuthbert, sr., Charles Patterson, S. A. Hodgson, Washington Glover,
Joseph Moody, A. Markland Taylor, Charles Lobner, W. Henry Brown,
Carl Ausburn, Ben Allen.
- Second. The grantees of this amnesty should present themselves on
their arrival at Bluefields before this intendencia, to sign an act,
promising to obey the laws and authorities of Nicaragua.
Given in the Government palace,
Bluefields, 22d December, 1894.
R. Cabezas.
