No. 18.
Mr. Braixia
to Mr. Uhl.
San Juan del Norte, Bluefields , March 18, 1894 .
Sir: * * * The agreement between Consul H. F. Bingham and Commissioner Lacayo would have made Lacayo actually governor of the reserve, which would have placed the reservation under Spanish rule, which the Americans under no circumstances would desire to see. Our delegates leave within two days for Washington.
March 19, 1894.
The proposals heretofore submitted by Consul Bingham were resubmitted to-day. The Americans were asked to accept them on pain to have the police force withdrawn from the town to morrow morning. The Americans answered as follows, to wit:
The American residents of Mosquito have upon consultation, and with legal and consular advice, decided that under the present condition of affairs and existing circumstances they have no right to take part in the formation of a provisional government; that we would be placed in a position whereby we could be blamed for any wrongs committed, and in fact would not be responsible for same.
Inasmuch as Commissioner Lacayo is practically the dictator of the Government, we shall remain perfectly neutral and trust that such arrangements will be made as are not detrimental to our interests.
We are sending by first steamer a committee of Americans to Washington, D. C., to present the particulars of the situation to our home Government.
I have, etc.,
United States Consul.