No. 32.
Mr. Baker
to Mr. Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Managua, April 10, 1894.
(Received May 15.)
Sir: Herewith I hand yon a copy of the agreement
entered into at Bluefields on the 19th of March for the temporary government
and the preservation of the peace of that place. The Spanish copy of this
agreement was furnished me by the foreign office of Nicaragua, and I
accompany it with an English translation.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
32.—Translation.]
Mr. Rivas to Mr.
Baker.
National
Palace,
Managua, April
2, 1894.
Mr. Minister: With the present communication I
have the honor to remit to Tour Excellency an authorized copy of the
telegram directed to His Excellency the President, by the commissioner
of the Mosquito Reserve, euunciating the basis stipulated with the
English consul for the provisional administration of the said
reserve.
I am, etc.,
[Page 48]
Basis for the provisional administration of the
reserve.
[Telegram.]
Deposited at San Juan del Norte at 6 p.m. of the 23d of April, 1894.
Received at the palace at 8.25 of the 30th.
Bluefields, March 22, 1894.
Mr. President: The 19th instant another
arrangement was concluded with the English consul by which all
differences will be repaired for the better organisation of the
provisional government of this municipality.
Basis for the provisional administration of the Mosquito
Reserve until the high contracting powers resolve the diplomatic
question that has been raised.
- First. There will be a civic municipality, composed of seven
members, of which two will be appointed by the commissioner, two by
the American consul, and one by the English consul, and another by
the Indians, and another by the creolos. The commissioner will be
the president of the council, and in case that those who shall be
appointed by the said members of the council do not proceed
forthwith to the appointment, the commissioner is at liberty to
select those that he may deem proper.
- Second. All the citizens of Bluefields, registered, of more than
21 years of age, will be jury liable for duty in criminal cases; and
of these same citizeus a list of fifty members will be drawn with
the object of forming a jury of appeal for civil cases. These fifty
members must be persons of property who know how to read and write,
and with residence of more than three years in the place. There will
be a justice of the peace to prepare the civil cases and bring them
to the knowledge of the jury.
- Third. Four of the seven members of the provisional council will
form a quorum.
- Fourth. The custom-house officer, the secretary of the provisional
council, and all the rest of the employees of the reserve will be
appointed by the commissioner.
- Fifth. The tariff and duties will be levied on the same footing as
the old tariff of the civic municipality. The product, or what may
be the same, the money collected, will be delivered to the
treasurer, who will pay the disbursement only on the order of the
commissioner; but the net product of the rents can only be used in
the proper expenses of the reserve or in the improving of the public
works, such as ways of communications, etc.
- Sixth. In the villages, and in behalf of the Indians, there will
be a judge elected by the same Indhins and he will be their
representative before the provisional council and before the
commissioner.
- Seventh. The police force will be appointed by the provisional
council. The chief of the police will be appointed by the same
council, subject to the approbation of the commissioner.
- Eight. The council will meet directly, and the police will be
organized within the twenty-four hours after the installation of the
provisional council.
- Ninth. When the commissioner does not deem it convenient to
preside, the council will appoint the person that shall replace
him.
C. A. Lacayo.
It is conformed. Managua, April 2. 1894. Seal of the foreign office.
Attested,