Foreign Relations of the United States, 1894, Nicaragua (Mosquito Territory)

No. 76.
Mr. Braida to Mr. Uhl.

Consulate of the United States,
San Juan del Norte, July 18, 1894. (Received August 4.)

Sir: In addition to my dispatch of yesterday I have to report that Mr. H. F. Bingham called on me this morning, announcing to me his promotion as secretary of the legation and near departure for San Jose, Costa Rica. * * *

I learned:

(1) That the admiral, on his suggestion, had ordered the gunboat Mohawk to reinforce at Bluefields (she carries six guns and can enter the lagoon).

(2) That he had reports that the negroes at Corn Island had revolted, shooting down a few Nicaraguans, throwing down the flag of this Republic, and finally burning the house of the governor. I admitted to have heard so too, and even that the British flag had been hoisted, and that I think that this will raise an uproar in the United States; that I would like to make known as soon as possible to the United States Government what the standpoint of Her Britannic Majesty’s officials would be in regard to such outrages and revolution.

Mr. Bingham said that he could not believe in the hoisting of the British flag for the reason that there are people at Corn Island who ought to know better, to know that Corn Island belongs to Nicaragua.

The governor of this port grows every day more arbitrary, forcing foreigners into his military troop, which he compels to stay every night in the Government’s buildings. Having no cipher code, I requested Mr. Bingham, who called on me in this same affair last night, to forward a cipher telegram to the Hon. L. Baker, through the British consul at Granada in my name, asking for instructions.

Mr. Anderson, an Englishman, owner of a rich plantation on the Nicaraguan side of the San Juan River, bought a house, lumber, provisions, etc., in the United States and shipped everything to this free port, expecting to enter these goods free of duty according to the reciprocity treaty. Governor Rivas now forces him to pay 12 to 13 per cent duty for the Grey Town tax, he being 10 miles far from town. The feeling among the natives is almost more intensive than that of the foreigners against this local government, and everybody is convinced that this provoking attitude must lead, or even seems to be intended to lead, to trouble, and therefore I considered it my duty to report the danger of the situation.

The British and the German consuls did the same to their respective Governments.

I have, etc.,

S. C. Braida,
United States Consul.

[Inclosure in No. 76.]

Mr. Braida to Mr. Baker.

[Telegram.]

Local troops being organized by local authorities at this place. Local government at this place have demanded that foreign subjects be compelled to enter into forced military service in accordance with new constitution. Must citizens of the United States of America be compelled to enter into this forced military service at this place? Please send me instructions at once.