Mr. Baker to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Managua, April 10, 1894.
(Received May 15.)
Sir: Herewith I hand you 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.—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 your excellency an authorized copy of the
telegram directed to His Excellency the President by the commissioner of
the Mosquito Reserve, enunciating the basis stipulated with the English
consul for the provisional administration of the said reserve.
I am, etc.,
[Page 270]
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 organization 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 Creoles. 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 citizens 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 Indians 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.
- Eighth. 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 confirmed. Managua, April 2, 1894. Seal of the foreign office.
Attested.
