Mr. Gresham to Mr. Baker.
Washington, October 1, 1894.
Sir: On the 22d ultimo the Department received from Dr. Guzman, the Nicaraguan minister at this capital, a note, a copy of which is inclosed for your information.1 You will observe the minister says that the two Americans, Wiltbank and Lampton, were expelled from Nicaragua because they took part, in July last, in the revolutionary movement at Bluefields, ignored the sovereignty of the Republic over Mosquito, and supported the so-called government of Robert Henry Clarence.
For many years this Government has steadily maintained that Mosquito belonged to Nicaragua, and was subject to its laws and authority; and if it be true, as asserted, that Wiltbank and Lampton participated in an insurrection having for its object the overthrow of that authority, this Government can not consistently challenge the right to expel them, provided it was exercised in a becoming manner and without undue harshness.
Under the treaty concluded between the United States and the Republic of Nicaragua in 1867, citizens of this country enjoy the right of residing and engaging in commercial or other business pursuits in Nicaragua, and even if Wiltbank and Lampton forfeited that right in the manner claimed, they were entitled, before being forcibly expelled, to a reasonable time to dispose of any business interests or possessions they had acquired there. This was denied them. On an invitation (friendly on its face) from the chief Nicaraguan official at Bluefields, they visited the public building at that place, and upon entering were arrested, upon no disclosed charge, not permitted to leave or communicate in any way with counsel or friends, taken to Managua, the capital, and there expelled from the country, notwithstanding your intervention in their behalf. I refrain from characterizing the means adopted to obtain the custody of these men.
While it is gratifying to receive the assurance of Nicaragua, through its minister here, that, on their written request, these Americans will be permitted to “return to Bluefields for a reasonable time, for the purpose of disposing of their property, should they hold any,” the President is unwilling, without further information, to accept that assurance as the full measure of justice due from Nicaragua. They deny participation in the insurrection, or that they have done anything which would justly deprive them of their rights as American citizens in Nicaragua, under the treaty of 1867. The Secretary of the Navy is informed by the commander of one of our war vessels, anchored off Bluefields, that they are on board his ship, and desire an immediate open trial, and if that be denied them, they be permitted to land and again engage in their interrupted business without further molestation. On receipt of this instruction you will, without delay, ascertain and report what, if any, foundation exists for the charges upon which these men were expelled, not omitting to obtain their own statements under oath.
I am, etc.,