Mr. Baker to Mr. Gresham.

No. 506.]

Sir: I have just received from the Government of Nicaragua the inclosed telegraphic message in regard to the trouble of that Government with Great Britain. I hand you both the original and the translation, notwithstanding that Government has doubtless forwarded the same to you through Minister Guzman. I simply acknowledged the receipt of the message by wire.

I have, etc.,

Lewis Baker.
[Inclosure in No. 506—Telegram—Translation.]

Mr. Matus to Mr. Baker.

On February 26 our minister at London was notified of the ultimatum of Great Britain concerning the expulsion from Nicaragua of certain English subjects who took part in the rebellion of the Jamaicans, which broke out at Bluefields last year. The ultimatum contains three points: First, payment of £15,500 for the arrest, imprisonment, and expulsion of British subjects; second, unconditional revocation of the decree by which that action was taken; third, payment of indemnities to private subjects which may be accorded to the said subjects by a mixed commission.

The period fixed for the compliance with the ultimatum was seven weeks, counting from February 26, a period scarcely sufficient for it to come to the knowledge of my Government, from which a reply by cable was demanded.

Nicaragua replied that there was no occasion for the revocation of the decree of expulsion, as all the persons guilty of taking part in the Mosquito rebellion had been pardoned, and that, so far as related to the right to an indemnity, it proposed that it be submitted to the arbitration of an impartial nation. England did not accept arbitration, and insisted on her demand. Nicaragua then asked her to await instructions to her (the Nicaraguan) minister at London, giving assurances that an amicable arrangement would be reached. She was as little disposed to listen to her voice. Since then three English war ships have arrived in our waters to forcibly demand immediate compliance with the ultimatum, at a time when Nicaragua, the victim of three revolutions, has exhausted her treasury and is making efforts to recover in order to meet numerous prior engagements.

England has denied to Nicaragua the right inherent in her sovereignty of expelling dangerous foreigners guilty of the crime of armed rebellion, and has closed all discussion. A friendly voice endeavoring to reach a harmonious conclusion has not been listened to, and appeal has been made to the menace of superior force as a last argument.

Under such circumstances no other recourse remains for this weak country than to protest in the presence of civilized nations, and it becomes the duty of my Government, the friend of that represented by your excellency, to make known the facts stated as sole evidence before the tribunal of national conscience.

With all consideration, I am, etc.,

M. C. Matus.
[Page 1032]

Admiral Stephenson to the Nicaraguan Government.

I have received instructions from Her Majesty’s Government to hand you the accompanying dispatch from Lord Kimberley, Her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, and I have the honor to present to your excellency Commander Stokes, of H. M. S. Royal Arthur, who is the bearer of the dispatch, together with a letter and a proclamation from me. I have the honor to inform your excellency that unless I receive a reply within three days’ date containing the full compliance of the Nicaraguan Government with the demands contained in Lord Kimberley’s dispatch, or in the event of an answer being received within the time fixed, if that answer should be unsatisfactory, I shall at once land an armed force and take military possession of Corinto by occupying the custom-house and other Government buildings, and appointing Capt. Frederick Percival Trench governor of the port. The lives, private property, and trade of all foreigners will be respected, but, in the event of any resistance or disturbance arising, I shall use the force at my disposal to maintain order. A copy of the accompanying proclamation will be issued to each official in Cocrino, both Nicaraguan and foreign, on my taking possession of the place.

proclamation.

Whereas the Nicaraguan Government having unlawfully seized the persons of Her Britannic Majesty’s vice-consul at Bluefields, together with some twenty British subjects, and has either confined them in the town of Managua or expelled them from Nicaraguan territory, I have in consequence received orders from Her Majesty’s Government to occupy Corinto, and to seize all vessels carrying the Nicaraguan flag, and to hold the same until such time as the Nicaraguan Government shall have complied with the demands of the British Government. Be it known that during the occupation of Corinto the lives, property, and trade of all will be respected, and the force now landed will occupy only the Government buildings. In the event, however, of any resistance or disturbance arising, I shall be compelled to use the means at my disposal to maintain order. I have constituted Capt. Frederick Percival Trench, of H. M. S. Royal Arthur, governor of the port.

H. L. Stephenson, Rear-Admiral.