Mr. Merry to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States of America,
San José Costa Rica, July 7,
1900.
No. 446.]
Sir: I beg to inclose herewith excerpt from a
letter dated June 28, received from Acting Consular Agent D. W. Goodman,
at Bluefields, Nicaragua, relating to the censurable action of Judge
Roman in connection with the Bingham trust fund.
In accordance with advice in Department dispatch No. 292, dated December
15, 1899, I presumed that the case was being satisfactorily settled at
Washington. This, with the assurances of Messrs. Sanchez and Salcedo,
secretary and subsecretary of foreign affairs, personally given me at
Managua, that instructions had been sent Judge Roman to consent to the
repayment of the fund to the Bluefields merchants, appeared to me a
final and satisfactory conclusion. The unexpected action of Judge Roman
impresses me as a slight to the United States Government which deserves
severe censure. I had the honor in my No. 439, dated June 25, to call
the attention of the honorable Secretary to the recent letter of Her
Britannic Majestys’ Consul Bingham in connection herewith, and
respectfully beg reference thereto.
With assurances, etc.,
[Page 816]
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Goodman to
Mr. Merry.
Consular Agency of the United States of
America,
Bluefields
Nicaragua, June 28,
1900.
No. 446.]
Sir:
* * * * * * *
Some time ago, before I assumed the duties of this office, a suit was
brought by the Nicaraguan Government against the American merchants
in the court of Judge Roman of this place anent the Bingham fund.
Three weeks ago an officer of that court visited each merchant and
read to him a “sentence” to the effect that the court had decided
that they must pay the contested duties to the Nicaraguan Government
and all charges incurred in the suit. The merchants were asked to
sign an acceptance of this sentence, which they properly refused to
do. On being informed of the above facts by the merchants, I
immediately notified Mr. Sorsby and applied to Judge Roman for a
copy of the “sentence.” He politely promised it, but so far I have
been unable to get it, as each day that I call for it I am asked to
call to-morrow As far as the merchants know, no further action has
been taken in the matter.
* * * * * * *
Very respectfully, yours,
Duke W. Goodman,
Acting United States Consular
Agent.