Consul Moffat to the Secretary of State.

No. 159.]

Sir: I have the honor to communicate the following, which is the text of an order issued by the Provisional Government of Estrada, which was duly notified this office by Minister General Rivera:

Bluefields, Nicaragua, May 28, 1910.

Hon. Thomas P. Moffat,
American Consul.

Sir: To-day the following has been issued, which says literally:

The Provisional President of the Republic, considering—

That, having been notified of the bombardment of the Bluff, it is necessary to provide convenient means in order that the various interests that demand a customhouse may not suffer, the same being the case with Pearl Lagoon City, in the exercise of authority decrees:

  • Article 1. To transfer the customhouse from the Bluff to the office of revision in the city of Bluefields, designating “Schooner Key” as the point authorized for the entry of large and small vessels arriving from foreign and coastwise ports.
  • Art. 2. To absolutely prohibit the entrance at the Bluff of all classes of vessels, such being in contravention to law and subject to the penalties prescribed in the “ordinances of the customs and port.”
  • Art. 3. That the port of Pearl Lagoon City will remain closed from this date, there being no vessel from that port permitted to enter Bluefields without the consent of the minister general.

Given in Bluefields, May 26, 1910.

Juan J. Estrada.

I have, etc.,

Thomas P. Moffat.