No. 94.
Mr. Guzman
to Mr. Gresham.
Washington, August 18, 1894.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your excellency’s appreciable communication of to-day’s date, the original of which I am about to send to my Government for its consideration.
The Nicaraguan authorities in Mosquitia informed my Government that several American citizens had taken part in the seditious movement which lately occurred in the city of Bluefields, and it is probable that this is what the minister of foreign relations referred to in his conversation with the Honorable Mr. Baker. Dr. Madriz is thoroughly acquainted with the affairs of the reserve, since he has studied them on the very theater of events, and being, as he is, an intelligent, upright, and judicious observer, I am sure that he will know how to estimate things at their just worth.
As for the expressions uttered, as Mr. Baker assures you, by the sub-secretary of foreign affairs of Nicaragua, Señor Don Roman Mayorga Rivas, I can do no less than believe that there has been in this incident some misunderstanding, since it appears to me from every point of view unlikely that an official of the rank and responsibility of Senor Mayorga should have expressed himself in such wise, the more so knowing the sentiments which animate the Government of Nicaragua, not only toward the American element of Mosquitia in general, but also with respect to those citizens of the United States who unfortunately took active part in the rebellion. I have already had the honor to bring to your excellency’s knowledge the reply which the President of Nicaragua made to the cablegram sent to him by Minister Barrios and myself on the 15th instant. Therein are palpably evidenced the friendly sentiments wherewith General Zelaya is animated with respect to the Government and people of the United States, such being a natural consequence of the repeated proofs of friendship and sympathy which Nicaragua has received at all times from this great nation.
As the representative of Nicaragua in this country, I can assure your excellency that the words attributed to Señor Mayorga liivas do not in any manner interpret the feelings of my Government relative to the American citizens residing in Mosquitia, since, far from the slightest prepossession against them existing, they have ever been regarded as an element useful to the development of that region, and have been treated with the greatest consideration, being offered without reserve the ample and proverbial hospitality which distinguishes the Nicaraguan people.
I would be grateful to your excellency if you would be pleased to bring what I have stated to the high knowledge of His Excellency the President of the United States, and I have, etc.,