No. 295.

Mr. G. N. Riotté to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor of laying before you inclosed copies, respectively translation of the following documents, viz:

1st. Inclosure A, letter from her Britannic Majesty’s chargé d’affaires in Central America, Mr. E. Corbet, of January 25th last, in answer to my communication, of December 28th ultimo, on the case of Mr. and Mrs. M. Glenton.

2d. Inclosure B, note to the Nicaraguan government, of January 29th * ultimo, on the action of the directors of the Panama Railroad Company against Captain T. A. Douglass.

3d. Inclosure C, reply thereto by the government, of February 5th, with translation.

4th. Inclosure D, letter of General A. T. A. Torbert, United States minister in San Salvador, of February 21st last, on the importance of establishing a naval station of the United States on Tigre Island, Bay of Fomeca.

5th. Inclosure E, my reply thereto, of February 26th last.

I will permit myself to submit a few remarks on the subject of these two last notes. As you perceive from my answer to General Torbert, I do fully agree with his view. I will not attempt to argue the strategical and topographical side of the question. To do full justice to that, my colleague is more competent authority than I; and besides, a mere glance at the map, showing that in thé long-stretched and every day in importance growing western coast of America south of San Francisco, our country is destitute of even a good harbor of her own, let alone a naval establishment or place of refuge, if only for cases of accidents or disasters, will at once powerfully advocate General Torbert’s plan. There is another consideration in its favor, namely, the fact that not one of these Spanish North American republics, little Costa Rica excepted, until now has been able to erect on their dangerous coasts a single light-house. The pecuniary considerations entering into the question, I must deem it out of my sphere. But there is an international and political consideration eminently sustaining the plan. It cannot be denied that these republics, however slowly, and impeded by their political convulsions, are growing in commercial importance at a par with the increasing commercial facilities between them and the marts of the [Page 503] world and the demand of the civilized world for their valuable productions. This tends to give a more and solid growth to their productive energies and to their attractive power upon foreigners and particularly Americans; but it not less contributes toward imparting them with an idea of their importance among nations.

* * * * * *

C. N. RIOTTÉ.

A.

Mr. Edwin Corbet to Mr. C. N. Riotté.

Sir: * * * * * * I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated 28th ultimo, which reached me by last mail, informing me of the steps you had taken to procure redress from the government of Nicaragua for Mr. M. Glenton, who had been compelled to contribute to a forced loan decreed by that government, and I beg to thank you for the trouble you have taken in his behalf.

As he has furnished me with no proofs of his nationality I cannot at once address the government of Nicaragua in support of his claim. If I receive satisfactory proof that he is entitled to the protection of her Majesty’s government, I shall at once demand the redress to which he will be entitled.

EDWIN CORBET.

This is a true copy.

C. N. RIOTTÉ.

B.

Mr. C. N. Riotté to Hon. Tomás Ayon.

Sir: * * * * * * * Toward end of the month of August last I received information that Captain Douglass, of the Panama Railroad Company’s steamer Guatemala, had compromised the neutrality of his company and of the flag under which its steamers sail, by carrying for and delivering to the agents of the so-called provisional government at Leon powder, lead, and caps. The information was of such trustworthy character that I did not hesitate, in vindication of my country’s flag and of the to me well-known perfectly neutral intentions of said company, to report the transaction to it. The company thereupon at once suspended Captain Douglass from office. The instruction of the case, ordered by the company, consumed some time, in part owing to the distances and in part to the fact that it was difficult to procure witnesses. On November 10th an inhabitant of this city made affidavit before me on what he, August 15th and next days, witnessed in the Bay of La Union and at Tempisque, which was communicated to the company. On the strength of that affidavit and gome additional proof the company, as I have been advised by a letter received the 25th instant, has dismissed from its service not alone Captain Douglass, but the purser of the steamer, Mr. E. Hansen, too. That letter states that although the case of Captain Douglass was not an entirely clear one, the company thought it well to make an example of him. Inasmuch as on different occasions during revolutionary movements within the Central American States, the good faith and strict neutrality of the Panama Railroad Company has been doubted, and even incriminations of the reverse have been advanced, I consider it proper to advise your government of this its recent action.

C. N. RIOTTÉ.

Hon. Tomás Ayon, &c., &c.

C.

[Translation.]

Hon. Tomas Ayon to Mr. C. N. Riotte.

Sir: * * * I received the note with which you addressed me under date of 29th ultimo, communicating to me that toward end of last August, (here follows [Page 504] a literal repetition of the contents of my note.) I laid your dispatch before the President of the republic, and was ordered to thank you for your good offices in the matter. The conduct of Captain Douglas, who, from the fact that he entered into independent contracts on new steamer lines, was considered to have left the company’s service, had indeed caused surprise, not alone in Nicaragua, but also in the neighboring republics, for his open participation, by carrying elements of war to the rebels, who were devastating the country. The government was engaged in collecting all proofs in the case, with a view to remonstrate against the conduct of the employés of the company, but the measure it has taken in order to prove its neutrality dispenses the government from taking further steps.

If, during the revolutionary movements in other republics, the good faith and strict neutrality of the Panama Railroad Company has been doubted, the government is ignorant of the causes. So far as regards Nicaragua, the conduct of Captain Douglas furnishes cause for just incriminations, which the company, by dismissing him from service, has dispensed.

TOMAS AYON.

The foregoing are true copies and translation.

C. N. RIOTTE.

D.

Mr. A. T. A. Torbert to Mr. C. N. Riotte.

Sir: * * * Will you unite with the rest of the ministers in Central America to press upon the home Government the importance of having a naval station in the Bay of Fonseca, on Tigre Island? We have no station between San Francisco and Panama, and the place I name is the best harbor between the two places, and convenient to all the republics; and for various natural reasons the presence of one of our ships of war is constantly needed in Central American waters. I think the best thing would be for the United States to get possession or control of Tigre Island.

I have written to Baxter by this mail. I was in Gautemala last week and had a talk with Mr. Hudson, and he will urge this point on the Government. Let me hear from you.

A. T. A. TORBERT.

E.

Mr. C. N. Riotte to Mr. A. T. A. Torbert.

Sir: * * * I have received your note of the 21st instant, and will not omit to call the attention of the Department of State to the important subject therein mentioned. During the last trying six months I seriously felt the absence of a national vessel, which I was unable to have sent here in spite of repeated requests on my part.

C. N. RIOTTE.

These are correct copies.

C. N. RIOTTE.