Mr. Gresham to Mr. Baker.
The President is pained to learn, through reports of naval commander, that American citizens at Bluefields who, on invitation, visited the commissioner, were arbitrarily seized, denied permission to see families and friends, and forcibly taken to Managua to answer unknown charges, and that protests against this lawless proceeding have been ignored. Such arrest, besides violating treaty of 1887, is an ungenerous response to the friendly disposition recently manifested by this Government [Page 333] respecting the sovereignty of Nicaragua over the Mosquito territory. You will demand immediate open trial of the accused, with all guarantees of defense secured by treaty, and in default thereof their release.