Mr. Guzman to Mr.
Gresham.
[Translation.]
Nicaraguan
Legation,
Washington, December 28,
1894.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit/to your
excellency a copy of the resolution passed November 20, last, by the
Mosquitia convention, composed of delegates from all the native tribes of
the region called the Reserve, and which from the present date will be known
by the name of “Department Zelaya.”
As your excellency will observe, the convention resolved, freely and
spontaneously, the absolute incorporation of that territory in the Republic
of Nicaragua, recognizing the constitution of that Republic in a decisive
and formal manner, in doing which they did no more than carry out the
provisions of article 4 of the treaty of January, 1860, between Nicaragua
and Great Britain, generally known under the name
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of the “treaty of Managua,” in which it was provided,
as was proper, that nothing should prevent, at any future time, the Mosquito
Indians from carrying out the aforesaid incorporation and becoming subject
to the laws and general regulations of the Republic, in place of being
governed by their own customs and laws.
This decision of the Mosquito delegates puts an end to the difficulties which
existed in that portion of the Nicaraguan territory, and at the same time
renders impossible, in future, any attempt to ignore the recognition of the
absolute sovereignty of Nicaragua over the region formerly called
“Mosquitia,” seeing that, in view of the resolutions of the natives
themselves, no pretext at all can be found for such a procedure.
I take pleasure in assuring your excellency that Nicaragua highly appreciates
the kind and opportune action of the Government of the United States during
the difficulties to which I have referred, and that she recognizes how
powerfully that action has contributed to the happy and final settlement of
the question.
On my own part, I desire to render to your excellency personally my most
sincere thanks for the friendly interest which you have always been pleased
to show me in the said matter, thus contributing in an efficient manner to
bring the affair to a satisfactory conclusion.
With all consideration, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
The Mosquito convention.
Whereas the change which took place on the 12th of February of the
present year was due to the efforts of the Nicaraguan authorities to
endeavor to free us from the slavery in which we were;
Whereas we have agreed wholly to submit to the laws and authorities of
Nicaragua for the purpose of forming part of their political and
administrative organization;
Whereas the lack of a respectable and legitimate government is always the
cause of calamity to a people, in which condition we have been for so
long a time;
Whereas one of the reasons of the backward condition in which we live
doubtless was the improper use of the revenues of the Mosquito
territory, which were employed for purposes which had nothing to do with
good administrative order;
Whereas although the constitution of Nicaragua provides for all the
necessities and aspirations of a free people, we, nevertheless, desire
to retain special privileges in accord with our customs and our racial
disposition.
In virtue of all the foregoing, in the exercise of a natural right, and
of our own free will, we hereby declare and
Decree.
- Art. 1. The constitution of Nicaragua
and its laws shall be obeyed by the Mosquito people who shall be
under the protection of the flag of the Republic.
- Art. 2. All revenues that may be
produced by the Mosquito shore district shall be invested for the
benefit of that district, and we reserve our own financial autonomy;
but the said revenues shall be collected
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and administered by the officers of the
treasury of the supreme Government.
- Art. 3. Natives shall be exempt from all
military service in time of peace and war.
- Art. 4. No tax shall be levied upon the
persons of Mosquitoes.
- Art. 5. The right of suffrage shall be
enjoyed by both males and females who are more than eighteen years
old.
- Art. 6. The native communities shall be
under the immediate control of the inspecting chief and of the
alcaldes and police officers in their respective localities.
- Art. 7. None but Mosquito Indians shall
be elected to fill the said offices.
- Art. 8. Alcaldes and police officers
shall hold their positions so long as they shall enjoy the
confidence of the people, but they may be removed by order of the
intendant or by popular motion.
- Art. 9. When the alcaldes and police
officers enter upon the duties of their offices, the chief inspector
shall administer the oath of office to them, for which purpose he
shall make use of the following form: “Do you swear by God and the
Bible to exert yourself in behalf of the happiness of the people
that have elected you, and to obey and execute the laws of
Nicaragua?” The person to whom this question is addressed shall
reply, “Yes, I swear.”
- Art. 10. The people shall promulgate
their local regulations in assemblies over which the chief shall
preside, and such regulations shall be submitted for approval to the
superior authority of the national Government on the coast.
- Art. 11. In token of gratitude to
General I. Santos Zelaya, the President of the Republic, to whose
efforts we owe (enjoy) the privilege of enjoying our liberty, the
district which has heretofore been known as the Mosquito Reservation
shall henceforth be called the Department of Zelaya.
Done in the hall of sessions of the Mosquito convention this 20th day of
November, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-four.
The signatures of the delegates follow with this authentication: “The
undersigned hereby certify that they were present at the session of the
Mosquito assembly in which the foregoing decree was adopted, which
decree was promulgated by the unanimous consent of the representatives
above named, who, being unable to write, have accepted our certificate.
B. B. Seat, U. S. consular agent J. Wienberger, alcalde of the city of
Bluefields; Sam. Weill, mayor; A. Aubert, treasurer-general.”
R. Cabezas,
Intendant-General of the Atlantic Coast of
Nicaragua.
Before me,
José Maria Mongrio,
Secretary of the Intendant’s
Office.
