86 



Doc. No. 15. 



[Translation.] 



^' In consequence of disagreements having arisen between Greaf 

 Britain and the State of Nicaragua, with reference to the boundary of 

 the territory of Mosquito, and which have produced coMision between 

 the forces, the government of Nicaragua have, th^efore, appointed the 

 three commissioners. Licentiate Francisco Castellon, Minister of Finance,, 

 and Licentiate Juan Jose Zavala, and Jose Maria Estrada, to meet Gran- 

 ville Gower Loch, esq., captain of her Britannic Majesty's ship ^Alarm,' 

 senior officer of her Majesty ^s ships and vessels on the Jamaica division 

 of the North American and West Indian station, and offi;cer commanding, 

 her Majesty's united forces employed in the river San Juan de Nicaragua, 

 for the purpose of arrranging the ditferences between these two powers. 



After full discussion and mature deliberation, the following articles 

 were drawn up and agreed to: 



^^1. That the Nicaraguan government surrender the persons of twa 

 British subjects, Messrs. Little and G. Hodgson, taken prisoners by the 

 forces of the State of Nicaragua, on the 9th day of January, 1848, from the 

 port of San Juan, and that they shall be delivered over to Captain Gran- 

 ville Gower Loch, in this Island of Cuba, within twelve hours from the 

 ratification of this treaty. 



2. That a ^osquito flag and other effects, taken on the same day and 

 from the same port, be restored without delay; and that a satisfactory ex- 

 planation be given by the Nicaraguan government for the outrage that the 

 commandant of her Majesty's forces conceives to have been offered ta 

 the British flag in hauling down that of Mosquito, under her protection. 



Expla7iation. —The Nic3.mgi\3.n government were ignorant that the 

 Mosquito flag was so connected with that of England, as that an outrage 

 to it should involve an insult to that of Great Britain. They are most 

 anxious to explain that so far from desiring to excite the anger of that 

 power, it is, on the contrary their earnest wish to cultivate the most inti- 

 mate relations with it. 



3. That the government of the State of Nicaragua solemnly promise 

 not to disturb the peaceful inhabitants of San Juan, understanding that 

 any such act will be considered by Great Britain as an open declaration 

 of hostilities. 



4. That the tariff established in the port of San Juan upon the occu- 

 pation of the 1st of January, 1848, shall be considered in full force; and 

 that no Nicaraguan custom-house shall be established in proximity to the 

 said port of San Juan to the prejudice of its interests. 



5. That the British officer in command agrees to retire from Fort 

 San Carlos to San Juan with all the forces, delivering up the hostagesj, 

 prisoners, and effects now in his possession, immediately after the fulfilr 

 ment of the various claims agreed upon in this treaty. 



6. What has been stipulated in this agreement will not hinder the 

 government of Nicaragua from soliciting, by means of a commissioner ta 

 her Britarmic Majesty, a final arrangement to these affairs. 



Given under our hands, at the Island of Cuba, in the Lake of Nica- 

 ragua^ this 7th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1848. 



^^JUAN JOSE ZAVALA. 

 "FRANCISCO CASTELLON. 

 "JOSE MA. ESTRADA. 



" GRANYILLE G. LDCBJ'' 



