Doc. No. 75. 



89 



Upon the eastern shore of the Great lake, whence he addressed to this gov- 

 ernment the communication, of which a copy is enclosed, marked No. 2. 



My governjuent, always disposed to preserve the good harmony and cor- 

 dial understanding with Great Britain which must one day produce the 

 most grateful and salutary fruits in favor of the two countries, replied to 

 Captain Granville in the terms expressed in the copy No. 3. 



In consequence of those communications, the government of Nicaragua 

 appointed the little island of Cuba, situated upon this lake, for a confer- 

 ence upon the points proposed by Captain Granville, naming as its repre- 

 sentative a commission of three persons, with sufficient powers to conclude 

 a treaty which might put an end to the differences which had been raised, 

 and avoid a rupture between the two nations. 



In consequence, the persons deputed by Nicaragua, proceeding in con- 

 formity with their instructions, offered to the commander of the British 

 forces — 



1. That Messrs. Hodgson and Little, taken in San Juan, as agents of 

 the Mosquito nation, should be delivered up to him, at a place to be agreed 

 upon, with the understanding that the delivery should take effect only 

 under the idea that the aforesaid commandant claims them as British sub- 

 jects — a quality which ray government could not have recognised in them, 

 both being in the service of an unknown power, and especially Mr. Hodg- 

 son, who has admitted himself to be a native of Bluefields, and of Mos- 

 quito origin — as is, moreover, undoubtedly known from other sources; 

 and under this quality he was claimed by the British vice-consul, Mr. John 

 Foster. 



2. Also to deliver up the flag and other articles taken in San Juan on 

 the 9th of January, proceeding always with the understanding that they 

 are demanded by an agent of Great Britain, and that this act of deference 

 is performed wholly in obedience to the consideration professed by Nicar- 

 agua to so powerful and august a nation, a circumstance which must 

 dispel every idea that this State could have had the smallest intention of 

 offending the British flag when our officers in San Juan lowered a flag 

 unknown to us which had been forcibly hoisted there, and which, 

 according to international usages, as understood by us, could not be con- 

 founded with the British flag. 



3. With respect to the assurance demanded by Captain Ganville, that 

 the persons who occupied San Juan should not be molested, although it 

 was the duty of my government to preserve the integrity of its territory, 

 yet yielding to the interest of a valuable friendship, it would on this 

 account consent to leave the port of San Juan in possession of the repre- 

 sentatives of Great Britain as a deposite, until the republic of Central 

 America, or the State of Nicaragua itself, should send a minister to the 

 British cabinet to discuss, in our name, the question of the right of prop- 

 erty in the said port. 



4. That this agreement being concluded, by virtue of which the host- 

 ages, prisoners, and other effects which were in the power of the com- 

 mandant of the British forces, devolve to the State, the whole should be 

 restored to the statu quo of the first of January, until the question be 

 decided between the two governments. The said commandant agreeing 

 to these propositions, a proposed treaty, drawn up in conformity with the 

 same, was presented to him, a copy of which 1 enclose, marked No. 4. 

 What can be a more striking testimony of the esteem and confidence felt 



