Doc. No. 75. 



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\\Qpe that a commissioner might be appointed to settle with me the terms 

 of a treaty between Honduras and the United States. Since the date of 

 that letter I have received information which is conclusive that Great 

 Britain has determined, in pursiaance of the policy which led her to seize 

 upon the island of Raatan and the port of San Juan, to take possession of 

 the island of Tigre, in the gulf of Ponseca. The pretext for this extraordi- 

 nary proceeding is the alleged indebtedness of Honduras to England or 

 British subjects. I have no doubt that your excellency is already well 

 informed of the fact that a war steamer and a frigate are now on their 

 way for the above purpose, as well as for the purpose of overawing the 

 other States of Central America, and of obstructing the construction of the 

 proposed canal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, for which a con- 

 tract has already been secured from the government of Nicaragua, under 

 the sanction of the United States. 



Although the foreign policy of the United States has uniformly been 

 that of non-interference in the affairs of other nations, still she has assert- 

 ed and is determined to maintain the principle of the exclusion of foreign 

 influence from the domestic and international concerns of the American 

 republics. Nor will she consent to the forcible acquisition, by foreign 

 powers, of any portion of the North American continent, by which her 

 interests, in common with those of her sister republics, are likely to be 

 endangered. She cannot, therefore, permit the contemplated encroach- 

 ments of Great Britain in the territories of Honduras to take place, with- 

 out making all proper exertions in her power to arrest them. 



The danger which I have pointed out is imminent, and threatens the 

 most disastrous consequences not only to Honduras, but also to San Sal- 

 vador and Nicaragua. The question now arises, how can this danger be 

 arrested and the selfish designs of Great Britain thwarted ? The only 

 means which occur to me is the speedy adjustment of a treaty between 

 Honduras and the United States, the provisions of which shall authorize 

 the United States in interposing its power against the designs of the En- 

 glish. But to be effective, and to enable me to interfere before the con- 

 templated seizure shall take pla(je, it is absolutely necessary that this 

 ti'eaty should be made without delay. 



The interests of my government at this point will not permit me to leave 

 here for some time, otherwise I should at once proceed to Hondm'as. Un- 

 der the circumstances, therefore, the only feasible mdde of accomplishing 

 the objects I have indicated, is the immediate appointment of a commis- 

 sioner on the part of Honduras who shall have full powers not only to 

 negotiate a treaty, but to take all measures, and enter into all such 

 arrangements as he shall think proper to secure the interests, integrity 

 and safety of his State. 



With a commissioner thus empowered, should he reach here soon, I 

 have no doubt measures could be concerted which would effectually 

 thwart the designs of Great Britain, and put the relations between Hon- 

 duras and the United States upon a footing of reciprocal advantage. 



I am sure your excellency fully appreciates the exigency which calls 

 forth this communication, and that you will take such measures as you 

 think it may require. Should the suggestions which I have made meet 

 your approval, I trust there may be no delay in carrying them into effect; 

 the k)ss of a day may destroy the sole remaining hope of frustrating the 

 plans of the EngUsh. You may be assured that I would not address you 



