218 



Doc. No 75. 



precious metals are said to exist, but as the country is almost wholly un - 

 inhabited, Httle is known concerning them. 



In the mountain of Aguacate, in (Josta Rica, several profitable gold 

 mines are still worked with fair profits." — (Duulap^s Central Am crkay 

 \m,pp. 211, 284.) 



Mr. Squier to Mr. Clayton. 



[Extract.] 



[No. 7.] Legation of the U. S. in Central America, 



Leon de Nicaragua^ October "2^, 1849. 

 Sir: I lose no time in informing the department that the island of 

 Tigre, in the Gulf of Fonseca, was seized by a British force under the 

 orders of Commodore Paynter, of her Britannic Majesty's steamer '^Gor- 

 gon" (acting by direction of her Britannic Majesty's charge d'affaires, Mr. 

 Chatfield,) on the 16th instant. The facts were officially communicated 

 to me on the 23d instant, by the government of this republic, and I ap- 

 pend a translated copy of the documents (A,) embracing, first, a letter from 

 the Secretary of War of this State; second, the statement of the com- 

 mander of the Tigre; third, the letter of the captain of the Gorgon," 

 announcing officially his seizure of the island; and fourth, the reply of 

 the commandant. These will sufficiently explain the circumstances and 

 pretexts of the seizure. 



#*## #### 



Hon. John M. Clayton, 



Secretary of State of the United States. 



A— 1. 



[Translation.] 

 GOD !— UNION !— LIBERTY! 



House of the Government, Leon, Nicaragua, 



October 23, 1849. 



The supreme government of this republic, penetrated fully with the 

 high and fraternal sentiments of the powerful republic of the United States 

 of North America, (which your excellency so dignifiedly represents) in 

 favor of the other republics of America, and especially of the States of the 

 Centre, has considered it a duty to communicate to you authentic copies 

 of the advices this day received, of the military occupation of the island 

 of the Tigre, on the ]6th instant, by the naval forces of her Britannic 

 Majesty, and by older of her consul-general and charge d'affaires near the 

 government of Guatemala, Mr. Chatfield. 



It is unnecessary to recommend this matter to your notice, after the 

 marked evidences which have been given to Nicaragua of your enlight- 

 ened and determined adhesion to the principles of continental freedom. 

 The undersigned has the honor, &c. 



P. BUITRAGO. 



To his Excellency E. George SgiuieR; ^c. 



