Doc. No. 75. 219 



A— 2. 



[Translation ] 



Command of the free port of Amapala, 



Island of Tigre, Honduras, October 16, 1849. 



Sir: At a quarter before tAvo o'clock this day, I observed at the entrance 

 of the harbor five long-boats filled with arnried people, each boat carrying 

 a cannon, with corresponding ammunition. The people in the boats were 

 dressed in uniform, and armed — their number, as far as we could make out, 

 about 80 — together with a boat in which were two ofllcers and a citizen. 



Observing this, I immediately mustered my little picket of soldiers, hoist- 

 ed the flag of Honduras and that of the republic, and ordered my men 

 to present arms, but not to attempt resistance, as it was obviously hopeless 

 against the superior force which was approaching. Under these circum- 

 stances I allowed the officers to land, when I observed that the flag in 

 their boat was English; and seeing the colors of a civilized nation, I pre- 

 sented myself to the officers, demanding the cause of this display of force 

 and this hostile attitude. An interpreter then presented himself and hand- 

 ed me a letter, which I subjoin. Having informed myself of its contents, 

 I said to them that, considering the disparity of forces, it was impossible iox 

 me to resist their proceedings, but that I protested, upon behalf of my 

 government and of Central America, against this violence. In the mean 

 time the boats turned their cannon against the town, and the troops 

 landed under their cover, with musket to shoulder and cartridge in hand. 

 The interpreter then requested me, by order of the commander of the in- 

 vading forces, to lower the colors of the republic, so that the English flag 

 might be raised; to which I answered, that I would in nowise be party to 

 any such act, and that nothing but my weakness prevented me from driving 

 him away by force of arms. The commander then ordered his troops to 

 advance, and directed an officer to lower our flag and hoist the English 

 colors. This was done under a British national salute and a discharge 

 of musketry, and with many cheers for Queen Victoria. 



While the last named proceedings were transpiring, I was engaged in 

 drawing up a protest, which the commander had expressed his willingness 

 to sign; but when it was finished and presented to him, he refused to fulfil 

 his promise. The original protest I herewith send to you. 



This done, Mr. Chatfield, her Britannic Majesty's consul general, (who 

 was the citizen which I had perceived among the officers, and whom I did 

 not recognise until this moment,) presented himself, and asked me various 

 questions respecting the top ography and productions of the island, to 

 which I replied with all sincerity. 



This conversation ended, the commander directed himself again to me, 

 and said that if the colors of Honduras were again hoisted on the island, 

 he would return and sustain the English flag by force. 



As I had nothing to say, I made no reply; whereupon the British flag 

 was taken back to the boat, and the commander, in passing, observed that 

 I must understand that the island now belonged to England. He then 

 embarked his forces, and retired, about 3 o'clock p. m. 



This event has greatly alarmed the town, and I have to make great ex- 

 ertions to preserve order; and though I have a very small force, you may 



