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Doc. No. 75. 



would have produced seiious consequences for both countries. I doubt 

 not, nay I am sure, that he would be well satisfied not only with the 

 dispositions of my government respecting the present question, but also 

 with relation to his person, because it is clear, that, in a verbal conference 

 with the minister, it would have been manifested to him, firstly, that the 

 government of Nicaragua had given the most positive assurance that, far 

 from seeking differences that only serve as obstacles to the cordial intelli- 

 gence of two countries, they had removed those that arose from the con- 

 duct which the other subaltern agents of her Majesty had observed in 

 Central America, as I manifested to his Grace, Lord Aberdeen, when he 

 was minister, in 1S44. Secondly, that there being consuls of her Ma- 

 jesty accredited to the government of Nicaragua, and a minister of this 

 State near her Britannic Majesty, with full powers and instructions to 

 maintain the said relations, there Avas no necessity to communicate with 

 another sent to the Mosquitos, whose independence is not acknowledged; 

 but that the government of Nicaragua trusted in the good dispositions of 

 Mr. Christie, as a person of influence in the Mosquito coast, to prevent 

 any motives of complaint being made against the English subjects estab- 

 lished at Bhiefields and at San Juan, whose conduct might in some way 

 hinder the arrangements now pending at this court. 



The government of Nicaragua has given a strong proof of moderation 

 and prudence in saying to Mr. Christie that it would not receive him in 

 his character of consul-general at Mosquito, but as a distinguished sub- 

 ject of her Majesty, when they might have entirely denied reception; the 

 pretension of Mr. Christie being very strange, to extend his consular func- 

 tion at Mosquito beyond the limits prescribed to consuls duly accredited 

 to the other governments of Central America. In truth, I cannot con- 

 ceive on what right Mr. Christie founded his pretensions, knowing how 

 limited are tiie functions of a consul, particularly in those countries with 

 which nothing has been stipulated on this subject. 



The moderation of the government of Nicaragua is still more manifest, 

 when a comparison is made between the answer of the ministry and Mr. 

 Christie's second note, in which, instead of trying to inspire confidence 

 to my government, dispel the fears that, founded or not, might exist, and 

 avoid giving motives for discontent, he has done nothing but renew the 

 acts that naturally have excited feeling of displeasure, and has brought 

 things to a crisis little favorable to commerce. 



I do sincerely hope that her Majesty's government will do justice to 

 the sentiments of Nicaragua, of whose loyalty and good faith proofs will 

 be found daily, which will leave no doubt that his friendship will much 

 forward the views and interests of this cabinet, when they are not opposed 

 to those of Nicaragua. 



Neither must I pass in silence, when speaking of Mr. Christie's answer, 

 the mistakes hi has made in trying to persuade my government of the 

 rights and the necessity there is for his reception. 



In the first place, he says that the government of Nicaragua could not 

 deny to Great Britain the right of naming him consul. But from the 

 minister's note no such answer can be deduced, because that govern- 

 ment is not opposed to the appointment her Majesty hcis given him, but 

 only refused to admit him in that charticter for the reasons already ex- 

 pressed; and because this recognizance, far from being obligatory, is a 



