A. H. Rivas to P. S.—I inclose to your excellency a copy of the measures dictated by this government in consequence of the conduct observed by the chiefs of Mosquitia. Hon. Geo. Williamson, January 5, 1875

Mr. Rivas to Mr. Williamson.

Sir: I have received instructions to give information to your excellency of the address that the so-called king of the Mosquitia tribe directed to the council and people on the act of taking possession of the government in September, 1874.

From trustworthy information it is known that H. B. M.’s frigate, named the Eclipse, Capt. T. E. Erskine, provided, in a Nicaraguan island, (Corn Island,) a meeting of the so-called king and his court, and it is whispered that the object of that frigate is to protect the Moscos in their pretension of declaring annulled the convention of Managua relative to Mosquitia, on the pretext that they do not have to adhere to said convention. Opposed to this pretext we have the execution of the pact, in virtue of which San Juan del Norte and all the coast, with the exception of the “Reserve,” returned to Nicaragua, and the fact of the Indians having received two annual payments of the stipulated subvention.

My government has given instructions to the governor intendente of San Juan del Norte for the arrangement and payment of the residue of said subvention, in order to remove all pretexts to the Indians of failure of fulfillment on the part of Nicaragua.

It undoubtedly appears that British subjects have suggested to the Indians subversive ideas, and of a tendency to induce them to erect themselves into an independent nation, and it is an undeniable fact that although England has separated herself from the Mosquitia protectorate by the convention of Managua, the British influence has been maintained in that region by means of English subjects. My government believes that it is already time to be adopted on the part of Nicaragua efficacious measures to make respected the sovereignty of the republic, and it would wish to know on what assistance it could be able to count, on the part of the United States, in bringing to a conclusion its measures.

Will your excellency be pleased to transmit me your ideas upon this affair, and to accept the respectful consideration with which I subscribe myself,

Your excellency’s attentive servant,