Antonio Batres to President Barrios, March 16, 1885

Señor Batres to President Barrios.

Sir: Last night the captain of the steamer called me to inform me that the sending of the money to Amapala was well known in Salvador, and that the comandante of the port of La Libertad, where we are now, had exacted the giving up of the boat, of its crew, and of Ubico and myself as revolutionists, to which said captain refused. Then they wished to make him sign a document in which he promised on his word of honor not to carry out the agreement made with Don Delpino, because it violated the laws of neutrality, which document he also refused to sign. Then the agent of the company threatened to keep him prisoner, and that permission to continue his voyage would not be given him, to which the captain replied that he would kill six men with his revolver before such a thing should take place. The said captain showed himself very much angered, and has just received a long protest from Don Pedro Melendez, whom he disembarked yesterday at Acajutla.

In this protest they tell him that he himself confessed having made the agreement with Minister Sanchez for $1,000. I told the captain that as yet there had been no declaration of war on which grounds it could be protested that neutrality must be maintained, and I used many other arguments. They returned to request that we be given up and the captain telegraphed to Captain Dow and to New York.

I think there will be no further news, but it might well happen that, owing to circumstances, Ubico could not disembark in Amapala.

Among many lies which are circulated in the port and through Salvador, they say that the Government of the United States has sent a vessel of war to San José de Guatemala, and that Amapala is occupied by the Nicaraguan troops.

Not having further news, I am, &c.,