Barberena to Barberena, January 5, 1875

Instructions of Barberena to the governor of San Juan del Norte.

Señor Governor-Intendente of San Juan del Norte:

With your esteemed favor of the 15th of December last the undersigned received the copy that you were pleased to inclose of an address that in September last the chief of the Mosquitia tribe of Bluefields addressed to the inhabitants of the district of the reserve, making known to them his intentions and purposes in reference to the government and administration of said district, which territory he considers independent of the Republic of Nicaragua, of which it is without doubt an integral part; and assuming the character of a sovereign of a nation that never has existed, nor exists at this time, with which pretext it is proposed to place it in relations with the other nations of the world.

The document alluded to the undersigned brought to the knowledge of his excellency the President, who, impressed by these designs, has taken care to answer that the government cannot see with indifference the aspirations that are contained in it, and the manifest designs of the said chief, or, perhaps, of the persons who, for particular designs or interests, try that means to disregard the sovereignty of the republic, and to separate that part of its territory that, by legitimate and incontrovertible title, belongs to it.

You know that by the convention of Managua of the 28th of January, 1860, celebrated between the government of Her Britannic Majesty and that of Nicaragua, it was expressly stipulated that the district of the Mosquitia Reserve returned to the control of Nicaragua, to which sovereignty it belonged, and is recognized as an integral part of the territory of the republic. It was also stipulated that the British protectorate which in fact was exercised in that territory should cease three months after the exchange of the ratification of the said convention; and, finally, it was stipulated that the Mosquitia Indians of the reserve should govern themselves, according to their own customs and the regulations that should be from time to time adopted by them, they not being incompatible with the sovereign rights of Nicaragua.

So it is that the reserve is not any other thing than a district of the republic; it forms an integral part of her territory; her sovereignty is recognized and ought to be exercised in it; and the authorities that there pretend to any importance do not have, nor can assume, any other character than a purely local one, and the usages and regulations they emit can only be added to their municipal code. Therefore the pretensions of the chief of the tribe to entitle himself king, and under this idea to place himself in relations with the nations of the world, to maintain an organized council of chiefs and representatives of Mosquitia, and for other purposes, by the title, are absurd pretensions, destitute of foundation, and that the government of Nicaragua ought not in any manner to consent to nor tolerate it.

It is to be presumed that all of these acts are done without the knowledge of Her Britannic Majesty’s government, and that some persons, through motives of speculation, may be the instigators of such proceedings, since it is not to be supposed that a government so illustrious as that of the English nation, and so jealous of its dignity, would wish to contravene stipulations so explicit as those in which is constituted the ratification of the convention above mentioned.

However much it is sought, there will not be found any plausible reason that can justify the pretensions of the chief of the reserve, since, if there should wish to be alleged a failure in the payment of the subvention stipulated in the convention referred to, this would not be a motive to authorize such a procedure;. nor has the government of Nicaragua refused to pay, being, as it always has been, disposed to complete it as soon as there is an authorized person to whom it can intrust the sum agreed upon.

Leaving these considerations, the undersigned has received an order from his excellency the President to say to you that you immediately address a communication to the chief of the reserve, making known that the district, in which he pretends his importance, belongs to Nicaragua; that it is an integral part of her territory, and subject of its own accord to her sovereignty; that, in his capacity of chief, he is only a local authority, without other attributes than those of governing the inhabitants of the district in that concerning its municipal code in conformity with established customs and regulations emitted, without wounding in any manner the sovereign rights of Nicaragua; and that the government will never consent that the said chief may take any measure nor execute any act opposed to the sovereignty of this nation; and that in a contrary case it will see itself in the necessity of taking that attitude that it may deem best, and of dictating all the measures the circumstances may demand.

This communication you will try to prepare in terms circumspect and moderate, avoiding recriminations and fault-finding, which, instead of being useful, may be prejudicial, and taking care, above all things, to make the said chief understand the good disposition of this government in respect to those inhabitants whom it considers as members of the Nicaraguan family; and you will address it clearly, carefully, and suitably for the carrying out of its purpose.

In the same communication, or in another separate one, you will make known to the said chief that the government is disposed to pay the annual residue of the subvention, and that, for this purpose, he can come to that port or name a commission to represent him in arranging the terms of the payment; and if he refuses this, then you, in the name of the government, will direct to him a formal protest, exempting Nicaragua from any responsibility whatever that by this incident he should wish to exact.

As, according to what has already been said, it is to be presumed that the proceedings of the chief of the reserve may be unknown to the British government, it is advised to you that you place them in the knowledge of the English consular agent who resides in that city, making apparent the want of authority and illegality of that conduct.

Of the result of all, you will in due time give an account to the minister.

In such terms I confirm to you your official duty, signing myself of the señor governor-intendent, with marks of appreciation and esteem, the attentive servant.