Henry Baxter to Hamilton Fish, April 1, 1871

Mr. Henry Baxter to Mr. Fish

Sir: Thus far all endeavors to arrive at a peaceable settlement of the difficulties between Honduras and Salvador have proved a failure, and on the 5th of last month war was declared by Honduras. This step was avowedly taken by Honduras on account of the invasion of their territory by a force of Salvadorians numbering about one hundred and twenty men, and making an attack on a small police guard of thirty men, stationed at a small town near the frontier (Goascoran) merely for the protection of the workmen and works of the railway against local raids. On the 16th, a division of the army of Honduras, commanded by General Lope, crossed over into Salvador and, at Pasaquina, attacked a force of Salvadorians, were repulsed and forced to retreat, sustaining considerable loss. Since this, President Medina, at the head of the Honduras forces, has crossed over into Salvador and, it is reported has had several engagements and met with decided success, which reports, however, need further confirmation. The same reports of success would undoubtedly be carried to Salvador with reference to the success of the Salvadorian troops in Honduras. On Thursday, (30th of March,) a detachment of General Xatruch’s division of Salvadorians, numbering about one hundred men, marched into this city, which is entirely undefended, (and with a decided feeling of opposition to President Medina,) taking full possession. To-day, General Xatruch, commanding in person, occupies the city with about eight hundred troops, and, it is reported, will, on Monday, march on Comayagua. I forward herewith correspondence with the secretary of foreign relations of Salvador and also of Honduras with reference to the treaty of July 4, 1864, between the United States and Honduras, and the guarantees of neutrality as to the interoceanic railway therein contained. Comayagua is the capital of Honduras, is on the direct line of the railway as surveyed and being worked, and the principal offices of the engineers and conductors of the second section are here located, making it an important point as to the railway interests. Honduras has not made the city of Comayagua a base of military operation, nor has it had stationed here more than a reasonable and ordinary police guard, leaving it entirely defenseless as against an invading force.

I would respectfully ask instructions, under these circumstances, as to what extent would the conditions of the said treaty bear upon the protection of the private and public property of the capital of Honduras, and, further, as to the free ports of Amapala and Porto Caballo.

I have, &c.,