Riotté to Tomás Ayon, January 29, 1870

Mr. C. N. Riotté to Hon. Tomás Ayon.

Sir: * * * * * * * Toward end of the month of August last I received information that Captain Douglass, of the Panama Railroad Company’s steamer Guatemala, had compromised the neutrality of his company and of the flag under which its steamers sail, by carrying for and delivering to the agents of the so-called provisional government at Leon powder, lead, and caps. The information was of such trustworthy character that I did not hesitate, in vindication of my country’s flag and of the to me well-known perfectly neutral intentions of said company, to report the transaction to it. The company thereupon at once suspended Captain Douglass from office. The instruction of the case, ordered by the company, consumed some time, in part owing to the distances and in part to the fact that it was difficult to procure witnesses. On November 10th an inhabitant of this city made affidavit before me on what he, August 15th and next days, witnessed in the Bay of La Union and at Tempisque, which was communicated to the company. On the strength of that affidavit and gome additional proof the company, as I have been advised by a letter received the 25th instant, has dismissed from its service not alone Captain Douglass, but the purser of the steamer, Mr. E. Hansen, too. That letter states that although the case of Captain Douglass was not an entirely clear one, the company thought it well to make an example of him. Inasmuch as on different occasions during revolutionary movements within the Central American States, the good faith and strict neutrality of the Panama Railroad Company has been doubted, and even incriminations of the reverse have been advanced, I consider it proper to advise your government of this its recent action.