Sidney Locock to A. Gollan, December 31, 1875

Sir: I received a few days ago a dispatch from the Earl of Derby informing me that you had been authorized by his lordship to accept the agency which had been offered to you by the chief of the Mosquito territory, for the purpose of receiving the arrears of subsidy due to him by the governments of Nicaragua and Honduras, but that you had been instructed to be careful to take no step in that capacity which might hereafter hamper you in that of Her Majesty’s consul.

I have now to inform you that I have this day officially communicated the fact of your appointment and of its approval to the governments of Nicaragua and Honduras.

As far as the latter is concerned, there is too much reason to fear that it will be long before you are invited to receive any payment on this account; but if the government of Nicaragua are really in earnest in their wish to come to a settlement with the chief, it is probable that they will either directly or through their authorities at Grey Town enter into communication with you shortly on the subject.

In such case you will of course be careful to carry out the instructions of Lord Derby; and, with this object, I would suggest that in treating with the authorities on this subject, it may be well that you should limit your action to that of simple agent for this particular purpose of the Mosquito chief, and that you should as far as possible refuse discussion as to his recent proceedings, bearing in mind that, whatever may be his present conduct, it can in no way serve as an excuse or palliation to Nicaragua in her past neglect to execute treaty engagements formally entered into by her with Great Britain.

I am, &c.,