Sidney Locock to The Earl of Derby, December 31, 1875

My Lord: I have had the honor to receive your lordship’s dispatch, No. 55, of the 13th November, by which I learn that your lordship has authorized Her Majesty’s consul at Grey Town to act as agent for the Mosquito chief in regard to the arrears of subsidy due by the governments of Nicaragua and Honduras. Mr. Consul Gollan has also written to me intimating that he would prefer that the announcement of his appointment should be made to both governments by this legation.

I have accordingly addressed to the two governments the respective notes of which I have the honor to transmit copies. Your lordship will see from these notes that I have taken this opportunity, which seemed to me to be a fitting one, to address to both governments a few words of warning in the sense of your lordship’s dispatch No. 33, of the 23d July.

I have, at the same time, addressed to Mr. Consul Gollan h dispatch of which I have likewise the honor to inclose a copy.

In the absence of the United States minister, I am prevented from acquainting him with the step I am taking, a course which I should otherwise most certainly have pursued, not only because Mr. Williamson has shown a friendly readiness to use his influence to persuade the Nicaraguan government to act up to her treaty engagements and thereby avoid the possibility of trouble with Her Majesty’s government, but also because I know it to be your lordship’s wish that nothing should arise to disturb the perfect understanding and confidence which exists between Her Majesty’s government and that of the United States on all questions connected with Central America.

I have, &c.,