The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-14

paid TO induce them not TO accomplish their threat
of razing the city to the ground; and on re en-
barking they fired broadside upon the city, at
command OF the captain.
Such acts as these, which properly and without
exaggeration can only be called acts of piracy and
which demonstrate unjust, dishonorable, and RAJ
pacious enmity, have been represented to the gov
crnments of the other States by order of the pres
dent, and have been also made known 10 the British
consul, accompanied with solemn protest. At the
same time, the consul of her Britannia majesty has
been informed that if any other English agent
should unfortunately repeat any similar injustice
within the territory of Honduras, the government
will feel itself obliged 10 close the ports the Brit
ish flag and to prohibit any further relations with
that power and its dependencies. To this also
added the protest of the 9th of January, lS4S
But, on our southern coast, the British have done
yet worse. On the pretence of obtaining satisfac
ton by pacific measures on the claims of British
subjects against Honduras the captain of the
steamer, the Gorgon, the 10th of the present
month, took possession Of the Isle of Tgre, landed
an armed force, and set up the British flag the
island. The flag of republic was, effect this
purpose, orcibly taken down, and three discharges
OF infantry, twenty-one OF cannon, celebrated the
mounting of the flag of the Queen of England The
commandment of the island, in the name of the gov
ernmcnt and OF the republic protested against such
an unheard-of violence, and the English consul,
the commandment has informed us, united with him
IN this protest. On his re-embarking, the com
mander of the Gorgon informed the governor of
the island, that if the flag of Central America
5nOulC DC TclnSlatcu on the Island, he would return
with his war; steamer and restore by force the Brit
lsh flag. The other governments of the republic,
as well as our commissioner, charged to treat with
the Charge d'Afarcs of the United States residing
in Nicaragua, have been made acquainted with
these events, that they may take such measures az
may seem to them proper, especially since the
island of Tigre has been by treaty approved Of by
the President, placed formally in deposit in the
power of the government of the north.
The captain of the Gorgon upon announcing to
the commandant of the island his intention to take
possession at the same time declared that the gov
eminent Of her Britannia majesty contemplated, if
necessary, the adoption of other measures-that is
to say, that even if the claims made by the consul
were satisfied, he would still feel it necessary to
take the course he had adopted
The President of the republic, in his note to the
CONSUL upon these claims of the 18th of June last
not only showed that they were, many Of them,
destitute of foundation but also desired that per-
son should be appointed in order to verify them,
and settle the affair in just and amicable manner
In spite OF this Just and reasonable proposition, pre-
texts have now been made to attack US, to occupy
soil, and to insult us, resorting to violence,
making an exhibition of power, trampling under
foot the most sacred rights ola free people, prohting
of our weakness and of our inability meet face
face the tyrant of the ocean.
People of Honduras: Notwithstanding our own
want of means to resist with effect and to defend
the integrity of our SOIL and the dignity of our gov
eminent, yet need not submit to the Just and
violent conduct which Expresses us, for the star
spangled banner will be unfurled in seas 10
sist us to vindicate our rights and from
insults. Yes, that bright flag, Respondent with
glory, backed by immense power, will be our guar
anty in virtue of solemn treaties and has generous
ly pledged itself to aid us. The identity of our
principles and the fact that children of the
same continent, is bond of union with that great
power Let us, then, confide in her resources, I'M
der the bonds which unite interests. Long live
republican governments Long live the iustrous
descendants of the immortal Washington!
The Ministry of the Government of Honduras, at
Teguagalpa, October 2st IS49.
j. MARIA MONADA