The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-13

~ accused tnem OF participating.
have the honor, &c,
FREDERIC CHATFIELD.
IREpLY.l
10 the Consul General Of IL. b, NJ, Frederie Chat
field.
LEON, Aug. 7, lS49.
This is not the first time that the Supreme Gov.
eminent of the Sovereign State of Nicaragua and
also the rest OF Central America, received from you
communications wanting in that moderation which
should always be the invarabe standard OF the con
duct OF every public functionary, and particularly
OF those charged with maintaining harmonious re-
lations between governments; but that which you
directed To me, dated the 18th inst, is without dis
pute most extravaganza in its ideas and expressions
In it you suppose that this government busies
itself with attacking the British government in its
maniiestoes and public papers, and excites hatred
against the subjects of Great Britain who peacefully
prosecute their business in this country at the
time that it charges this government with evincng
hostile feelings for Great Britain in the gubernatoria
decree of the 18th June last whose object is the
establishment of public order and the defence of the
territorial integrity of the State.
Nicaragua has never undertaken aggressions Of
any kind against the English government, because
it respects the rights which, agreeable to nature
and international principles, belong To all nations
under the sway of civilization; 1t never has done
other than defend its independence from the ad-
vances Of those who under the pretext OF savage
monarchy, not recognised by the enlightened world,
attempts TO snatch from it its most important
property and possessions the Atlantic seaboard
with the we'll known intention Of establishing an
enormous preponderance the American Con-
tinent.
In the midst of this, and when these attempts
have become most fragrant, disturbing the peace of
the State, profaning its territory, and causing the
bloodshed Of its children, without declara-
tion Of war on the part of the British government,
far from any animadversions against British sub
jects having been excited by Nicaragua, they have
been treated justly, though the country had not
received any hostility from England and the per-
pf ito bay hpa
ed more than those of the inhabitants of Nicaragua
And If this has been the conduct of this State at the
| moment when its territorial rights have been pro-
famed and its dignity insulted by British arms
what Just motive can you give for affecting such
fears for the fate OF your compariots in this coun-
try while they remain quiet and peaceful? 1t is,
therefore, proved by the repeated unnecessary COM
plants which you accumulate, by imaginary dan
gers invoked by the Nicaraguan press upon British
subjects, that they have other object than to at
tack the liberty of the press, whose tendency is
more ostensibe when il is observed that in none of
the public papers in which the conduct of the Eng
lish has been censured there be found the slight
est expression which can do them harm.
You declare emphatically and formally ''that
the Queen Of Great Britain has decided to sustain
the rights of the Mosquito King, and in conse-
quence whatever act may be done against him will
infallibly draw down on Nicaragua the most severe
chasiisemsnf;' but the government of this State
docs not recognise in the Consul the faculty of
making political declarations, much less to an
ernment, in favor Of a supposed claim of savage,
which by the laws Of universal justice does not
list, il be called other than direct usurpa
ton. and before the same nations solemnly pro-
tests that II does not recognise in the tribe OF Mos
quitoes the right TO erect itself into sovereign
ton, and TO receive. in consequence the protection
Of any nation.
As you, by your declaration, openly confirm the
refusal of justice of the English government to the
pacific claims made by Nicaragua, even in the
court; do you wish that this government should
not prepare to comply with the most sacred right,
which the principles recognised by all the powers
Of the globe impose upon il, that Of the defence of
the territories which the law has confded to it, Do
you pretend prevent the Of its constitutional
powers, styling offensive" its defensive" decree
Of the 18th June, threaten il with the chastise
ment Of her British majesty!
International right docs not recognise such for
mulas. What government has the right 10 chastise
another government for the exercise Of its sover
eighty, without violating the principle Of non inter
ventonS But nothing OF this is strange, when IL is
| noticed that you consider SO unbounded the power
Of England. that being but the agent Of its govern
ment for commercial relations, you presume TO
rogate even the representation Of the subjects Of
other nations, who have recognised agents, you
did in your bcfore-ciied letter, constituting your
self representative Of the French To whom you
fer, when you reflect that they have their consul
general, recognised and confirmed by the Supreme
government, who made no complaint TO the minis
Try, but, the contrary, feels well satisfied with
the civilized manner In which his compatrots have
been treated, his communication of the Goth
proves.
you do, nation Of the first class, whose institu-
tons have proclaimed the liberty Of the press, the
rights Of man, and the independence Of nations,
you pretend 10 suppress that same liberty, with
suggestions falsfed by the actions Of the Nicara
guam public, in favor OF English subjects and med
ding in the sovereignty of their country, which
shall be sustained at all hazard without heed
ing any other limits than those by which nature
and the laws circumscribe il, province of the
old government Of Guatemala, erected in Spain by
It's political institutions.
The consul will please accept my consideration,
as his attentive servant, : SALINAS.