Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-08
A Formidable Document.

NEW YORK, July 80, 1895.
Excellency:
have the honor to recall to your men,
Dry:
First, That In the course of the month of
september, 1888, Baron Harden Hickey
has officially notified all the powers of his
taking possession of the uninhabited Island
or Trinidad; and,
Second, That in the course of January
1894 he mas renewed to all these powers
the official notification Of the said taking
OF possession, and has informed them at
would be known as Principally of Trini-
dad" that he took the title of prince of
Trinidad" and would reign under the name
of James !.
In consequence of these official notifica-
tons, several powers have recognized the
new principally and its prince, and at all
events none has thought 1t necessary at
that epoch to raise objections or formulate
opposition.
The press of the entire world has, on the
ot1er hand often acquainted readers with
these facts. thus giving to them all posi-
BILE publicity. In consequence of the &C.
complishment of these various formalftieS,
and as the law Of nations prescribes that
''derelict" territories belong to whoever
will take possession of them and as the
Island of Trinidad. which has been aban-
doned for years, certainly belongs to the
aforesaid category. his serene highness;
Prince James !. was authorized to regard
valid and indisputable.
Nevertheless, your excellency knows that
recently, in spite of all the legitimate rights
of my august ;oyereign, an English war
ship has disembarked at Trinidad a detach-
ment of armed troops ard taken possession
of the island in the name of ENGLAND.
following this assumption OF territory,
the Brazilian government, invoking a right
of ancient Portuguese occupation dong ago
outlawad), has notified the English govern
ment to surrender the island to Brazil.
leg Of your exceller cy to ask of the
government of the United States of North
America to recognize the principally of
Trinidad as an Independent state, and to
come to an understanding with the other
American powers in order to guarantee its
neutrality.
Thus the government of the United
States of North America will once more ac-
cord its powerful assistance to the cause of
right and of justice, misunderstood by Eng
land and Brazil, put an end to a situation
which threatens to disturb the peace, re-
establish concord between two great states
ready to appeal to arms, and affirm itself,
moreover, as the faithful interpreter of the
Monroe doctrine.
In the expectation of your reply, please
accept. excellencJ. the expression Of my
elevated consideration.
The Grand Chancellor,
Secretary Of State for Foreign Affairs,
COMTE DE LA BOISSIERE.
To MS Excallency. Mr.. the Secretary of
State of the Republic of the United
States Of North America, Washington,
D. c.
Childfshness of Brazil and England.
Mr. Boissiere says that he has sent similar
appeals to all the ministers plenpoten-
tiary, ambassadors, ENJOYS and diplomatic
agents. 80 that everybody now knows about
the princspality. ut would be childish"
he says, '.for Brazil or for England to
plead ignorance of our authority. Our
claim has been admitted by some powers
since they have sent answers to our notif-
cations The lack of population of Trinidad
has no bearing in this matter. There would
have been a stock of subjects at Trinidad
now IL the English had not seized the land.
The Brazilians do not care especially for
the island. They are satisfied with our
neutrality idea, and have no reason to
fear an invasion from us, while they would
have thousand reasons to fear the prox-
unity Of Great Britain. 1t is not the loss
of the island that the Brazilians resent so
much as Its English occupation.
Mr.. Bossiere is enthusiastic over the
future Of the ality of Trinidad in
and by Brazil 1t is feared, however, that
he will find great deal more diff Guilty
than he anticipates in securing the recog-
milton Of the United States government.
The Mission to Trinidad Applied For.
Although Mr.. Bosseire is a little shy on
the English language he is a full-fedged
American citizen, having been naturalized
about ten years ago. He is man Of learn
ing and experience and has travelled ex-
tensively, and seems to be perfectly serious
and sincere IN his efforts to secure the
| recognition IF the priIcipality of Trim
idad.
In anticipation of the recognition Of the
mythical principality of Trinidad, an enter
prising American citizen out Of a job has
already made formal application to the
State Department for appointment as
United States minister to the court Of
James I. The applicant appears to be
serious, and in support of his qualif1ca-
lions for a diplomatic post says he is mas
ter of eleven different LANGUAGES His