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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
the foreigners Implicated In the war, who might desire to remain in the country should be allowed to do so under the guarentee of the Government for thire safety and protection. This was proclaimed in the public addresses of Captain Davis and General Henningson as con- stituting one of the conditions of the surrender. The treaty was signed by General ]\fora Commander in Chief of the allied Forces on one part and Captain Davis and General Walker on the other, being present at the time Generals, Lavala, Canas, Jerez and, other officers, and it is believed that the present chief Executive of this Republic was also · present -, This treaty turminated the contest and the allied force3 retired to their respective Republics General Canas remained in com- mand of the Nicaraguan army, and as its chief granted Pass-ports and safe conducts to such foreigners as applied to him for the same by virtue of the treaty many of the Americans under the guarentee of the stipulations. remained in the country' and continued to deport them- selvs as orderly people, obedient to the laws and quiet in their social relations. They had hopes that their good conduct and the public pledges would enable them to dwell in sec_urity and peace. It would seem however that these hopes have not been realized. if there be any just. foundation for the neumerous. complaints, which have been laid before me. I am tolde that in spite of. their Pass-ports and the treaty of capitulation many of my countrymen have been arbitrarily driven from the country without a trial or hearing or even knowing the cause of. their expultion. Others have filed their declarations of the various persecution's which they have received with a prayer. that I would bring their wrongs to the knowledge of. my Government. I have not thought proper to take any action in this matter as yet believing that the ratification of the treaty now pending betwen the two countries will smoothe the way to a friendly adjustment of all difficulties, and to the satisfaction of all parties. It is to be regretted however that any more cause of complaint should occur at this particular moment when the government of my nation is most anxious to establish and cultivate the best posable relations with this Republic, and yet in despite of these ardent and generous desires, It is seen with pain that the few Americans still residing in this country have not been included in the Decree of general amnesty addopted by the convention now in ses- sion granting pardon to all the Nicaraguans who were implicated in the Rivas and Walker war, except those who had defrauded the public treasury or seized upon private property under public pretense This Decree embraces all the Nicaraguans who were presant at the capitu- lation of Walker and included In that treaty as well as those who had previously abandoned the cause. The Americans who had also aban- doned the cause previous to the capitulation as well as those who were at and embraced in the same, are not included in the late Decree. No pardon is granted to them. and wherefore? Why were not the benefits of that Decree extended to them as well as to the Nicaraguaans en- gaged in the same cause? There must be some special motive for this apparently invidious distinction; and it is my duty to enquire into that motive, for the Decree as it now stands is a verry significant hint to the Americans that they neede not expect any further indulgence or protection from the Government. What was the object of that Decree;
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