Office of the Historian

File No. 6369/547.

Minister Merry to the Secretary of State.

[Extract.]
American Legation,
San Jose, December 18, 1909.
No. 1458.]

Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith copy and translation of the message of President Zelaya tendering his resignation for the unexpired portion of his term to the Nicaraguan Legislative Assembly. The term will expire in II months. I also add translation of article 78, of the Nicaraguan constitution, authorizing the resignation and providing for the successor.

With assurances, etc.,

William Lawrence Merry.

[Inclosure 1—Translation.]

[La Informacion, Dec. 17, 1909.]

manifesto of president zelaya to the national assembly resigns power to deposit it in whoever may be named thereby telegram received at 12.15 at night.

To-day at 11 a.m. was read in the hall of the National Legislative Assembly, Deputy Santiago Arguello presiding, by General Minister Julian Irias, the following document: [Page 459]

“Messrs. Deputies: The difficult circumstances through, which the Republic is passing demands acts of true abnegation and patriotism of good citizens who can not contemplate with indifference the sorrows of the common mother unjustly overwhelmed by a hard destiny. You well know that there is burning in the country a revolution immoral and shameful, which even threatens to destroy the sovereignty of the fatherland. You also know the hostile attitude of a powerful nation which, against all right, has intervened in our political affairs and publicly furnished the rebels the aid which they have asked for, upon being conquered everywhere by the heroism of our army, and as the revolutionary chiefs have declared that they will deposit the fratricidal arms when the present ruler leaves power; desiring to avoid increased shedding of blood and to contribute efficiently to the pacification of the country, I manifest to the honorable National Assembly that I am disposed to separate myself from the Government and to deposit consequently the supreme power for the remaining period of my term to the person who may be designated in conformity with article 78 of the constitution.

“I desire that this determination shall contribute to the good of Nicaragua by the establishment of peace and above all, the suspension of the hostility manifested by the American Government to whom I do not desire to be a pretext, that it may continue intervening in any way in the destiny of the country.”

Managua, December 16, 1909.

Taken in consideration and passed to a special committee formed by the Deputies Luciano Gomez, M. Corones Matus, L. Ramirez, W. Wasmes, and Felix Zelaya R.

[Article 78, Constitution of 1905.]

When the President of the Republic has to resign the power, he shall do so to any of the deputies of the Legislative Assembly. If the assembly is convened, it shall designate the person to whom the resignation shall be made.