William L.Dayton, Esq., &c.
[Untitled]
No. 141.]
United States Consular
Agency, Belize, April 1,
1864.
Sir: By an arrival from Matamoras we
have added to the population of this colony a number of
southerners, who escaped from Texas, and have determined to take
up their residence within these possessions. They report that
there is no hope left for the confederacy, and that there are
thousands now in Texas who are anxious to escape, but cannot, in
consequence of the stringency of the blockade. That is to say,
these are parties who either cannot remain in the south after
the rebellion shall be closed, in consequence of their not being
comprehended in the amnesty proclamation, or from a deep-seated
hatred and animosity will not again consent to reside among us
as brother members of the same national family.
The individuals above referred to, as having just arrived here,
are the second arrival of the kind within the past few weeks,
all bringing the same report. Now, if these reports be true,
(and I doubt not they are true,) then it seems to me that an
important consideration is at once presented, namely, as to
whether it would not be humane as well as politic to allow some door to be opened by which such
persons may escape from our country. If their animosities are
such that they are no longer willing to live with us in peace,
then I argue that they are not worth having as citizens and
residents. Their places can soon be filled by a better class of
persons. When I write thus, it must not be presumed that I would
have our government and nation ignore the punishing, even to the
execution of a death sentence, the arch traitors, and to
accomplish that end to carefully close all the avenues by which
such might escape. I refer more particularly to that class of
persons who, from bitterness of feeling, are unwilling to take
an oath of allegiance, or to longer live in peace with us, and
hence prefer to seek a home in a foreign land. The fact is, that
the authorities and large landed proprietors of this colony
imagine that they can see in those persons the hope of this
country; that, if they can be allowed to escape from the south,
thousands would seek their homes in British Honduras, thus
furnishing at once, an intelligent, experienced, and producing
population, particularly in the cultivation of cotton, sugar,
tobacco, &c., and I have made the suggestion herein
contained at the direct request of some wealthy and influential
gentlemen of this place. On yesterday Governor Austin gave his
first dinner party, at which the subject was canvassed, and I
there promised to communicate with the United States government
in regard to the matter; hence, if you deem the suggestions
worthy of consideration, I beg to ask, on behalf of the parties
above alluded to, at the head of which may be considered the
governor, that you will be pleased to communicate it to the
honorable Secretary of State, through whom it may reach the
President.
With great respect, I have the honor to be your most obedient
servant,
CHARLES A. LEAS, United States
Consular Agent.
Hon. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State,
Washington.
