Mr. Clay to Mr.
Seward.
No 59.]
Legation of the United States at the
Republic of Honduras,
Tegucigalpa, February 15, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to report to you that the
reforms proposed in September last, in the new constitution adopted by
the republic, have been carried out, and been consummated by the
constitutional election of General José Maria Medina as President of the
republic for the term of four years, commencing on the 9th of February,
1866.
I enclose you an autograph letter from General Medina to me, giving me
information of the fact.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Page 529]
[Translation.]
President Medina to Mr. Clay.
Comayagua,
February 9, 1866.
Friend and Dear Sir: I have the honor to
inform you that on this day I have taken possession of the
constitutional presidency of the republic, to which position I was
proclaimed elected by a majority of the people of Honduras, in the
enjoyment of one of those acts or rights of the true popular
sovereignty.
If heretofore I have had great satisfaction in cultivating with your
excellency relations of frank and sincere friendship—as my cordial
demonstrations have indicated more than once— I have now the
intimate persuasion that the personal endowments of your excellency
worthily correspond to the high position which the government of the
American Union has confided to you. I feel or receive a double
pleasure in considering myself as one of the friends of your
excellency, and beg, as I do, that my new government may also
receive the confidence of yours. With that frankness which has
marked my character, I place myself at the orders of your
excellency, and remain your most obedient servant,
Signor Minister Don Thomas H. Clay.
