No. 34.]
United States Legation, San Salvador,
February 20, 1871. (Received March
16.)
A copy of said dispatch (marked A) is herewith inclosed; the inclosures
(marked B and C) mentioned in said dispatch are the same as sent to the
Department with legation dispatch No. 32, of February 19.
A.
United States Legation, San Salvador,
February 20, 1871.
Sir: In view of the present state of affairs
between this republic and that of Honduras, it is my duty to call the
attention of this government to the following extract of a treaty
celebrated between the United States of America and the republic of
Honduras, July 4, 1864, in relation to the Honduras Interoceanic
Railroad Company, viz:
“2. In consideration of these concessions, in order to secure the
construction and permanence of the route or road herein contemplated,
and also to secure, for the benefit of mankind, the uninterrupted
advantages of such communication from sea to sea, the United States
recognizes the rights of sovereignty and property of Honduras in and
over the line of said road, and for the same reason guarantees
positively and efficaciously the entire neutrality of the same,”
&c., &c.
In consideration of the very positive language and obligations of the
above, I must ask that in case of an invasion of Honduras by Salvador,
that such orders be given and such a policy pursued as will not involve
this government in any difficulty with the United States.
I inclose a copy of my dispatch (marked C) to the minister of foreign
relations in Honduras on the same subject, also a copy of a dispatch
(marked B) sent by said minister to the United States minister resident
in Honduras.
With much pleasure I reiterate to the honorable Sr. Doctor Arbizu the
assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
ALFRED T. A. TORBERT, United States
Minister.
His Excellency Sr. Dr. Don Gregorio Arbizu,
Minister of Foreign Relations for
Salvador.