CHAPTER XV

REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.
1840-1865.

PRESIDENT FERRERA REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS POLITICAL EXECUTIONS

PRESIDENCY OF JUAN LINDO NEW CONSTITUTION LINDO OVER
THROWN BELIZE HONDURAS TROURLES WITH GREAT BRITAIN BRITISH
OCCUPATION OF TIGER ISLAND BOMBARDMENT OF OMOA BAY ISLANDS
- -PRESIDENT CABANAS WAR WITH GUATEMALA GUARDIOLA S ASSAS
SINATION PROVISIONAL RULES OF CASTELLANOS AND MONTES ALLIANCE
WITH BARRIOS UNSUCCESSFUL WAR WITH GUATEMALA AND NICARAGUA
MONTES DEPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REPUBLIC JOSE M. ME
DINA CHOSEN PRESIDENT AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

THE house of representatives of the Estado Libre y

Soberano de Honduras, on the 30th of December,
1
1840, chose Francisco Ferrera president, and he took
possession of the office on the 1st of January, 1841.
The chamber closed its session on the 6th of March.
It is unnecessary to repeat here the history of Hon
duras down to 1844, as it has been given in connection
with other sections of Central America. The state
1
He had been the sole candidate, obtaining 3,400 votes, which did not
constitute a majority. Ferrera was of obscure parentage, and of inferior
ability. He was educated by a reactionary priest named Garin, who, wishing
him to become a musician of the parish church at Cantarranas, sent him to
Tegucigalpa to take lessons on the violin; but the boy made no progress in
that direction, and finally was made sacristan of Cantarranas, which position
he held a long time, till the revolutionary movements drew him into military
life, and he began upholding liberal principles. He figured afterward as vice-
jefe, hating his chief, Joaquin Rivera, because he was a democrat. Now we
see the sacristan of Cantarranas made president of the state. Francisco
Giiell, Francisco Zelaya, and Santiago Bueso were recognized as his substitutes
in the order named. It was also decreed by the chamber that in the event
of a vacancy, absolute or temporary, if the substitutes should be unable to
assume the executive duties, the latter should devolve on the ministers of
state. Montufar, Resena Hist., iv. 191-203- Wells //owe/., 494; Squier s Trav.,
ii. 449
(303)
310 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.

assembly was installed on the llth of January, with

ceremonies more religious than political, as befitted a
country where the influence of the church was so over
2
whelming. The chamber bepraised Ferrera with as
much gusto as the church had smoked him with
incense at the cathedral, and on the 2Gth he was
formally declared a benemerito de la patria, and con
firmed as a general of division, which rank had been
3
conferred on him by the OGovernment
t/
in March 1839.
Much was said at the opening of the legislative
session about peace, but the fact was, that a number
of towns were greatly agitated, owing to the heavy
burdens weighing on them, and to the displeasure
caused by many citizens having been driven into exile.
Among these towns were Texiguat, La Plazuela, and
Comayagiiela. Santos Guardiola was sent against
them, and was not successful, though he asserted in a
proclamation that he had defeated the rebels. The
war spread, 4 and Ferrera deemed it expedient to leave
the executive office in charge of the ministers for a
time, and to personally take command of the forces to
operate against the insurgents. Guardiola defeated
them at Corpus on the 1st of July, and captured their
correspondence, with Rivera, Orellana, and the other
5
leaders.
An at Olancho took
insurrection of the troops
place December, which
in was soon quelled, and
stringent measures were adopted by Ferrera against
its
6
promoters. Amid Ferrera s
this state of affairs
term was approaching end, and he
its could not be re-
elected a second time under the constitution of 1839.
Elections were held, and arrangements
7 O made so that
2
We are assured there were 44 te deum masses on that day
3
He was credited with having, by his energy, wisdom, and disinterested
patriotism, saved the state from civil war and anarchy.
4
The govt justly attributed the movement to Ex-jefe Rivera, Orellana,
Alvarez, Castro, and others, believing the centre of it to be in Leon. It de
manded satisfaction from Nic., but obtained none.
5
The whole was published in El Descubridor, official journal of Hond.
Every one of Rivera s letters counselled discipline, moderation, and honorable
dealing, so as to save the cause from obloquy
6
Decree of Dec. 13, 1844.
 REVOLUTION AND ELECTION. 311

he could continue in power as minister of war with

7
the chief command of the forces. Guardiola had been
also dubbed a benemerito, and his friends wished to
8
raise him to the presidential chair, but did not succeed.
No candidate obtained the requisite majority,9 and the
legislature chose Coronado Chavez president.
Ex-jcfe Rivera, taking advantage of the absence
of
Ferrera with most of his forces in Nicaragua, invaded
Honduras for the purpose of overthrowing the exist
ing government. The people failed to cooperate with
him, and he was defeated and made prisoner. On the
4th of January, 1845, he, with Martinez, Landa, and
Julian Diaz arrived at Comayagua in irons. The
official journal announced that Rivera was to be tried
and punished. He was in fact doomed to the scaffold
10
before he was tried.
Guardiola s atrocities in La Union and San Miguel,
spoken of in a former chapter, won him additional
honors from the subservient assembly of Honduras.
He was a second time declared a benemerito, and
awarded a gold medal. Chavez, the tool of Ferrera,
was not neglected. He was given the title of Padre
11
conscripto de la patria, with an accompanying medal.
The assembly closed on the 23d of March, well satisfied
of the wisdom of its measures. Another presiden
tial came up, and no one having the requi
election
site number of votes, the assembly, January 14,
1847, chose Ferrera, who declined the position, and
Juan Lindo was then appointed, Ferrera continuing
7
1 mentioned elsewhere the defeat this year at Nacaome of a Nicaraguaii
force by the garrison under Commandant Morales. The credit of this victory
was given to Ferrera, who happened to be in the place at the time, by the
ministers in. charge of the executive office awarding him a gold medal with
the inscription, A
la heroicidad del General Ferrera en la batalla de Ka-
caome. The supreme court had compared him with Alexander, Octavius,
Augustus, and Napoleon. The soldiers of Hond. made him a Miltiades,
Temistocles, and Demosthenes. And finally, the official journal pronounced
him superior to Julius C.esar. Monti ifar, Resena Hist., iv. 570-9.
8
Guardiola was a rough and cruel soldier.
9
His substitutes were Francisco Giiell, Leonardo Romero, and Manuel
Ernrjj :io Vazquez.
Rivera, Landa, and Martinez were shot together.
1;)

11
Decrees of Feb. 4 and March 19, 184G.
212 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.

as war minister, with the command of the troops an

nexed, which was what he desired. Guardiola was
retained in the office of minister of foreign relations,
though unfit for it.
AYhen the army of the United States was in Mexico,
Lindo seemed greatly exasperated thereby; the presi
dent, without first obtaining the sanction of the repre
sentatives, issued manifestos, on the 1st and 2d of June,
1847, which were an open declaration of war against
the United States. 12
Lindo desired to control affairs for an unlimited
time, and the constitution allowing him only a two-
years tenure, and containing, besides, several clauses
repugnant to him, it was doomed.
13
constituent A
assembly was accordingly called to frame a new char
ter, which was adopted at Comayagua February 4.
14
1848.
Lindo continued as president under the new re
15
gime. The legislature had assembled at Cedros on
the 10th of June, 1849, when the president reported
12
This proceeding was communicated to the governor of Chiapa for the
information of his government. The proclamations were published in Mexico,
and probably elsewhere; bxit I am not aware that the American government
took any action upon them. /(/., 236-7; Sun of And/mac, Sept. 14, 1847;
El Arco Ins, Sept. 22, Oct. 4, 17, 1847; El Jtazonador, Oct. 80, 1847; El
Sonorense, Nov. 12, 1847.
13
It provided for only one chamber, and he wanted another for the aris
tocracy. It recognized freedom of conscience and religion, which to his mind
was heresy.
u
lt contained 114 articles; recognized the people as the source of power
and sovereignty. All persons born in the states of Cent. Am. and residing
in Hond. were given the privileges of full citizenship.
Foreigners might
become naturalized. The right of suffrage was given to citizens over 21 years
of age who could read and write. The state recognized no other religion than
the Roman catholic, excluding the public exercise of all others. The govern
ment, declared to be popular and representative, was vested in three powers,
namely, legislative, executive, and judicial. The executive was placed in
charge of a president for four years, and not eligible for two consecutive
terms. He appointed his ministers, who had a seat in the legislature. There
was a council of state provided, its members being one senator chosen by the
gen. assembly, one justice of the supreme court, the minister of the interior,
the treasurer, and two citizens elected by the gen. assembly. The assembly
was formed of one chamber with 14 deputies, being two for each department,
aadthe senate with 7 members. The judiciary consisted of the supreme and
lower courts. The supreme court was divided into two sections, of three jus
tices each, one to sit in Comayagua, and the other in Tegucigalpa. Each
department had a jefc politico at its head. Hond., Constit. de!S48 1-21; Syuicr
y
s,

Cent. Am., 258-65.

15
The next term would begin on the 1st of Feb., 1852.
 WAR AND TREATIES. 313

the state at peace, and its relations with the other

states on a satisfactory footing. But he acknowledged
that his government was harassed by party conten
tions. Order had been maintained thus far by a strict
impartiality toward the factions, with16the cooperation
of some good and influential citizens. This was not
to lart long; for on the 12th of February, 1850,
Guardiola, deceived by representations of Felipe Jau-
regui and the aristocrats of Guatemala, in which the
British charge, Chatfield, had no little part, made a
pronunciamiento at Tegucigalpa, where the govern
ment then was, and Lindo had to fiee. The latter
finally entrenched himself at Nacaome, near the bay
of Fonseca, and asked for assistance from the govern
ments of Salvador and Nicaragua, which under the
terms of their confederacy they were bound to afford
him. Salvador at once sent a considerable force under
General Cabanas, and Nicaragua prepared to do the
same if necessity required it. Guardiola s movement
was not seconded elsewhere. But lie marched against
Nacaome, and at Pespire commissioners of Salvador
and Lindo made him understand his false position,
and an understanding was then had, on the 25th of
17
March, by which he submitted to Lindo s authority.

The treaties of 1783 and 178G between Great Britain

and Spain reserved to the latter the sovereignty over
Belize, otherwise called British Honduras, granting to
the settlers merely the privilege of cutting dye and
8
other woods/ using the spontaneous products of the
w Nic.,
Cor. 1st., Aug. 1, 1849; La Union (S. Salv.), June 15, 1849.
The following were the terms agreed upon: a general amnesty; the con
17

federate diet was to meet at Nacaome, protected by 200 Salvadorans and as

many Nicaraguans at the expense of Hond. and the state assembly also to
;

redress certain alleged grievances; and Jauregui s conduct in Costa R. to be

investigated. All of which was done. Cent. Am., Mixed. Doc., nos. 29-33,
36-43, 50-5; S-tlv., Gaceta, March 15, Apr. 4, 18, May 10, 1850; Costa 1?.,
March 2, 1850; Nlc., Cor. 1st., Apr. 4, May 2, 10, 1850; Guardiola,
G<ia>ta,

C.irtaOfic., March 30, 1850; Syuier s Travel*, ii. 182. The chambers on the
29th of June declared Lindo a benemerito de la patria, conferring on him the
rank of general of division for life, from the expiration of his presidential
term. Hond., GacrtaOfic., Aug. 31, 1850.
lb
The Spaniards know but little of this region, believing it unhealthy^
314 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.

soil, fishing along the coast, repairing their vessels,

and building houses and stores. The colonists were
not to set up any government, either civil or military,
construct forts or defences, maintain troops of any
19
kind, or possess any artillery.
Governor O Neill of Yucatan made an expedition
in 1798 against
o the English
o settlers duringo war be-
tween the two nations, and destroyed a number of
settlements on the Rio Nuevo, but w^as afterward
repulsed by the colonists and slaves of Belize. This
circumstance was claimed to have given the victors
the right of conquest over the territory occupied by
them. But neither Spain, nor Mexico after her
independence, recognized that pretension, nor was it
admitted by the British parliament. 20 Furthermore,
the treaty signed in London, December 26, 1826, be
tween Great Britain and Mexico was negotiated on
the express condition that the treaty of July 14, 1786,
between the Spanish and British crowns should be
21
held valid and observed in all its provisions. There
fore the conclusion we must arrive at is, that the

sovereignty over Belize belongs to Mexico and not to

Great Britain. Mexico s claim has been recognized
by the settlers, when it suited their interests, but
they were never equally disposed to abide by the obli
22
gations of the treaty of 1826. Their encroachments
and bad hardly made any attempts themselves to cut wood there. Cancelada,
Tel. Alexlcano, 1C4-11, computed at nearly twenty-two million dollars the loss
sustained by Spain to 1312, including in. that sum the original cost, and the
resulting proiits which had accrued, mostly to the English.
19
They were likewise forbidden to cultivate sugar, coffee, or cacao, or to
engage in manufactures; and they were not to supply arms or ammunition to
the Indians dwelling on the frontiers of the Spanish possessions. Etpana e Jit>/l.

Cove) i
io, July 14, 1780, in Cent. Am. Parupli., no. 4, 1-7.
20
Certain acts of that
body in 1817 and 1819, in consequence of
measures
adopted to punish crimescommitted in Belize, declared that the crimes could
not be punished under British laws, because that territory was not a portion
of the United Kingdom. Peniche, Hixt. fid. E*p. y Alex, con Inyl., in Ancona,
Hi*t. Yuc.y iv. 223.
The treaty of
21
182G, with the annexed treaties and conventions of Spain
with England and oilier nations having any bearing on the subject may be
found in Alex., Dcredio Intern., i. 437-524.
22
Villiers, Brit. min. in Madrid, asked the Sp. govt in 1835, and again
in 183G, to cede to England any right of sovereignty she might have over
Brit. Honduras. The request was not granted, but it implied that England
in 1S3G did not consider herself to possess the full sovereignty over Belize.
 BELIZE. 315

on Yucatan have continued to the extent that they now

hold much more than was conditionally allowed them
23
for wood-cutting by the treaty of 1783.

Affecting to forget that they were entitled merely

to the usufruct of the country, the settlers set up as
24
early as 1798 a government, raised troops, built forts,
tilled and exercised every right implying full
the soil,

sovereignty. Alexander
25
M
Donald, while holding the
office of superintendent, on the 2d of November, 1840,
set aside the laws and usages of the country, declaring
that from said date the law of England should be the
law of the settlement or colony of British Honduras,
and that all local customs and laws repugnant to the
spirit of the law of England, and opposed
to the prin
26
ciples of equity and justice, should be null. In later
years the government has been in the hands of a lieu
tenant-governor, with an executive and legislative
council, and the colony has the usual judicial estab
27
lishment.
Villarta, Mexican min. of foreign affairs, refers to Velliers efforts in a note
of March 23, 1878, to the Brit. govt. The latter, however, in 1836, claimed
a larger extent of territory, including the whole coast as far south as the
River Sarstoon, and as far inland as the meridian of Garbutt a Falls on the
Belize River.
in Bustamante, Hist. IturUdc, 161; Squier s Travel*, ii. 412-14;
"Details

Jd., Cent. J/c/., ii. 306; Alex. Soc. Gtotj., Bole-

Am., 582-4, 627-8; Armnyoiz,
tin, 2d ep., iv. 698-710; Annals Brit. Legis., ii. 84; Suarez, Jnfome, 32-6;
U. S. Govt Doc., For. Aff. (Mess, and Doc., pt 1, 65-6, pt iii. 360- 1), Cong. 39,
Sess. 1.; Id., Fordjii Rd.>
i. 656-61,
Cong. 43, Sess. 1.; Salv., DiarioOfic., Nov.
21, 1378; Ln
Vozile Mtj., Jan. 31, 1865; Sept. 19, Nov. 1, 1882.
24
The settlement, as it was called, for it had not even the name of a colony,
was ruled by a code of laws established in 1779 by Sir W. Burnaby. Justice
was administered by a board of seven magistrates chosen annually. The
chief authority was the superintendent, a position, always held by a military
officer, combining the duties both of first civil magistrate and commander of
the forces. Hendersons Bnt. Hond., 75-9.
He entitled himself then her Majesty s superintendent and commander-
>2i

in-chief in and over her possessions in Hond.

20
M Donald then appointed an executive council. He also assumed control
of the finances. Not satisfied with the right of veto, he legislated in his own
person by proclamation, assuming the right of punishing any one acting
against his authority or obstructing his mandates. The inhabitants protested 1

against his usurpation of powers, and appealed to the British government

and parliament, obtaining some trifling relaxation. They also petitioned that
the government should openly assume the sovereignty, so that they might
possess their lands without reservation in respect to Spain or Mexico. Their
petitions did not receive any direct reply. However, the govt in 18*45, sent
out a chief justice, a queen s advocate, and other judicial appendages. Crotve s
Gosprl, 205-6.
27
The coat of arms of Belize is read as follows; Chief dexter-argent the
316 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.

The assumption of sovereignty is not Mexico s only

cause of complaint. Since the war of races broke out
in Yucatan in 1847, the people of Belize have sold
arms and ammunition to the revolted Indians. Early
in 1848 the authorities promised that the Indians
should not be aided, directly or indirectly; but the
28
promise was not fulfilled. The population is mainly
negro, originally introduced as slaves the rest, excep ;

ting a few white men, is a hybrid race resulting from

intercourse with Europeans and Indians. The total
population in 1871 was nearly 25,000, of which there
were probably 1,000 more males than females. 20 Slav
ery was abolished by an act of the inhabitants on the
30
1st of August, 1840.
The chief product of the country is mahogany, of
which some 20,000 tons were exported annually, but
the demand for it lately has decreased. Its logwood
is much valued, and about 15,000 tons are yearly ex

ported. Besides these staples, the country produces

other woods of value, and the cahoon or coyal palm
in abundance, from the nuts of which is extracted a
valuable oil. Sarsaparilla and vanilla are found in
the interior. Of domestic animals there are enough
union jack, proper. Chief sinister, on the proper the chief divided from the
body of the shield by a chevron-shaped partition from the fess of the dexter
and sinister base. Points the intermediate space azure a ship with set
sails oil the sea, passant proper. Crest, mahogany tree. Motto, Sub umbra
iloreo. Supporters, negroes; that to the left, with a paddle; the other to the
right, with an axe over his shoulder. Slout n JW., 258.
2b
One of the superintendents- -supposed to be Col Faiiuourt had relations
with the ferocious Cecilio Chi, which was officially communicated by JViex-ico
to the Brit, charge, Doyle, March 12, 1849. Ancorut. Hist. Yu<:., iv. 234;
Yuc., Ej-pox. Gob. Credttos, 98-102.
*9
The population about 1804 was set down at not more than 200 white
persons, 5JO free colored, and 3,000 negro slaves. The white pop. grad
ually decreased. In 1S27-8, the pop. was between 5,000 and 0,000; in 1838,
8,000; in 1830, 15,000; in 18G3, 25,000. SyuierxCent. Am., 587 8-, Dunn s Git Jt.,
13-14; Oitlionie s Guide, 234; Valois, Mexiqne, 150; Pirns Gate of the. Par., 20.
The town of Belize, at the mouth of the river of the same name, generally has
6,000 inhabitants. The dwellings of the wealthy class are large and com
fortable. Besides the govt houses, court-house, barracks, and jail, there are
several churches, episcopal, methodist, baptist, and presbyterian, and some
large and costly lire-proof warehouses. The town has experienced two destruc
tive conflagrations, one in 1854 and another in 18G3. Packet Intelligencer, June
37, 1054; Gnat., Gaceta, Sept. 7, 22, 1854; La VozdeMcj., May 9, 1863.
3l)
1 1was effected without disturbance, and attended with the happiest re
sults. Crowes Goxpe.1, 205.
 ENGLISH COERCION. 317

for the needs of the people. The colony during the

last fifteen or twenty years has been on the downward
course.
In former times the port of Belize was an entrepot
for the neighboring states of Yucatan, Guatemala, and
31
Honduras, but after the opening of direct trade be
tween those states and the United States and Europe,
and the diversion of trade on the Pacific to Panama,
that source of prosperity ceased. Total tonnage
entered and cleared in 1877, exclusive of coasting
trade, 73,974, of which 46,168 were British. Value
of imports, in ten years ending in 1877, 1,781,175;
for that year, 165,756, of which 84,540 were from
Great Britain. Value of exports for 1877, 124,503,
32
of which 94,548 went to Great Britain. The
average rate of duties on imports is ten per cent ad
valorem; machinery, coal, and books entering free,
The gross amount of revenue for 1863, 27,398; for
1877, 41,488. Public expenditure for the latter year,
39,939.

The relations of Honduras with Great Britain were

during many years in an unsatisfactory state, due in a
great measure to the schemes of certain officials of the
latter government, who pushed ungrounded claims

against the former in the furtherance of their plans to

gain control of a large extent of the Central American
coast. On the 3d of October, 1849, a British war
ship at Trujillo demanded the sum of $1 1 1,061, alleged
to be due to subjects of her nation. The demand not
being complied with, an armed force was landed from
her the next day, which occupied the fort and town.
The British commander finally accepted on account
$1,200 all that the Honduran comandante could pro
cure and on reembarking fired a volley. 33
31
Much smuggling was carried on to and from it.
**
Annals Brit. Legis., iii. 368; v. 263; vii. 228; x. 386-7; 391-2; xii. 139-40;
xiv. 304; U. S. Comm. Eel, 1863-77, passim. The Encydop. Britan., xii.
33
He concluded to proceed to Jamaica for further instructions. EIRevisor,
Jan. 5, Feb. 16, 1850; IfomL, Gaceta Ofic., Oct. 19, 1849.
318 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.

On the southern coast the British steamship Gorgon,

on the IGth of November, seized the island of Tiger,
84
hoisting the British flag at Amapala. The authori
ties of Honduras, after protesting against the act,
called the attention of the United States representa
tive to the British proceeding, for this island had been
30
ceded to his government in September previous. It
i.3
presumed that Chatfield s purpose, among other
was to prevent the construction of a canal
tilings,
across Nicaragua by Americans. But Admiral
Hornby, commanding the British naval forces in the
Pacific, disapproved of the proceeding, removing his
men and restoring the Honduran flag under a salute
of twenty-one guns. 36
A
preliminary convention was entered into at San
Jose, Costa Rica, December 29, 1849, between Felipe
Jduregui, calling himself commissioner of Honduras,
and Chatfield, the British charge d affaires, in nine
articles, some of which involved undue responsibility
on the part of Honduras. 37 This treaty w as disavowed T

by her government, March 22, 1850, in a note to

Admiral Hornby, declaring that Jduregui had no
authority to make it, and its stipulations being offen
sive to the dignity of the state, the legislature would

w Chattield, the Brit,

charge, was present at the act. Id., Nov. 30, 1849;
Stout s Nic., 278; Salo., Gaceta, Feb. 15, 1850. seizur was
The object of the seizure
to secure Honduras proportion of the indebtedness of Cent. Am. to Brit,
creditors.
3j
Under a convention in three articles concluded at Leon Sept. 28, 1849.
The cession was for 18 months, and had been made known the same date to
all diplomatic agents in Cent. Am. Hond., Gaceta Ojic., Oct. 19, 1849; Uic. t
r
Cor. /*/., Nov. 10, 1849. ihe corresp. of the govt of Hond. with the Brit.
charge appears in Cent. Am. Correspond., Islade Tirjre, 1-8; Cent. Am., Miscel.
Doc., nos. 21, 25, 28; U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 31, Sess. 2, Sen. Doc. 43, 1-20;
//., Cong. 31, Sess. 1, H. Jour., 1739, 1801.
3G
JWe., Cor. ht., Jan. 10 and suppl., Feb. 10, 1850.
37
1st. Great Brit, recognized the independ. of Hond. as a sovereign repub

lic, pledging her good offices to avert any attempts against that independ.
Hond. at this time was a member of a confederacy with Salvador and Nica
ragua, and was made to bind herself not to dispose of any portion of her ter
ritory before she had definitely settled Brit, claims. 2d. Hond. was to accredit
within six months a commissioner in Gnat, to conclude a treaty of friendship,
commerce, and navigation with G. Brit. 3d. Hond. recognized the indebted
ness of 111,001. 4th. She bound herself to pay that sum in yearly instal
ments of $15,000 at Belize. The other articles were of less importance. Salv.,
Gaceta, Apr. 5, 1850; Hond., Liyeras Observ., 1-10.
 FUTILE PROTESTS. 319

never sanction them. 38 Meanwhile Honduras had

agreed witli Chatfield to accredit a commissioner to
arrange}
with him for the settlement of British claims.
This was done; and the long and tedious question was
finally arranged on the 27th ot March, 1852, Hon
39
duras assuming an indebtedness of $80,000.
The debt question was not the only source of dis
quietude for Honduras in her relations with Great
Britain. British officials, on trumped-up pretext^,
usurped and held, during several years, portions of her
territory. M
Donald, superintendent of Belize, occu
pied Roatan and other islands belonging to Honduras
situated in the bay of this name. The Honduran
government protested against such usurpation, but no
attention was paid to its remonstrances. It does not
appear, however, that Great Britain was claiming
territorial rights over the Bay Islands, as they were
40
called. Soon afterward, a number of Cayman
islanders settled in Roatan, and in the course of a
few years there were about 1,000, when the superin
tendent of Belize found a pretext to assume the con
trol. In 1849, the islanders applied to Colonel Fan-
court, then superintendent of Belize, for a regular
government. He promised to comply with their
wishes, but was unable, and they continued choosing
their authorities. At last, in August 1850, the war
schooner Bermuda, Lieutenant Jolly commanding,
took formal possession of Roatan, Guanaja or Bonaca,
Utila, Barbarreta, Morat, Elena, etc., in behalf of the
British crown, declaring them a British appendage
under the name of Colony of the Bay Islands; against
which the acting chief magistrate, William Fitzgib-
38
Jauregui, March 24, 1850, in a pamphlet issued at Leon, defended his
conduct, alleging that he had ample powers. Jtistijic., in Cent. Am. Pampk.,
i. no. 7.

Independent of 1,425 paid for her proportion of Cent. Am. indebted

39

ness to Fiiilay, Hodgson, & Co. of London. HoiuL, Gaceta OJic., Jan. 30, 1853.
40
The British seized Roaban June 3, 1830, driving away the small Central
American garrison. Similar attempts have been made since 1743 by British
subjects, though unsuccessfully. The seizure of 1830 lasted only a short
time, having been disallowed by the British government. Crowe s Gospel, 212;
Montufar, Kesena Hist., iii. 4247; iv. 71-5.
320 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.

l)on,protested on the 15th of September, 1850, in the

41
name of the sovereignty of Honduras. The islands
were, in August 1852, under the rule of a lieutenant-
governor.
42
A
treaty was finally concluded between
the queen of Great Britain and Honduras, on the 28th
of November, 1859, respecting the Bay Islands, the
Mosquito Indians, and the claims of British subjects,
which settled the question in favor of the latter
43
power. Still one more trouble has occurred between
the two nations, in which the weaker one had to sub
mit to the demand of the other at the mouth of her
cannon. On the 19th of August, 1873, the war ship
Niobe, Sir Lambton Loraine commanding, bombarded
Fort San Fernando of Omoa. 44 The bombardment
ceased on the Honduran authorities agreeing to redress
40
the alleged grievances, and paying damages. With
other nations of Europe and America excepting
the sister states, with which repeated bickerings
have occurred, leading sometimes to war Honduras
46
has succeeded in maintaining friendly relations.

Whose territorial right is indisputable, he alleged. He based his

<l

action on the treaty of April 11), 1850, between the U. S. and Great Britain,
under which neulur power was to have colonies or settlements in Central
America. The IT. 8. took part in defence of Honduras rights and overthrew
the British pretensions. Squier s Cent. Am., u 21-6, 740-8; Democratic 7iVr. ,

xxx. 514 r 12.

Under a decree of the superintendent of Belize. The comandante of

42

Trujillo, by order of his government, protested against the occupation Sept.

13, 1352. Homl, GacetaOjic., Dec. 15, 1852; El Jan. ], Y*l\\.Si<jlo,
^ Art. 1. Great Britain
recogni/ed the islands to belong to Houd. The
latter pledged herself not to cede them to any other nation. Art. 2. The
former power recognized as part of Hond. the country till then occupied or
possessed by the Mosquito Indians within the frontier of the republic, what
ever that frontier might be. La Union deNic., March 9, 1801; Finis Gnte of
{/the Pcic., 412-15. Further details in connection with the Buy Islands ques-
t.on maybe seen in J3ay Inlands, Queens Warrant, etc.; A acion, Nov. 9, L<i

Dec. 20, 1C50; Diit. Quart. Per., xcix. 270-80; Caicedo, L t. A:n. 70-80. t

44
The grounds alleged for this violent action were: lot, That the Brit,
vice-consul s residence had been broken into by Hond. troops, and robbed;
2d, That Omoa was sacked by these troops, and goods to the value of HGO,
-

COO had been stolen from British, subjects; 3d, That some British subjects had
been drafted into the army, and an Englishwoman unjustly imprisoned. JV>.,

Gaceta, Oct. 25, 1873; El Porvenir de, AVe., Sept. 21, 1873; A>., Scmamd Xic.,
July 2 7, 174.
Streber, who commanded the troops accused of these abuses, defends
45

the rights of Honduras in the controversy, i 1 JjXpONic. Doc. Sue. Omoa, 30-
44, 63-103.
46
She had to settle, in 1850, claims of French citizens, and in 1851 of
 PRESIDENT CABALAS. 321

The boundary between Honduras and Nicaragua was

finally agreed upon in a convention dated September ] ,

47
1870. In 1866 the Honduran government entered
into a concordat with the pope for an understanding on
affairs ecclesiastical.

President Lindo, having been a third time elected

to the presidency for the term to begin February 1,
1852, published on the 25th of November, 1851, a
manifesto to the people, suggesting the expediency of
calling some other citizen to the executive chair,
48
pleading at the same time need of rest. The people
took him at his word, and chose Trinidad Cabanas
president, who was inducted into office at Comayagua
49
on the 1st of March, 1852, and on the next day in
his address to the assembly pledged his word to pur
sue a liberal policy in observance of the principles that
had guided him throughout his career. His election
was hailed as an auspicious event, and a safeguard
50
against Guatemala s encroachments. The state was

Prussian subjects. Hond., GacetaOfic., Aug. 31, 1850; Jan. 15, 1852; Costa I!.,
(iactta, Nov. 10, 1850.
47
Nic. had claimed on the N. E. the river Patuca to its mouth, Hond.
claimed the Coco to its mouth. The commissioners agreed upon a compro
mise line between those rivers, namely, the summit of the Dilpito Cordillera,
from the point where it becomes detached from the main body, which divides
the waters running to both oceans; and from the point where it and the line
continues eastwaruly to the \vaters of the Atlantic in lat. 15 10 N., and
long. 83 15 W. of Greenwich. Nic., Mem. Rel, 1871, 5-7.
48
About this time he was on the Nic. frontier mediating for peace between
the belligerents of that state. His efforts proving successful, he was warmly
congratulated by his friends on his return. Hond., Gaceta Ojic., Nov. 26, 1851;
El tiiylo, Dec. 13, 1851; Cent. Am. Pamph., vii. no. 2.
i9
Cabanas, ElPresid...d sus Conciud., 1-0. The office had been provis
ionally in charge of Senator Francisco Gomez. El Sirilo, Feb. 21, March 19,
1852.
a
Cabanas was of diminutive stature, but of erect mien. He was aged
about 50 at this time. His face was pale and mild; his gestures were in keep
ing with the intelligent play of his features; his manners gentle, almost
womanly, but beneath this placid exterior was a stern, indomitable spirit.
After many years of prominence as a leader, during an anarchical period, even
his enemies never accused him of selfishness or rancor. Squiers Trav., ii. 177;
Well* Hond., 184. Cabanas was a brave soldier, but could not be called a
successful general. Perez, a political opponent, speaking of him as the chief
of the coquimbo party, says: Mai general, excelente soldado, nunca vence-
dor, siempre con prestigio, y uno de los mas fogosos promotores de la nacion-
alidad centro Americana. Mem. Hint. Rev. Nic., 10. The assembly, May 21 ,

1 851, had conferred on him the title of soldado ilustre de la patria. His death
HIST. CENT. AM., VOL. III. 21
 I

322 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.

at peace in the interior, and with the other states of

Central America, except Guatemala, with which the
relations were not harmonious, owing to the usurpa
tion by the latter of a portion of Honduran territory
on the Copan side. This, with divergence in political
principles between the two rulers, soon brought on a
51
bloody war, which has been detailed in a previous
52
chapter. The fruitlessncss of this contest prompted
Salvador and Nicaragua to use their endeavors for
peace but they proved unavailing. What Guatemala s
;

superior resources failed to accomplish on the field of

battle was, however, brought about by means of in
trigue, witJi the cooperation of the party opposed to
Cabanas in Honduras, headed by General Santos
Guardiola, which received efficacious aid from Carrera.
General Juan Lopez supported the revolutionary
movement with 700 men/ 3 and Cabanas was over
thrown on the Gthof July, 1855. 4 r

At last, being unable to cope with the daily increas

ing forces of the enemy, lie abandoned the field, and
retreated to Salvador. The serviles again took pos
55
session of the government under Lopez. The presi
dential election took place amid this turmoil. The
state was divided into two factions, one supporting
Lindo and the other Guardiola. The friends of Lindo,
not feeling certain of success, proposed Lopez as a
compromise candidate, he being credited with the

occurred Jan. 8, 1871. El Stylo, June 12, 1851; Nic., Gacetn, Aug. 19, 1851;
Jan. 29, 1871.
Astaburuaga attributes this war to Cabanas attempts to promote an
51

insurrection in Gnat, against his old enemy Carrera. Cent. Am., 70-1.
52
The Guatemalans took the fort and city of Omoa, and carried away all
the useful artillery, against the stipulations agreed iipon at the surrender.
Well* IJond., 507-8; Gnat., Gaceta, Sept. 16, 23, 1853.
63
This Lopez commanded at Omoa when the place was given up in 1853 to
the Guat. Col Zavala, since which he had been suspected of treachery. Wclli
Jlond., 515; Coxta R., Gaceta, Jan. 15, 1854; Id., Boletin Ofic., Dec. 30, 1854;
Hond., Gaceta Ofic., May 10, 1854, to Feb. 10, 1855, passim; Guat., Gaceta,
Nov. 3, Dec. 22, 1854.
*He had received no aid from Salv., owing to Carrera having falsely re
f

ported his intention to sell territory to a foreign power.

55
The executive office went, Oct. 14, 1855, into the hands of Vice-president
8. Bueso, who pleading ill health left it in charge of Senator Francisco

Aguilar. Guat., Gaceta, Nov. 9, 1855, Feb. 1C, 1850.

 POLITICAL DESPOTISM. 323

expulsion of Cabanas, but finally abandoned the plan

and cast their votes for Guardiola, who assumed the
executive office, February 17, 1856, on his return
from Nicaragua, where he had been defeated by
William Walker Lindo had meantime been in charge
of the government.
56
A system of despotism was now 57
established, Guardiola being but a satellite of Carrer^.
The country at this time was in a distressed condi
tion. Agriculture was neglected, most of the field
hands having emigrated. Business of all kinds was
at a stand-still. There was no available revenue, for
every one of its branches was burdened with debt.
The state had a contingent of troops serving in Nica
ragua against Walker, supported from a special forced
loan. To the credit of Guardiola s administration must
be recorded, however, that it secured peace with Gua
temala, and a settlement of questions pending with
Great Britain. At the end of his term he was re-
56
Perez, Mem. Hist. Campaiia Nac., 13.
57
Guardiola was a dark-colored, stout-built, and rather corpulent zambo, a
man but popular with his soldiers, whom he indulged in
of fiendish instincts,
every way. He possessed all the vices and was guilty of about all the crimes
known to man. When in his cups he would order men to be^shot by way of
pastime. At the mention of his approach to a town, the inhabitants would
nee to the woods. He was the tiger of Cent. Am. Dunlop s Cent. Am., 237;
Wells Homl, 517; Wappiim, Her. und Cent. Am., 306-7. William V. Wells,
Explorations and Adventures in Honduras, New York, 8vo, 588 pp., with maps
and illustrations, went to Honduras with the object of obtaining from her
government leave to work gold placers, and of opening commercial relations.
He visited several places, both in Nicaragua and Honduras, which he de
scribes quite accurately, together with the manners and customs of their
inhabitants. His information on mines and mining is valuable. There are
in the work three chapters devoted to history from 1821 to 1857, the ground
work of which is mostly from other authors, and one chapter is filled with
data on commerce, revenue, debt, etc., and still another treats of coins and
currency, weights and measures, and productions, with illustrations. Ihe
style is good, the work readable and instructive. Portions are evidently
taken from Squier, and the illustrations are mostly identical with those
of Squier s States of Central America. The same author gave to the press
in^New York, a 12mo, with 316pp., map and portrait, under the title of
Walker s Expedition to Nicaragua. This work, as the title implies, is almost
entirely devoted to Walker s career in this country, which is justified as well as
praised. Here and there he mentions some historical facts on British preten
sions in Mosquito, a short resume on
Nicaragua, the Nicaragua transit route,
and a short review on colonization, commerce, and mining, compiled from
several sources. There is no system or arrangement, having been, as the
author alleges, written, published, and put in circulation in twenty days, a
feat few authors would go out of their
way to boast of. But taken all in all,
the book is well worth perusing.
3-24 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.

elected. Early in 1861 the government had a differ

ence with the vicario capitular. The see being then
vacant, this ecclesiastic assumed the right of excom
municating the president, whom he accused of perse
cuting the church; but the government forbade the
publication of his decree, and expelled its author from
58
the state. This difficulty \vas subsequently arranged
through the metropolitan of Guatemala. Disturbances
59
occurred at various places, which were brought to an
(iid in a short time. On the llth of January, 1862,
60
the president was assassinated. At first it was feared
that discord would reiini a^ain. and the other Central
American governments prepared to mediate in the
61
interests of peace. Fortunately, good counsels pre
vailed, and anarchical tendencies were for a time
checked.
Guardiola s constitutional successor, Victoriano Cas-
was in Salvador, and much against his
tellanos, will
was pushed by Barrios to accept the position. He
repaired to the frontier, and had the oath of office
administered to him by the alcalde of the little town
of Guarita; which was considered a strange proceed
ing on his part by Senator Jose Maria Medina, who
had received the executive office from J. F. Monies, 6 2

and invited him to the capital to enter upon his

63
duties. Castellanos concluded soon after an alliance
offensive and defensive with Barrios, and at a time
when their states were at peace with the other gov
ernments of Central America. This step, and the
diatribes of the press in Salvador and Honduras
58
of Jan. 5, 1861. La Union tie Nic., Feb. 2, March 9, May 25, 1861.
Decree
Chiefly in Nacaome and Choluteca.
09

Ale., Bolctin Ofic., Jan. 25, March 22, 1862. This deed was said by the
60

enemies of Pres. Barrios of Salv. to have been instigated by him. Id., Bolet/n
rtu-h., July 11, 1803. There was no ground for the charge. The govern
ment of Gnat, proposed to other states to recognize no administration of Hon
duras until the criminals, who had been arrested, should suffer punishment.
( ottta Informe Eel, 1802, 24.
/<*.,

Nic. despatched P. Zeledon as mediator, but the motives of his gov. were
61

bitterly denounced by the press of Comayagua.

62
Feb. 4, 1802. Nic., Bolctin Ojic. March 22, 1862.
,

63
Castellanos declined going to the capital, and Medina went to his resi
dence and formally surrendered the executive authority to him.
 BRIEF REIGNS. 325

against the governments of Guatemala and Nicaragua,

paved the way for fresh troubles in Central America.
Castellanos held the government about ten months,
nearly all the time in a turmoil ; and at his death was
temporarily succeeded by Jose Francisco Montes,
who followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, con
tinuing the alliance with Barrios, and hostilities against
Guatemala and Nicaragua. The serviles, assisted by
the troops of these two states, being victorious, over
threw him, and on the 21st of June, 1863, placed at
the head of affairs, as provisional president of the
republic of Honduras, the senior senator, Jose Maria
64
Medina, who issued a decree of outlawry against
65
Montes. In December the capital was for a time
transferred to Gracias, and on the last day of the
same month Medina surrendered the executive office
66
to Francisco Inestroza. On the loth of February
of the following year, the presidential election took
place, and Medina and Florencio Xatruch appeared
to have obtained the popular suffrages, the former
67
for president and the latter for vice-president.
Disturbances at Olancho were with little difficulty
brought to an end, the rebels being defeated at Tapes-
cos. A
constituent assembly was convoked and met
to reform the constitution, which was done on the 19th
of September. 63 On the 29th of October, the constit
uent assembly just prior to adjournment appointed
64
This was the result of the defeat of the troops of Salv. and Hond. by
the forces of Guat. and Nic. on the plain of Santa Rosa.
65
This decree is signed by Medina as presidente de la reptiblica de Hon
duras, July 20, and rescinded Sept. 8, 1863. Ale., Boktin Pueb., Aug. 9, Oct.
9, 1863.
66
His senatorial term having expired. Nic., Gaceta, Feb. 13, 1864.
67
The election of Xatruch was afterward declared unconstitutional, Feb.
26, 1865. Nk., Gaceta, April 1, 1865.
68
Its sittings lasted from Sept. 7th to Oct. 29th. The sovereignty of the
people was recognized. The catholic, any other kind of public worship
being forbidden, was declared the state religion. The executive authority
was vested in a president for four years, with a council of state consisting of
his two ministers, one senator chosen by both houses of the assembly, and
the chief justice. The legislative power rested in a senate and house of
deputies. The existing political division of the republic was left unchanged.
Id., Nov. 11, 1865; Camp s Year- Book, 1869, 527; The Am. Cyclop., viii. 790.
326 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS.
69
Medina provisional president, the date for the elec
tion of the constitutional one being fixed on the 1st
of December. Another decree of the same date
granted a full amnesty for all political offences com
mitted since February 4, 1848.
69
He had temporarily, pleading ill health, left the executive in the hands
of Crescencio Gomez. The assembly appointed, as substitutes of Medina,
Saturnine Bogran, C. Gomez, and Francisco Medina.