History of Central America, Volume 3, 1801-1887: The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 8Bancroft, Hubert Howe
History
History of Central America, Volume 3, 1801-1887: The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 8
Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Central America -- History
In 1849, Salvador became involved in a quarrel with the British chargé
d'affaires, Chatfield, resulting from alleged claims preferred by
him with his usual haughtiness, on behalf of fellow-subjects of his.
Vasconcelos' government looked on these claims as unjust, and refused
them recognition. Chatfield then caused the blockading by a naval force
of La Union, the port from which Salvador derived the greater portion
of her revenue.[XIV-43] Unable to resist, her government agreed on
the 12th of November, 1849, to acknowledge the indebtedness, and make
provision for its payment. The blockade was then raised.[XIV-44] But
this did not end the disagreements between Chatfield and the Salvador
government. On the 6th of August he made peremptory demands,[XIV-45]
coupled with a menace that if not complied with at once the coasts
of the state would be blockaded by British war ships then coming to
act under his instructions. The government of Salvador did not comply
with the demands,[XIV-46] and on the 16th of October port La Union was
blockaded by the British ship _Champion_, whose commander notified the
authorities that if within ten days full satisfaction were not given
for the insults to the British flag, the blockade would be extended
to the whole coast, another vessel being despatched to Acajutla to
enforce it. No satisfaction having been given as demanded, that menace
was carried out. The difficulties remained unsettled in the latter part
of February 1851, though the British war vessels had retired.[XIV-47]
But they were subsequently arranged in an amicable manner. With the
exception of these troubles, and the repeated differences with the
other states of Central America, Salvador has maintained friendly
relations with foreign powers, most of which have treaties with her on
terms satisfactory to all concerned.[XIV-48]
* * * * *
[Sidenote: MULTIPLIED HOSTILITIES.]
Vasconcelos was not more successful in preserving peace within the
state than in forcing Guatemala to abandon the policy she had adopted
of maintaining an absolute autonomy. In his invasion of that neighbor's
territory early in 1851, as we have seen in the previous chapter, he
was worsted, which roused popular indignation against him, followed by
a revolt, and his deposal by congress.[XIV-49] On the 1st of March, the
substitute, J. F. Quiroz, was called to occupy the executive chair, and
did so.[XIV-50] The president for the constitutional term 1852-3 was
Francisco Dueñas, who succeeded in settling the differences existing
between Salvador and Guatemala.
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