Observaciones del coronel Elihu Pinson Watkins, C. S. A., sobre Honduras y la inmigración de confederados en su libro un informe acerca de la república de Honduras (1867)

Abstract

This essay will present the narratives Colonel Elihu Pinson Watkins, a Confederate traveler who wrote a book on his trip to Honduras called “A Report on the Republic of Honduras”, describing landscapes of the country and important figures such as President José Maria Medina. But what is important about this book historically are two reasons. First, it was published after the War of Southern Secession (1860-1864) by one of the Confederate soldiers seeking refuge in Honduras. This desire culminated with the creation of the city of Medina on the North Coast, near San Pedro Sula. The other reason is that it offers an objective image of Honduras prior to Liberal Reform, politically, economically, and socially. It gives a different perspective on the government of José Maria Medina. Finally, this essay will fulfill two objectives: first, to disseminate the observations and experiences that Colonel Watkins had in Honduras, from his arrival in Omoa to the central zone of Honduras mentioned in his book “A Report on the Republic of Honduras” information that has not been translated into Spanish yet; and second, to rescue the character of Colonel Elihu Watkins historically in Honduras and Central America.