United
States Legation in Central America,
Punta Arenas, Costa
Rica,
December 14, 1873.
(Received February 5, 1874.)
No. 77.]
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Williamson to
Señor Rivas.
United
States Legation at Central America,
Punta Arenas, Costa Rica,
December 14, 1873.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose you a copy of
a memorandum of a conversation held on the 10th instant at this place
with President Guardia, of Costa Rica. You will observe he professed the
most peaceable inclination, and promptly agreed to the suggestion of a
proposed personal conference between the five Presidents. In addition to
what is stated in the memorandum, but which was accidentally omitted,
President Guardia declared he had nothing to do with the expeditions of
the General Sherman and the Tigre, and that he had recently had the
latter vessel seized in this port, because he was informed she was about
to depart on a hostile errand against Nicaragua. Your excellency’s
government is quite as fully informed as I am in regard to the subjects
of these statements, and prepared to give them the weight to which they
are entitled; yet I take the liberty of adding that but little
significance can be conceded, it would seem, to the contradictory
depositions of the person, Ross, about the charter of the Tigre, unless
they are corroborated by other evidence.
If, after due deliberation, it should seem expedient to your government
to approve the plan of the personal conference of the five Presidents,
can you oblige me by notifying me of the time and place indicated? You
will concur with me doubtless that the
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personal and political enemies of the existing
governments, as well as the malcontents who live upon civil
disturbances, will probably exert a strong influence to prevent the
conference. You will please to understand that I do not include all
opponents in the above classes, for I can readily imagine how good and
patriotic citizens, from lack of Information, or distrust, or other
causes, might oppose it. It would appear the result ought to be
tranquillizing to Central America. In no event can I see how it can be
detrimental to any state. The government of Costa Rica has not purchased
the American steamer Montijo, but negotiations are now pending to pay
her owner the damages he has incurred. He proposes to sail with her for
Panama on the 17th instant.
I have, &c.,
Hon. A. H. Rivas,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Managua, Nicaragua.
P. S.—You will please pardon me for adding this postscript to say
that I carry an unsealed friendly letter from President Guardia to
President Barrios, in which he designates Guatemala as the place of
meeting of the five Presidents.
Yours, &c.,
