No. 106.
Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.
United
States Legation in Central America,
Guatemala, February 3, 1875.
(Received March 11.)
No. 304.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you herewith
copies of correspondence and translation with the minister of foreign
affairs of Nicaragua
[Page 153]
in regard to
the recent correspondence between his government and that of Costa Rica,
growing out of the acts reported to you in my No. 267,* dated from San Juan
del Sur, November 3, 1874.
The correspondence between the ministers is not considered of sufficient
importance to send. The substance of it is as follows: The minister of
Nicaragua, in very bold and almost dictatorial terms, demands reclamation
and apology for the invasion of the territory of Nicaragua in October last
by troops of Costa Rica, and for the capture of some prisoners, and for the
shooting of two unarmed Nicaraguans. The Costa Rican minister, without
admitting the facts, says the territory spoken of is neutral ground, denies
the responsibility of his government, and deals in many recriminations with
a bitterness of style that evinces a readiness for a rupture.
The Nicaraguan minister, in reply, reiterates his reclamations in milder
terms, is apologetic in the tenor of his dispatch, and proposes to leave the
question of the disputed boundary to a mixed commission. Here the
correspondence seems to have closed for the present.
I do not believe there is any serious danger of a war resulting from this
disagreement, nor do I think it will lead to any other result, except that
Costa Rica may hereafter claim that her boundary-line has been extended by
her exercising acts of sovereignty over the disputed territory.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
304.—Translation.]
Mr. Rivas to Mr.
Williamson.
Office
of Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Managua, January 8,
1875.
Sir: For your information, I do myself the
honor to inclose to your excellency two printed copies of the
correspondence had with the Costa Rican cabinet in reference to the acts
done in Nicaraguan territory by the forces of that republic.
My government is pleased to believe that your excellency will appreciate
in their true worth the motives that have guided it in bringing forward
its reclamation for acts that it has believed to be offensive to the
sovereign dignity of the nation, as well as to the fraternal sentiments
that should animate the republic of Costa Rica, and to its sincere
desire of putting an end to the annoying and prejudicial questions that
separate it with this government.
In the hope that your excellency will co-operate for the consummation of
this end that is interesting to the peace of Central America, I have the
honor of offering to your excellency the distinguished consideration
with which I subscribe myself,
Your excellency’s attentive servant,
Hon. Geo. Williamson,
Minister of the United States in Central America.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 304.]
Mr. Williamson to
Mr. Rivas.
United
States Legation in Central America,
Guatemala, February 2, 1875.
Sir: I have the pleasure of acknowledging the
receipt by the last mail of your esteemed note of the 8th of January,
together with two copies of the late correspondence between your
government and that of Costa Rica, in relation to “the acts executed
upon the territory of Nicaragua by the forces of Costa Rica,” in October
last.
[Page 154]
Your excellency has been pleased to say in your note referred to, that
you hope “will” co-operate for the consummation of that end that is
interesting to the peace of Central America.
Faithful to the good-will which the people of the United States have
always shown to their neighbors in Central America, I venture to say my
Government will doubtless be pleased to do whatever may be properly done
to secure the establishment of a permanent peace among the states of
Central America.
I may expect special instructions to promote that desirable end, if it be
possible to do so with a just maintenance of the national policy to
adhere strictly to our time-honored principle of avoiding all
interference in the affairs of other states.
Your excellency does but simple justice to this legation, in supposing
that a just appreciation exists of the fraternal sentiments that should
animate the republic of Costa Rica, and of the sincere desire of your
government to put an end “to the annoying and prejudicial questions that
hold it aloof from Nicaragua.” The efforts of the legation to preserve
peaceful relations between the states, and especially to remove all
causes of difference between Costa Rica and Nicaragua growing out of the
boundary question, are well known to your excellency’s government.
Renewing the assurance of my high consideration, I have the honor to be
your excellency’s obedient servant,
His Excellency Señor Licenciado Don A. H.
Rivas,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Nicaragua.
