[Translation. ]
Secretaryship of Foreign Relations of Salvador–Nicaragua, Secretaryship of Foreign Relations.
Mr. Minister: Since news was received in this republic of the authority which the Congress of the United States has given to the Executive to transport, at their expense, the liberated negroes to a point beyond that republic, and [Page 886] to establish them under the protection of the said United States, his excellency the president of this republic, discovering that the introduction of such elements into our territory would be lamentable and dangerous, both on account of the degradation of that race and of the number much exceeding that of our population, and, what is more, on account of its being under the special protection of another nation, has ordered its minister in the United States to be instructed to openly make known the opposition of this government to every undertaking of this nature on the territory of Nicaragua.
But as the admission of an establishment of this kind into any of them, or the introduction of free negroes would have the same inconveniences for the other states of Central America as for Nicaragua, his excellency the president, wishing to come to an understanding with the other governments of this section of America, has directed me to make known its opinion to them, hoping that if it is approved they will be pleased to second it in the manner which they may deem most suitable and efficacious.
I have the honor to make this known to you in order that you may be pleased to report it to his excellency the president of the republic in which you are, and to communicate to me seasonably its results, and I subscribe myself your obedient servant.
PEDRO ZELEDON.
San Salvador, August 11, 1862.
A true copy.
B. VITERI, Chief of Department of Relations.
A true copy.