Mr. Riotte to Mr. Seward.
Sir: You have probably learned that the Central American Transit Company had to contend with so many difficulties and disappointments in the execution of its enterprise, arising partly from the want of a port on the Atlantic side, partly from the shallowness of and the rapids in San Juan river, and also from the numerous transshipments on the route from ocean to ocean, that for some time already it is looking out for a more convenient and securer route than the one hitherto used. The knowledge of this fact, and a sincere desire for entering the circle of civilized nations, has been the motive of this government to call the attention of the company to the superior advantages of a railroad across this republic from the port of Limon, on the Caribbean sea, to that of Herradura, at the entrance of the Gulf of Nicoya, opposite Cape Blanco, and to offer to the company, in the event it should adopt this plan, the most liberal inducements, in fact, almost anything the company may reasonably ask for. Mr. F. Kurtze, the director general of public works in the republic, will leave the 10th instant for New York, fully empowered to enter into negotiations and agreements with the company and to accede to any fair demand of it.
Having myself long ago come to the conclusion that the present route is impracticable, and cannot, in competition with the well-established and managed Panama route, ever become paying, this was the plan the adoption of which I have urged upon this government for more than three years, as well in the interest of this country as in that of the company, and more so in that of our country, [Page 435] to whom, by the construction of that road, this republic will become, commercially, almost exclusively tributary. Both this government and the company could for a good while not see the correctness of my views, and have been paying dearly these years for attempting to carry out schemes contradictory to the nature of things. This government is now perfectly cured of its follies, which have brought the finances of the country to the very verge of bankruptcy without the least benefit to the people at large, and I cannot doubt that upon proper representations the company will understand that there is no better route in Central America for an interoceanic communication than that across this republic, where good and healthy ports, a well adapted topography, a large interior commerce, a comparatively enlightened and stable condition of public affairs, and an industrious and productive population offer, besides a saving of three days in the through journey from and to California, advantages not to be found on any other Central American or Mexican line.
I don’t need to tell you how important it would be for our country, from a political and strategical point of view, to secure for us a foothold in the only good port of the Caribbean sea, and in a country the inhabitants of which are doubtlessly the only ones of all the peoples of Central America able by and by to understand our institutions and to assimilate with our people.
Allow me to bespeak for this highly interesting plan the favorable consideration of my government.
I have the honor, sir, to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washinton, D. C.
P. S.—Mr. Kurtze will leave with the steamer of 25th instant.