Mr. Warren to Mr.
Seward.
No. 2.]
Legation of the United States,
City of Guatemala,
June 27, 1866.
Sir: Agreeably to the intimation contained in
my last communication, I was to day presented to President Cerna with
the usual ceremonies of the occasion. The presentation was in the
audience of the ministry, and all of the high officers of state, civil
and military. There was much of startling ceremony and high courtesy,
and the general effect was imposing. I accepted the studied etiquette as
a compliment to my government, and an evidence of the friendly
disposition of the administration towards it.
I have the honor to hand herewith a copy of my address on presenting my
letter of credence, with a translated copy of the response of his
Excellency the
[Page 485]
President.
After my recognition by the government I paid the usual visits of
ceremony to the officers of state, foreign ministers, and such others as
it was intimated to me would be considerate and proper.
There is now no English legation here; the successor to Mr. Matthieu,
late chargé, has not arrived, but is expected in September next. The
French chargé is quite ill at his hacienda, and it is understood that
his health will render his resignation imperative. The Spanish consul
general has been recalled, and takes his departure by the steamer of
July 1st, for his own country. The department is not perhaps advised
that Mr. Henry Savage, titular consul at this city, has never received
his exequatur. He is not here, but at Sansonati, in Salvador. I shall
address him a note, desiring him to intimate his intentions as to the
office. While there is no urgent need of a consul here, it is desirable
that there should be such an officer, and I would respectfully recommend
the appointment of some one, if, as seems to be understood, Mr. Savage
declines to take the office.
I find the archives of the legation in a fair condition of preservation,
and will forward by this mail a copy of the inventory.
I remain, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Warren’s address to President Cerna.
Mr. President: In presenting to your
excellency my letter of credence as minister resident from the
government of the United States, I conform to a practice
prescriptive and appropriate, and tender to you my personal
assurances of the good will and friendly disposition of my
government, in addition to the written declaration of which I am the
bearer. It is my most agreeable privilege, also, to congratulate
your excellency on the public tranquillity and private prosperity,
the evidences of which I could not fail to observe since my entrance
upon your territory. Contentment, remunerative industry and
enjoyment are evident, and unequivocal in their manifestations. May
I also be permitted to assure your excellency that my own land is
now in the enjoyment of repose and quiet, after its long and severe
struggle with rebellion. Peace now dwells in our borders, and order
restored has taken the place of war and threatened anarchy. Under
the temperate and just policy of our Chief Magistrate the former
relations of our States are being resumed, and wise statesmanship
and sagacious forecast, sustained with firmness and guided by
justice, have preserved our relations with foreign powers in terms
of amity and cordial friendship. The spirit of my government is that
of peace, and its desire is justice, order, and happiness in its own
and all other nations, and I can in no manner interpret its wishes
with more fidelity to the administration or satisfaction to myself
personally than when I endeavor to impress on your excellency the
earnest wish of my nation for a long and uninterrupted contiuance of
the cordial and reciprocal friendship hitherto unimpaired and
unbroken.
President Cerna’s reply.
Sir: It is very gratifying for me to
receive the letter investing you with the character of minister
resident of the United States of America to this republic. Having
followed with the most lively interest the prolonged struggle of
which your country has been the theatre, we have seen with
admiration and satisfaction the maintenance of the Union, which has
made the United States the greatest and most prosperous of the
nations of the American continent. That result, owed to the designs
of Providence, does great honor to the wisdom of the North American
people, and to the intelligence and patriotism of their statesmen.
Duly appreciating the eminent qualities of your present First
Magistrate and of his worthy Secretary of State, I am extremely
gratified with the statements that in the name of your government
you have been pleased to make. The government of Guatemala is
vividly desirous of cultivating the most friendly intercourse with
the United States, and I am confident that to this end will greatly
contribute the appropriate selection made by the President of the
United States in naming you minister resident to this republic. It
will be one of my most pleasing duties to show you during your
residence in Guatemala those considerations to which your character
and your personal qualities entitle you.
