[Extract.]
Mr. Blair to Mr.
Seward.
No. 2.]
Legation of the United States,
San José, Costa Rica,
October 10, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the department
that on the 2d day of last month (September) I left my place of
residence in Parkers-burg, West Virginia, for my post of duty. It being
necessary that I should visit the city of Washington before leaving the
country, in order to receive further instructions, I did so, and then
proceeded to New York, from which place, I embarked on the 16th of the
same month for Aspinwall, on board of the steamer Ocean Queen, arriving
at Aspinwall on the 24th. I continued on my journey, and after some
unavoidable delay I arrived at my post of duty on the 2d of this present
month, (October.)
Soon after my arrival I expressed my desire to the secretary of foreign
affairs that a day might be fixed, in order that I might present to the
President my letter of credence. Accordingly it was the pleasure of the
President to fix on Tuesday, the 6th of this present month (October) for
that purpose. At the time named above I obtained an audience, and was
received by the President with great cordiality. On handing my letter of
credence to the President, I made a few remarks—marked inclosure No. 1.
A copy of the reply of the President marked inclosure No. 2.
* * * * * *
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
Mr. President: It has been the pleasure of
the President of the United States to appoint me minister resident
to the Republic of Costa Rica, and I have the honor to place in your
possession my credentials as such.
In performing this agreeable duty, I am directed by the President of
the United States to assure your excellency that it is the earnest
desire of the government of the United States that the friendly
feeling now so happily subsisting between the two governments [Page 334] shall not only remain
undisturbed, but, if possible, be placed on a more permanent basis.
I beg to assure your excellency that it will be my constant aim, as
it wall be my duty, to give effect to the desire of my government in
that behalf, and thereby contribute to the interests and happiness
of the two countries.
[Untitled]
Mr. Minister: I feel the most lively
satisfaction in receiving you in the character conferred upon you by
the credentials you (now) deliver into my bands. I congratulate
myself on seeing in this little republic another worthy
representative of the wise, great, and mighty power that made way
for the independence of the other states of this continent. I am
aware how important it is for the prosperity and aggrandizement of
my country that the friendly feeling happily existing between it and
the United States of America should be not only maintained, but
consolidated and strengthened as much as possible. If such is the
wish of the noble President of the North American Union, for my part
I long for it, and will do to realize it all that lies within the
bounds of the power vested in me by the constitution.
I am highly gratified, Mr. Minister, by your assurance that you will
contribute to so commendable an object, and I promise you beforehand
that the people and government of Costa Rica will be grateful, as
sincerely as I bid you welcome, and express my best wishes for the
welfare of your country and its worthy President.
