ports or territory, or allow revolutionary plots to be concocted to disturb the peace of any other state. I had previously talked over all these points, which were quite familiar to me, and which I found to be acceptable to the governments of Salvador and Nicaragua. The President assured me that Leiva, when elected President of Honduras, would also approve these views, and would cheerfully consent to the conference proposed. The only President, then, to approach is Guardia, of Costa Rica. I replied to President Barrios that I was willing to undertake to obtain President Guardia's consent, and, if possible, would leave on the next steamer. I also stated to him I could not leave on that steamer unless my mail was delivered to me before leaving, as my last dates from Washington were the 9th of September. It is understood, therefore, if the mail arrives in time for me to examine it before the departure of the steamer of the 1st proximo, that I will go to Costa Rica; and if the mail does not so arrive, I shall postpone my trip until the steamer of the I have, &c., 10th. No. 80. GEO. WILLIAMSON. Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish. No. 70.] UNITED STATES LEGATION IN CENTRAL AMERICA, Guatemala, December 3, 1873. (Received December 30.) SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I embarked to day on the "Labrador" for Punta Arenas, in Costa Rica, at the urgent instance of the government of Guatemala, for the purpose of seeing whether it is practicable to bring about a meeting of the Presidents of the five republics, or southern states, in order to talk over and, if possible, settle their differences. Having acquired some knowledge of these people, I must confess that my trip seems to be rather quixotic, but taking all things into consideration, it has seemed to me best to undertake it. I consider all the governments in Central Americà as merely personal, except, perhaps, those of Salvador and Nicaragua. In those two states the administration of public affairs is conducted by the respective Executives with a considerable regard to the forms of law and the constitutional provisions. In Nicaragua the Executive, so far, has appeared to be desirous not to overstep his authority; but this is owing to his habituak caution or timidity, rather than to any restraining influence of an organized public sentiment. In Salvador, I think, President Gonzalez is restrained in some measure by public sentiment, for, in my opinion, there is more of the genuine spirit of republican liberty in Salvador than in any of the five states. The standard is low, but it is to be hoped will be elevated in time. The intelligence comes to me from Honduras that Arias intends to prevent the meeting of the constitutional assembly, and defeat thereby the election of Leiva. I am informed he is trying to raise men and means, and by making the assertion that Leiva is but the creature of Guatemala and Salvador, is trying to arouse popular pride and indignation. Judging from his character and the obstinacy with which he has held on to his office, I should not be at all surprised if the news is true. It is probable he is encouraged by the reported prospect of war between Costa Rica and Nicaragua which Would involve Guatemala and Salvador. There is no danger of such a war, although Guardia has placed the executive power (as it is called here) in the hands of Minister Gonzalez, and has assumed command of the army, which he tells us in a flaming manifesto. His people will not follow him, unless I am misinformed. None of the other states or their governments desire war, and hence I hope Guardia may be glad to have an opportunity presented to him to assume a more peaceful "rôle." Besides his own term of office depends much upon his personal presence at the capital. If he has any judgment or regard for himself or his country, he cannot go to war. I still believe Arias will be deposed and Leiva installed, even if it requires the joint powers of Guatemala and Salvador to accomplish that result. Hence if the meeting of the five Presidents occurs in a month or so, my belief is that Leiva will be one of the number. I have, &c., GEO. WILLIAMSON. No. 71.] No. 81. Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish. UNITED STATES LEGATION IN CENTRAL AMERICA, Punta Arenas, December 10, 1873. (Received December 30.) SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I had the good fortune to find President Guardia here and ready for an interview. After giving him notice, I called and submitted to him my suggestion that the five (or four) Presidents of Central America should meet, with a view of discussing and settling their affairs. He acceded without hesitation. I have barely time to report the fact, as the steamer leaves again in a few moments. It is probable I shall not go to San José, but will return by next steamer to Guatemala. I have, &c., No. 82. GEO. WILLIAMSON. No. 72.1 Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish. [Extract.] UNITED STATES LEGATION IN CENTRAL AMERICA, Punta Arenas, Costa Rica, December 11, 1873. (Rec'd Dec. 30.) SIR: I have the honor to incloso herewith a copy of the memorandum of the conversation had yesterday morning with President Guardia, the result of which I gave you in my No. 71, written immediately after its occurrence, so as to send by the ship then in port, bound for Panama. You will notice that Mr. Edwin Corbett, Her British Majesty's minister, took part in the interview and co-operated with me partly. Although I did not understand him to commit himself in the conversation to the plan of a personal conference of the five Presidents, yet I feel assured it meets his approval, and that his presence was taken by President Guardia as tantamount to an unqualified indorsement. So far everything looks favorable to the proposed personal conference, but I cannot say I feel certain it will take place, or that the good consequences will flow from it which I should be glad to witness. My belief, however, is (if the meeting is held) it will lead to a better understanding, if not to good-will, between the several Presidents, and thereby give the tranquillity to these states so much needed, and which, under these peculiar systems of personal governments, seems unattainable at present by any other means. The only man I have any doubt of is President Guardia. A short time ago he placed the "executive power" in the hands of one of his friends and ministers, Gonzalez. In a few days afterward he resumed it, and Gonzalez and several of his advisers left the capital, it is presumed by order of the President. He retained the executive power for two days, accepted the resignation of all his ministers except two, and after appointing the two to perform all the ministerial duties, he placed the executive power in the hands of his uncle, Rafael Barroeta, who stills holds it nominally, while in truth Guardia is President and in command of the army as general-in-chief. These facts speak for themselves, and indicate a state of mind or condition of affairs not calculated to produce a conviction that President Guardia will attend the conference. On my way back to Guatemala I shall acquaint the Presidents of Nicaragua and Salvador with the result of the interview. If Leiva has been installed in Honduras I shall write him an unofficial note, or go to Comayagua to present my letter of credence if the state of the country will permit me.. I have, &c., GEO. WILLIAMSON. [Inclosure.] PUNTA ARENAS, COSTA RICA, December 10, 1873. Memorandum of conversation held this day between President Guardia, Edwin Corbett, esq. and Geo. Williamson, esq. The conversation began by the two last-named gentlemen stating they felt assured the other republics of Central America, and especially Guatemala, were anxiously desirous of preserving and cultivating peaceful relations with Costa Rica. This assurance was given more emphatically for the states of Salvador and Nicaragua by the said George Williamson, esq., who had recently visited them and talked freely with their government officials and people, but in regard to the anxiety of the existing government of Guatemala for undisturbed peace with all the other Central American states the said Edwin Corbett, esq., and George Williamson were equally positive. President Guardia then stated he was as desirous of peace as any one could be, and he believed more so than the chief executives of the other states, because he and his country had more at stake than the others. He said that war would seriously embarrass (if it did not entirely prevent) the building of the Costa Rica Railroad, a grand enterprise which he had inaugurated, and in which his personal pride was involved as well as his sense of patriotic duty. His assurance of the pacific disposition of himself and the people of Costa Rica was quite strong. Mr. Williamson then stated he and Mr. Corbett bad in their possession letters from the minister of foreign affairs of Guatemala, which they proposed to show to President Guardia, as they contained written assurances of the pacific intentions of that state. The letters were exhibited and read by President Guardia, and he stated that he had been advised of the discussion recenty held between the Presidents of Guatemala and Salvador at Cingo, so far as it affected Costa Rica affairs; and that after hearing the peaceable Views expressed at said meeting by said Presidents, he had suspended his preparations for this war which he had believed it was intended to wage against Costa Rica. He said he was prepared for war at that time, and could have landed on any part of the bostile coast fifteen hundred armed men. He expressed satisfaction that the newspaper attacks on him in Guatemala and Salvador had been stopped. Mr. Williamson then stated that, of his own motion, it had occurred to him, from his personal knowledge of the Presidents of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Salvador, and Nicaragua, and of the causes of misunderstanding between them, that, if they could be brought together face to face and talk over their affairs, a better feeling would result and a stop be put to the re peated threats of war and civil disturbances. The difficulty was to bring about such a meeting without a sacrifice of the official or personal dignity of any of the Presidents. He mentioned this subject first to the minister of foreign affairs of Guatemala, who told him the project of such a personal interview had been talked over at Chingo between Presidents Barrios and Gonzalez, and that Mr. Williamson had been mentioned in that interview as the person whose official position as minister to all the Central American states might enable him to invite such a personal conference. At the instance of the said minister and in his presence, and in the presence of Mr. Samayoa and others, government officials, Mr. Williamson had an interview with President Barrios on this subject. The President expressed himself desirous of such an interview, and the belief it could result in a good understanding between the states, but stated it would require tact for it to be brought about without touching the sensibility of some of the Presidents. He felt assured there would not be the slightest hesitation upon the part of the Presidents of Salvador and Nicaragua, and that he also felt assured that Leiba, who would very soon (in all probability) become the President of Honduras, would heartly concur. Mr. Williamson told him he thought he knew President Guardia well enough to feel assured that he would cheerfully consent to such an interview, and that he believed he could approach him on the subject without in any way compromising the personal or official sensibility of any one. President Barrios then insisted Mr. Williamson should make the attempt, and the latter consented, especially as he was also desirous of seeing President Guardia as to the amicable settlement of the boundary question between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. President Guardia said in reply to this he would be pleased to meet the other Presidents at a time and place to be agreed upon, and indicated as his choice of the place of meeting either San José or the city of Guatemala. The time and place of meeting could not be agreed upon for obvious reasons; but President Guardia said he was willing to meet the other presidents at any time and place that might be selected. After some further conversation on minor topics the conference closed. This memorandum has been prepared since, in accordance with a suggestion of President Guardia that something should be written, and it is sigued by all of the parties to said conference. T. GUARDIA. I recognize the correctness of the above statement as far as it relates to the interview of this day. EDWIN CORBETT. DECEMBER 10, 1873. No. 83. No. 75.] Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish. UNITED STATES LEGATION IN CENTRAL AMERICA, Punta Arenas, Costa Rica, December 13, 1873. (Rec'd Dec. 30.) SIR: I have the honor to inclose you correspondence had this day with President Guardia. In my opinion it was better to reply officially to his unofficial note. His letter to President Barrios was left open for me to read. In fact I should have declined to carry a sealed letter. I have read it. It contains a reiteration of his desire for peace and progress, and his hearty approval of the proposed personal conference. I have, &c., GEO. WILLIAMSON. [Inclosure 1 in No. 75--Translation.] General Guardia to Mr. Williamson. ON BOARD THE STEAMER MONTEJO, DEAR SIR: I was very sorry yesterday on leaving Punta Arenas to know of your indisposition, that prevented me of the pleasure of seeing you at the last moment. I hope you feel well at present. With this note you will receive another, in accord with yours and my own feelings, directed to General Rufino Barrios, President of Guatemala. Be so good, since you have been so in this and on every occasion, as to send it to the person to whom it is written. By all means you must know that I am determined to maintain the assurance of my good-will in favor of peace and progress of all the Central American states. Please to receive my personal compliments, and believe me, Yours, friendly, T. GUARDIA. [Inclosure 2 in No. 75.] Mr. Williamson to General Guardia. U. S. LEGATION AT CENTRAL AMERICA, PUNTA ARENAS, GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, dated on the steamer Montijo. It will afford me much pleasure to deliver to President Barrios the letter which you inclose for him. I think we fully concur in our views as to the favorable consequences that are likely to result from the proposed personal conference of the five Presidents of Central America. There is no doubt that strong personal and political influences, hostile to the existing governments, will be actively exerted to prevent the conference. You will be prepared to combat and overthrow such influences, and I shall venture upon a word of caution to the other Presidents. Be pleased to accept, general, my thanks for the cordial terms in which you have chosen to refer to my good intentions; I but feebly represent the ardent wish of my government that Costa Rica and her sister states may be peaceful and prosperous. Iavail myself of this occasion to tender you the assurance of my distinguished consideration, and have the honor to be your obedient servant, General THOMAS GUARDIA, GEO. WILLIAMSON. Guanacoste, Costa Rica. No. 84. Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish. No. 76.] UNITED STATES LEGATION IN CENTRAL AMERICA, PUNTA ARENAS, COSTA RICA, December 14, 1873. (Received February 5, 1874.) SIR: I have the honor to inclose you herewith copies of correspond. ence with the minister of foreign affairs of Nicaragua, in regard to the proposed sale of the American steamship Montijo to President Guardia, of Costa Rica. I expect to leave on the steamer to-day for Guatemala. I have, &c., GEO. WILLIAMSON. Inclosure 1 in No. 76-Translation.] OFFICE OF FOREIGN Affairs of Republic of NICARAGUA IN CENTRAL AMERICA, Managua, November 21, 1873. SIE: From reliable reports, it has come to the knowledge of this government that the owner of the American steamship Montijo, registered in Panama, has come to Costa Rca for the purpose of selling her to President Guardia, who proposes to make of said tip an armed vessel, with intent to wage war against the allied republics of Central America. The President of this republic directs me to communicate this fact to your excelerry, and to ask you, if possible, to interfere in this transaction, which has for its end the object of disturbing the peace and prosperity of these countries. Not doubting that your excellency will deign to comply with the desires of my govwament, if within the scope of your powers, I have, &c., Hon. GEO. WILLIAMSON, Minister Resident of the United States in Central America. A. H. RIVAS. |