Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-05-24

$780, and the expressive language used Mr. SAVAGE
in abiding result that slconcu and every
tacty look the United States for the
completion of this project" truly indicative Of the prevalent
feeling then existing In Guatemala and which has existed
among that people, in favor of Government and coun
try Mr. SAyAsE further very emphatcally adds "The
people say that the United States, identified in her nstitu
tons with this Government ought have the preference
This opinion is fully sustained by Mr. CASAz Envoy Elk
taordnay to the United States from Guatemala in his COR
with Mr. CLAY, then Secretary Of State in
1885, In that correspondence the department and conduct
of Mr. cAsAz that Of highmnded and honorable man.
enlightened patriot and able and distinguished states
There is certainly very great force in his views as
embodied in his While recapulatng the many embar-
incident the infant freedom Of his land and
the difficulties of that Of pecuniay aid and coope
ration desirable (Which he deeply regretted to be unable
ende) he beautifully observes "This project which,
viewed with respect the possibility Of its execution does
not exceed ordinary bounds is, for the importance of the
effect ought to produce upon the general prosperity of the
two worlds the which could be conceived
and although the omission Of ought To fill with shame the
Government which previously caused it, its execution will be
most glorious act tor that which undertakes and brings
TO the desired termination. certain that my Govern
ment when placed in better circumstances than the present.
would consent to part with the least portion of this dis
ngushed honor but Is, in the first moments of its exist
ence occupied simultaneously in forming the institutions
which confirm its political government and the guam
y OF force which to its preservation,
and neither distract its attention from these objects nor
employ It's resources which still scany those which
of primary necessity But its sentiments do not
permit and its sincere desires hose tly
oes wish to retard longer the ineos"'abio scnefs
which must be produced 10 the world by means OF this great
enterprise and has been resolved to foreign
cooperation to render it eiiectual. ss.
81 ought mention Sir the representative Of the Gov
eminent OF the Centre, that nothing would be grateful
to it than that this cooperation should be owing your
nation whose noble conduct has been model and
protection to all the Americas and that these conside
rations it will be highly satisfactory have parcpaor
not only of the merit of the enterprise but of the great
vantages which that canal communication produce
by means OF treaty. which may Perpetualy the pos
session of it to the two nations BY the data which pre-
sent exists there ought TO be doubt of the possibility Of
the work IN the terms shown by the plan which have the
honor Of sending to you herewith"
This very acceptable response to the opening oil Mr.
CLAY politely answered by that eloquent and eminent
American statesman, in which, among other things he takes
occasion to remark sI instructed by the President to
make known to you the very great senbliy with which he
received the expression of sentiments of consideration and
friendship the United States which are entertained
by the Government Of the Republic Of the Centre Of Anne
rica and al the time you that they
cordially reciprocated.
Mr. Clay in further ausion this great project then
the ncepve stages of public inquiry and investigation goes
to observe The confidence Of your Government in that
of the United States strongly MANIFESTED by the highly
important proposition which your note communicates That
proposition that the United States shall cooperate with
the Republic Of the Centre in promoting the opening Of
canal through the province of Nicaragua the Al
anc to that of the Pacific and that, by Of
treaty, the advantages Of that canal may be pepeuay
cured to the nations The idea has long conceived
OF uniting those two by canal navigation. The
cuon OF will form great epoch the commercial affairs
OF the world Various lines for the proposed canal have
been suggested and have divided public opinion The evil
dence tending to show the superiority Of the advantages Of
that which would traverse the province Of Nicaragua
TO have nearly settled the question in favor Of that route
Still, project Of such vast magnitude il is necessary TO
proceed with the greatest caution. false STEP taken in
the first movement might lead TO mschevous consc-
quences The President has therefore determined in
struct the Charge Aares Of the United States whom he
has just aIpoined (and who will shortly proceed the Re-
public Of the Ceni) to investigate with the greatest care
tl, ter
offers, and to remit the information which he may acquire
to the United States Should confirm te preference which
believed that route it will then be necessary
to consult Congress the nature and extent of the
operation which shall be given towards the completion of the
great work The Charge fAfares of the United States
will be specially directed your Government deep
interest which is taken by that Of the United States in
execution Of undertaking which is highly calculated
to dluse extensive influence the affairs Of mankind
and TO express to il also the Acknowledgements which
justly due to the friendly overture Of which you have been
the organ
Under date Of the 24h November, of the same year. Mr.
the then Charge AfIaires Guatemala nud
ID TO in the letter of Mr.. Clay, writes thus the Depart
nent Of State On my journey, at ST. Vincente eighty
six leagues southeast from this city, with Mr.
CASAz. He returned from the United States by the river
ST. John and Lake Nicaragua. He enterans no doubt Of
the practicabilty of the contemplated canal"
In the communication Of Mr. Clay to Mr.. WILLIAMS, in
Producing this interesting subject standing Immediately
nected with the negotiations with Mr. CASAz, before alluded
10, he observes that the addressed the Department
by the Minister of the Republic of the Centre afforded
and highly interesting proof of the friendly sentiments
entertained by his Government towards the United States
In that note he adds After calling the attention Of the
Government to the important object Of uniting the Atlantic
and Pacific by canal navigation through the pro-
vince Of Nicaragua, by the direction of his Government
Mr. CANAz offers to that of the United States TO share in
that great Enterprise, and by Of treaty. pepeuay
TO the advantages of il TO the two nations To that
note an answer was transmitted"
" II will at you, continues Mr.. Clay "to
ascertain if surveys have been made Of the proposed Of
the canal and if entire confidence may be placed in their
accuracy And he proceeds very pernenty ask what
its length what the nature of the country and tho
ground through which IT TO pass Can the supply of
water for feeders be drawn from the Lake Nicaragua other
adequate In shot, what facilities do the country
and the state Of its population afford for making the canal
and what the estimates of its is intended
that you should inspire the Government the Republic Of
Guatemala with any confident expectation that the United
States will contribute by pecunary other MEANS the
execution Of the work, because is yet known what
views Congress might take Of t. Whnt the President de-
sres I've put possession Of such full information as
viii guide the Judgment of the constituted author
ties of the United States in determining in regard to it
what belongs TO their interest and duties"
These cursoy views pretty faithfully indicate the state Of
l,r feeling MR. yaIipu In The United States upon this SUBJ