The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-18
FREDERICK CHATFIELD, ESQ.,,
Consul General of her Rritannfc majesty.

GovERNMENT HOUSE, LEON,
December ~, lS49.
FREDERICK CHATFIELD, ESQ.,,
Consul General Of her Britannia majesty.
Sir / have received and laid before my govern
ment your communication of the LIST instant, in
which you make known that treaty of friendship,
commerce, and navigation has been signed by your
self and the Government of Costa RIGA, by means
of which relations have been established between
that Republic and Great Britain, which will not
permit on the part of Nicaragua, any alteration in
the existing condition Of Costa Rica and that, with
this view, whatever differences may be pending
between the two governments should be amicably
regulated, as England will not regard with indif
ference any other measures which may be adopted
with respect to this matter.
My government has duly reflected on the points
contained in your aforesaid note, and has autho-
rized me to make the following reply in its behalf
The power Of compromising the rights of a third
party-of an independent nation or State, which
wishes to preserve those rights-cannot be con-
ceded to Costa RIGA, in the treaties she may make
By the same rule, If there are questions pending
between Costa RIGA and Nicaragua, tits not compe-
tent to Great Britain, under pretext Of the treaty
which you cite, to interv enc in these questions
whatever turn she may wish to give them; for a
ledge that if nations are united by alliances and
treaties, it is only with view to their general well
fare, and to the end that order and justice may
prevail between them, without. which there could
be no peace.
The questions in regard to territorial limits be-
tween Costa RIGA and Nicaragua, and the prudence
and moderation manifested by this State in the dis
cussion of them with Costa RIGA, are well known.
-. - orN -.
ticular so clear and positive as not to admit of
any compromise which tends to impair them For
this reason. when Senior CAsrELLoN was in London,
and Senior molina was endeavoring to establish
with the government of her Britannia majesty the
preliminaries Of negotiation which might some
what affect such rights, Senior c. made on the 22d
Of January last the protests which were placed in
the hands of Senior MOLINA by Senior d. GREcoRIo
JuAREz on terminating the conferences which had
been opened between the two commissioners for the
purpose of regulating the aforesaid questions. 1t
is for this reason, also, that my government is
constrained to protest against the treaty which you
mention; since by this treaty the British crown
wishes to intervene in the questions at issue between
Costa RIGA and Nicaragua e-existing at the time
said treaty was made, and thus to prejudice the
proper and perfect rights of this State by an al
Vi UNJUST tlliuR WHICH
den by international law and which your enlight-
ened government would never adopt the repre-
sentative of its principles and its dignity.
Comfortable to these prccedents, and in fulfil
ment of the law of the Legislative Assembly of
Nicaragua of the th Of October of the present year,
which prescribes the principle of absolute exclusion
of Intervention by any foreign nation whatsoever
in the domestic and international affairs of the
publican sections of America, have to protest
solemnly, in the name of this State, against the
contract which has been signed by you with the
government Of Costa RIGA, and to declare, as
by the present do declare, in the name of the
said State, that my government will not aban-
don the right, which as a free and independent
sovereign it possesses, to regulate, in accord
ance with its own of duty, its conduct in
relation to the questions pending with Costa Rica-
a right which is established by international law
and by the customary usages among nations.
Be pleased TO accept with this expression Of opin
ion that Of the sentiments of friendship and appre
citation with which ] am, sir, your most attentive
and reliable servant,
SERASTIAN