The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-17
State OF Costa Rlca.
Magma est veritas ct pr@valebit.o

To TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
A writer in the Ne,c York Herald of the 3D. in
slant, who signs himself panama, calls Costa Ri
ca British colony. This is matter deserving the
fullest investigation, and to which, we believe due
attention has not been paid until now. The notion
has for long time been in circulation that Costa
RIGA was nder the protection, or under the inau.
ence, of Great Britain. But, shall We be allowed
to inquire what are the foundations Of that report!
Where is the evidence, where the documents show
ing such to be the case! If Panama" possesses
any, VIC invite him to give them to public light as
soon as possible. In the meantime, we beg leave to
caution the public against imposture, and to quail
fy his representations mere stuff and nonsense
as the onc-sdcd views of interested parties-or a.
the rawlings of disappointed ambition.
We observe that Mr.. Molina, the Ministe
from Costa Rica, lately arrived in this country in
his speech Of audience to President Fillmore,
has explicitly declared that "Costa Rica is
only bound to other nations by treaties conerng to
none any exclusive advaatsges," and he has furthe
expressed the desire Of his country ''to form with
the United States intimate connection as II ha
with any othcrpower." Wemight add,on competent
authority, that Costa Rica, on former occasions,
has, through her agents, signi6ed to this govern
ment the fact Of her being under no pledge what
ever, OF special nature, in regard to Great Bril-
tain. Indeed the only treaty existing between the
latter and Costa Rica Is common place conven-
tion of amity, commerce and navigation, similar in
all respects TO the treaties which the aforesaid
public has adjusted with France and other countries
Finally, We aware that even the contract which
the government of Costa Riea had concluded with
private parties respecting the construction Of ship
canal, to which enterprise that country claims as
good title as Nicaragua, has been suspended with
the only view TO avoid subjects Of quarrel.
What Is, therefore, Costa Rca to be blamed for
Is II for her maintaining that the property Of the
lands bordering on the southern bank Of the San
Juan river belongs to her, and that the canal en-
tcrprse ought not to be carried on without her par
teipationl Certainly this Il for reproacb,
even If Costa Rca's claims should not prove, on ex
animation, so well grounded as think they are.
We find, therefore, that President Fillmore, when
answering to the speech of Mr.. Molina, gives him
the assurance ''that Costa Rica may rely on the
impartiality and good will Of the government Of the
United States, in any question touching the relative
rights and interests OF the republics formerly COM
posing the federation Of Central America.
The reception of the above mentioned Minister
by our government Is, In our opinion, sufficient
proof that Costa Rica has been judged as having an
Independent action, free from any foreign influence;
and their consideration ought to set the matter at
rest
With reference to the union Of the Central Amer
lean states, its non-existence cannot but be mat
ter Of deep regret to every person taking an interest
in the welfare amp prosperity Of those countries.
Costa Rica, however, deserves no more to be i'm
pcached for this misfortune than the Emperor Of
Japan. Owing to her geographical situation, she
always observed passive policy during the wars
wagcd by the other states against the Federal
Administration. When this had been over
thrown, in lsl0, principally through the instru-
mentality of Nicaragua and Honduras, il was
then and only then that Costa Rica followed the
general movement towards secession.
Still she waited eight years more in order TO as
sert her complete independence, until lSlS. when,
observing that there was no probability Of the union
bei ,sto on bases.
had already begun to exercise external sovereignty
ny treating with foreign nations, and by attempting
TO dispose, as absolute master, Of objects which,
under the federal system, reserved to the cog
nirance of the general government, she perceived
the necessity of adopting the same independent
course that Nicaragua had taken.
Subsequent events induced Nicaragua 20 form,
nj n later period, o confedcracy with Salvador and
Honduras; but on such weak foundations, that II
has not the least chance Of duration.
This confcdcracy Is represented bya Diet OF two
delegates from each state, appointed by their re-
spcctive Legislatures-who have already met in
Cbinsndega; but, II possesses revenue, no army,
no judiciary, and in fine, II will soon prove com
plete failure. Unfortunately, the contracting par
ties insuguratcd their compact BY showing the
most hostile dispositions against Guatemala and
Costa Rca; and, Of course, II could not be ex-
pcctcd that these republics would join the con.
fcdcracy on such premises. They have remained
al ,of and they are right.
II isa great mistake to ascribe the misfortuncs
of the Central American states to any foreign in
eucncc. when they are the immediate consequence
Of the natives want oftrainng in the practices oi
| self government. The links OF union once broken,
sectional interests have been created In every state;
and two great difculties impede the organiza-
ton Of anything like efficient union vis.:First
| that none of the States are disposed to deprive
themselves Of any branches Of revenue. in order to
| form a national treasury; Secondly, that they
will never agree in regard to the seat Oh the general
/ government.
A few months ago the government Of Honiura.
invited the other States to meet in general conycn
/ tion. TO be composed OF representative Directly
elected Nv the people Of the States In the ratio u
one for every thirty thousand inhabitants; such Z
convention to have authority for organizing ma
tional government, and for framing national con
stitution. And what ensuedl Sshsdcr gave ~