The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-08
OUR RELATIONS WITH CENTRAL AMERICA

Among the papers transmitted to Congress Monday
last letter dated July %, 1855 addressed by Secr
tary Cass to Mirabeau Lamar our Minister to Central
America reviewing the relations of the United States
with Costa Rica and Nicaragua As the length
of the letter precude the possibility of giving it entire
present the following summary of its important
points:
Secretary Cass instrucs Mr. Lamar to again call the
attention of the governments of Costa Rict aud Nicar
qua the serious of complaint existing against
them the part of the government of the United States
and to urge upon the former immediate action in order
that the United States may not be compelled to resort to
extreme measures to the Justice which they
entitled. lie refers to unofficial information having been
received of the Belly contract and of "a kind Of mani
festo by the Presidents of Nicaragua and Costa Rica
against the United States irrcconcabe with the pro
prictics of their position, true state the
facts which have furnished the occasion for this msre
sentatiOn.
On receiving this extraordinary declaration he writes
the first impression Of the President take
to ascertain its authenticity and found authentic then
and Costa Rca and to dismiss their ministers accredited
to this government. And had such cause Of offence
beeen given by France England, by any other
tion with well established government, properly auprc
cating its duties towards foreign powers this course
would at have been adopted
But the United States in this will take counsel not
from their rights but from the condition Of these repub
lies and they will not hold the people responsible upon
this occasion for this undgned exhibition of i'll feeling
which rcbukcd by the whole history Of intercourse
with this country.
IIedecarcs that the United States have ever been sin
cecly DESTROYS of the prosperity the States of Central
America and of the establishment of free staple and en-
ghtened governments among them and would be graft
fled TO learn that they had adopted federal system smi
lar in its outlines TO that of the United States But while
animated by these sentiments that suitable rrparauu for
the unworthy imputations contained in the manifesto
must be made under peril of the consequences. BESIDES
the rcProaces of which this euson of iccling is made
the medium of communication to the world it indicates
he OF policy looking to European Intervention in Ameri
can alars to which the United States have long since
avowed their opposton and which they will resist under
all circumstances.
refer the protcctorate demanded by this procama-
ton and to the appeal to the of France Eng
land and Sardinia to assume the duties attached that
position.
The assertion by Costa Rica and Nicaragua. that at
the time they issued this documcnt-May l, ls5S-a fill
bustering expedition mcnacCd those States. and
tnat time preparing to invade them and that the move
ment was to be made under patronage the government
OF the United States, with view to take possession Of
Cehra America II Central America refused to surrender
itself voluntarily to this country is characterized
worthy OF reiuaton The next reviews the action of the
chitea states, with respect to the various thustcr-
ing expeditions that had been organized in tins country
refers to the fact that the American authorities by their
hteNehtoh at critical period probably prevented the
accomplishing of an other effort overthrow the existing
government of Nicaragua, by military invasion. and
remarks that it is little cretabe to the candor of the
President of Nicaragua that these circumstances have
been entirely overlooked in his desire
proach upon this country
He adds But there is another consideration not less
decisive in forming estimate of the conduct of the
United States under these circumstances fresh ial-
SION says this accusatory manifesto, is preparing tr
he patronage Of the government Of the IHitcd States, "
the purpose Of defnitce'y taking possessio" Of central
have already said that time has shown the error OF
this assertion, and ought to bring with due ackh""
edgmcnt No such expedition has left tins contrl nor
in fact, so far as know, one then contemplate"
lie next to the charge made IN the mann
compmyng the Belly contract in when II Is "c3l'" "c
that 'tfc government Of the United States has accoIuB
to official reports made that of Costa Rca ny s MINIS
ter Plenipoentiary Washington, declared that was
utterly pOwcrless to prevent past attempts y! t minus
ters or to protect the neutrality OF Central America oN
ing to the nsuciency of the laws of the United States on
this head ,,-.., -. e..-,.
This accusation he pronounces wholly without tounda
ton and cites in proof its lsehood the denial of the
Costa Minister at Washington, that he had ever made any
,cb declaration With regard the proectorate which
is invoked for securing the independence and nationality
of the republics of Nicaragua and Costa Rca he states that
the President believe that the powers appealed to
will accede to it. that the French Government had dis
claimed all knowledge of VI. Belly and his contract and
all designs upon Central America He further adds that
guarantee for the general and security of transit
route and also for its neutrality, is desirable measure