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to communicate directly with Your .Excellency upon these important subjects, and in thus departing from the ordinary course of official communications, I am confident that the emergency, and the object sought to be attained, will sufficiently recommend my proceedure to Your Excellency's indulgence. I think a golden opportunity is now offered to place the political relations of our countries permanently upon such a footing as a correct understanding of the true interests of both clearly indicates, and I consider that I should fail greatly in my duty to my own country, to this, and to the great cause of universal advancement in permitting this most desirable object to fail of being consumated in consequence of any lack of effort for its accomplishment, on my part. As tending directly, and in a most effectual manner, to promote this end, I should be gratified to receive an avowal of Your Excellency's opinion and views with regard to the policy and principles which have been adopted by the United States and are stated in the Hon. Secretery of State's letter of the 25th of July last, which I had the honor of communicating to this Government. Your Excellency is perfectly aware of the circumstances and object which called forth the first declaration of these principles by Mr .Monroe in 1823, and the influence it has exerted upon the indipendence and present condition of the Spanish American Republics. What would have been the result of the contest then raging and the political posi- tion of these States now, if the United States had not opportunely made that declaration of her sympathy toward them and her determination to protect them against th~ oppressive measures contemplated by the Monarchs of Europe? The stand then taken by the United States was hailed with enthu- siasm by the struggling peopiv of Spanish America and was received with heartfelt rejoicing by all the friends of liberty throughout the world-· It put a terminous to European domination on this portion of continent and confirmed the inhabitants in the right of self-govern- ment.- The principles then promulgated have been strangely mis- construed and perverted by artful men_, enemies of the United States and of human liberty and progress, but Sir, the policy is still the same. The feeling of the United States toward these countries has suffered no change. No spirit of annexation, or absorption, or aggression has been engrafted upon the "l\fonroe Doctrine." It still pretends to noth- ing further than that the destinies of these countries should be left in their own hands. It is simply a doctrine of non-intervention by the Monarchical Powers of Europe in the political affairs of this Hemi- sphere, and as such the peace and safety of the United States require that it shall be maintained at all hazards. As such, it has now been presented to this Government" for its consideration. It is not required -0f it either to adopt or disregard this this [ sic J policy. The Govern- ment of Costa Rica is at full liberty to dispose of this subject in the manner that may appear best calculated to promote her interests, but, at the same time, I have no hesitation in assuring Your Excellency that an open and manly adoption of these principles and this policy, would place the relations of our countries upon such a basis, as, in my
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