405
PAPERS OF l\fIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAllrAR
the United States to vigilate his operations in this section, and to see how far his pernicious counsells may prevail with these misguided States. There is little doubt that he induced the Republics of Nica- ragua and Costa Rica to beleive that the United States were seeking to enslave them-or otherwise to wrong them-and that the Emperor Louis Napo1eon, was ready to "interpose the shield of his omnipotence for their protection. It was in this manner _that he obtained from these States the joint Contract, whose ratification by Costa Rica he is now seeking, partly by courting, and partly by threatning her. If he is still endeavoring to persuade these Republics that .the Lilies of France will yet wave over this beautiful region; and that the Stars of Independence now flaming on the brows of Yraziv and Ometepe, will soon give way to the brighter effulgence of Colonial glory, it is to be hoped that these States have not only seen enough to awaken them from the delusion of those promises, but have become too wise to de- sire to barter their own cherished Banners, even for the Imperial Stand- ard that the Great Napoleon unfurled upon the Tyrollese. Be his purposes and his machinations what may, they have not heretofore availed anything to the honor or profit of this country; nor is it prob- able that they ever will.- He has once embittered the hearts of this people against their natural friend and protector; and although we are now in the dawn of a better state of feelings, my own opinion is that there never can be any sincere cordiality and undoubting confidence between our Countries so long as it is known that this man is still influential in the counsels of this.- I am weary of the theme, and will here close. Your Excellency will perceive that I have not headed this communication "Legation of the United States of America." I have abstained from this for two rea- sons-first because other departments are the proper channels for Official correspondence with this Government; and secondly because I have written with more freedom and carelessness than befits an Official Document, both as to manner and matter. Time would not allow me to prepare a paper of gravity and circumspection; and I was not willing to leave the Republic without letting Your Excellency know how I thought and felt on the question involved; and, so I scribbled off, with- out form or formality, this hurried exposition, which I now beg leave to close by tendering to Your Excellency the assurances of my respect, confidence and friendship. I have the honor to be Your Excellency's most obt Servt. l\1rRABEAU B. LAMAR. To His Excellency Juan RI Mora President of the Republic of Costa Rica San Jose.-
No. 2701. BLAS CERDA TO LA1\1AR
[Translation from the Spanish]
Realejo [Nicaragua] Nov. 28, 1858.-
MY DEAR Sm
Your chests are not going in this load because the carter found only
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