PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR 413 · there are found in all countries, some noble and daring spirits who do not cherish in their hearts any fears when duty and the good of their fatherland seek their strength. If it were not for them-what would become of the world? There would not be any progre~s, any liberty, any enlightenment, nothing in a word, but excessive evil.- Does Your · Excellency desire to know what is the first and great step, which according to my judgment ought to be made for uniting the two countries with chains of perpetual friendship, and for opening to all Central-America prosperity and a brilliant future?- Without the slightest hesitation I reply that never will this country be able to realize its hopes of progr_ess, power and aggrandizement until it adopts what is called the l\fonroe Doctrine-that is to say-dedicate this beau- tiful region to liberty and independence, and never permit any part of it to be conquered or dominated by foreign powers. This is a wise policy, founded on due consideration for the welfare of this country, and whose maintenance at any risk, is the firm resolve of my govern- ment.- Until Central-America can understand the wisdom of this policy, appreciate the good intentions of the United States in pro- .claiming it, and in trying to co-operate with them in sustaining it and carrying it to a happy conclusion, it can never reach the high destiny . which otherwise awaits it.- Before proceeding further, Your Excellency will deign to permit me to read some passages from a letter which I wrote and read to Seiior .Juarez in the month of March last; but which was not delivered to him; from which it will be seen how these States-arid especially Nicaragua-have complained without any reason against the United States; and still with much less reason they have held suspicions of aggression toward them. The policy of my nation, since the time of Mr. Monroe, until the capture of Walker by Commodore Paulding can be put concretely in a few words-the vindication of the nationality of Central-America, until they can defend themselves ;-and what more can this country ask of mine ? Here read the extracts. Such being the policy of the United States with reiard to Central- America-that is to abstain from all aggressions, and not permit any other nation to make them. I cannot help, consequently, but be sur- prised that an enlightened people like those of Costa-Rica, · knowing all this, should have refused the friendship and protection of my nation in order to throw themselves into the arms of a Power ·whose policy has been the incarnation of egoism toward all the nations which have had the misfortune of being under its dominion. Yonder are the Indies ! What sufferings have they not experienced, and are experienc- ing yet under the iron despotism of their conquerors?- And what better fate would have awaited the people of this country, if they had fallen into the clutches of that same oppressive nation?- Fortunately, this affair has already terminated; and according to my understanding, to the satisfaction of all parties ;-and it cannot be considered now, except as one, among the numerous examples of the fact that all na- tions are apt at times to be misled under an erroneous belief or under a false idea of the true state of things. It is pleasant to know that there is not any equivocation that the honorable man does not wish to correct; and it pleases me greatly that Your Excellency has taken the right stand so spontaneously with regard to this affair. By so acting
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