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lation. But now these fears are greatly excited. Kicaragua under- stands that the Cass and Irisarri Treaty - once ratified - will re- move all the difficulties which have heretofore impeded emigration, by establishing peace, order, stability and security in the country; - and she now fears that under this new state of things, there will be such a rush of foreigners into her territory as to endanger her nationality. These fears have reference almost exclusively to the people of the United States. It is the Americans that are dreaded. The general apprehension is that in a few years they will so increase in numbers, wealth and strenght as to be able to seize the reins of government; denationalize the country and convert .it into an American Republic. To avert this destiny - which the ~icaraguenses seem to take for granted, - but upon what grounds I lmow not - is the great object of the nation's present solicitude. - Although, there is actually no reasonable fundation for such fears - although they are mere chimeras of the mind - shadowdy [sic] phantoms without soul or substance - yet I am well aware that they are deeply felt; and under their be- wildering effects, the nation is now yielding up its heart, and its understanding, to the guidance of those who can have no simpathy with the people they mislead nor any concern for their fate. - "Fear nothing" - say these ill-advisers - "Fear nothing. Reject the Cass and Irisarri treaty - make no other - repeal your colonization laws; or alter them to suit your own views of policy - and Her -Majesty the Queen of England will take care that the Americans shall not overrun your country. 'fhe anti-American spirit is too dominant and deeply seated in Great Britain, to allow the power or the principles of the United States to be planted in any part of your soil. If she cannot arrest it herself, she will find ready aid in the chivalry of France, her ever faithful ally;" - and with full confidence in the truth of every word - although uttered by irresponsible individuals - behold the Nicaraguenses threatening my government with European vengeance - vengeance for offenses uncommitted; for wrongs never meditated; and for the progress of a civilization, which she has not the power - if she had the will - to arrest. And this is the true state of the case. - Let it be remembered that the United States harbors no designes against the Sovereignty of Nicaragua. Nor do they desire to despoil the republic of a solitary right. This I have already manifested in another part of this letter. All that my gov- ernment asks upon this point is, that the Citizens of the United States may be admitted into Nicaragua on the same terms on which they are allowed to settle in other civilized nations - that is - to be subject to the laws of the country, and to receive its protection. This right, as we have just seen, Nicaragua has long since conceded in her immi- gration laws just alluded to; but now she is unwilling to confirm it by treaty stipulation; because she thinks, as matters stand at present, she retains the right of arresting the influx of foreigners whenever their numbers are quantam suffice/, by the simple process of repealing the immigration laws. She wishes to apply to immigration the prin- ciple of irrigation - that is - to hoist the flood-gate when it is neces- sary to water the fields, and to shut it down wheneYer there is water enough. - And the right of doing this - of opening and closing the
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