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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU Buo:-.APARTE LAMAR
Let us return to the thread of argument. I consi(ler the real difficulty which is now operating against the imme- diat'e ratification of the treaty is the hope of European interpo5ition. The action of the Assembly is postponed from month to month under the anxious expectation of receiving some official instruction from the French and English governments forbidding its adoption until they shall first set in judgment upon its merits and give it their approval. In a word Nicaragua believes that those two powerful nations will not permit the United States to enter into any negociation with her, of any kind except under their approval; and under their approval, Nica- ragua is ready to submit to anything; being fully persuaded in her own mind, that these powers will dictate nothing except what may be congenial to her own, as well as to their supposed Anti-American an- tipathies. I have every reason to believe that those governments have given no assurances, of any kind, upon this point; for had they done so, the treaty would have been dismissed at once, without the slightest consideration; but I feel pretty confident that private and individual influence has induced this nation to expect it; and the hope of yet receiving it, is the moti\·e for the present inaction of the Assembly, and in all probability will operate the final rejection of the Convention. The fallacy of this hope with respect to France, I have endearnred al- ready to expose. That England may have motives for keeping Amer- ican industry out of this country, and chaining - if it were possible - the inhabitants in perpetual, Cimerian darkness, I have fairly and frankly admitted; but as powerful as these antiprogressiYe and anti- american feelings may be, I think that Nicaragua largely overates them when she supposes that they are strong enough, to precipitate Great Britain into the folly and madness of defying the resentment of the United States, and of incurring the odium of the civilized world. Eng- land did not so interfere in the treaties entered into between my gov- ernement and Costa Rica, Guatemala, and other of the Central Amer- ican States. And why should she now be expected to do this in the case of Nicaragua? And why should Nicaragua desire such intermed- ling in her affairs? Is it because she is less capable of thinking and acting for herself than her sister Republics - and therefore requires a guardian hand to lead her forth and teach her how to walk alone? - The Ti-eaty which her Minister l\Ir Irisarri has entered into on her behalf with the United States is as liberal, and just as those voluntarily entered into by other Spanish American States. Nevertheless, if Nica- ragua likes. it not - then why not reject it at once and be done with it? - No - she fears to assume this responsibility until she shall first obtain some guarantees from the nations above alluded to, that they will protect her from all the consequences which she supposes may flow from its rejection. Although she has not received those promises of protection, her conviction that the protection desired will come in the last resort, is sufficiently strong, in all probability, to embolden her to a step which she longs so much to take. 'l'hcn be it so. The sooner the step is taken, the better. - Difficulties, I doubt not, will soon arise which will put the question of belligerent interposition to the test; and if Nicaragua should not realize her expectations; and unforseen calamities should come upon her, she must remember that as she was duly admonished of the error of her course, so must she alone be re-
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