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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
Gen Jerez, it is believed by those in favor of the Cass Yrsarri treaty has been sent to the United States accompanied by the private Secretary of President Martinez both to watch Sr. Yrisarri in whom the Government here has not implicit confidence, and to assist him in his endeavors to humbug the Administration with promises that never can be fulfilled and intended only to gain time untill other arrange- ments can be made in order to throw off the United States altogeather if possible. Jerez is well calculated for such a mission He is a most perfect specimen of a Central American politician Cunning, artful, hypocritical and dissembling, ambitious of power and entirely unscru- pulous as to the means to be used in carrying his point. As an ex- ample. Previous to any open rupture between him and Gen. Walker he, with others, determined to assasinate him. Accordingly one evening when Walker was at the residence of President Rivas Jerez came then and ordered the guard stationed at the door to load their peices with the view of shooting Walker on leaving the house. The family of President Rivas discovered what was going on and interfeared to save Walker The son in law of Rivas Cleto Mayarga, went to Jerez and told him that no harm could be done Walker whilst under his roof: that he owed him a debt of gratitude for having saved his life by the taking of the City of Granada- Mayorga was a prisoner there and under sentance of death when Walker to"ok the place - and that he was de- termined to protect him at all hazards. On hearing this Jerez mounted his horse and angerly left. This I have from Mayorga & the family of expresident Rivas. Rivas is the uncle of my wife - ·Professing great love for his country he is always ready to sacrifice everything to self aggrandisement - Such is the character given him by his political party here & by those who have known him from childhood. He is not at present popular, yet anything thait he might do to pro- mote and advance American influance here would q_e approved by his party He could if he would - by threatenning Martinez with revolu- tion - coerse him into any measure calculated to extend American influance here for the best tallent of the State & the masses of the people would sustain him. He could if he had chosen to do so, have compelled Martinez by a single word to sign the Cass-Yrisarri treaty because the people were in favor of it and would have sustained him Martinez would not have dared to raise a question with him, for fear that he would have placed himself at the head of the people who only want a leader to overthrow l\fartinez I write you in confidence for you yourself know that all American dare not publically speak his sentiments here.
Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
J. L. Cole
(Endorsed]
Letter from Dr. Cole
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