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the United States to Nicaragua and Cost; Rica, and to dismiss their Ministers accredited to this Government. And, had such a cause of offence been given by France, or England, or any other nation with a well established government properly appreciating its duties towards foreign Powers, this course would have at once been adopted. But the United States in this case will take counsel not from their rights, but from the condition of these Republics, and will not hold the People, upon this occasion, responsible for this undignified exhibition of ill feeling, which is rebuked by the whole history of their intercourse with this country. The United States are, as they have ever been, ~incerely desirous of the prosperity of the States of Central America, and of the establishment of free stable and enlightenened Goverments among them. And the instructions with which you were furnished when you departed upon your mission and which were made known to the Gov- ernments of the States to which you were accredited bear undeniable evidence of this disposition. You were told that a federal system resembling in its outlines that of the United States was admirably adapted to their condition, and that the People of the United States would be gratified to find a similar one established there, and would see in the measure itself a pledge of future stability in their political institutions, and of improvement in all the elements of advancement. And you were instructed whenever circumstances should render it proper to suggest these considerations - avoiding, however, all appear- ance of dictation, and placing your suggestions on the true ground, the interest the People of this country feel in the prosperity of that fertile and valuable region. And still animated with these sentiments the United States will deal with forbearance with this uncorteous provocation, having no fear that their moderation will be misunderstood. But you will give these Governments distinctly to understand that a suitable reparation will be insisted on, or the United States will no longer be restrained, by the considerations I have adverted to, from seeking by more efficacious means proper redress for these unworthy imputations. Besides the reproaches of which this effusion of ill- feeling is made the medium of communication to the world, it indi- cates a line of policy looking to European intervention in American affairs, to which the United States have long since avowed their oppo- sition, and which they will resist under all circumstances. I .refer to the protectorate demanded by this proclamation, and to the appeal to the Governments of France, England and Sardinia, to assure the duties attached to that position. Before proceeding, however, to this subject, there is another, which I desire first to dispose of and which concerns events that have been connected with the relations between these countries and the United States. It is asserted by these Supreme Chiefs of the Repub- lics of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, that at the time they issued this document - May 1st. 1858 - a filibustering expedition menaced those states and was at that time preparing to invade them, and that the moYement was to be made under the patronage of the Government of the United States, with a view to take possession of Central America, if Central America refused to surrender itself voluntarily to this cqun-
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