153
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
try. This absurd intimation, declaration rather, that the United States was urging the annexation of this whole Isthmean region is made with as much gravity as tho' the authors of it had the actual proof of the fact before them. The assertion is unworthy of refutation. But it justifies some general observations connected with this matter. That unlawful warlike enterprises have been carried on from the United States, composed of persons from different coun- tries, against the territory of Nicaragua is not to be denied. But during the whole progress of these illegal efforts, the Government of this country has faithfully performed the duties upon it by the laws,. as well through public proclamations against such enterprises, as by giving the necessary directions to the proper officers to prevent their organization and departure, as by invoking the action of the judicial tribunals, and also by the employement of its naval forces. It is un- necessary to support these assertions by detailed proofs. They are as well known in Costa Rica and Nicaragua as here. Some times, indeed,. owing to the defect of proof, it has not been in the power of the Govern- ment to arrest these expeditions. But, even when its exertions, have- not succeeded in preventing their departure, they have been fairly anq. generally successfully directed to prevent reenforcements of men and: material. The good faith of the United States in relation to- these illegal undertakings has been much misunderstood and misrep- resented, both in Central America and elsewhere. A brief concurrence,. however, to the true state of the facts would remove many of the erro- neous impressions which have prevailed. It would show to every im- partial enquirer, what is, indeed, known to the present rulers of Nica- ragua, that the origin of these attempts is due to the interference and application of persons of high authority there, supported by the con- currence of a portion of the population. Under such circumstances the first expedition of this kind left the United States in June 1855, and it was soon afterwards claimed that the party with which it acted, and whose interests it has promoted, had obtained such possession of the country as to entitle its authorities to be recognized as the actual Government of Nicaragua. The Government of the United States, however, withheld this recog- nition and the expedition ultimately failed of success. - And subse- quently the American authorities, at a critical period, probably pre- vented by their intervention the accomplishment of another effort to overthrow the existing Government by a military invasion. It is little creditable to the candor of the President of Nicaragua that these cir- cumstances have been entirely overlooked in his earnest desire to cast reproach upon this country. But there is another consideration not less decisive- in forming an estimate of the conduct of the United States under these- circumstances. "A fresh invasion" says this accusatory manifesto "is preparing under the patronage of the Government of the United States,. for. the purpose of definitely taking possession of Central America ... "&. I have already said that time has shown the error· of this assertion and ought to 'bring with it a due acknowledgment. No such expedition has left this country, nor in fact, so far as I know, was one then contemplated. But a review of this subject pre-
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