187
PAPERS OF l\hRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
to take than I can prescribe, being here entirely ignorant of what is going on in the Government. - . Under no circumstances whatever would I have you deliver said letter unless you fully approve it yourself; and unless you are satisfied that it icill not be taken am,iss by the President; for whom I not only entertain a sincere regard, but in whom I have great confidence both as a man and as a President. I believe there is no man in Costa Rica who can fill his place with equal wisdom and moderation. He com- mitted, I think, a great blunder in going into the Nicaraguancian war; and I think if he allows Belly to have any influence over his counsels in relation to the contract alluded to, or upon any other subject, he will fall into some other blunder; which I shall exceedingly regret, as I look mainly to his good disposition and endeavors for effecting a general pacification of Central America. Enclosed is a receipt for the safe delivery of my trunks yet in Punta Arenas. I charged the contractor as well as his driver, that especial care should be taken of the two small boxes or trunks con- taining my papers; and that if there was any possibility of their get- tin·g wet, I would prefer that they should be left on the road rather than run any risk. The driver delivered them at the American Hotel, and disappeared very suddenly, when I opened the Boxes I found their contents thoroughly soaked, and full of mud. Many of the Books are entirely destroyed, all damaged, and my papers in a terrible muss. - I would not have had it to happen for any amount. The books can be replaced by sending to the U. S. for them; but the papers - I do not know what to do with them. I have been. occupied several days in drying them. If the rascal can be made to disgorge the thirty Dollars I paid him in advance, I should like it as a punishment for the neglect; for the roads were not bad, and the accident might have been avoided -with ordinary care. - At the ·ferry on the Barranca I enquired the price of crossing myself and servant with our saddles - he said twelve reales - or $1.25c - I thought it was higher ferriage than I had paid before; but did not object to it; but was preparing to place the baggage in the boat, when the man pushed from shore and refused to take me unless I would pay him one Escudo or $2.25c - which I agreed to give; but it was some time before I could prevail on him to take me over even for that. Not a word had passed between me and him about the first price. I simply remarked to my servant that it was muy caro. ,- I told him I would report him to the Gobernador of Punta Arenas; he . said he did not care if I did - and added that there was no Governor there.
Yours Respectfully
Dr lfarquis L. Hines U. S. Consul San Jose
• Costa Rica
[Endorsed]
Copy of a Letter to Dr. Hines San Jose. 24th. Novr. 1858 -
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