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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
connection with the enterprise is not to be known.-No one of course will hazzard the open assertion of such a thing; for if true, it would be treason to the compact; and if false, would only lead to detection and exposure. Such an impression, however, I doubt not will exten- sevely prevail; and the hope of the Company is that Nicaragua, de- lighted with the idea that Kings, queens and Emperors are secretly associated with M. Belley and ready to supply him with money, will ratify his contract without hesitancy, and feel that in so doing she has forever secured the friendship and protection of said powers. It was arts of this nature that first betrayed Nicaragua into the forma- tion of that contract, and the friends of that contract still hope and believe that in the same way she may be lured into its ratification. But suppose Nicaragua were awaken from her de- lusion - and refuse to ratify said Contract. Suppose this Congress were to say that that Contract was founded in error; and like all error it must perish in the light of truth. - M. B. has his answer prepared.- He will say - "it is of no importance. The contract is just as valid without, as with your ratification, and my governmt is just as ready and willing to to [sic] sustain my rights without your action as with it. A brief reply; but very significant. - He did not come as an individ- ual suplecating favors; but as a Prince to one of his distant prov- inces. -And does Your Excellency enquire upon what ground I sup- pose that M. Belley will assume this position in the last resort? I will answer your Excellency. My inferrence is plainly deducible from pres- ent and past occurrences. Your Excellency will please remember the manner of M. B. entrance into the country. It was proclaimed that he had in his train, schollars with their diplomas, artizans with their implemtes [sic], africans as soldiers, a prince for his companian, a plenipotentiary for his secretary, and a British Colonel to herrald his coming; and all wearing I am told their appropriate decorations, as if the people of Nicaragua were children, to be dazzled and delighted by European gewgaw and glitter. And what did he do on landing? One of his first acts, was to invite the President of this Republic to attend the celebration of the commencement of the great work. - Why did he not wait for the ratification of his contract? No, seemed to consider that as a superfluity - The contract in his conception is valid without it; and without asking or obtaining permission to com- inence his labors, he invites the President of the Republic to Witness the beginning of them, as if his right to begin without the consent of Nicaragua was clear and undisputable - The President of the Republic has declared that he has entered into no official contract with Mr .Belly, that as a private individual he had . taken some initiary steps in a connection of the character alluded to, but that is was [sic] the un- authorized act of a private individual for which the nation was in no way responsible - Mr Belly however on the other hand announces his determination to commence the execution of his contract and re- quests the honor of H Excellency's presence on the occasion. Now Yr. Excellency cannot fail to perceive in this a very decided indication of the construction which M. Belley is desposed to place upon the Con- tract, and also that the attendance of the President on such occasion would have been on his part a virtual recognition of the legality of
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