PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
No. 2584 1858 Feb. 4, E. BOWLY & COMPANY, [NEW YORK] TO M. B. LAMAR, [MANAGUA, NICARAGUA]4 6 Genl. Lamar, New York Feby 4th./58. Sir, We have claims on Costa Rica, San Salvador, · and probably on Nicaragua; for a large amount; We (the house of; "George. H. Bowly & co.") have been doing a commercial business in "San Juan Del Sur" for five or six years past; We are citizens of the U. S. and one of our firm Mr Geo. H. Bowly, has resided there; to conduct for us, the business at that point; we have never had any thing to do with the politics of the country; in any form; we have never done any thing to forfeit our rights as American citizens: During the late war of Costa Rica &c. against the Government of Walker: the forces of Costa Rica, occupied San Juan Del Sur: and first; under "Mora," the president of Costa Rica; seized our property; and appropriated and destroyed it to a large amount; again the Costa Ricans under "Canas" did substansially the same thing: again, in Rivas; the same thing was done and a small amount taken and destroyed &c.: the whole amount in value, of the damages to us by Costa Rica is $40,998.28c. Fairty [sic] thousand, nine hundred & ninety-eight dollars and twenty eight cents: all the documents, properly authenticated to prove which, are now in the possession of the State Department in Washington: The amount of our claim on the Govmt of "San Salvador" is $3,031.00c - Three thousand, and thirty one dollars : The basis of this claim is that, in Oct'r ,1856. The authorities at "La Union" in "San Salvador'' Pacific coast: seized a quantity of cocoa. belonging to us; on board of the Sloop "Flora" Captn. Temple, upon his entering that Port; during a trading voyage on the coast: The Flora was an American .vessel under an American Captain; and the seizure a violation of all law and right, The properly authenticated documents in this case are also in the State Department." Now; upon our personal application to the Sec'y of State; for redress, he has promised us that we, shall be indemnified; but thati our claims must be first presented, and payment demanded of the Governments owing them; and that, then, if after 81. proper demand has been made upon them, and the proofs of such de- mand, and refusal, is sent to the Department; that our Government will then take such action as the nature of our losses requires: and will see that ample justice is done us: Now. Sir: under these circumstances,. we think that the proper channel through which to make these demands: is, through our Minister; Your Hon Self: and though us do not expect that they will acknowledge our claims, and pay them without further action on the part of our Govm't. Still it seems necessary that the demands should be made before a final appeal is made to our Govm't. to use its offices for the settlement of these claims. and what we wish you to do, is to demand of those Governments the payments of these claims: and if they acknowledge them and ask for proofs & details: we will furnish them at once. and if they do not acknowledge them and
... A. L. S.
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