“SeñorSeñor Director of the Republic of Nicaragua:

“I have to-day the honor of laying before you my credentials as the Representative of the United States of North America, near the Government of this Republic. The personal satisfaction which I feel upon this occasion is greatly enhanced by the many evidences which I have already had afforded to me, of the friendly sentiments which are entertained by the Government and people of Nicaragua towards those of the United States. I can assure you, upon behalf of my Government, that these sentiments are fully reciprocated, and that it is its earnest desire to cultivate, in every way, the most cordial relations with this Republic. Of this the official letters from the city of Washington, which I have now the honor to deliver to yourself and his Excellency the Minister of Foreign Relations, will give abundant evidence.

“It shall be my aim, Sir, in my official and personal intercourse with the Government and people of this State, not only to confirm the present harmony and good correspondence which exist between the two Republics, but to create new ties of friendship, and to promote a closer and more intimate relationship between them. They, Sir, possess common interests; they both stand before the world the avowed supporters of liberal principles, and the vindicators of Republican Institutions; the true policy of both is the preservation of order, and the encouragement of education and industry at home, and the maintenance of peace abroad. It is proper, therefore, that they should present an example of that fraternity which it is the desire of my Government, as I know it is of your Excellency, should exist between the two Republics.

“To this end, and to secure the permanent welfare of both, it is essential that they should pursue a system of policy exclusively American. In the language of an eminent statesman of my own country, (whose memory is reverently cherished, and whose words are treasured with care by every American citizen,) ‘in order that the fabric of international connections between the Republics of this continent may rise, in the lapse of years, with a grandeur and harmony of proportions corresponding with the magnitude of the means placed by Providence in their power, its foundations must be laid in principles of politics and morals new and distasteful to the thrones and dominions of the elder world, but coextensive with the surface of the globe, and lasting as the changes of time.’

“A cardinal principle in this policy is a total exclusion of foreign influence from the domestic and international affairs of the American Republics; and while we would cultivate friendly intercourse, and promote trade and commerce with all the world, and invite to our shores and to the enjoyment of our institutions the people of all nations, we should proclaim, in language distinct and firm, that the American continent belongs to Americans, and is sacred to Republican Freedom. We should also let it be understood, that if foreign powers encroach upon the territories or invade the rights of any one of the American States, they inflict an injury upon all, which it is alike the duty and determination of all to see redressed.

“Señor Director! Providence has peculiarly favored the country of which you are the worthy Chief Executive. I have passed through your territories from the Atlantic ocean, through your rivers and magnificent lakes, along the bases of your lofty mountains, and over your broad and beautiful plains, until the wide expanse of the Pacific opens before me, and I can almost hear the sound of its waves as they break upon your western shores. At every step I have been deeply impressed with the capabilities of the country, and the vastness of its internal resources. I have seen, also, with pleasure, the many evidences of industry and civilization which exist within your borders, and I have been led to indulge the belief that the time is not far distant, when the commerce of two hemispheres shall find within your territories an easy passage from sea to sea. It is one of the objects of my mission to assist in an enterprise so important to the whole world—an enterprise, the successful prosecution of which must enable this country to attain a degree of prosperity second to that of no other on the globe. With your cordial co-operation, (of which I am well assured,) and of that of the citizens of this Republic, I hope soon to have it in my power to announce to my Government, that the initiatives to this grand and glorious enterprise have already been taken.

“And here, Sir, you will permit me to express the profound regret which I feel, that I find this Republic afflicted by civil commotions. Both the principles and policy of the United States make us desire that this and the other Republics of Central America should be prosperous and powerful. We feel a deep interest in their welfare, but this we know can only be promoted by enlightened and stable Governments. The enjoyment of liberty, and the maintenance of individual rights, cannot be secured without permanent order, and this can only spring from a sacred observance of law. I trust, Sir, that the patriotic citizens of Nicaragua, whatever their differences of opinion, will all unite in an earnest endeavor to restore peace to the State. Nothing, Sir, could give me personally greater satisfaction, and I am certain nothing could be more acceptable to the Government and people of the United States, and to the friends of Republican Institutions throughout the world.

“I will not, Sir, detain you further. I can only reiterate the friendly sentiments of my Government and countrymen, and assure your Excellency, and the distinguished officers of the State and army around you, as also the illustrious Bishop and reverend prelates and clergy, of my personal high consideration and regard. Allow me also, through you, to return my thanks for the many kind attentions which I have received from the magistrates and citizens of the Republic, and to express the high pleasure which I have experienced in learning from my countrymen, who have lately been detained by unforeseen circumstances in the country, the uniform kindness and courtesy with which they have been treated. I am proud to learn that the name of American has been a passport to every Nicaraguan heart. That the new relations which are this day opened between this Republic and my own, may result in lasting benefit to both, is, Sir, my sincere prayer, and to this end I shall direct my most earnest endeavors.”

“Sir,—The satisfaction which I experience in having the honor of receiving, for the first time, a representative of the Republic of North America, is only equalled by the aspirations and high hopes which that event inspires. The gratitude with which your words have animated me, the extraordinary intervention of your Government under the circumstances with which Nicaragua is surrounded, impose on me the pleasing duty of returning thanks to Divine Providence for its benefits.

“Nicaragua has long felt the necessity of sheltering itself under the bright banner of the North American Confederacy; but the time which the Arbiter of nations had designated for such high happiness and consequent prosperity had not arrived. Before we despatched a Legation to the American Minister at Guatemala, and even before the treaty relative to a canal was entered into with Dr. Brown, (a citizen of your Republic,) we had made some advances to the American Government with a view to this happy consummation; but our hopes were scarcely sustained by their result. But I now see all the elements of a happy future brought before us; there is good faith in the Government with which I am connected; the friendliest feelings towards North America pervades every Nicaraguan heart; and we have the assurances of the sympathy and support of the American Government. We have consequently all things which can be desired to make available the advantages with which Heaven has surrounded us. Our State, considering its geographical position, ought to be the most prosperous in Spanish America; but our inexperience at the time of our separation from Spain—our limited resources, and the civil commotions that have intervened, have retarded the happy day which is now dawning upon us. I am certain that the Government which you represent, can appreciate the difficulties which have surrounded this Republic. Your Excellency being able properly to estimate these circumstances, must already have formed a just idea of the condition of this part of Central America, and of the position of its Government. Believing therefore that the best intentions exist upon your part towards us, as I know there is the happiest disposition on ours, I entertain no doubts that we shall succeed in establishing the most intimate relations between the two Republics, and in opening the way to the consummation of that most glorious enterprise which it has been reserved for the successors of the immortal Washington to undertake and perfect. I shall have the greatest pleasure in being able to contribute my humble share towards this result, and to the consequent happiness of Nicaragua. I thank you, Sir, and through you, your Government, for its proffered coöperation in so glorious an enterprise.

“Let us begin, Sir, this great work under these bright auspices, and we shall be sure of obtaining the best results. The people of the two American Continents are contemplating us; it is possible that for what we shall do, future generations shall cherish our memory: at least we shall have the conscious satisfaction of having neglected no means, omitted no sacrifice, in securing the grand objects so ardently desired by two sister Republics, determined mutually to sustain their interests, their honor, their integrity, and the principles of continental freedom.”