A BUN TO NICARAGUA. 369 



the nature of a military dictatorship. It is clear that 

 such a government, springing as it were from a 

 neighbouring republic, but so opposed to it in its 

 institutions, would be highly unpalata"ble to the 

 United States, but a source of satisfaction to this 

 country, as proving that those vaunted institutions 

 are not suitable to every clime .and race ; while, at 

 the same time, we should find a counterpoise to the 

 Northern Republic, and hear no more of its aggres- 

 sive designs. 



The magnificent resources of these countries, now 

 neglected, would be developed, markets would be 

 erected, transit routes innumerable established be- 

 tween the two oceans, and Central American ques- 

 tions, as between this country and the United States, 

 set at rest for ever ; that they have ever existed 

 arises simply from the fact that Americans generally 

 are as ignorant of questions affecting the future of 

 Central America as we are ourselves, or we both of 

 us would know that it is impossible, from the nature 

 of things, for either country to extend its possessions 

 into a region destined, from its geographical position, 

 to be formed ere long into an independent State. 



VOL. II. 2 A 



