92 



Doc. No. 75. 



Note. — It does not appear from the records of the Department of State 

 that the foregoing comriiunication was answered during the administra- 

 tion of Mr. Poik. 



Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Hise. 



[No. 1.] Department of State, 



Washington, June 3, 1848. 



Sir: The great extension which the coast of the United States on the 

 Pacific has recently attained, followed, as it will be, by a rapid increase 

 of our population in that quarter, admonishes this government to culti- 

 vate and strengthen, in a spirit of wise forecast, relations of friendship 

 and commerce with the other governments whose territories border upon 

 that ocean. 



When the federation of the centre of America was formed, the govern- 

 ment and people of the United States entertained the highest hopes and 

 felt the warmest desire for its success and prosperity. Its government was 

 that of a federal republic, composed of the five States of Guatemala, 

 Honduras, Nicaragua, St. Salvador, and Costa Rica, and its constitution 

 nearly resembled that of the United States. This constitution unfortu- 

 nately endured but a brief period, and the different States of Central 

 America are now politically independent of each other. The consequence 

 is that each of them is so feeble as to invite aggressions from foreign 

 powers. Whilst it is our intention to maintain our established policy of 

 non-intervention in the concerns of foreign nations, you are instructed 

 by your counsel and advice, should suitable occasions offer, to promote 

 the reunion of the States which formed the federation of Central America. 

 In a federal union among themselves consists their strength. They will 

 thus avoid domestic dissensions and render themselves respected by the 

 world. These truths you can impress upon them by the most powerful 

 arguments. 



A principal object of your mission is to cultivate the most friendly re- 

 lations with Guatemala. It is now an independent sovereignty, and is 

 by far the most populous and powerful of the States of the former federa- 

 tion. Whilst representing your government at Guatemala, however, you 

 will enjoy frequent opportunities of cultivating friendly relations between 

 the United States and the other States of Central America, which you 

 will not fail to embrace. 



The enemies of free institutions throughout the world have been 

 greatly encouraged by the constantly recurring revolutions and changes 

 in the Spanish American republics. They are thus furnished with argu- 

 ments against the capacity of man for self government. The President 

 and people of the United States have viewed these incessant changes 

 with the most profound regret. Both our principles and our policy make 

 iis desire that these republics should become prosperous and powerful. 

 We feel a deep interest in their welfare; but this we know can only be 

 promoted by free and stable governments. The enjoyment of liberty and 

 the maintenance of private rights cannot be secured without permanent 

 order; and this can only spring from the sacred observance of law. So 

 long as successive military chieftains shall possess the ability and the 



