96 



Doc. No. 75. 



of these attempts have succeeded; and it is almost certain that at the pres- 

 ent time there is no federal government in Central America entitled to the 

 privileges or responsible for the duties of a sovereign power. By a decree 

 bearing date the 21st of March^ 1847, the State of Guatemala declared 

 itself a free and independent republic. 



The department is informed that the government of Guatemala has re- 

 cently expressed a disposition to form a treaty with the United States. 

 This disposition is reciprocated by the President. At as early a period, 

 therefore, after you have been received by that government, as you may 

 judge proper, you may inform the Secretary of State of Guatemala that 

 you are empowered to negotiate a treaty with his government, and you 

 will request that, if the government of Guatemala is disposed to enter upon 

 the negotiation, a person may also be empowered for the same purpose on 

 its part. As it cannot be anticipated that the Guatemalian government will 

 object to the treaty signed by Mr. De Witt and Mr. Alvarez, on behalf of 

 their respective governments, on the 14th July, 1838, you may propose the 

 adoption of that treaty between the United States and Guatemala. It is 

 almost Hterally identical with the treaty between the United States and the 

 federation of Central America of the 5th December, 1826. The variations 

 between them are mentioned in the accompanying extract from the in- 

 structions of this department to Mr. De Witt of the 28th of March, 1838. 



You are also herewith furnished with a full power to conclude a treaty 

 of commerce with the republic of San Salvador. Similar treaties with 

 the other States of Central America would probably be useful in fostering 

 our trade with them, and in protecting our citizens who may visit or reside 

 in their territories. It is not, however, deemed advisable to empower you 

 to conclude a treaty with either Nicaragua, Honduras, or Costa Rica, until 

 you shall have communicated to the department more full and authentic 

 statistical information in regard to those States than that which it now 

 possesses. You will accordingly be dilligent in collecting this information, 

 which it would be desirable that the department should receive without 

 any delay which can be avoided. 



I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



To Elijah HisE; Esq., ^'c, (^c, (^*c. 



Mr. Hise to Air. Buchana?i. 



[Extracts.] 



Honduras, Port of Omoa, 



October 26, 1848. 



Sir: My health having improved at Havana, I left that city on the 12t,h 

 of October instant, the earliest opportunity that occurred, and embarked 

 on the brigantine Leguno Lempromana for the port of Isabel of the 

 Golfo Dolce, State of Guatemala. Owing to the light and variable winds 

 and calms, we have had, so far, a long and tedious passage— eight days to 

 Truxillo, and six days to the port of Omoa; from whence we set sail to- 

 morrow for Isabel, at which place we hope to arrive in a few days, and 

 from whence I shall set forth immediately on mules for the city of Guate- 

 mala. My health has^ 1 think; continued to improve on the passage so 



