Doc. No. 75, 



149 



My former commTini cation was submitted, subject to future corrections. 

 I find that Costa Rica (probably under improper instigation) has lately 

 asserted that her territories not only extend from the Serapique river to the 

 sea, but also from Salinas bay, on the Pacific, in a right line eastward to 

 Lake Nicaragua; along the southern shore of that lake, and thence along 

 the San Juan river to the Atlantic. This claim covers several towns 

 which have always been in the undisputed possession of Nicaragua; and 

 also the miUtary station at the Castillo Viego, on the south bank of the 

 San Juan. 



In referring to the grants of land made by the so-called Mosquito King 

 to Shepherd and others, I neglected to mention, what I presume was 

 well known to the department, that all these grants were not long since 

 formally revoked by the present ^^King" at the instigation of Mr. Walker, 

 Dr. Green, and other English agents. Still, the -|- (his mark) of one 

 savage is, I presume, quite as potential as that of another, and quite as 

 worthy of regard. In conclusion, I must again be permitted to suggest 

 not only the propriety, but the absolute importance of the visit of a United 

 States armed vessel to the port of San Juan. If one of the vessels of the 

 Pacific squadron could touch at Realejo, and afterwards at Punto Arenas, 

 in Costa Rica, I am convinced beneficial effects would follow. The 

 frequent visits of English armed vessels has left an exaggerated impres- 

 sion of British power, which, in Costa Rica at least, may result in the 

 virtual establishment of English supremacy, the Costa Riean minister at 

 St James to the contrary notwithstanding. 



The importance of the trade, <fce., of the Central American States, 

 present and prospective, I am satisfied have not been hitherto properly 

 -estimated by our government and our people; and since our interests in 

 the Pacific have lately been so much augmented, I conceive that no time 

 should be lost in placing our relations here on the best and most enduring 

 basis. To this end I shall direct my efforts; and to this end, also, I shall 

 ©ndeavor to place before the department all data of importance which 

 1 may be able to obtain. 



With my next communication, I hope to be able to forward a detailed 

 map of the river San Juan, with the information necessary to an under- 

 standing of the actual capabilities of that stream. 



Meantime^ I remain, (fcc, 



E. GEORGE SQUIER. 



A. 



To Don f^ebastian Salinas^ Secretary of State. 

 PROTEST. 



Leon, May 25, 1849. 

 Sir: In reference to the contract concluded by the government of the 

 State of Nicaragua, and a North American company, represented by Dr. D. 

 T. Brown, to effect a communication across this isthmus, I am instructed 

 to announce to your government that the Mosquito territory comprises 

 the river San Juan up to the rapids of the Machuca/' and that all the 



