Doc. No. 75, 



15S 



with the principal diplomatic officer of the United States in the country 

 where they reside, and to keep him apprized of what is transpiring, so as 

 to enable him, if called upon in any matter of public importance, to act 

 understandingly. In countries where railroads and steamers are com- 

 mon, where communication is rapid, and where an enterprising press da- 

 guerreotypes whatever is transpiring, the necessity for such attention on 

 the part of the officers of the government is not so great. Without wish- 

 ing to disparage any one, or intending to reflect on the policy of prece- 

 ding administrations in neglecting to keep up constant relations with the 

 States of Central America, I am convinced that if our diplomatic and other 

 agents in these States had maintained a proper degree of vigilance, and 

 exercised their influence judiciously, most of the distractions which have 

 prevailed, and the aggressions which have followed in consequence, 

 would have been prevented, and that, too, without resort to intrigues of 

 doubtful propriety, and without any departure from the strict line of dip- 

 lomatic duty. 



^ ^ ^ ^ 



In Mr. Buchanan's instructions to my predecessor, and which are 

 sanctioned by my own, Mr. Hise was directed, by his counsel and 

 advice, should suitable occasions offer, to promote the reunion of the 

 States of the old confederation." My inclinations, no less than my 

 instructions, have led me to bestow considerable attention upon this point. 

 Upon my arrival here I was not long in discovering that between Hon- 

 duras, San Salvador, and Nicaragua much cordiality prevailed, and that 

 between Honduras and Nicaragua a secret league, both defensive and 

 offensive, existed. Between the three, also existed treaties binding them 

 together in very intimate relations. This relationship, it may be sus- 

 pected, has resulted rather from a sense of common danger, and from that 

 kind of sympathy which injuries from a common source often create, than 

 from positive good feeling between the States; for it is well known that, on 

 more than one occasion, at periods not very remote, they have been 

 arrayed against each other in deadly strife. For a number of years, 

 however, they have been at peace, and the encroach mients and persecu- 

 tions to which they have been subjected have had the double effect of 

 showing them their weakness and danger, while maintaining an isolated 

 position, and of destroying that foreign and unfriendly influence which 

 had previously been exercised only to foment and sustain discord among 

 them. As a consequence, their exterior policy has lately been the same, 

 and copies of all corn^spondence relating to it have been freely exchanged. 

 This common bond, it would seem, might be strengthened so as to unite 

 them into a permanent confederacy. I have no doubt it may, as soon as 

 ground is broken for the construction of the proposed canal, and the trade 

 and industry of the entire country revived, as it certainly would be in 

 this contingency. At present, however, without revenues which could 

 be diverted to the support of a general government, and while in a state 

 of incertitude as to what the future may bring forth, I am sure, notwith- 

 standing such union is generally desired and contemplated, that it could 

 not be effected on a permanent basis. Such, I find, is also the opinion 

 of the best-informed and the most patriotic men with whom I have come 

 in contact — men who desire to live only to see this grand result brought 

 about. Under these circumstances, I have advised — and the attempt 

 seems likely to be successful — that a union, for the purpose of maintaining 

 and conducting foreign relations under a common name, should at once 



