158 Doe. No. 19. 



isthmus of Panama. In case the commissioner arrives in time^ I shall 

 make some conditional arrangements, probably, for its purchase, referring 

 the matter for final settlement to Washington; but meantime, if necessary, 

 planting the American flag upon the Tigre^ and forbidding the touch of 

 a hostile foot upon its soil. I shall do this, assuring the government of 

 Honduras that { am wholly uninstructed upon the matter, and that the 

 whole proceeding may be disclaimed by m_y government. There are, 

 however, so many contingencies involvedj that it is likely I may have no 

 occasion to act in the matter* 



Appended (K) is a copy of a letter which I have sent to the States of 

 Nicaragua, Honduras, and San Salvador. The movements here in 

 respect to a canal, &c., have already had the effect of bringing forward 

 adventurers, who promise great things to the unsophisticated people, pro- 

 vided they shall receive certain exclusive grants and privileges. Anxious 

 that all legitimate avenues of industry and trade shall be left open to 

 competition, I have not only refused to lend my countenance to any of 

 these schemes, but have advised the respective governments against them. 

 It is probable the department may be annoyed with complaints from dis- 

 appointed adventurers. 



Reserving my observations upon the nature and practicability of the 

 proposed canal route, and upon collateral subjects, for another communi- 

 cation , 



I have the honor to subscribe myself, &c., 



E. GEO. SaUIER. 



B. 



Legation of the United States of NorTh America, 



Guatemala-^ January 12, 1849. 



Sir: Two letters were placed in my hands on the 10th instant, from 

 your excellency, one dated the 22d, the other the 24th of December past. 



Be pleased, sir, to accept my thanks for the sentiments of respect, 

 admiration, and friendship towards the government of the United States 

 of North America entertained by you, and no doubt by your government, 

 and which you have so beautifully expressed in those letters. As an 

 American citizen, and as her diplomatic representative in Central Amer* 

 ica, I am pleased and gratified to find that the high character of my gov- 

 ernment is duly appreciated by the other republics of North America. 



The important subjects referred to in your letters have been considered 

 with attention by the United States, and I have been instructed fully 

 thereupon. I have the honor to announce officially to you, and through 

 you to your government, my present residence in this city as charge 

 d'affaires of the United States. I respectfully request your government 

 to appoint and despatch to this city a commissioner, invested with full 

 and ample powers to negotiate and treat upon the very important affairs 

 referred to in your two letters above named. And I shall be prepared to 

 receive such commissioner with much pleasure and due respect, and will 

 enter upon the negotiation of the highly important interests alluded to 

 above, and conclude with your government a treaty of amity and com- 

 merce, in which; also, stipulations and terms of agreement upon other 



