160 * Doc. No. 75. 



United States in a few months, and what is to be done must be dotie 

 quickly, inasmuch as my limited time will not admit of procrastination. 

 With sentiments of great respect, I am, &c., 



ELIJAH HISE. 



His Excellency S. Salinas, ».^c., ^c, (J^c. 



Guatemala, April 22, 1849. 



Sir: Your letters of the date of the 7th of April (instant) and a copy of 

 the contract with the New York company upon the subject of an oceanic 

 communication, by means of canals and roads through your State, have 

 this day been delivered to me by your courier. 



The company with whom this contract has been made have no author- 

 ity to bind or pledge the government of the United States in any way 

 whatever; and inasmuch as my government is no party to said contract, 

 and inasmuch as no kind of right, privilege, or equivalent is therein 

 secured to the United States, I say to yon, therefore, that the said com- 

 pany cannot influence or induce the United States to make such treaty of 

 alliance and protection as it is contemplated in said contract. I think the 

 said contract is injudicious and premature. You should have sent me a 

 commissioner with full powers, and without delay: you should treat only 

 with the authorized diplomatic representative of the United States, and 

 not with mere adventurers, of whom I know nothing, and who have no 

 authority from my government. I am yet in this city, and will remain 

 here long enough to receive your answer to this letter, if such answer is 

 written and sent to me without delay. Immediate and prompt acdon is 

 altogether important. I am fully instructed and prepared to offer to Nica- 

 ragua a treaty of alliance and protection, with such provisions as will most 

 surely promote the grandeur, power, and wealth, as well as the security 

 of your country. Such treaty can be made here immediately, without 

 delay or loss of time, and I can take such treaty, when concluded, with 

 me to the United States, and procure its immediate ratification beyond a 

 doubt. It is not at all necessary or prudent to send a commissioner to 

 Washington, when a treaty can be forthwith concluded here at much less 

 expense, and in much quicker time. 



I have concluded a treaty with Guatemala; and inasmuch as the other 

 States of Central America have most negligently failed to comply with my 

 requests, and their promises to send commissioners here to this city to 

 treat with me, it would be useless for me to remain in this country any 

 longer, unless I could rely with some faith and certainty upon the promise 

 you have given me to send me a commissioner forthwith. I will wait 

 here until I shall hear again from your excellency. I most earnestly and 

 respectfully again urge and solicit your excellency to insist upon your 

 government to send me a commissioner without a moment's delay, to con- 

 clude one of the most important treaties that was ever before negotiated, 

 Avhen all its effects are duly considered. We should conclude this treaty 

 here in this city; because, 1st. It can be done at less expense to both gov- 

 ernments than to transfer the negotiations to Washington; 2d. It can be 

 done more advisedly, being near the scene of action; 3d. It can be done 

 much sooner, and time i.s of incalculable importance in this grave affair; 

 and, 4th. Such treaty m:jiy thus much sooner receive its ratification from 



