Doc No. 75. 



221 



have judged it proper to establish jurisdiction over this island in the name 

 of her Britannic Majesty Queen Victoria. 1, sir, have no forces with 

 which to resist this invasion, and my only resource is to protest, as I 

 now do, and as I have already done, against the occupation of this island, 

 which protests I have seut to my government. 



I witnessed, sir, the act effected by your forces this day in the name of 

 your sovereign, and shall submit a detailed account of the same to my 

 government. 



I am, sir, (fcc, 



VICENTE LECHUGA, 

 To the Commander of H. B. M.'s war steamer ^'Gorgon." 



Mr, Buchanan to Mr. Bancroft. 



[Extract.] 



Department of State, 



Washington, October 23, 1848. 

 Sir: Your despatches to No. 92 inclusive have been duly received at 

 this department. 



Mr. Joaquin de Osma, late envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo- 

 tentiary from Peru to the United States, passed through this city a few 

 days ago on his way from I/ima to London, to represent his country in 

 the same character in Great Britain. My official and personal intercourse 

 with that gentleman was highly satisfactory throughout his mission. He 

 is an able and estimable man, and his principles and feelings are all op- 

 posed to any interference on the part of Great Britain or other European 

 nations with the domestic concerns of the Spanish- American republics on 

 this continent. 



Mr. Osma informed me, in conversation, that Sefior Castro, the gover- 

 nor of Costa Rica, as he had been credibly informed, had offered to place 

 that State under the protection of the British government. He will him- 

 self communicate the details to you. You will perceive from the enclosed 

 extract from the instructions given by this department to Mr. Hise, our 

 charge d'affaires to Guatemala, in what light the President would view 

 the conduct of that government should they accept this offer. Although, 

 for the present, I am not prepared to give you any positive instructions 

 on the subject, yet, nevertheless, you will be vigilant in ascertaining 

 whether the information of Mr. Osma be well-founded; and should this 

 prove to be the case, in preventing, unofficially and by conversation in 

 the proper quarter, the acceptance by Great Britain of the proffered pro- 

 tectorate. 



Mr. Bancroft to Mr, Buchanan, 



[Extract.] 



• American Legation, 



London, November 17, 1848. 

 Your No. 41. and its enclosure are received. I shall cultivate the ac- 

 quaintance of the Peruvian minister on his arrival, and explain to him, as 



