232 



Doc. No. 15i 



we ought not to consent to its obstruction by any other power ; andy if 

 you find that he is still unwilling to abandon the British and Mosquito 

 claim, or to retire from the river and the command of its harbor, then im- 

 part to him, orally, the views of the President, as conveyed in this des- 

 patch. You will he careful to assure him that, in questioning the title of 

 the Mosquito King to the territory claimed for him, this government is 

 not actuated by ambitious motives, or by any feeling, in the least, un- 

 friendly towards Great Britain. We are impelled solely by a proper vigi- 

 lance for the interests committed to our charge, and by a due sympathy 

 for those whose rights we blieve to have been invaded. 



If the result of your interview with that functionary should be an im- 

 pression that his government will not pause or recede in the steps which 

 it seems to be taking in the quarter adverted to, you will then address to 

 him, in the name of this government, in firm yet respectful language, a 

 formal written protest and remonstrance against them, and immediately 

 communicate to this department the result of all your ofiicial interposition 

 and proceedings. 



In order that you may possess full knowledge of the views of the 

 President on this subject, you will herewith receive an extract of a copy 

 of the secret instructions given to E. George Squier, our present charge 

 d'affaires to Guatemala, who, when you shall be in the receipt of this, 

 will be on his way to Leon, to negotiate with the government of Nica- 

 ragua. 



It will be expedient to obtain an assurance from the minister from Costa 

 Rica, now in London, that he will not commit the rights of that State by 

 any convention with Great Britain. A cession to Great Britain of her 

 territory south of the river San Juan de Nicaragua might seriously em- 

 barrass us. No British forts or British possessions should exist on the 

 right or left baak of the river. Warn the minister of Costa Rica to make 

 no common cause with Great Britain by the cession of any part (?f her 

 territory, or any rights over it. The safety of every American State, 

 whether m North or South America, will require of it to yield no further 

 to foreign aggression. 



I am, sir, &c., 



JOHN M. CLAYTON. 



George Bancroft, Esq. 



Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Clayton. 



[Extracts.] 



United States Legation, 

 London, May 



The minister of Nicaragua, Mr. Castellon, is at this moment in Italy. 

 So, too, is Mr. Marcoleta, the able representative of Nicaragua at Brussels 

 and Paris. Lord Palmerston has sent to that legation another letter, which 

 is described to me as very short and decided, renewing, in the very same 

 words, the view contained in that of the I7th February last, of which I 

 forwarded you a copy with my No. 123. I cannot easily get a copy of 

 the new note till Mr. Castellon returns. 



