302 Do€ No. 75. 



and peace amongst nations* This is done so because the British gov* 

 ernment I^nows the weakness of Nicaragua, and the difficulty she has to 

 ally herself with the other States, where the intrigues of the British agents 

 exercise such a fatal influence, and have suggested to them the idea of con- 

 verting into repubhcs States that cannot exist without union and mutual 

 support. This situation, which unfortunately is too manifest not to con- 

 fess it frankly, has induced me to adopt the project of annexation of the 

 States of Nicaragua, San Salvador, and Honduras to the United States 

 confederation, and we wish to work for its realization; therefore, I take 

 the liberty of putting confidentially to your excellency the following ques- 

 tions: 



1st. Will the States of Honduras, San Salvador an Nicaragua, or this 

 last one only, be admitted into the North American Union? 



2d , In case they are admitted, what steps must be taken, and upon 

 what conditions? 



3d. In case they are not admitted, can they at least count on the sup- 

 port of your excellency's government to defend the integrity of their ter- 

 ritory, and to oppose the cession the Mosquitos and Costa Ric^ wish to 

 make to England? What are the auxiliaries they can offer to Nicaragua, 

 and upon what conditions? 



Being at the point of departing for Nicaragua, I wish to take these 

 questions solved with me, to serve as a rule to my government for the in- 

 structions to be given to the minister who is to be sent near the govern- 

 ment of the United States; it is for that reason that I beg of your excel- 

 lency an answer, which, being confidential, will remain strictly reserved. 



I have the honor to renew to your excellency the assurances of the high 

 considerations with which I am your excellency's humble servant, 



FRANCISCO CASTELLON. 



To his Excellency the Minister 



of the United States of America. 



No. 14. 



1st. That it is convenient to Nicaragua to recover the port of San Juan^ 

 iliough the other question respecting the Mosquito territory remained to 

 be settled ater wards. 



2d» That if Lord Palmerston refuses to give up the port immediately, he 

 must at least engage not to make any alteration in it, neither allow any 

 convicts or police force to be sent there from Jamaica, by the consul, Chris- 

 tie, until the question shall have been resolved by an arbiter, as I have 

 proposed. 



3d. That if he refuses the arrangement by arbiters, some other means 

 must be found to decide the question, and to engage him not to prevent 

 or in any way impede the opening of the canal. 



4th. That in the question with Costa Rica Lord Palmerston should 

 engage not to interfere but as a conciliator, counselling and proposing ami- 

 cable means to settle it, without taking any part in it, though the two States 

 should not be able to agree at present; that justice is on the side of Nica- 

 ragua — she has protested against the British intervention. Costa Rica 

 cannot dispose of the territory in question, because Nicaragua has very 

 sure rights to it. New Grenada has also claims on this territory. 



