146


FOREIGN RELATIONS.


has not been inspired by sentimental ideas, but is rather the natural outgrowth
of near
neighborhood, and of a generous desire that other independent states on the
conti-
nent may enjoy the blessings of republicanism a good Providence has so bountifully
bestowed on them. I submnit,for your excellency's perusal, the accompanying
copy of
a dispatch from Mr. Seward, when Secretary of State, and take leave to add,
that dis-
tinguished statesman, in this eloquent paper, suggests a policy of the United
States in
regard to the afthirs of Central America which seems to be based upon a philosophy
so
sound, that I do not question it will commend itself to your unqualified
approval.
  Your excellency will allow me to express my profound regret that diplomatic
rela-
tions had not been resumed between Nicaragua and Costa Rica at the date of
your
letter, and also the hope that they will be happily established before this
reaches you.
  In reply to that part of your excellency's letter in regard to the mission
of Mr. Mon-
tufar, I have only to say that he is reported generally to be here on a confidential
mis-
sion frorr the government ofCostaRica. He has had-no official reception,
and he has not
been officially recognized here, up to this time, by the diplomatic body.,
I have had the
pleasure of seeing him several times socially, but h ave no information as
to his mis-
sion, if it be of a political nature.
  By this mail I send, to the care of your excellency, four volumes, entitled
"Papers
relating to the treaty of Washington," which you w.ill oblige me by
causing to be de-
livered, with my compliments, to the Hon. Tomas Ayon, the recent minister
plenipo-
tentiary and envoy extraordinary of your government to Guatemala, whose pleasant
acquaintance I had the good fortune to make. I have the honor to renew to
your ex-
cellencv the assurance of 'my high consideration.,
      Your obedient servant,
                                                            GEO. WILLIAMSON.
  Hon. A. H   Rivas,
      Minister of Foreign Affairs, MAonagua, Nicaragua.



                               (Inclosure in 2 in No. 114.)
                             Mr. Seward to Mr. Crosby.
No., 31.]                                         DEPAIETMENT OF STATE,
                                                       Washingtov, October
28, 1862.
   SIR: Your very interesting dispatch of the 21st of September, No. 22,
has been sub-
mitted to the President. He is profoundly affected by the consideration which
is mani-
fested toward this Government by His Excellency the President of Guatemala
in his
proposal to confer with it concerning projected organic changes in the governments
of
Guatemala and other Central American Republics. Whether the natural positions
of
these states, their respective nmaterial resources, their natural and artificial
channels
and highways, and the interests, sentiments, habits, aspirations, and sympathies
of
their various populations favor at the present time an intimate political
and mutually
defensive union, are questions upon which it would-be presumptuous for foreign
states-
men to pronounce. The inquiry about the proper ggovernment for any country
is not
always what is theoretically the best possible, political system which has
hitherto.been
devised among men, but whatisI the best political system which the people
of the
country will peacefully accept and confidingly maintain. How to choose this
best
possible political system is a question upon which foreign advice is not
only naturally
but even justly and wisely suspected. Jealousy upon that subject is the chief
foun-
dation of national independence. The President regards the agitation of the
question
of a re-union of the Central American Republics with favor, not, however,
because he is
prepared to say that the measure is practicable or expedient, but simply
because it in-
dicates a conviction that there are some common, evils existing in the several
states of
Central America which are constantly reprodutcing civil and international
wars, and
a will and a purpose on the part of American statesmen there to correct them.
The
United States are too earnestly desirous for that correction to embarrass
the parties
concerned with advice which any class of the people of Central America, or
any for-
eign state, might injuridusly represent as proceeding from other than the
most disin-
terested motives. Whatever may be the decision at which the consulting parties
may
arrive, it will be respected by the United States as wise and judicious,
and they will
remain equally the friends of the Central American powers, whether they re-unite
or
prefer to remain distinct and independent.
   You may read this dispatch to the minister for foreign affairs, and give
him a copy if
 he shall desire it.
       I am, sic, your obedient servant,
                                                         WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
   ELISHA 0. CROSBY, Esq.,
             4-c., 4-c., 4-c., Guatcmalh.


17" 77. 77