Office of the Historian

No. 83.
Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.

United States Legation in Central America,
Punta Arenas, Costa Rica, December 13, 1873. (Rec’d Dec. 30.)
No. 75.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose you correspondence had this day with President Guardia. In nay opinion it was better to reply officially to his unofficial note. His letter to President Barrios was left open for me to read. In fact I should have declined to carry a sealed letter. I have read it. It contains a reiteration of his desire for peace and progress, and his hearty approval of the proposed personal conference.

I have, &c.,

GEO. WILLIAMSON.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 75—Translation.]

General Guardia to Mr. Williamson.

On Board the Steamer Montejo,
December 13, 1873.

Dear Sir: I was very sorry yesterday on leaving Punta Arenas to know of your indisposition, that prevented me of the pleasure of seeing you at the last moment. I hope you feel well at present. With this note you will receive another, in accord with [Page 129] yours and my own feelings, directed to General Rufiuo Barrios, President of Guatemala. Be so good, since you nave been so in this and on every occasion, as to send it to the person to whom it is written. By all means you must know that I am determined to maintain the assurance of my good-will in favor of peace and progress of all the Central American states. Please to receive my personal compliments, and believe me,

Yours, friendly,

T. GUARDIA.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 75.]

Mr. Williamson to General Guardia.

U. S. Legation at Central America, Punta Arenas,
Costa Rica, December 13, 1873.

General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, dated on the steamer Montijo. It will afford me much pleasure to deliver to President Barrios the letter which you inclose for him. I think we fully concur in our views as to the favorable consequences that are likely to result from the proposed personal conference of the five Presidents of Central America. There is no doubt that strong personal and political influences, hostile to the existing governments, will be actively exerted to prevent the conference. You will be prepared to combat and overthrow such influences, and I shall venture upon a word of caution to the other Presidents.

Be pleased to accept, general, my thanks for the cordial terms in which you have chosen to refer to my good intentions; I but feebly represent the ardent wish of my government that Costa Rica and her sister states may be peaceful and prosperous.

I avail myself of this occasion to tender you the assurance of my distinguished consideration, and have the honor to be your obedient servant,

  • GEO. WILLIAMSON.
  • General Thomas Guardia,
    Guanacoste, Costa Rica.