Note.—Mr. Rodriguez was received by the President on December 24, 1896. His address and the President’s reply on that occasion are as follows:
Address of Mr. Rodriguez.
Mr. President: The Greater Republic of Central America has honored me by appointing me its envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Government of your excellency.
In conferring that honor upon me the diet which constitutes the bond of union between the three Republics which organized that new entity has given me special instructions to assure your excellency, as it is gratifying to me to do, that the Greater Republic of Central America entertains the same sentiment of cordial and sincere friendship toward the American Government and people as have always been held by the peoples and Governments which formed the same, and that it cherishes sincere desires that neither the energetic progress nor the power of this great nation may ever be interrupted or impaired, and also that your excellency may enjoy personal happiness.
It is highly satisfactory to me to place in your excellency’s hands the letters which accredit my representation in the character mentioned.
Our firm conviction that the sentiments which I have expressed find on the part of your excellency and of the American nation the most complete reciprocity has induced us to solicit the efficient intervention of your excellency to the end of bringing to a happy termination one of the questions which most interest the confederation by reason of the influence which it may exert upon the pacific developments of its great elements of wealth and prosperity.
I trust, Mr. President, that in this, and in the other matters which I shall have to treat with the Government of your excellency, I will win [Page 370] your benevolent reception, and that the results which I may attain will merit the approval of those who have appointed me in additional confirmation of their friendship and gratitude for the interest which the United States of America have ever shown in favor of the well-being of the Central American Republics.
Reply of the President.
Mr. Minister: I take pleasure in receiving at your hands the letter of the Diet of the Greater Republic of Central America, whereby, in representation thereof and of the Republics of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Salvador, which form that union, you are accredited as their envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to this Government.
In recognizing, in the name of the United States of America, the Greater Republic of Central America, constituted pursuant to stipulation of the treaty of Amapala, of June 20, 1895, between the Republics of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Salvador, and, in entering into diplomatic relations therewith, such recognition is given and such relations entered upon in the distinct understanding that the responsibility of each of those Republics to the United States of America remains wholly unaffected.
I discern in the articles of association from which the diet derives its powers a step toward a closer union of Central American States in the interest of their common defense and general welfare, and I welcome it as the precursor of other steps to be taken in the same direction, and which it is hoped may eventually result in the consolidation of all the States of Central America as one nation for all the purposes of their foreign relations and intercourse.
To you individually I extend a cordial greeting, both personal and official, and I trust that your renewed residence at the capital of this country, where you formerly held an important representative mission, will be as agreeable in its personal relations as I believe it will be useful and profitable for the countries you represent, between each of which and the United States has always existed, and it is hoped will always exist, the closest ties of friendship.