A. H. Rivas to Geo. Williamson, December 12, 1873

Señor Rivas to Mr. Williamson.

Sir: I have had the honor to receive the dispatch of your excellency of the 8th instant.

I thank your excellency for the attention paid to all my communications, and for your congratulations upon the prospects of peace between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. My government receives it as a happy omen that we may come to that issue through the interposition of your excellency’s good offices.

My government sincerely applauds the good inclinations of your excellency in that direction, and has instructed me especially to express its gratitude for your tender of good offices in the settlement of the boundary question with Costa Rica. Your excellency may be assured upon that point there will be found on the part of Nicaragua all the acquiescence compatible with the dignity of the state, in order that a conclusion of this vexatious question may be reached. Up to this time no communication has been received from the cabinet of Guatemala relative to the projected meeting of the five Presidents of Central America, with the view of establishing among them friendly relations. This idea having been discussed, as your excellency informs me, by the Presidents of Salvador and Guatemala, the government of Nicaragua will not throw any obstruction in the way of the realization of so important an end. But I must say frankly, it will take part in it without much hope (or faith) in the result, for the reason it does not see what guarantee President Guardia and his minister, Herrera, can give for the fulfillment of what may be agreed upon at the conference. Nevertheless the question of peace to those states is so vital (as your excellency has well said) that no means must be spared to establish it.

I have the honor to renew to your excellency the assurances of my high consideration.

Yours, &c.,