Benard to Hamilton Fish, September 14, 1874

No. 126. Señor E. Benard to Mr. Fish.

Hon. Mr. Secretary of State:

In the mission which I have held in the United States, I have been particularly charged to represent the noble aspirations of the government and people of Nicaragua that their isthmus should be adopted for the canal which ought to unite the two Oceans.

My government, in previous times, has heard with regret that it was considered by the press of this country as rather unwilling to enter into the progressive movement of the age, perhaps because it defended its rights against the unfounded pretensions of canal or transit companies; and therefore, on perceiving that this Government took an interest in the realization of the work, mine not only received with approbation its exploring commissions, but established a legation with the primordial object of insuring that concern which on several occasions it has manifested in favor of the undertaking. The honor which has been conferred upon me by my being designated to transmit these sentiments is due solely to the known enthusiasm with which I have ever regarded the projected work.

Since I had the honor to be officially received, I have manifested, by speech and by writing, the earnest wish of my government, and I doubt not that his Excellency the President, his honorable Cabinet, and the whole nation, will have been impregnated with the desideratum of my country; not because I may have been able to express it, but because from the clear-sightedness of this Government and this people cannot be hidden the consequences which are logically inferable from the facts.

Thus it is, that, having discharged my principal duty, I might have retired, but I was desirous first of hearing the opinion of the high commission in regard to the practicability of the work, and, if it was favorable to Nicaragua, to carry to her this present which she awaits so anxiously.

With pleasure I have waited here for that opinion, announced for the beginning of October; but now I know with certainty that Professor Peirce, member of the commission, will not arrive at this capital before even November, supposing that there are no unforeseen delays, such as before have occurred to prevent the termination of this affair, which may thus be postponed until the winter.

The honorable Secretary of State is not unaware that, through considerations of health, I cannot remain here until then, and, it being already impossible for me to carry with me that opinion, I think that I ought to absent myself for the present, in order to make report to my government and ask of it new instructions; or, if it holds that my mission is terminated, that it may send in form the proper letter of recall.

But not satisfied with all I have said in private conferences to his Excellency the President, as well as to the honorable Secretary of State, I have the honor to reiterate to them now that whenever it shall wish that the isthmus of Nicaragua be designated as the preferable route, this Government ought to rely on it that mine will yield to the most liberal negotiations which the work demands and which may be in its power to concede.

I take the liberty of sending to the honorable Secretary of State the inclosed pamphlet relative to the projected interoceanic canal, entreating him to be pleased to have it sent to the office of the commission charged with the examination of the isthumuses of America.

Any communication which the honorable Secretary of State may wish to send me, he will please direct to the care of Mr. Alexander Cotheal, consul-general of Nicaragua, at New York, 62 West Thirty-sixth street.

I avail, &c.,