John Carrié to E. H. Hollenbeck, May 13, 1872

Juan Carrié to E. H. Hollenbeck

The undersigned, chief of the guards established by the government of the republic of Costa Rica on San Carlos, Sarapiqui, and Colorado Rivers, being obliged to prevent the transit of natural productions or goods that may leave or enter the territory of the republic without previously complying with the prescriptions of the fiscal laws, I have to observe, and it being a fact that your steamers pass the Colorado River, importing and exporting fruits and goods without first soliciting permission from my government to do so, I consider myself bound to notify you that I deem the running of your steamers in the waters of the Colorado River, or any other point which crosses Costa Rican territory, as unauthorized and illegal.

I therefore comply with my duty in the said position in stopping your steamers from running on Colorado River as long as the duties which I am charged to levy are not paid for the introduction of goods, or as long as the license my government may grant is not submitted to me.

I hope that you will proceed, looking at what I have said, as you think best, adding, however, on my part, that if—what is not to be expected from your good conduct—the running of the steamers continues, I will, to cut it off, make use of the means at my disposal, giving information to my government, as I shall do now immediately, transmitting to it the present.

With all consideration, &c.,