José Ma Castro to To His Excellency the Secretary of Foreign Relations of the United States of North America, June 10, 1880

Señor Castro to Mr. Evarts.

Most Excellent Sir: The steamer Adams, belonging to the Navy of the United States, has entered Golfo Dulce, a port of this republic which is not open to foreign commerce, and the captain of said vessel has engaged in mysterious operations which he says are performed in obedience to orders from his government. This proceeding has attracted the attention of my government.

As it is not possible for us to doubt either the cordial and sincere friendship of your great republic for our own, or its respect for the most elementary and sacred principles of international law, we have been expecting a full explanation of the matter from your excellency’s government; inasmuch, however, as the minister resident of the United States in Central America, who was in Nicaragua when the Adams entered the waters of Costa Rica, did not visit this capital, as we expected that he would do, and as no communication has as yet been received in reference to the matter in question, I deem it my duty to bring the foregoing facts to your excellency’s notice, as I hereby do, to the end that a duplicate may be sent of the note which your government has undoubtedly addressed to that of this republic in regard to this matter, and which has been delayed or gone astray.

I beg your excellency to accept, &c.,