KINDERLING, Captain, Commanding his Majesty’s sloop of war Augusta to J. Fredr. Lahmann, April 20, 1868

Captain Kinderling to Mr. Lahmann.

Hon Sir: I have the honor to make the following communication:

Among other instructions given me by his Majesty’s admiralty, all of which contemplate the protection of North German commerce of his Majesty the King of Prussia’s North German subjects, is also that of examining the port of Limon, on the coast of the republic of Costa Rica, in order to ascertain whether it possesses all those requisites that his Majesty’s government may deem desirable to establish there a depot for their West India naval station. This has been the motive of my visit to Limon, which port I surveyed minutely, reconnoitering likewise its environs; nor did I hesitate to go up to the interior and across the whole country, so as to obtain all necessary information, since a port is useless without the possibility of communicating with the interior. The result of my investigation is, on the whole, favorable to the object in view. It is true, the bay of Limon at present is nothing more than a roadstead, partially sheltered by a point of land, a coral reef, and a small island; however, its condition is altogether such that, with a comparatively small outlay it can be turned into a good port, far better, for instance, than Colon, (Aspinwall,) the present intermedium of the whole transit between the two oceans. Neither is there, for the time being, a road between Limon and the interior; a dense forest, lofty mountains, and many small rivers, still divide the Atlantic coast from the cultivated part of the country. Still, as I crossed this region, I became satisfied that it is an easy task to open a road from the higher table lands to the coast, inasmuch as the greatest difficulty, the crossing the mountains, is already overcome. All the part of the road already made is graded nearly on an equal level, winding gradually down the slopes of the hills; almost the only part wanting in that which crosses the forest, where the only labor will be to clear away the wood by felling and burning the trees.

Taking all these circumstances into consideration, I cannot but recommend to his Majesty’s government the bay of Limon as a proper place for erecting a depot.

But an immediate consequence of my instructions and mission, and a duty to be necessarily derived from them, is that of securing, if possible, to his Majesty’s government the means of subsequent negotiation; for otherwise, my reports, however favorable, would be illusive and useless. My motive for expressing this opinion is, that I am perfectly aware that at this very moment an effort is being made to secure to other parties the use of the port of Limon, under one pretense or another.

Therefore I claim your good offices, as the lepresentative of Prussia, in order to present to this supreme government a request that they will agree to consider themselves as bound, with regard to the port of Limon, for a term of six months from the 1st of June next; in this sense, that they will consent not to make any contract with any foreign government or private company before the expiration of the term I have specified, namely, before the 1st of December next.

I need not dwell on the advantages Costa Rica must derive from a more intimate connection with Prussia, these being perfectly understood by this supreme government. I shall, also, strictly abstain from taking any political view of the question; for a formal treaty can only be agreed to with some diplomatic representative of the North German Confederacy, invested with full powers for the purpose.

It is hardly probable that any formal objection will be raised against my request, since I present it through your medium, Mr. Consul; and, as I have stated before, it must be considered as agreeing with my instructions and a necessary consequence of the same.

I would respectfully beg you to communicate this note to Don Julian Volio, minister of foreign affairs, and remain, Mr. Consul, your most obedient servant,