LAHMANN, Consul to Don Julian Volio, May 1, 1868

Mr. Lahmann to Señor Volio.

Honorable Sir: His Majesty the King of Prussia’s steam sloop of war Augusta cast anchor in the bay of Limon on the 10th of April last. Her commander, Captain Kin-derling, R. N., has received various instructions from the admiralty of the North Ger-man Confederacy, and, among others, that of visiting the coasts of the Carribean Sea in search of some port whose situation and conditions might be turned to account as a depot and station for the North German navy, it being the intention of his government to establish several naval depots and stations in different parts of the world, and one of these in the sea of the Antilles. This government having kindly invited Captain Kinderling, he is now in this capital, as you are aware. He has found the bay and port of Limon very well adapted to the object in view; and, taking into consideration the geographical situation of Costa Rica, the peaceable character and industry of her inhabitants, the circumstance of a road having been planned and even begun, leading from the interior to said bay, and finally, the prosperous future such advantages must secure to the country, he considers himself justified in recommending to his government the port above mentioned, and also the expediency of negotiating with the supreme government of Costa Rica for a grant in said port.

Captain Kinderling considers that all his surveys, and all the trouble he has taken, would be thrown away did he not succeed in obtaining from the supreme government of Costa Rica an assurance that they will not bind themselves to any other governrnent, company, or private party for the use of said port, with the object above specified, until his report reaches Berlin, where his government will weigh and consider the reasons he adduces, and will, in all probability, be prompted by them to open negotiations with Costa Rica for a grant of said port for the purpose of establishing there a naval depot and station.

I have the honor to inclose the original communication directed to me by Captain Kinderling, who commissions me to ask your kind mediation in obtaining from the supreme government of Costa Rica a term of six months from the 1st of June next, to insure sufficient time for dispatching and receiving a reply to his reports to his government about Port Limon and Costa Rica generally; it being understood that, during the term mentioned, the government of Costa Rica shall bind itself not to enter into any engagement respecting Port Limon, as far as concerns the use it is intended to make of it as a depot and station for the navy of the North German Confederacy.

I hardly need expatiate, upon the advantages Costa Rica would derive from a treaty such as the one in view, for you, Mr. Minister, are better able than myself to appreciate them fully. For the present I shall, therefore, remain satisfied with requesting your best interest in obtaining from the supreme government the term required, and improve this opportunity to subscribe myself, Mr. Minister, your humble servant,