Salvador Gallegos to the Governments of the Central American states, May 12, 1883

Circular of the Government of Salvador to the Governments of the Central American states.

Mr. Minister: I have the honor to remit to your excellency an authorized copy of a note which this office has addressed under date of the 4th instant to the minister of Salvador in Washington, in relation to the project of the Nicaragua interoceanic canal.

As your excellency will see from the inclosed, motives of particular interest relative to the situation and progress of this Republic have obliged the Salvadorean cabinet to take the initiative toward the American Government, to call its attention and solicit its aid, in order that, under such powerful auspices, the realization of that important enterprise may be promoted in a decisive manner.

But, apart from such considerations, my Government believes that that work is above all essentially Central American, as it is destined by its transcendental consequences to produce the most complete and favorable, transformation in the destinies of these Republics: and by virtue of this fact, without ignoring the labors which, for a long time past, nave been preparing on the part of the Republic of Nicaragua, or with its consent and aid, it thinks that the five Governments of Central America should unite their forces, to direct their instances, offer their co-operation and influence as far as they may be able, to the end of assuring the Nicaragua interoceanic communication, which should be so fruitful in beneficial results to our people.

The Government of Salvador, then, feeling the importance and opportuneness of this measure, and with the conviction that that of that Republic of which your excellency is the worthy organ is perfectly identified with its ideas, as far as they tend to promote Central American interests, has given me instructions to earnestly request you, as I do by the present, in order that, if you think proper, you may direct your offices toward the Government of the United States of America, in the same sense as this Republic has done, concerning the object indicated.

The uniformity and concurrence of such action, in addition to the political effect they might produce, would protect the Republics of Central America, in the opinion of my Government, from the charge of indolence, which might, perhaps, be made against them, in an affair which, like that of the interoceanic canal, is of so much interest to their aggrandizement and progress.

I renew, &c.,