Senor Lic’do Don Marco A. Soto to Geo. Williamson, December 1, 1873

Señor Soto to Mr. Williamson.

Sir: It has just come to the knowledge of my government that in the republic of Costa Rica a rumor prevails to the effect that Guatemala is making, considerable military preparations for the purpose of carrying war into that country, and blockading’ her ports on both oceans. By the correspondence which arrived to-day my government is also informed that President Guardia, by a decree issued on the 20th; of November, resigned the supreme power into the hands of Señor Don Salvador Gonzalez, reserving to himself the chief command of the army. For these reasons, and particularly because Señor Gonzalez is now at the head of the government of Costa Rica, I have received instructions from his excellency, the President, to address your excellency, who has showed so great a desire to preserve inviolable the peace of Central America? assuring yon that on the part of the government of Guatemala there does not exist the most distant intention of making war upon Costa Rica, but that on the contrary, it ardently desires to maintain with all of the sister republics the most intimate and cordial relations.

My government hopes that President Gonzalez may be animated by similar wishes and sentiments, and fully expects that he will manifest them opportunely. But in the mean time the president, taking advantage of your excellency’s intended journey to-Costa Rica, commissions me to beg your excellency to deign to inform Señor Gonzalez, and all persons with whom your excellency may speak, that the government of Guatemala desires to remain in perfect peace and amity with the republic of Costa Rica, as well as with the rest of Central America. The kindness with which your excellency interests yourself in all that tends to promote the great interests of these countries, among which their internal and external tranquillity must occupy the first place, makes me hope that your excellency will accede willingly to the wishes of my government; and offering you in anticipation the most sincere thanks for your good offices in this respect, I am happy to subscribe myself,

Your excellency’s obedient servant,