Costa Rica informs its diplomatic representatives of the situation in the rest of Central America and of the breach of its terri

July 24, 1855

To Mr. Adolfo Marie

It is my pleasure to announce to you that I have read your letter from the 14th of last month to His Excellency and he has approved that to which it refers.

I am sure that they have not relayed to you news of the rest of the States, but what we have received is so vague that they could not tell you with any degree of certainty.

Guatemala continues to be in the situation of which you know about, unless something motivating agitates the distinguished people from their spirit of moderate opposition. This is what has been communicated to us with a great deal of reluctance. The mountain-dwellers do not abandon their attempts at rebellion.

El Salvador, after trying time and time again to reconcile with the belligerent parties of Nicaragua by means of their diplomats, appears to have abandoned it altogether, denying Granada’s government all interaction with the Democrats.

Honduras will see its borders Guatemalan borders penetrated by 500 soldiers of that Republic, which has placed orders upon General López el Presidente Carrera, with the objective of destroying the Cabañas Administration.

Nobody knows anything of that state.

Nicaragua is always at war, without hope of peace. General Guardiola, along with Dionisio Charmorro y Licdo. Sáenz, arrived in Granada: you will see the proclamations of the former and of President Estrada in el Boletín; even they ignore the outcome. Muñoz, General in charge of the democratic forces, remains in León with provisional President Castellón; Guardiola in Managua. Corral was going to attack them but did not know if it would be effective.

But that which we know positively is that a group of Democrats, sent by Colonel Madregil y Méndez, met up in San Juan del Sur with the celebrated Colonel Walker, who brought with him some 800 riflemen and violently attacked Rivas June 29th; that they killed Commander Argüello and many members of Granada’s government; and that some 500 men of the order suddenly appeared and completely defeated them, killing many Democrats and 10 Yankees: all of them fled. Walker led them to San Juan del Sur, carrying 11 wounded, surprised the forces in the woods of San José y Rostand, boarded a ship and left for Realejo with the objective of marching towards León. Magregil and some 80 took asylum in our territory, readied their weapons and finally were attacked five leagues away from the border by Ex-Lieutenant Juan Quirós, who shot some, took others as prisoners, with the exception of only Madregil, Méndez y some five more which are now under this Government’s watch, residing in this city and in the port of Puntarenas. The soldiers are now working on the bridge in Barranca and on other projects, being paid their normal day’s wages.

It would be good for you to know that these last occurrences constitute a violation of Human Rights, as they have crossed the border, invaded our country and pursued, imprisoned, and even shot some refugees within the legitimate jurisdiction of Costa Rica. These actions have obligated our Government to protest, and to demand of the Government of Nicaragua the punishment of these delinquents and a public apology.

This is what I can tell you. The Republic continues to be at peace and prospering. His Excellency is firmly resolved to garner, with all resolution, a complete apology for the grave events that have occurred beyond our limits, and today has communicated to that Government our complaints and protest.

The justice that guides us persuades me that we should be attentive and satisfied, even moreso with respect to the state of division and misery to which Nicaragua has been reduced.

Without more to tell you, I again wish to congratulate you for the wisdom that always guides your conduct, and I remain your devoted and attentive servant.

July 24, 1855.