(Translation)
San Jose, November 30, 1836.
The Undersigned, General Minister of the Supreme Government of the State of Costarica in the Federation
of Central America, has the honour to inform the Governor of the Province of Veraguas, in the Republic
of New Granada, that he has laid before the Supreme Chief of the State his esteemed letter No. 495 of
the 23rd September last, and in consequence has received instructions to reply to it with due attention.
The Federal Republic of Central America by Article V of its constitution, comprehends all the territories
which formed the ancient Kingdom of Guatemala. Costarica, one of the States of which the Federation is
composed, and the boundary State with the Republic of New Granada, in its fundamental charter, speaking
of the extent of its territory, fixes for its limits on the Atlantic the mouth of the River San Juan
and the Escudo of Veragua, which were its ancient recognized limits.
This being premised, Sir, and it being certain that the Bay of Boca del Toro and the islands situated
within it lie between the mouth of the San Juan and the Escudo of Veragua, it likewise appears
unquestionable that these belong to Central America, and that no aggression has been committed on
this side in surveying those places, which, even were the point disputable, Article VIII of the
existing Treaty between the two nations authorizes the proceeding.
This Government has not a full and perfect knowledge of the nature of the commission conferred by
the Supreme National Government on Colonel Galindo, who is the individual that, without any hostile
or suspicious views, has formed in London a colonization company, and in this view has sent an agent
to Boca Toro, which incident is the cause of the remonstrance of your Excellency; but it has strong
reasons for believing that the views of the Federal Executive in ordering this survey were not in the
least intended to offend New Granada, with which it deems it an honour to be at peace and to preserve
the utmost harmony, as it is proper such should exist between two nations which, on many
accounts, are identical in their interests.
The consideration justly due to your Government, Sir, animates this reply, and has determined the
chief of this State to instruct the Undersigned to make it. The affair does not belong to him, but
to the Federal Executive Power, to whom the Constitution of this Republic commits exclusively the
direction of its foreign relations; and for the same reason the first duty of the Government of this
State is to lay before it your Excellency's letter, which shall immediately be done.
Until the two Republics agree and fix upon their boundaries, the Judicial Government of Costarica
may state that that of Central America will give no room for any change prejudicial to the good
understanding which has reigned, and ought to reign, between the two nations.
Such, Sir, are the sentiments which animate the Supreme Chief of Costarica; and in laying them
before your Excellency, I have the satisfaction, &c.
(Signed) JOSE ANSELMO SANCHO.
To the Governor of the Province of Veragua.