An incident occurred, at the close of this reply, which perhaps would have startled more rigid sticklers for form and etiquette than were assembled on that occasion; but which I mention, for the same reasons that have induced me to give place to the above quotations. The Director had just concluded his reply, and the entire assemblage was yet still and attentive, when a young officer, distinguished not less for his ardent patriotism than for his bravery in the field, and his usefulness as a citizen, Col. FRANCISCO DIAZ ZAPATA, advancing suddenly beyond the line of officers, commenced an impassioned apostrophe to the flag of the United States, which, entwined with that of Nicaragua, was suspended above the chair of the Executive. The effect was electrical, and the whole of the assemblage seemed to catch the spirit of the speaker, whose appearance, action, and language were those of the intensest emotion. They pressed eagerly forward, as if anxious to treasure every word which fell from his lips; and when he had concluded, forgetting all other considerations, their enthusiasm broke forth in loud and protracted “vivas,” which were caught up and echoed by the people in the plaza, and the soldiers of the garrison. I subjoin a literal copy of the address: SALUTACION A LA BANDERA DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS. POR SEÑOR FRANCISCO DIAZ ZAPATA. “¡Presajio de poder y de grandeza! ¡Enseña illustre de virtud y gloria! Yo te contemplo en tu sublime alteza; Y al contemplarte siento Que de mi Patria ensalzaras la historia. Esas franjas hermosas, Y el emblema feliz de tus Estrellas, Que ajitadas del viento Ondean y relucen majestuosas Como astros rutilantes, y mas bellas: El hasta fuerte y noble, Y ese cuadro, del sólido figura; Que la herida cerviz ya, no mas doble Nicaragua en su triste desventura; Revélanme que harás con tu presencia, Rodeada de esplendor y de potencia. “Bajo tu sombra, libertad respira El activo Varon americano, Que la memoria deificar aspira De Washington glorioso: Bajo tu sombra, se alza soberano El poder de las leyes; Y el saber y la ventura crecen Con vigor prodijioso, Que pesa sobre el cetro de los Reyes. Y los Heroes de America enaltecen Su memoria sagrada, Sus sepulcros, su sangre de guerreros, Y el triunfo de tu espada, Bajo el dulce brillar de tus luceros. Todo bajo tu imperio tiene vida, Portentosa Bandera esclarecida. Yo te saludo de entusiasmo lleno; Y henchido de placer y de esperanza,