No. 102.
Mr. Blair to Mr. Fish,
San José, Costa Rica, February 13, 1872. (Received March 2.)
Sir: The constituent assembly, elected some time since to form a constitution for Costa Rica, having finished its labors, has adjourned.
It is difficult to see in what essential particular the new differs from the old constitution. It is true that the term of the president is fixed in the former at four instead of three years, as in the latter.
This change, however, cannot be regarded as of much importance, in view of the fact that Costa Rica has had no less than four Presidents in the last four years. According to the provisions of the new constitution, on the first day of the coming month, (March,) electors whose duty it will be to meet on the first Sunday in April next, and choose a President, are to be elected.
It is as well known now that President Guardia will be his own successor as it will be on the first Sunday in April next. Nothing but his death or a revolution can or will change the result.
As life is always uncertain, the former might occur; the present situation of things forbids the idea that the latter can take place.
President Guardia has, I believe, the entire confidence of the chief officers of the military of the country, and the chief officers of the military of the country will take care that the people have President Guardia as their next President.
The fact is, that those who are supposed to be against the policy of the present government are watched by day and by night; every word they utter, however trivial, every act, however unimportant, is communicated at once to the President, and the alleged offender must make satisfactory explanation, or be banished the country. This, I presume, has always been more or less the rule in all the Central and South American states. It is thought, however, by a good many people here? that the rule is a little more stringent under the present government than ever before in Costa Rica. Be that as it may, this state of things, in connection with the general policy of the government, has disgusted to such an extent some of the most intelligent and wealthy citizens of the country that they have sold their property, and will, in April next take up their residence in the State of California, and become permanent [Page 160] citizens of the United States. They, with their families, number between fifty and sixty persons, and represent over $1,000,000 capital.
I have, &c,