170


FOREIGN RELATIONS.


tries; but it is, in my opinion, a consummation so remote that, no states-
man in Central America contemplates its realization during his life-time.
My reasons for entertaining this opinion will be set forth in a separate
dispatch.
         I have, &c.,
                                                       GEO. WILLIAMSON.

                                 [Inclosure-Translation.J
,Constitutional Congress to the Most Excellent Seior General, President of
the Republic:
   The Constitutional Congress, convened in its regular meeting, has heard
with deep
interest the message you delivered on the solemn occasion of the opening
of its session.
   Your presence on that occasion was very flattering.
   Although the constitution does not expressly decree this, it is very suitable
that
 when the national representation is-installed, at a time determined by law,
the chief
 of the nation should appear in its bosom as a proof of mutual faith and
a sign of liar-
 ,mony between the constitutional powers.
   Not without reaso6f have you expressed a hope that the deputies that form
this body
-are penetrated by the importance of the delicate mission which the people
have in-
trusted to-them, and that they will be equal to the necessities of the country.
   They, as well as yourself, with their hearts full of faith in the future,
come disposed
to labor for the prosperity of the people and the aggrandizement of the nation
which
-they represent.
  The Congress is pleased that your administration has maintained and cultivated
re-
lations with foreign nations without anythinghappening to disturb the harm-ony.
   It is not less a matter for congratulation that the momentary misunderstanding
be-
 tween the sister republics has disappeared.
 Those family ties, and the union of interests that bind them to Costa Rica,
are pow-
 erful motives that ought to influence the spirit of the governments that
rule them to
 ,allay all cause of misunderstandings, and to prevent the evil suggestions
of those who,
 in an evil hour, think that to establish their ideas or their principles,
or perhaps to
 satisfy their ambition, it is lawful to steep the soil of Central America
with the blood
 -of her sons shed in fratricidal strife. You do well in showing by acts
the sentiments
 of the fraternity which animate you, and in taking advantage of opportunities
of
 -cementing peace among the nations of our family, and of establishing the
basis of-a
 future union in one single people.
 It is very painful that the attempts of partisans have compelled you to
use measures
 of repression to preserve the public order.
   The Congress does not see, without extreme pain,, these revolutionary
attempts so
foreign to the habits of order which characterize the Costa Ricans, and to
which they
owe their prosperity and aggrandizement. It is to be hoped that these parties,
taught
by the sad effects of the revolutions that in other parts have paralyzed
progress, im-
peded work, annihilated industry, and demoralized the people, may abstain
from ex-
cesses that endarger public tranquillity, and that, guided, by sentiments
of true patriot-
ism, they may limit their actions within the sphere of strict legality.
  Congress has, from the beginning, given its good-will to the grand work
(that affords
'you the glory of undertaking it) of opening commuinication with the Atlantic.
With
reason you have rested your glory on this work, and you have labored with
zeal to
assure its completion. The Congress also recognizes its immense importance,
and will
-continue to afford it all the attention which .it merits.
  Sefor President, be assured that the members that compose the Constitutional
Con-
gress come with the sincere intention to respond worthily to the confidence
of the
people; they, in the fulfilling of their delicate duties, will endeavor to
be inspired with
sentiments of the purest patriotism, and with the interests of the nation.
  Proceed, then, in this assurance; justice will be the rule of our conduct,
and the prog-
ress and advancement of our country the end to which our resolutions will
tend ; so
that your endeavors and ours, emanating from. the same source and directed
to the
same object, will unite in advancing the great interests of the nation.
   Congress will attentively hear the report of the secretary of state, and
will examine
it without passion or prejudice. Their judgment will be the testimony of
their con-
sciences, and not the echo of their passions.
  Meanwhile the representatives of the nation congratulate you on the state
of prog-
ress in which the republic finds itself in every branch of its administration,
and give
heartfelt thanks to divine Providence for the bounties which He has so abundantly
showered upon us from His beneficent hand, and we ask the continuance of
the same
for you and for us.
  House of Congress, National Palace, San Jos6, Costa Rica, May 8, 1874.
                                                          JUAN RAFAEL MATA.
               .:'_=: .........   : .......JUAN                  J. BORBON.