Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, with the Annual Message of the President, December 6, 1875, Volume I

No. 115.
Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.

United States Legation in Central America,
Guatemala, July 30, 1875. (Received August 27.)

No. 403.]

Sir: At this time, when the attention of almost the whole civilized world is attracted to the efforts of the papacy and papal clergy to maintain their power, and, as some say, to regain the scepter of political dominion which they wielded before the Reformation, it does not seem inappropriate to report to you a late act of the government of Costa Rica in the expulsion of three Jesuits from that country.

Some weeks ago it was generally asserted, in parts of Central America, that President Guardia had invited the Jesuits to return to Costa Rica. Whether this was true or not, it seems three of them did go to the interior of that country and establish themselves. They are said, with what truth I do not pretend to affirm, to have exerted enough influence to cause the resignation or expulsion, from his seat as a professor in the University of San José of Costa Rica, of Dr. Lorenzo Montufar, who is rather distinguished in this section for some able papers against the papacy, and the Jesuits particularly. Dr. Montufar is now rector of the University of Guatemala.

It seems the three Jesuits remained in Costa Rica without disturbance until the 5th day of July. Then the acting President, Lisano, in the absence of Guardia, called upon the congress then in session to declare whether the Jesuits should be allowed to remain. In his communication to the congress, and their reply to him, it is frankly admitted the constitution gives them the right to remain, but, quoting the convenient maxim, “Salus populi, suprema lex est,” their expulsion was decided upon. Fifteen hundred dollars were appropriated to defray their passage to any point they might choose to go to, and the authorities were charged to treat them with the greatest consideration, as you will observe by reference to the accompanying translation of the copy of the final letter sent them.

It is not unlikely the events at San Miguel, on the 20th and 21st of June, were the cause of the expulsion of these Jesuits.

I have, &c.,

GEO. WILLIAMSON.

[Inclosure in No. 403.—Translation.]

The Secretary of State to the Jesuits.

National Palace,
San José, Costa Rica, July 5, 1875.

Right Reverend Fathers Luis España, Nicolas Cáceres, Francisco Pañeda:

Right Reverend Fathers and Sirs: I fulfill a painful duty in communicating to you, by means of the governor of that province, the resolution passed by the constitutional congress yesterday.

For some cause, in that high body the opinion prevails that the residence in the country of the right reverend fathers of the Society of Jesus is not convenient to the republic of Costa Rica, from its peculiar circumstances. But I can assure you that the congress, in dictating that decree, had not in view your personal qualities; so far from that, it is painful that the public interest obliges it to cause you to depart.

The government, far from having any animosity toward you personally, desires and has recommended to the governor of that province, and also to the governor of the district of Punta Arenas, to attend to you and see that nothing is wanting until you embark on the steamer that you yourselves may select either for Panama or the States of Central America, paying your passage to the port you designate.

In making known to you the foregoing information complying with the instructions of his excellency, the First Designado, it is pleasing to me to assure you of the considerations of high appreciation with which I subscribe myself,

Your attentive servant,

VICENTE. HERRERA.