Mr. Morrell to Mr. Seward.

No. 10.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a brief outline of the message, of the President of Costa Rica, addressed to congress on the opening of the session, May 1st. I also send you by this mail a printed copy of the message in full.

This government, in view of the urgent necessity for adopting some adequate measures for diminishing the excessive cost of transportation of the coffee crop to a port of shipment, propose to open a new port at a place called Tivives, in the gulf of Nicoya, situated some twenty miles less distant from the coffee-producing districts than Punta Arenas, and accessible by a much easier route, to which a road can be made that will avoid all the high mountains and deep ravines now traversed with great difficulty, and with such easy gradients as to admit of double the present quantity being hauled by a given number of cattle, and in much less time, provided the harbor, after a careful survey by competent hydrographers, shall prove to be suitable.

But, owing to the entire absence in this country of persons capable of making the necessary surveys, and considering the little reliance to be placed on the reports of hired engineers from abroad, it is proposed to solicit the execution of the work from some one of the nations, viz., the United States, England, and France, having squadrons in the Pacific; [Page 331] it being presumed, perhaps with reason, that it would be an employment not only appropriate but likewise agreeable to them.

Much interest is felt in this subject, not only by the government, but by the leading capitalists, and indeed by all who are interested in the exports and imports of the country, which includes both producers and merchants; and I am aware that the government by last mail instructed their minister at Washington to suggest the matter to our government, the first to which it addresses itself; but, failing to receive there the assistance desired, they will then address themselves to one of the other nations named.

Such being the case, and showing as it does that this government regards ours as its first and most reliable friend, I trust it will be found practicable and convenient to comply with the desire indicated, and to detail a vessel of war for the purpose. Independent of other and weightier considerations, the reception which would be given to the commander of such a vessel here could not fail to enhance the cordial relations already existing between this country and our own.

As you are already aware, this administration is very desirous of celebrating a treaty of reciprocity with the United States, and I think it a matter which deserves serious consideration. We ought to supply a greater part of the wants of these countries, but under present circumstances our manufacturers cannot compete with those of Europe. Under a reciprocity treaty with this country, (and the other Central American states would soon follow,) not only an extensive market would be opened for our manufactures, but a great amount of surplus capital would find employment here. The new port of Limon would at once be utilized; a road from there to the interior would immediately be constructed; adequate inducements would offer themselves to immigrants, who would augment the number of consumers of and traffickers in our products. In short, these countries would soon be “Americanized.”

The matter has been several times mentioned by the secretary, whose ideas, however, I have not considered sufficiently liberal to be entertained; and I have at last thrown out a hint that a treaty on the following basis might, perhaps, be accepted by our government, viz: All products of Costa Rica arriving in vessels of Costa Rica or of the United States, to be free of duty in the United States, and all products and manufactures of the United States, except rum, tobacco, and gunpowder, (which are government monopolies,) arriving in vessels of either nation, to be free of duty in Costa Rica.

I would thank you to inform me whether it would be agreeable to our government to receive a proposal from this, for a treaty on such or some similar basis; and if so, I have no doubt it would be made without hesitation.

It is true, such a treaty would diminish our custom-house receipts somewhat, but only to a limited extent, and means could easily be found to make up the deficiency; and even if they could not, the advantage gained by the nation from such an extension of our commerce would more than balance the loss, independent of the important political considerations involved. The time would soon come when we might well say “America for Americans.”

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. MORRELL.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Page 332]

Brief outline of the message of the President of Costa Rica to Congress, at the opening of the session, May 1, 1868.

Liberty and security for individuals, tranquillity, peace, and prosperity for the republic, have marked the second as they did the first year of this administration; Costa Rica is at peace with all the nations of the globe. A minister has just been received from Nicaragua, whose mission is to celebrate a treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation. The national income for the past year has been greater than ever before. The country is in want of new roads and new ports, needs a suitable penitentiary, colleges, and new cuarteles (barracks) in several places, some of which are already in course of construction, and appropriations are made for others. The national bank has been established and is in successful operation. The railroad contract has lapsed in consequence of the failure on the part of the company to comply with its obligations, but there are hopes of a new contract being celebrated with better results. Facilities for the more economical transportation and shipment of coffee are greatly needed, and a road to the river San Carlos is recommended, as also a road to the port about to be opened on the Pacific, Tivives. Recommends that the export duty on coffee (now half a cent per pound) be reduced one-half, and the deficiency made up by slightly augmenting the import duties. The executive has not been able to accomplish any thing in regard to public instruction for want of the requisite authorization. Recommends the appointment of a commission to revise the code.