Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1877

No. 45.
Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.

Legation of the United States in Central America,
Guatemala, January 14, 1877. (Received February 13.)

No. 560.]

Sir: I have the honor to make the following brief report upon the present political condition of the Central American states.

In Guatemala the dictatorship of President Barrias has been prolonged four years. This was done by the congress or convention called together by him in September last, as reported in my No. 529. His acts indicate a tendency toward the conservative party, and his declarations are strongly in favor of non-intervention in the affairs of the other states. Several of his decrees are thought to be highly advantageous to the planters or “hacienderos.” They are well calculated to excite discontent among the Indians, for they almost compel that class of the population to work on the “haciendas” when called upon, whether they wish to do so or the contrary.

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Mr. Marco A. Soto is still acting as provisional President of Honduras, and up to the latest accounts appears to be giving satisfaction to the people of that state.

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In Salvador there is great discontent with the government of President Zaldivar. He was placed in office by the Government of Guatemala. Up to the present time he has succeeded inu sppressing the several conspiracies that have been formed to overthrow his government.

In Nicaragua the government of President Chamono is reported to be steadily increasing in strength and popularity. All attempts of the revolutionists have been so completely foiled that they have disbanded.

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In Costa Rica the revolutionary government of Don Vicente Herrera is still in power. Ex-President Guardia is represented to be greatly dissatisfied with it, and desires its overthrow, principally because Herrera refused to declare war against Nicaragua when President Chamono declined to reply to the autographic letter of Don Vicente Herrera announcing his elevation to the presidency of Costa Rica. This occurred in October last.

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All the governments of Central America are at peace, and there seems to be no present prospect of war. None of them are exempt from serious financial troubles, but, strange to say, it appears just now the finances of Nicaragua are in a more sound condition than those of any of the other states.

I hope this short report may enable you to form an opinion of the existing state of political affairs in Central America.

I have, &c.,

GEO. WILLIAMSON.