[XXXII‑32] Mr Squier inclines to the belief that the Guatusos are of the Aztec stock, but little more is known to-day of their origin than was the case a century ago, as they have been left almost undisturbed. In the Cronica de Costa Rica, Dec. 9, 1857, appears the following by an officer in the Costa Rica service: 'It is pretended that the Guatusos are descended from the colonists who fled from Esparza when that city was taken by early filibusters. Such as have chanced to see them affirm that they are white, bearded, and practise a system of military discipline.... Twice we accompanied the general of the Rio Frio with the intention of exploring the territory, but without finding a landing-place.'
[XXXII‑33] He attended a meeting of the Royal Patriotic Society of Guatemala, held on the 15th of June, 1798, and was made an honorary member. Soc. Catálogo, in Pap. Var., no. 45, p. 1.
[XXXII‑34] He was accused Feb. 4, 1704, of carrying on commerce with foreigners. He was afterward lieutenant of royal officers of the province, and then maestre de campo by decree of Aug. 31, 1716. Pelaez, Mem. Hist. Guat., ii. 172-3.
[XXXII‑35] Father Andrade, in a letter of Nov. 16, 1706, says that they gathered from Urinama 41, from Cavecar upwards of 700, from San José 336, and 150 others. Pelaez, Mem. Hist. Guat., iii. 30-1.
[XXXII‑36] Similar cédulas were issued Sept. 1, 1713; June 16, 1714; Aug. 6, 1717; Dec. 20, 1737; May 21, 1738, and afterward, showing the importance attached to the matter. Bejarano, Informe sobre la Talamanca.
[XXXII‑37] Many of them fled, others died, and the rest remained in the service of the Spaniards at and near Cartago. Haya, Informe al Rey, 15.
[XXXII‑38] Diego de la Haya Fernandez is mentioned as governor of Costa Rica on Nov. 10, 1718, and again on July 7, 1722, when his predecessors are named. There is a discrepancy even in the report of Haya himself—in the beginning it is written out in full that he took possession of the government at Cartago in 1718: 'El año pasado de mil setecientos diez y ocho tomé posesion.'
[XXXII‑39] So the governor appoints lieutenant-generals for the two cities, four judges for the neighboring valleys, and a teniente in Matina, Boruca, and Barba. There is not an escribano in all the province. Haya, Informe al Rey, 9.
[XXXII‑40] This governor's reports, and his encouragement of trade and agriculture, went far to avert the worst consequences. Astaburuaga, Cent. Am., 54.
[XXXII‑41] Even this poverty-stricken country was not poor enough to escape despoiling by sambos and corsairs.