[XVIII-16] Apr. 29, 1860. Costa R., Col. Ley., xvi. 172-3; xvii. 87. A more gen. one was decreed May 1, 1862.
[XVIII-17] During this administration national industries were developed, and the country became more prosperous than ever. Belly, Le Nic., i. 383-6.
[XVIII-18] May 1, 1863. Men of all parties voted for him. Costa R., Mem. Min. Interior, 1863, 1; Id., Col. Ley., xviii. 15-16.
[XVIII-19] Congress afterward decreed that Montealegre's portrait should be placed in the office of the president. Belly, Le Nic., i. 386-7; Costa R., Informe Min. Interior, 1864, 4; Id., Discurso, Dr J. M. Montealegre, 1863, 1.
[XVIII-20] Costa R., Programa Admin., 1863, 1. Jimenez adopted the high-handed measure of dissolving congress. In a proclamation to the people he stated that a majority of the members had established a systematic opposition to his government, and usurped all power in direct violation of the constitution. Id., Prod. del Presid., Aug. 1, 1863.
[XVIII-21] Ending May 8, 1869. Id., Col. Ley., 1876, 111-12; Nic., Gaceta, Feb. 17, Apr. 21, May 26, 1866. Castro in his inaugural address used these words: 'Quiero que mi patria, ya que no pueda ser temida por su fuerza, sea considerada por su justificacion y cordura.... No tenemos escuadras; tengamos la simpatía de las naciones.' Costa R., Discurso Inaug., Presid. J. M. Castro, 1-3.
[XVIII-22] May 15, 1866. They were 2 for each department, making together 16, besides the ministers. Costa R., Col. Rey., 1866, 114-16.
[XVIII-23] Nic., Gaceta, May 25, 1867.
[XVIII-24] Castro's enemies averred that his course was very mysterious, and some even suspected an intention on his part to retain power in his hands, though he supported the candidacy of his minister, Julian Volio. They said that the barracks assumed a menacing attitude, and Castro was on the point of decreeing several military promotions of members of his own family, and concentrating all the forces of the republic in and about his own residence. It came to be believed that he intended to nullify Salazar first, and Blanco next. But the former had in his favor most of the wealthy families, as well as a large support in Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago. To make the story short, Salazar and Blanco concluded to act together. El Quincenal Josefino, no. 32, in Star and Herald, Dec. 24, 26, 1868. The editor of this publication was Lorenzo Montúfar. Whatever may be asserted against Castro, he had proved himself a liberal, enlightened, and upright ruler. His administration had given conclusive proof that the president valued liberty of the press and speech as necessary to the existence of a republican government. The country had been enjoying those privileges, and prospering as it had never done before. U. S. Minister J. B. Blair, to Sec. Fish, June 23, 1873.
[XVIII-25] The troops and people seemed to acquiesce in the new order of things. There was no bloodshed. Castro was left perfectly free in his own house. Nic., Gaceta, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 1868; Jan. 23, March 20, 1869; Pan. Star and Herald, Nov. 17, 1868; Costa R., Col. Ley., xvii. 202-9; U. S. Mess. and Doc. (Dept of State, pt ii.), p. xii.; Laferrière, De Paris à Guatém., 60-2.