[XVIII-56] He represented himself as free from political animosities, and promised to maintain order, and to push the work of the railroad. He created a council of state of five members, one of whom was Víctor Guardia. El Costaricense, Aug. 4, 10, 1876; Costa R., Col. Ley., xxiv. 145.
[XVIII-57] Because her govt had refused him recognition. Costa R., Informe Rel., 1877, 1-3. Guardia had been appointed plenipotentiary to Guat. and Salv. He visited Guat. first, and arrived at San Salvador Aug. 3d. In presenting his credentials he said that he had been instructed to pave the way for the fusion of the positive interests of Cent. Am. The real object of his mission seems, however, to have been to enlist the two governments in his projects of war against Nic. Both failed him. Salv., Gac. Ofic., Aug. 5, 15, Dec. 7, 1876; Feb. 25, 1877; Pan. Star and Herald, Jan. 17, 1877; Nic., Mem. Rel., 1879, p. iii.-iv. 23-5. Relations with Nic. were not restored till June 30, 1878. Costa R., Col. Ley., xxiv. 168-9; xxv. 97-8.
[XVIII-58] Almost his first act was to dismiss from the educational establishments the able teachers who had been brought out at great expense, replacing them with jesuits. For this act he was rewarded with an autograph letter from the pope. He removed the competent foreigners from the management of the railroad on the plea of economy, employing in their places inefficient, because inexperienced, natives; the result being deterioration of rolling stock, and general mismanagement. He forbade cutting rubber on the waste lands, and imposed a duty of 3 cents per ℔. He tried to force Great Britain to recall one of her consular agents. Pan. Star and Herald, Jan. 20, 1877.
[XVIII-59] He pretended to temporarily do so on the plea of ill health.
[XVIII-60] He chose Pedro Quiróz and Rafael Barroeta his substitutes. Costa R., Informe Gobern., 1878, 2.
[XVIII-61] Appointing members of the supreme court, enacting laws, and discharging the functions of a consultive council. Id., 1878, 1-2; Salv., Diario Ofic., Sept. 25, Oct. 11, 1878.
[XVIII-62] Promulgated the 18th by Guardia. Costa R., Col. Ley., xxv. 186-7, 210-11, 217-19, 228-30; Id., Col. Disp. Legis., 1878, 16-17.
[XVIII-63] Decree of Dec. 19, 1877. U. S. Gov. Doc., H. Ex. Doc., 45th Cong., 3d Sess., i. 76-9. Relations with Hond. were also interrupted in 1878. Costa R., Informe Min. Rel., 1879, 2; Id., Col. Ley., xxv. 237.
[XVIII-64] Costa R., Col. Disp. Legis., 1878, 19-20, 25-6; Id., Procl., Jan. 24, 1878; Id., Informe Gobern., 1878, 2-3; Id., Inf. Guerra y Marina, 1878, 2.
[XVIII-65] Finally Mora was forbidden by the Nicaraguan government to reside within the eastern and southern departments. Nic., Mem. Rel., 1879, p. iv.