Vicente Herrera to the Jesuits, July 5, 1875

The Secretary of State to the Jesuits.

Right Reverend Fathers Luis España, Nicolas Cáceres, Francisco Pañeda:

Right Reverend Fathers and Sirs: I fulfill a painful duty in communicating to you, by means of the governor of that province, the resolution passed by the constitutional congress yesterday.

For some cause, in that high body the opinion prevails that the residence in the country of the right reverend fathers of the Society of Jesus is not convenient to the republic of Costa Rica, from its peculiar circumstances. But I can assure you that the congress, in dictating that decree, had not in view your personal qualities; so far from that, it is painful that the public interest obliges it to cause you to depart.

The government, far from having any animosity toward you personally, desires and has recommended to the governor of that province, and also to the governor of the district of Punta Arenas, to attend to you and see that nothing is wanting until you embark on the steamer that you yourselves may select either for Panama or the States of Central America, paying your passage to the port you designate.

In making known to you the foregoing information complying with the instructions of his excellency, the First Designado, it is pleasing to me to assure you of the considerations of high appreciation with which I subscribe myself,

Your attentive servant,