No. 69.

Mr. Blair to Mr. Fish

No. 83.[

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 48, of January 21, inclosing the answer of the Department to a note of the minister of foreign relations of Costa Rica, requesting a detail of two scientific engineers for the purpose of surveying a route for a road or railway between San José and the Atlantic.

Immediately on receipt of your dispatch, I obtained an interview with the secretary of foreign relations, and delivered to him your note above mentioned. I at the same time said to him that it was desirable that some definite understanding should be had as to the compensation of the engineers and their expenses.

Mr. Montufar said that he would advise with the president the following day, and inform me without delay what arrangement the government proposed to make to carry out my suggestion.

A fortnight having elapsed since my interview with the secretary, and not having heard from him on the subject, I take it for granted that the government has concluded to postpone, at least for the psesent, the proposed survey of a route for a road to the Atlantic.

I have, &c.,

JACOB B. BLAIR.