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pressed his full confidence and esteem, as was his custom. Until February, 1875, General Barrios, in his frequent letters upon business affairs, continued to write in similar terms, so that Mr. Romero was temporarily satisfied of the loyalty of his friendship.
At the close of 1874 the Indians of Tacaná, Guatemala, destroyed the boundary-post of Pinabete, and erected another at Cuilco Viejo, eight leagues to the south. By order of Colonel Ponce de Leon it was replaced in February, 1875, the new one being destroyed. A few days later the Indians again destroyed the boundary-post. It was a second time replaced in March, and was soon afterward destroyed a third time. Although Mr. Romero had no share in the acts of the federal commander, and was absent from Tapachula at the time of the second expedition to replace the boundary-post, he was held responsible in Guatemala for all that had occurred, and even charged with having intoxicated Colonel Ponce de Leon, in order to persuade him to violate the territory of Guatemala. In point of fact Mr. Romero declined a written invitation from the said colonel to accompany him on the expedition in question, and gave an opinion against the proposed replacement of the boundary-post.
In February, 1875, there was established at Tapachula, by the efforts of Mr. Romero, a printing press, from which was issued under his direction a small weekly journal, the "Soconuscense," of which only twenty numbers were issued. No attack upon Guatemala or upon President Barrios ever appeared in its columns, where the boundary troubles were spoken of with extreme moderation. Nevertheless, the official journal of Guatemala subsequently accused Mr. Romero of having published therein a multitude of
