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Colombia, Great Britain, and the improvement, animated by the

Netherlands; and her independence was recognized by Prussia.

Its ecclesiastical affairs were unsettled, in consequence of the impolitic compliance of Leo XII. with the representatives of Spain; and his consequent interference with the question of its national independence. The catholic religion being established in Mexico by the constitution, the government have despatched a minister to Rome, to negotiate an arrangement with the apostolic see. But some apprehensions of the event are entertained, owing to the anti-liberal principles of the present pope, who has addressed a circular letter to the Mexican ecclesiastics, idly exhorting them to submit again to the Spanish yoke. Should he continue to favor Spain so unreasonably, it may end in the total subversion of the papal authority, over the church of Mexico.

In addition to its dependant territories, the Mexican republic consists of nineteen confederate states, most of which have already organized constitutions of their own; and all are sedulously engaged, in imitation of the general government, in consolidating and regulating their respective concerns.

With respect, generally, to the internal condition of Mexico, we may observe that it has a population steadily advancing in public

spirit of a regulated freedom, and content with a government of their choice, and a constitution of their own creation. Efforts are making for facilitating internal intercourse, by roads and canals; public institutions for the purposes of education and beneficence are protected; agriculture, commerce, and domestic industry are fostered, and begin to manifest the wholesome influences of liberty; the working of the mines is encouraged; and every thing, in fine, is done, which, in the present circumstances of the country, a wise and upright government can devise and accomplish, to enable the nation to enjoy the invaluable blessings of liberty.

In May, 1826, the government passed a decree, abolishing for ever all titles of nobility, and ordering the escutcheons, arms, and other symbols, which suggested the former dependance of Mexico on Spain, to be destroyed. Another important act, was a resolution never to treat with any power, not recognizing the national freedom; and farther, never to consent to give Spain any indemnity or other recompense, to induce her to acknowledge the independence of Mexico. Severe punishments were enacted against any persons, who should propose or promote, publicly or privately, any thing contrary to the spirit of these resolutions. Such

decided and express acts on this point, were probably induced by apprehension of the efforts of France to procure Spain some consideration for acquiescing in the loss of her supremacy in America.

So long ago as March, 1825, General Santa Anna projected an invasion of Cuba, from the nearest coast of Mexico; but the design was, for that time, abandoned. At a later period, troops were assembled in the province of Yucatan, with which it was contemplated to land in Cuba, and to serve as a rallying point for the inhabitants of that island, who might choose to adopt the cause of liberty. To avoid the risk of failure, however, the president designed to act in concert with Bolivar, and to undertake a joint expedition, in case the congress should lend their sanction. The assemblage of troops, therefore was in anticipation of such a con

cert.

Bolivar's occupations in Peru, and the subsequent events in Colombia, combining with other causes, must have caused the design to be again relinquished.

At the close of the year, disturbances existed in the state of Sonora, where the ravages committed by the Yaquis indians were severe, and it required great exertions on the part of the government to subdue the insurgents. In the territory of Texas, also, the inhabitants lately have proclaimed their inde

pendence of Mexico. Neither of these incidents can be of sufficient importance; to affect the public peace, or interfere with the general welfare and security of the republic.

The Mexican congress, which assembled September 15th, for some objects of merely domestic importance, terminated its extraordinary session, December 27th. Its constitutional period of service expired with that session; and General Victoria, in his speech on the occasion, congratulated the congress on the valuable effect of its labors. It found the republic

new and untried; and left her respected and great in her exterior relations, and affording practical proof of the excellence of her institutions, in her domestic concerns.

Guatemala was

The territory now distinguished as the republic of CENTRAL AMERICA, the principal province of which is Guatemala, threw off the Spanish yoke in 1821. then desirous of existing as a separate government; but became united, by the intrigues and military power of Iturbide, to the short lived Mexican empire of that misguided man. On Iturbide's downfall, Guatemala raised the standard of independence anew. Its inhabitants immediately assembled a constituent assembly, which after long deliberation, framed a constitution for the states, proposed to

be included in the confederacy. The constitution was completed November 22d, 1824, and is in general a close imitation of the constitution of the United States. The republic consists of five original states; Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, and one new one, Chiapa. By the constitution, the republic is federal, the supreme power being vested in a legislature, and president elected by the people. The legislature is composed of two branches; namely, a senate containing two members for each state; and an assembly to which every 30,000 inhabitants, send a representative. The president is elected for a term of four years. The constitution abolishes slavery, and guarantees personal freedom and the liberty of the press. Each state has its own local government.

The constituent assembly, was dissolved in February, 1825, and succeeded by the first federal congress, which the ensuing April,swore to maintain the new constitution. D. Manuel Jose Arce, was elected first president of the republic. A salary of 10,000 dollars was assigned him; 2,000 to each senator; and 1,200 to each representative. The president's discourse on the organization of the congress, inculcated sound republican doctrines, and inspired confidence in

the wisdom of the executive department.

During the session, intelligence was received of the patriot victories in Peru; on the communication of which by the executive, the members arose simultaneously and shouted independence and Bolivar. Of the political concerns of the republic, a full exposition was given in the president's message at the opening of the second congress, March 1st, 1826. In its foreign relations, he said, the prospects of the country, were auspicious. Its independence had been recognized by Great Britain, and the Netherlands, in Europe, and by all the republican nations of America. Disputes existed with Mexico, growing out of their former temporary conjunction; but these were in the course of speedy adjustment. Internally, the situation of the country was prosperous, and at that time tranquil, excepting the relics of disturbance in Nicaragua, which state alone had not completed its constitution.

Scarcely any one of the new republics is more economical than Central America. In order to make the government more popular, some of the taxes were unnecessarily and imprudently abolished; and a loan of seven millions and a half became necessary to the establishment of the republic. Its

expenses, however, are small, not exceeding 600,000 dollars; and the revenue derived from powder, postage, tobacco, and customs, will suffice to meet all its wants.

In June last, the government of Central America, ratified a contract with a company in the United States, for constructing a shipcanal across the isthmus, through the lake of Nicaragua, so as to unite the two oceans; the navigation of the canal to be open to all neutral and friendly nations, on the payment of a stipulated toll, and to be protected by the naval forces of the republic. There is reason, to fear, however, that this object, desirable as it is, may not be accomplished.

During the last year, colonel Williams, the American charge des affaires in Central America, concluded a treaty between that republic and the United States, of the most liberal character.

THE PROVINCES OF THE RIO DE LA PLATA, were among the first in Spanish America, to claim and to achieve their independence; but of the various forms of government, which they have tried, none was attended with complete success. For two years past, a constituent congress has exercised the principal functions of government, whilst deliberating on such a constitutional system, as may unite the voices of the inhabitants. In April, 1825,

the committee on constitutional affairs, not having yet succeeded in arranging a plan to their own satisfaction, congress passed a vote urging them to a speedy decision. This body had deemed it necessary, when they decided upon a union of the provinces which they represented, to ask each of the states for a recognition of their powers. Pursuing the same course now, they resolved, in June, to apply to all the provinces for an opinion, concerning the form of constitution which each preferred, to be deliberated upon and decided in their respective local legislatures.

Much delay ensued, in obtaining the determination of the several provinces; which decided, some in favor of a central form of government, like that of Colombia, some of a federative, like Mexico, and the United States. It was not until June, 1826, that the committee were able to report on the subject; and their report was in favor of a central consolidated form of government. An elaborate statement of their reasons was published by the committee, which are more specious than conclusive, because the experience of the other republics of Spanish America, distinctly recommends the federative system. A justly celebrated man of letters, Dr. Funes, is said to be chairman of the constitutional committee. We hope that, on farther consi

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deration, they may revise their opinion, and renouncing centralism, adopt a form of union, which possesses stronger hold on the feelings of an American.

In the commencement of these discussions, the executive functions of the Argentine republic, were entrusted to the local government of Buenos Ayres. Notwithstanding the disproportionate exertions and sacrifices made by this province, great jealousy of its intentions existed in the more distant provinces, who dreaded the influence of its greater relative strength. Conscious of this feeling, the government of Buenos Ayres, demanded of congress to be relieved from the functions of the executive authority. This request was unanimously refused by the legislature, who professed their entire satisfaction with the zeal and integrity of the state of Buenos Ayres. Congress, however, appreciated the necessity of establishing a national executive, which they appointed so soon as they found it practicable. D. Bernardino Rivadavia, late minister in Great Britain, whose talents, experience, and patriotism, every way qualified him for the office, was chosen president of the united provinces, February 7th, 1826, and the next day formally installed by the congress. Among the great officers of government immediately appointed, were Francisco de Cruz,

minister of foreign relations; Carlos de Alvear, of war; Miguel Soler, commander in chief.

Events which occurred in the interior, previous to the war with Brazil, showed how necessary it was to hasten the organization of the constitutional government. In Cordova, the legislature regularly elected one of their number, Martinez, as governor to succeed the incumbent, D. Juan Bautista Bustos, who, nevertheless, being supported by the military, forcibly retained possession of the supreme authority. A conspiracy was formed in Mendoza, which the government suppressed before it was ripe for explosion. But in S. Juan, they were less fortunate. There, a faction, headed by a priest named Astorga, arrested the governor Carrel, who was obliged to fly to Mendoza; and was not restored, but by the assistance of the congress, who sent a force to attack and disperse the insurgents.

We shall relate the origin and progress of the war in the Banda Oriental, on arriving at the history of Brazil. From the very first moments of the rising there, it was anticipated at Buenos Ayres that, if Pedro persisted in claiming that province, a war must ensue. Preparations were therefore undertaken in May, for gradually meeting the exigencies of the probable event. Congress ordered the support of a

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