Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/287

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CH. XVIII.]
TO GUATEMALA.
267

the Northern United States arrived and received his exequatur: on the 25th March, a treaty of alliance offensive and defensive, was ratified with Colombia: on the 10th April the constitution was sworn to by the public authorities: on the 21st of that month, took place the ceremony of the inauguration of the president:—this happened the same day on which I set off from Mexico:—and, on the 23d July, Mr. O'Reilley arrived at Izabal, which also, peculiarly, happened the Sunday that I reached the coast in order to embark for Great Britain.[1]

I trust that, without any pedantry or affectation, these comments will not be considered as misplaced. I have always spoken freely in favour of the stability of the federation of the Central Republic, and the British public will be able to judge from the above simple statement of facts, whether, or not, I have had reason for doing so.

  1. A Minister from the United States also arrived, about this period, but died from the effects of the climate, before he could reach the capital.