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CH. XVIII.]
TO GUATEMALA.
265

consequently, installed on the 24th June, 1823. On the 21st July of the same year, the independence was declared by the assembly, and on the 17th December, the bases of the constitution were published. In the mean time, a supreme executive power had been established, composed of three individuals elected by the assembly, whilst the nation itself took the name of "The United Provinces of the Centre of America."

From this period Guatemala began to act as a free sovereign state: on the 9th June, 1824, its independence was recognized by Colombia: on the 3d August, its legation had arrived, and was duly received, in the United States of North America: on the 20th August it was recognized by Mexico: on the 3d September, its ambassador was admitted by that republic: on the 6th of the same month, the installation of the congress of Costa-Rica completed the established form of the federation: on the 15th, the federal congress was installed: on the 22d November the