The Sun.
London, England, 1825-08-23 00:00:00

'I3IIATEMALA, OR CENTRAL AMERICA.

The following are extracts from the latest let-
ters ►eceive4l from Guatemala :

GUATEM ALA, Art.ii. 14.
The internal state of this country wears a favourable aspect.
The dissensions in the province of Leon have been, as I stated
in a former letter they were likely to be, satisfactorily tertni-
istited. The anarchists were but few in number; and after
maintaining themselves with some obstinacy in the city of
Leon, were ultimately forced to submit to the Supreme Autho-
,
xities ;, there were a few occasional skirmishes, in which some.
lives were lost, but no serious Mischief has been done beyond
that of peeping the whole province in a state of alarm, and im-
peding the progress of industiy. As there was occasionally some
firing in the city, a few houses have been destroyed, others da-
maged, and part of the church plate and valuables r
here disap-
peared ; but these are injuries which may easily be epaired.
The insurrection never could have assumed a serious aspect had
prompt measures been adopted in its commencement.. 'The
Deputies of the province of Nicaragua to the Federal Congiesa
have been elected, the municipal authorities formed, and regu-
larity and order appear to have succeeded to confusion and dis-
orranization. The province of Nicaragua is undoubtedly the
richest in commercial wealth, as well as the most fertile, of all
this highly favoured country : its productions are numerous, va-
luable; and abundant, as you will see from an accompanying
document ; and should the canal be made, will unquesuonably
be the richest and most thriving part of America, either North

or South.
Don Manuel Jose de Arce is distinguished for his upright-
ness of conduct and integrity ; of a mild and unassuming cha-
racter, he is affable, easy of access, and disposed to act upon as
well as accept the counsel of others, if he believes they
.tend
towards the benefit of his country. He is a firm friend to Inde-
pendence, and, whenever he has taken a part in public affairs,
his efforts have been directed towards its consolidation.
After the election of the President, the form of Government
will' undergo a change will then consist of a President,
Vice-President, a Senate composed of 11 members, and the
Federal Congress. The salary assigned to the President is
10,000 dollars per annum ; the Vice-President, 4,000 ; the Se-
nators, 2,000 each ; and the Deputies of the Congress, 1,200.
The estimate of charges for the current year, as laid before the
Congress, stands as follows, viz.: —The Ministry of State,
34,950 ; of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, 17,600 ; of Fi-
nance. 178,208 ; of War and Marine, 627,828 ; making a total
of 3713,e63 dollars. Some of those items have since undergone
a reduction, and as the war department inchedes the charge for
militia, which is defrayed by each province separately from its
particular funds, the whole expence of the Federal Government
is estimated at something less than 600,000. With respect to
the state of political parties, it is not easy to make formal ob-
servations : it May be said that since the affair of Leon no
opposing political interests exist. The former Government of
Spain has neither supporters nor friends in the country; To
preserve and consolidate their independence is the general wish,
and the only object which excites a party feeling is the ap-
proaching election.
The general chaeacter of the population is mild, peaceful,.and
obedient ; long suffering and oppression have made it patient
and humble, quiet submission is peculiar to it, and want of in-
struction prevents it as yet from forming any notion of its new
rights and liberties; and therefore, so long as it is treated with
mildness, and, properly secured, it may gradually lead on to
industrious employment, and there will be but little feat of po.
pitlar commotion or resistance to the established Government.
Agriculture is already beginning to have attractions for the
more Wealthy ; and large plantations of impel, or the cochi-
meal plant, are now under cultivation : land begins to be con-
sidered as of some value, and there is scarcely a doubt to be
entertained bunin a few years this science will become an im-
portant branch of the-.public wealth. The spirit' f commerce
is strong in all ranks, but having been so long fettered, and
the products of industry being debarred from any other mar-
kets than those of Spain, its effbrts have hitherto been re.
pressed, and the formation of extensive foreign connexions
prevented.
When this latter point can be achieved, there will remain
no question of Guatemala being the most favoured part of
• America. lam not yet able to present you with any thing
like a correct idea of the imports and exports, as no general
ietimate has yet been made by the Government. Orders
crease both in the import and export trade though any thing
like numbers to draw an inference from Icannot procure. I
shall keep this subject in mind, and will endeavour as early as
-possible to supply you' with such authentic data as I can lay
of.on this and other matters connected with the finances of
-the country.
The news that England has acknowledged the independence
of Mexico and Colombia was received here on the 27th of
- March with the utmost enthusiasm; it was immediately Cele-
brated by discharges of artillery, and circulated to the different
provinces by an extraordinary Gazette.
It certainly had a great erect on the members of the. Govern-
ment and the Congress, and inspired them with sanguine hopes
of having the same benefit extended to Guatelmala in a short
time.
They are exceedingly desirous of standing well in the opi-
..nion of Great Britain, to which they look forward for protec-
tion, and seeing commercial relations formed with the English.
It would be, 1 know, peculiarly gratifying to them were an'
Bglish Consul appointed, or a Commissioner sent to them, as
was the case in Mexico and other parts. A Consul-General
has already arrived from the United -States, by which they
were much flattered, and they would be ten times mere so by
receiving one fiern England. I had the satisfaction to be the
-first to receive this intelligence of the acknowledgment of the
independence of Colombia and Mexico, which came to me
from Belize in a Jamaica newspaper. immediately solicited
an audience of the Supreme Power to communicate it. There
was a full sitting, and Senor del Valle, the President, after
teceivine the news, and expressing their satisfaction, this gen-
tleman was pleased to address many flattering observations to
me personally, expressive of thanks, &c. for the assistance I
had been the means of affording to the country, and hopes that
taroueh the same channel it would continue to derive further
beoehts, &c.
Al AY 3.
'Don Manuel Jose de Arce his been -chosen President by
a majority over Senor del Valle, of 17 votes to 6, in the Con-
gress. The Vice-Presidency was unanimously offered to the
latter, and after his refusing it four times, lion Marino Bel-
trenenn was elected to that office. These two have been inau.
gurated with all due solemnity and ceremony : the Senate has
been formed, the high court of justice hag been installed in its
functions, and, in tact, the new form government established
to the satisfaction of all parties, except, perhaps, of one indi-
v,idnal, in a manner that.l trust will be durable; and indeed
-there appears to be no reason for doubting of-its permanency.
By this act Guatemala may be considered more favoured
than any any other country which has undergone revolution :
it le now nearly as firmly fixed in its independence as any
other new republic of America, and its system of government
is as dearly defined ; it enjoys internal tranquillity. and is
at peace with all the world, unless Spain be deemed an ex,
eeption. Senor Del Valle, as he could not become the chief,
steadily refused every other office, and is consequently now
only a private individual, being neither of the Senate aor the
4joirgress.

Mar 18:
Mr, Thompson, the commissioner froM the British Govern:
Aunt., arrived here last night from Mexico, and it is with him
khave b-cen engaged the whole of the morning, in presenting
him to the President, &c. I rejoice much at his arrival, as
he will be the means of communicating to his Majesty's Go-
vernment a faithful account of the state of this country, svhich
you day be confident is such as I have already represented
to you.

NEW TARIFF OP liAvyiNax.—{Extracted
fr,irn the Ilauaanah Prices Current of the 2d of 'july.)-411
gods, except perishable provisions and liquors, may remain in
entrepet for 12 months, paying 2 per cent. on their valuation:
If not exported within that time, they then pay, besides the 2
per cent-, the customary duties fOr consumption. If 'sold for
exportation, the charge of 2 per cent. is divided, between the
importer and purchaser. To the above duty on sugar and
coffee must be added 25 cents per box on sugar and 25 cents
per barrel on coffee. In addition to the above duties on im-
portations, 2 per cent. is charged, called " Naval auxiliary
and corsario duties." Goods imported for consumption or
placed in depot, have the same valuation. Articles calculated
for the agriculture of the island, pay only 13. per cent. Mer-
chandiz3 of every description imported into Iravannah from
' Key Westin 'Spanish, pays the same duty as when imported
in foreign bottoms. The produce and manufactures of Spain
imported directly from die Peninsula, in national vessels,•will
be subject to an indiscriminate duty of 3 per cent. on the value
fixed in tile tariff. Merchandise having been'entered for con-
sumption, and paid duty, pays nothing on exportation. . An
additional duty of 1 per cent. on the amount of duties, and not
on the value of imports, called " Balanza duty," has been
lately imposed. Foreign vessels discharging at the public
pay 10 rials, and Spanish vessels 6 rials per day, for each 100
, tower their register measurement.