The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-19 00:00:00

GUATEMALA DEBT.

The Committee of Spanish American Bondhold-
ers have received by the Tyne a letter from Mr.
Lawrence, their special commissioner for Central
America, dated Guatemala, 30th May, 1856, inform-
ing them that he had concluded an agreement with
the Guatemala Government for the adjustment of
their foreign debt, of which the following is a trans-
lation, viz. :

TRANSLATION.
Jose Nejera, Minister of Finance of the Republic of
Guatemala, and John Lawrence, of London, Commis-
sioner of the Spanish American Bondholders, have this
day agreed to the following articles for the definite ar-
rangement and payment of the portion of the loan to
Central America, and appertaining to the republic of
Guatemala, including the interest thereon. '

Art. 1. The Government of Guatemala recognises as
a debt of the republic, in conformity with the decree of
the 23d Dec., 1851, the one-third part of 163,2991. ster-
ling, being the value of the bends of the loan made by
English merchants to the federal Government in 1824,
which one-third part amounts to 54,4331. sterling.
Art. 2. The interest upon this sum from the Ist Feb.,.
1828, to 31st Jan., 1856, is reduced by this arrange-
ment to 45,5671. sterling, and is recognised equally as a
debt of the republic.
Art. 3. The 100,0001. sterling to which the above-
mentioned sums amount is the debt recognised by the
Government, which will hereafter form a sole capital,
bearing interest at 5 per cent. per annum. The Govern-
ment will cause bonds to be issued for the above-men-
tioned sum, which shall be denominated bonds of the
British consolidated debt of Guatemala.

Art. 4. The person authorised by the Government of
Guatemala in London, in conformity with the committee
of creditors, shall determine the form to be given to the
new bonds, the value that each is to represent, and all
the requisite precautions which may be considered ne-
cessary for the interests of Guatemala and the creditors.

Art 5. At the period of issuing the new bonds, it shall
be expressed on the old bonds of the federal republic of
Central America that the liability of Guatemala is
thereby cancelled.

Art: 6. The interest of the new bonds shall be paid in j •
London every six months, free of all expense to the com• j,
mittee of bondholders, by the agent of the Government :4,
of Guatemala. The first dividend shall be paid on the
Ist of August, 1856, and the second on the Ist of Feb- ,4
ruary following, and thenceforth on the Ist of August '
1
and Ist of February of each succeeding year. ,••
Art. 7. The Republic of Guatemala, besides mort• 4
gaging all its revenues, pledges especially the half of the it
proceeds of the maritime dues (alcabala) of the custom• t-'
house of Izabal, from the let of June next, to secure the
punctual payment of the interest and gradual amortisa-
tion of the debt.

Art. 8. These proceeds shall be remitted punctually to
the agent of Guatemala in London to verify the payment
of the dividends, applying the residue (if any should re-
main) to the liquidation of the capital. Should such pro-
ceeds be insufficient, through any circumstances for the
full payment of the 5.000/. sterling, amount of annual
interest, the treasury of the republic shall make up the
deficit from any other revenues.
Art. 9. From the Ist of Janustry, 1860, instead of
half of the maritime dues of the custom-house of Izabal,
there shall be apportioned one-sixth part of the maritime
dues (alcabala) collected in the custom•house of this
capital, for the purpose of facilitating the liquidation of
the debt, the government of Guatemala being free to
employ, at any time, any other revenues they may deem
advantageous for that purpose.
Art. 10. The government of Guatemala shall have the
power to buy the bonds at the market value, through the
agent in London, as stipulated in the original contract
wade in the federation in the articles sth and 6th.

Art. 11. By this present agreement the responsibility
of the republic of Guatemala is cancelled in favour of the
British creditors, for the debt of the federal republic of
Central America arising from the loan of 1824—only
having full force and vigour the stipulations contained
in this document, which is signed in duplicate.
Art. 12. This agreement shall be subject to the appro•
val of the president of the republic, which, when obtained,
shall be held as firm and vaiid ; the sanction of the com-
mittee in London being accorded through their commis'
sioner, Mr. John Lawrence.
Guatemala, 24th day of May, 1856.
(Signed) JOSE NAJERA.
JOHN LewaENCB•
Guatemala, 26th day of May, 1856.—The President in
Council of Ministers, and by advice of the Council of
State, approved, in all his parts, the preceding agree•
merit, concluded by the Minister of Finance, with the
Commissioner of the Committee of Spanish American
bondholders, and, accordingly, will dictate measures for
its due fulfilment.
(Signed) RAFAEL CAUBERA.
Jose NAJEEA, Minister of Finance.
P. DE AYCINENA, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
MANUEL ECHEVERRIA, Minister for the Interior.

MISS FANNY HIIDDART'S BENEFIT, DRURY-LANE
THEATRE.—The attractions for this benefit are the
greatest
we have seen announced for the season—opera,
concert, and ballet. Several novelties will be given, in-
cluding the romance lately sung by Miss Cecily Nott at
St, Martin's Hall and Drury-lane Theatre, called " The
Lover's Walk," composed by Mr. and Mrs. St. Leger.
BRIDGE OF THE ALMA.—The plan which has been
adopted for the new " Bridge of the Alma," at Paris, le'
eludes the erection of a statue at each of the four piers
of the bridge, the four statues to represent soldiers of
the four different nations which were engaged in the
battle of the Alma.

IMPROVED TRAWLING APrARATUS.—We have had sub:
ma misted to our inspection a model of an improved till!"
ing apparatus, the invention of Mr. Dempster. The die-
advantages of the nets now in use have, by the simple
contrivance of this gentleman, been entirely surmounted,
and the model before us is so arranged as to prevent
mischances which fishermen have so often to regret
The principal improvements consists of a curtain Of net
so fastened over the mouth of the bag net as to prevent
the fish escaping by darting upward, and a contrivance
by which the mouth of the machine is always kept open
when in use. Practical seamen speak highly of the Pi"
vention, which is about to be put into practical operation
by the London and West of Ireland Fishing CowPanY.
MINES.—The number of heavy shares daily forced twon
the market has caused a further decline in prices, and
many dividend stocks are now at a lower figure than 15
at all warranted by the mere fall in the standard for or!!:
Many circumstances have combined to bring about this
state of things. We find invariably that when shares are
at high prices a good public demand for them is kept U'
and a large business is transacted ; but when any sudden
'
and unexpected event takes place, likely to affect the
market in ever so slight a degree, a system of depre
ciating and "bearing" of shares is adopted ; and the
bona fide holders of stock, becoming alarmed by the daily
fall in quotations, and by letters sent to them by stran-
gers, who seem to obtain lists of shareholders for the
purpose, most unadvisedly force their shares for sale,
and a species of panic is created. More than one case
of this kind has lately been laid before us, and We hope
this mention of the matter will be sufficient to put a, stop
to it, and also to put country shareholders upon their
pard,—Mining Jeurn of