American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-05-23
GUATEMALA.
From The Baltimore Morning Chronicle.

the Government OF the United States on the impor-
TAM subject confded to their management they
claim in behalf OF their Republic, to be incorporated
into the American family-to add one more state to
those already composing our confederation.
The province Of Guatemala was formerly part
of the Mexican Empire. At the late Imperial re-
yolution that took place in Mexico, the constituted
authorities of Guatemala, refuse all homage to the
sceptre Of Ituvbide. Unable as they conceived them
selves, single handed, to assert and maintain theiI
independence, they came to resolution OF rendering
their allegiance to the great republican family 9th,
West, and eight Commissioners have arrived, EN-
powered to make this arrangement.
Whatever becomes OF this overture, we presume
that we shall all agree in this point. that these gen
tlemen should be received with cordial welcome
and with every testimonial Of Republican Hospitality
1t is catering TO the pride of Americans that sucf
an overture should have been made, and the impres
sions which they now receive, will be powerful ant
abiding. 1t is the first Republic and in fact the only
one recognized now existing upon the globe, which
ihey visit the Representatives OF another for
ming on the Continent, any thing like cold repu
sveness part at this season, will be received
with more than personal disgust sit will have
political bearing, and make enemies Of those who
now tender US their friendship and allegiance They
have but recently escaped from monarchial letters
and when glowing with republican visions, they
visit for the first time republic, it becomes impor
,ant to both parties, that they should be received
with frankness as friends and brothers, if not a.
countrymen. AT the time when European monar.
chy is attempting to extend itself by the mouth o
the cannon, it behoyes Republican America, to re-
ceiye her guests adorned with all The simple repub
lican virtues. faith, honor and friendship
The province oil Guaamala, OF which St. Saliva.
dor forms part, is about seven hundred and fifty
miles in length and four hundred and fifty in breadth
Il is bounded on the north by Chapa and Vera Paz
on the south and west by The southern Ocean and on
the east by Honduras 1t is the abode Of burning
mountains, and is of course, peculiarly liable tC
storms, lempests and earthquakes. 1t is dlsids in
to six provinces and is perhaps the most populous
country in al Spanish America. The chief rivers
are called the Chiapa and The Rio st. Juan there
are furthermore two lakes-the Nicaragua and Leon;
the former Of these is hundred and seventeen
leagues in circumference ITS western extremity is
not than twenty miles from the south western
coast of Mcxlco it distributes its waters 10 the
ocean, bv spacious river bearing its name, which
divides the province of Nicaragua from Costa Rico.
Several towns OF considerable note adorn the mar
gin Of tins lake-particuary Granada Leon, and
Nicaragua. This lake abounds in fish, and is much
infested with Alllgators St Leon is connected with
the aforementioned Lake by river at its western
extremity lit Gibbs and flows ike the sea, and is
about thirty miles distant from the Southern Ocean
The town OF Leon de Nicaragua is situated al the
foot OF burning mountain, and is frequently shaken
by earthquakes-It consists of about one thousand
houses in which there are several Nunneries and
Monastries. The capital Of this province was for
merly called ST. Juan de Guatemala, and was situated
IN valley, through whch flowed river between
two burning mountains In the year l541 it was
nearly destroyed by tempest, and number OF the
Inhabitants were buried in its uns. 1t was however
rebuilt at a considerable distance from its former
station, and became large ard rich town, with a
Bishops See and University it contained about
sixty thousand inhabitants OF all compleXons and
became immensely rich. Ii was allowed to be the
third city IN RANK IN Spanish America. No trace OF
the town now remains visible it was swallowed by
an earthquake IN l773 by which eight thousand fam
iies are supposed instantly TO have persisted. The
dreadtc catastrophe was occasioned by the Eruption
OF the Guaamala Volcano; it is high iotked hill,
which generally throws out smoke and FIRE al the
approach OF foul weather. Ii may seen at sea for
some distance although situated eight leagues with
IN land from the coast Of the Pacific ocean.-Not-
outstanding these disadvantages the soil is yery
abundant 1t produces cochineal, cotton, indigo, and
cocoa IN great quantities; honey. balsam and wood.
he merchandise is usually conveyed to the port OF
St. Thomas in the bay of Honduras, from whence
II IS shipped Tor Europe.
L he capital has been for third time rebuilt il
stands twenty hive miles from its former station is
magnificent place adorned with Monas,eries Chur-
ches and University supposed to be the best in the
empire The population has been estimated at nine.
teen thousand.
The English settlement at the Bay Of Honduras
contains about seven hundred whites and mula,oes
and about three thousand slaves
The Mosquitoe Indians inhabting the coast Of
Honduras, are the most civilized, and number abou,
two thousand fighting men The Poyers are more
Lraye and warke than lie Mosquitoes, tut the,
were formerly tributary TO them, owing to the SUI
peror civilization Of the former tribe.
The Chiapadeos Indos, is the largest Indian toy,
40 Cuatamaa' it lies west of Guidad Reals, and con
tains about twenty thousand Indian inhabitants.
The Volcanoes through the whole extent are yer,