JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA. 



101 



for the United States in that city, and had been for many- 

 years. On hearing this, Don Santiago, with the vivacity 

 of a Frenchman, indulged in an exclamation of surprise. 

 He had also resided a long time in St. Salvador, and was 

 well acquainted with Mr. P., but had never heard till then 

 of his holding such an office. " Vraiment" said he, " I 

 never knew till now that you was American Consul here ; 

 I wonder if your Government knows it; c'est bien plai- 

 sant" I thanked Mr. P. for his kind offers, and observed 

 to him that all my wants and wishes had been anticipated 

 by Don Santiago. 



The city of St. Salvador, at the time I visited it, was the 

 seat of Government. The legislative and executive au- 

 thorities, either from policy or convenience, had removed 

 thither from Guatemala, which had always been the capi- 

 tal, and is the largest city of the Republic. The latter 

 place, however, was still the residence of General Mora- 

 zan, the President, who had taken the command of the 

 army, and directed thence the operations of the troops. 



St. Salvador, which may be considered the second city 

 of Central America, is the head of the State, or Depart- 

 ment, of that name, and contains a population of about fif- 

 teen thousand souls, including Indians and mulattoes. 

 The other towns of any note in this State are St. Vicente, 

 Santana, and Sonsonate. It is situated some fifty miles 

 from the Pacific. Its trade and manufactures are very 

 limited ; the wealth of the place consisting chiefly in its 

 agricultural productions. The city is laid out with con- 

 siderable regularity; the streets crossing each other at 

 right angles, except in the suburbs, where this plan has 

 not been so strictly adhered to. In the centre of the city 

 is the plaza, or market-place, three sides of which are 

 lined with shops, with porticos before them, supported by 

 a colonnade. On the other side is the church, a fine edi- 

 fice, in a good style of architecture. There is also, on this 

 side, a large house, where the members of the Legislature 

 assemble when Congress is in session. The plaza just 



