JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA. 



129 



perceived and duly appreciated ; and the result, whatever 

 it might be, could not but reflect credit on the administra- 

 tion. There is also reason to believe, that any steps that 

 our diplomatic agent in Guatemala might be instructed to 

 take towards a negotiation with the Central American 

 Government on this subject, would be met by that Govern- 

 ment with alacrity. There exists on the part of the peo- 

 ple and authorities of that country a decided predilection 

 for Americans, and for every thing that is American. 

 They imitate the institutions, the laws, the policy of the 

 United States, and look up to this country as their great 

 political model. They at one time solicited to be admitted 

 into the Union as a new State in our Republic. While 

 France and England are trying in vain to effect a treaty 

 with their Government, the United States have renewed, 

 or are on the point of renewing, one that was concluded 

 several years since. Thus, every thing seems to favour 

 and facilitate the accomplishment of an enterprise, which,- 

 besides enhancing in no slight degree the national glory of 

 the United States, would be productive of the greatest 

 commercial advantages to its citizens. 



That some difficulties exist towards realizing this ob- 

 ject^ cannot be denied. One is the disturbed state of Cen- 

 tral America at the present moment, and the civil commo- 

 tions to which it is subject at all times. Another would 

 be to obtain a grant of land on each side of the river St. 

 Juan, with the sovereignty of the country ceded^ without 

 which a sufficient security would not be afforded to the 

 persons and properties of our citizens who might establish 

 themselves there. But these difficulties are not insur- 

 mountable and even should they prove so, the attempt to 

 remove them would be itself a glory, and the want of 

 success an honourable failure. 



But returning to the subject of this chapter : the face 

 of the country is generally mountainous. It presents, as I 

 have heretofore observed, a succession of sierras, or moun- 

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