ft 'i'^ lASQE 



PREFACE. 



The author is indebted to Mr. Van Buren, late Pres- 

 ident of the United States, for the opportunity of pre- 

 senting to the public the following pages. He considers 

 it proper to say, that his diplomatic appointment was for 

 a specific purpose, not requiring a residence at the cap- 

 italj and the object of his mission being fulfilled or fail- 

 ing, he was at liberty to travel. At the time of his 

 arrival in Central America, that country was distracted 

 by a sanguinary civil war, which resulted, during his 

 sojourn there, in the entire prostration of the Federal 

 Government. By the protection and facilities afforded 

 by his official character, he was enabled to accomplish 

 what otherwise would have been impossible. His work 

 embraces a journey of nearly three thousand miles in 

 the interior of Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan, 

 including visits to eight ruined cities, with full illustra- 

 tions from drawings taken on the spot by Mr. Cather- 

 wood. Its publication has been delayed on account of 

 the engravings ; but on one consideration the author does 

 not regret the delay. Late intelligence from Central 

 America enables him to express the belief that the state 

 of anarchy in which he has represented that beautiful 



