AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION. 201 



Carrera into the city, in March preceding my arrival, 

 Salazar, the chief of the state, fled, and Carrera, on 

 horseback, knocked at the door of Senor Rivera Paz 

 before daylight, and, by his individual pleasure, installed 

 him as chief. It was a fortunate choice for the people 

 of Guatimala. He v^as about thirty-eight, gentleman- 

 ly in his appearance and manners, and, in all the trying 

 positions in which he was afterward placed, exhibited 

 more than ordinary prudence and judgment. 



I had been advised that it would be agreeable to the 

 government of Guatimala for me to present my creden- 

 tials to the chief of that state, and afterward to the 

 chiefs of the other states, and that the states separately 

 would treat of the matters for which I was accredited 

 to the general government. The object of this was to 

 preclude a recognition on my part of the power which 

 was, or claimed to be, the general government. The 

 suggestion was of course preposterous, but it showed 

 the dominion of party-spirit with men who knew bet- 

 ter. Seiior Rivera Paz expressed his regret at my hap- 

 pening to visit the country at such an unfortunate pe- 

 riod, and assured me of the friendly disposition of that 

 state, and that it would do all in its power to serve me. 

 During my visit I was introduced to several of the lead- 

 ing members of the administration, and I left with a 

 favourable opinion of Rivera Paz, which was never sha- 

 ken in regard to him personally. 



In the evening, in company with Mr. Hall, I attend- 

 ed the last meeting of the Constituent Assembly. It 

 was held in the old Hall of Congress ; the room was 

 large, hung with portraits of old Spaniards distinguish- 

 ed in the history of the country, and dimly lighted. 

 The deputies sat on a platform at one end, elevated 

 about six feet, and the president on an elevation in a . 



Vol. I.— C c 



