Chap. IX. IN NICARAGUA. 143 
federalism, these anti-federal influences have been strongest 
in Guatemala and Costarica; while in the three remaining 
States, the federal party continued to strive against them 
and to aim at the reconstruction of the Union dissolved in 
1837. Various attempts to realize that purpose had been 
made by Nicaragua, Salvador, and Honduras, and con- 
ventions of delegates, instructed to frame a new constitu- 
tion, had been held at Chinandega in Nicaragua in 1842, 
at Sonsonate in Salvador in 1846, and at Nacaome in 
Honduras in 1847, without leading to any result; when, 
in 1849, the influence of the United States was brought to 
bear upon the question. The government of Washington 
instructed its diplomatic agent in Central America to 
assist those republics in their endeavours to re-establish the 
federation ; and encouraged by him, the State of Nicaragua 
took the lead in a new attempt. As in former cases, 
Guatemala and Costarica excluded themselves from the 
common cause of Central American nationality. But the 
representatives of the three middle States assembled at 
Leon and drew up a federal constitution which was signed 
on the 8th of November, unanimously ratified by the 
legislative assemblies of the same three States and published 
in the Correo del Istmo of the 16th of December, 1849. 
In accordance with this constitution, the representatives of 
the three States assembled in the month of December of 
the following year, and Jose Barrundia, who had been the 
President of the Central American Republic of 1821, 
was elected President of the new confederation. General 
elections were ordered to take place of representatives 
to the first regular national congress, to assemble in 
December, 1851, and participation in which was left open 
to Guatemala and Costarica. 
To frustrate the success of these labours, has been one 
