CENTRAL AMERICA AND PANAMA
having on July 1st declared the provinces of the former captaincy-general to be free and independent states, confederated into a nation under the name of the United Provinces of Central America. A provisional executive of three men was established, subject to the control of the assembly, which continued in session until July 23, 1825. Filisola departed with his Mexican troops on August 3, 1823, and a year later Mexico recognized the new confederation. A federal constitution modeled on that of the United States of America was framed by the assembly and promulgated on November 22, 1824. Chiapas, still a part of Mexico, was not included in the Union, but provision was made for the subsequent admission of this province, an expected development which never materialized. The individual states had adopted their own Constitutions by September, 1824.
The first constitutional Congress met in 1825, composed largely of representatives of the Liberal party, who also elected their candidate, Manuel José Arce, President of the Federation. The latter, however, dissolved the Congress and abandoning his own party for the Conservatives, the party of the clericals and large landowners, overthrew and reorganized the government of the state of Guatemala. This led to revolts in all parts of the country, especially in Salvador, then, as ever, jealous of the preponderance of Guatemala. After a war lasting two years, Arce was overthrown by Francisco Morazán of Honduras, who became President in 1830. The Liberal government was re-established in Guatemala, but Salvador still remained dissatisfied and organized a new revolution in 1831, which was successfully combated, but resulted in the transference of the seat of the federal government to San Salvador. Morazán failed, however, to maintain his position and the Conservatives gradually regained control of the state governments. The authority of the federal government rapidly diminished to such an extent that the Federal Congress on May 30, 1838, declared the states free to constitute themselves as they might deem best, and in July, 1838, declared the states sovereign, free, and independent political bodies. In the same month the Federal Congress adjourned, never to meet
373
