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present political government of Guatemala, like those of the other new republics of the Western Hemisphere is, more or less, founded on the principles of the constitution of the northern United States. It is a representative federal republic. The legislative power of the nation resides in the federal congress, composed of representatives chosen by the people; and it is in their province to enact laws touching the direct interest of the whole republic; to form the general regulations for the national army, to fix the expenses of the general administration of the public service; to declare war or make peace; to prescribe and settle the laws of trade, and