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268 What ensued with regard to the sentiments of Don Juan Barrundia, the gefe politico, after I took leave of him, on this occasion, I cannot pretend to say; but I might, perhaps, be warranted in judging thus favourably of the general aspect of affairs: indeed, the Gefe expressed the most friendly wishes towards the promotion of a good understanding with the British government, and in so doing evinced much politeness and personal attention towards myself; the only way in which he could practically demonstrate his feelings; and, from the purport of the conversation which I afterwards had with the President of the Republic, in which his Excellency seemed to smile at the probability of any overt act of hostility being likely to take place between them, I thought it fair to conclude that the Republic of Guatemala was, probably, at that time, in a proper state for the immediate recognition of its independence on the part of Great Britain.