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BOLIVIA.

(Eepublica Boliviana.)

Constitution and Government.

The constitution of the republic of Bolivia, drawn up by Simon Bolivar, liberator of the country from the Spanish rule, bears date August 25, 182G ; but important modifications of it were added in 1828, 1831, and 1863. By its provisions, the whole executive power is vested in a President, elected for a term of four years ; while the legislative authority rests with a Congress of two chambers, called the Senate, and the House of Representatives, both elected by univer- sal suffrage. The President is assisted in his executive functions by a Vice-president, appointed by himself, and a ministry, divided into four departments, of the Interior and Justice ; of Finance ; of War ; and of Education and Public Worship. The ministers are liable to impeachment before Congress.

President of the Republic — Cap tain -General Don Mariano Mel- garejo ; proclaimed President on the deposition of his predecessor, Jose Maria de Acha, December 1864 ; re-proclaimed March 1869, after an unsuccessful attempt at insurrection by a rival candidate to the presidency, General Belzu, head of the government, from March 22 to his execution, March 27, 1869.

The fundamental law of the republic, ordering the regular election of the chief of the executive every four years, has seldom been carried out since the presidency of Grand-Marshal Santa-Cruz, who ruled Bolivia from May 1828, till his death, January 20, 1839. Subse- quently the supreme power was almost invariably seized by some successful commander, who, proclaimed by the troops, instead of chosen by the people, was compelled to protect his office by armed force against military rivals.

The seat of the executive government, formerly at the city of La Paz, capital of the republic, was transferred in 1869 to the fortified town of Oraro.

Revenue, Army, and Population.

There have been no official reports of the revenue and expendi- ture of the republic for several years. In 1864, the receipts from