No. 60.
Mr. Williamson to Mr. Evarts.
Guatemala, October 20, 1877. (Received November 28.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that President Barrios, of Guatemala, has issued a decree guaranteeing the liberty of the press, with certain restrictions.
The decree is dated the 15th of October. It has not yet been published in the official journal. A copy and translation of the decree will be sent you by the next mail.
I would only remark now that the general impression among the better classes here seems to be, that President Barrios has issued the [Page 75] decree for the purpose of entrapping some of his enemies. There is but little doubt that the unfavorable comments about the killing of the priest, referred to in my No. 701, have had some influence upon the action of President Barrios in this matter.
I have, &c.,