[XII-75] A new constituent assembly was convoked May 13, 1853. Nic., Gaceta Ofic., May 28, 1853.
[XII-76] 'Se denominará República de Nicaragua.' Rocha, Cód. Nic., i. 94-7; Costa R., Gaceta, March 4, Apr. 1, 1854; Guat., Gaceta, Apr. 7, 21, 1854; El Eco Hisp.-Am., May 15, 1854.
[XII-77] In a circle bordered on the inside with two sprigs of laurel, was a volcano with its base laved by the two oceans. In the upper part of the volcano was a civic crown with the words Libertad, Órden, Trabajo. Around the circle, República de Nicaragua. The national flag was given three horizontal stripes, the centre one white, with the coat of arms in the middle; the upper one yellow, and the lower, 'nácar,' or light blue. Merchant vessels were to use the same flag, without the coat of arms, and had on the centre stripe República de Nicaragua, in golden letters. Rocha, Cód. Nic., i. 163. During the Walker régime, 1856-7, his flag had two blue stripes divided by a white one double the width of the blue, and in the centre of the white a lone red star. Stewart's Filibusters, 12-13.
[XII-78] Among the members elected were Castellon, Jerez, Guerrero, diputados propietarios, and F. Diaz Zapata, suplente, from the western department. The govt reported them out of the state, having been expelled for their revolutionary attempts. The assembly on the 1st of March declared them disqualified to take their seats. Nic., Gaceta Ofic., March 4, 1854; Perez, Mem. Hist. Rev. Nic., 12.
[XII-79] It had 104 articles, and somewhat restricted the right of citizenship, created a single chamber, composed of an equal number of senators and representatives; priests were excluded from these positions. The terms of the president, senators, and representatives were to begin March 1, 1855, and last four years. After the expulsion of the filibusters, a junta de gobierno, composed of the leading men of the two opposing parties, was established, which declared the constitution of 1838 in force, and a constituent assembly was convoked, its members being from among the best and most talented men of the republic. Id., 23-4; Nic., Semanal Nic., Apr. 17, 1873. The powers granted the executive, which were included in the fundamental law of 1854, though with the additional clause that when using them he should report the fact to the next legislature, greatly alarmed the opposition. Perez, Mem. Hist. Rev. Nic., 24.
[XII-80] In Nov. 1853. Id., 9-12; Guat., Gaceta, Dec. 16, 1853; Jan. 6, 1854; Salv., Gaceta, Dec. 30, 1853; Hond., Boletin Ofic., Dec. 5, 1853; Costa R., Boletin Ofic., Dec. 15, 1853; Id., Gaceta, Dec. 12, 19, 24, 1853; Jan. 15, 30, 1854.
[XII-81] He thought Chamorro was evading the obligation of Nicaragua to aid Honduras with troops for the war with Guatemala.
[XII-82] His manifesto of June 12th was moderate in tone but significant in its substance. It promised a liberal policy, and to reconstruct, if possible, the federal republic. Wells' Hond., 508-9; Belly, Nic., i. 268-70; El Rol, Oct. 6, 1854.
[XII-83] They tendered their mediation. Perez, Mem. Hist. Rev. Nic., 67-75.
[XII-84] Early in Jan. 1855, J. Trinidad Muñoz was made general-in-chief, Jerez having been disabled by a severe wound. El Rol, Feb. 9, 28, 1855; Costa R., Boletin Ofic., Feb. 28, 1855. The successes of the legitimist party—so called because of the motto on its colors, Legitimidad ó muerte—were obtained by Gen. Ponciano Corral and his subordinates, Chamorro being too ill for service in the field. Perez, Mem. Hist. Rev. Nic., 30, 42-3, 108-20; Eco Hisp.-Am., Apr. 30, 1855.