[XXV-12] Since 1829 Nueva Granada had been divided into departments with a prefect at the head of each. The prefect of Panamá was J. Sardá. His rule was despotic, involving the abuse of prominent citizens, and levying a forced loan for pretended defence of the Isthmus. Sardá, J., Decreto, May 25, 1829. He was executed at Bogotá in 1833 under sentence of the law for a plot to murder the president. Necrología, in El Constitucional del Istmo.
[XXV-13] Their functions were those of the former prefect. Pinart, Pan. Coll. Doc., MS., no. 62.
[XXV-14] The constitution of 1830, of the old republic, had been in force till now. Obando, J. M., Decreto, in Pinart, Pan. Coll. Miscell. Pap., no. 14; El Constitutional del Istmo, Jan. 14, 28; Apr. 21, May 7, 14, 28, 1832; Veraguas, Recop. Ordenanzas, 20.
[XXV-15] The following authorities appear in official documents: Province of Panamá, 1832-3, Gov. Juan José Argote; in 1834, acting gov., M. A. Hurtado; in 1836-8, Gov. Pedro Obarrio. Prov. of Veragua, in 1874, Gov. M. J. Guisado; in 1835-7, Gov. Manuel de Ayala. In 1836 Veragua had a provincial legislature. Pinart, Pan. Col. Doc., MS., no. 25, no. 31, p. 4, 12, 18, 38, 40, 75, 91; nos. 59, 65, 78, 104; El Constitutional del Istmo, May 7, 14, 1832; Oct. 30, 1824; Aug. 30, 1836; Registro Ofic., N. Gran., 8; Veraguas, Esposic., in Pinart, Pan. Col. Doc., MS., no. 76.
[XXV-16] For which he was awarded thanks. El Constitutional del Istmo, Dec. 28, 1831.
[XXV-17] Dec. 3, 1831. Id., Dec. 21, 1831.
[XXV-18] Lieut Melchor Duran, and Brevet Sub-lieutenant F. Casana of the battalion No. 9. Id., March 14, 1832.
[XXV-19] During the past nine years the Isthmus seems to have enjoyed comparative quiet. In Sept. 1833, the provincial legislature chose Agustin Tallaferro deputy to the national congress, and Juan de la Cruz Perez his suplente. Id., Sept. 15, 1833.
[XXV-20] He accompanied resolutions of the officials, heads of families, and other citizens of Santiago to remain under the national authority, and lend no aid to any attempt to sever the connection or promote public disturbance. El Constitucional de Cundinamarca, March 27, 1842.
[XXV-21] He said: 'Marcharé hasta donde sea necesario para arreglanos con Veraguas definitivamente.' Though hoping that for the common interest, the voice of peace will be heeded, 'la fuerza alcanzará lo que se le ha negado á la fraternidad y á los principios.' Gaceta del Istmo, Sept. 15, 1840, in Pinart, Pan. Coll. Doc., no. 3; Herrera, Decreto, in Pinart, Miscell. Pap., no. 13.