justice was also created, the members being, like those of congress and senate, chosen by popular vote.[IV-68] [Sidenote: SLAVERY ABOLISHED.] Among the most important laws enacted were those of December 31, 1823, and April 17 and 24, 1824, which emancipated all slaves, and made free slaves of other countries coming to Central America.[IV-69] The slave-trade was prohibited, under the penalty of forfeiture of the rights of citizenship.[IV-70] Of all the nations of North America, to the Central American republic belongs the honor of having first practically abolished slavery.[IV-71] The new republic also took a deep interest in a project for the union of all the American states.[IV-72] The project failed, because of its impracticability. The particulars of this subject are given in treating of the famous Panamá congress of American nations. The exhausted condition of the treasury appearing to be the chief impediment to all projected improvements, the remedy was looked for in a foreign loan, about $7,000,000 being borrowed on rather favorable terms from a London firm.[IV-73] The tobacco and customs revenues were pledged toward its repayment.[IV-74] It is understood that a portion of the money was applied to strengthening the fortifications, and the remainder was distributed among the states for their local requirements. The initiation and execution of the different measures I have made mention of, and others of less magnitude, were the work of the constituent assembly, which closed its session on the 23d of January, 1825. If all its resolutions were not wise ones, allowance must be made for the many difficulties that were in the way, and a full recognition given its members of the good faith and assiduity with which they performed their work.[IV-75] CHAPTER V. CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT. 1825-1830. GENERAL ELECTIONS—MEETING OF THE FIRST CONGRESS—MANUEL JOSÉ ARCE, FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC—FOREIGN RELATIONS—ARCE'S PREVARICATIONS—CONFLICT WITH GUATEMALA—PARTY BICKERINGS—LIBERALS QUARREL WITH ARCE—HE JOINS THEIR OPPONENTS—BITTERNESS ENGENDERED—PRESIDENT VERSUS GUATEMALAN RULERS—ARREST OF JEFE JUAN BARRUNDIA—RIOTS AT QUEZALTENANGO—MURDER OF VICE-JEFE CIRILO FLORES—ARCE AS DICTATOR IN GUATEMALA—WAR AGAINST SALVADOR—ARCE DEFEATED—HE GIVES UP THE PRESIDENCY, AND CANNOT RECOVER IT—BLOODY WAR OF 1826-9—MORAZAN THE VICTOR—JOSÉ FRANCISCO BARRUNDIA, ACTING PRESIDENT—LIBERAL MEASURES—PEACE RESTORED—SPANISH SCHEMES.