To his Excellency the Hon. Geo. Williamson to Hamilton Fish, October 6, 1873

No. 70. Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a certified copy of the proces-verbal of the act of marriage solemnized by me at this legation, on the evening of the 4th instant, between the parties and in the presence of the witnesses therein named.

In my dispatch No. 34 I have entered so fully into this subject, and the proces-verbal so fully discloses the reasons upon which I acted, together with the names of the distinguished witnesses present, that it seems to be unnecessary to say more at present. Whether the marriage is valid or not, I can declare that I have not allowed myself to be made the instrument of caprice, unless I have been grossly deceived by the legal opinion of a distinguished lawyer of this republic. The ceremony, which took place at the legation, was attended by the President, his premier or chief minister, Mr. Samayoa, and minister of foreign affairs, as well as by the British minister and French and Italian chargés d’affaires and other persons named in the certificate or proces-verbal. I have returned a copy to this government, handed an original to the bride, handed a copy to the bridegroom to be sent to his government, send you one herewith, and have filed one in the legation.

This important event of a civil marriage in Guatemala at this legation will, I trust, prove a happy one to the bridal pair as well as the beginning of more liberal legislation upon the subject of marriage than has heretofore been existing in this country.

I have, &c.,