The Sun.
London, England, 1823-09-02 00:00:00

PO YAIS SErfLEMENT.

The following official documents will set the
question of the 'Poyais Settlement at rest:—
Belize Riser's Mouth, Bay, of Honduras. Mayl3, 1823.
SIR—We the undersigned having had the honour to receive
your commands to carry into effect the wishes of his Majesty's
Government in conveying presents to the King of the Mosquito
Nation, and also having been honoured with your instructions
relative to certain information you had received from five per-
sons of a party of six who had recently arrived in this seile.
ment front the Establishment of Sir Gregor MacGregor on the
lands adjacent, (and one of whom had died of famine and fa,
tigue on tha.passage,) in order to enable you to afford his Ma-
jesty's Ministers the fullest information of' the nature of this
Settlement, its situation, strength, and probable result.
We proceeded from Belize on the 15th of' April, in .the
schooner Mexican Eagle, and not being exactly aware from
our information, where the seat.of the Poyais Govermitent was
situated, we deemed it most prudent to proceed to Black River
on the Mosquito shore, that being the most direct mode of com-
munication with the Poyais Indians, and .amongst whoM we
of course concluded to find the Heads of Sir Gregor's,Govern-
ment, and that being also a ready way of communicating-with
the Mosquito King, in preference to occupying much time in
beating up to Cape Graces a Dios, and where we arrived on
the Nib of the same month. But judge, Sir, of our surprise;
when, on ascending that River a short distance, we found, a
camp and huts commenced erecting, and cannon ball and other
store landed, not on Poyais Indian grounds, but on the spot
formerly occupied by the British Settlers of the Mosquito
shore ; nay, on the very former seat of Government, and which
was in 1787,in obedience to the orders ofhis Majesty, evacuated
with great loss and expence to the unfortunate inhabitants of
that place, in conformity to the Convention Treaty of 1788 with
Spain, and we cannot possibly conceive his Majesty's Govern-
ment can be aware of this circumstance.

Scarcely had we effected a landing, wlien we were surround_
et by objects the most distressing; a number of •unfortnotite4
crowded around us, pale, wan, and deplorable, scarcely able to
stand, sinking under their own weight with disease, mothers
tottering under fatigue and want, with their almost dying in-
fants in their arms ; most of those that were capable of move-
ment flocked about us, greeting us with extatic pleasure, and
imploring for the sake of the Father of us all to have mercy
and charity.upon them, and take them from the certain .death
that awaited.
Seeing such accumulated distress around us, we were induced
to inquire into the origin of so much human misery. We were
informed by almost every tongue that they.had left their native
country with the brightest and most flowery views before them,
and had been deceived beyond belief: that they had been led to
Expect to find a well-established eettlement, and a Very consider•
able populatioo, with every comfort around it, and means ready
to afford them comparative ease' and success in cultivating the
soil : that they had almost all of them come out under engage-
ments to the Government, of which Sir Gregor MacGregor"was
the head, under the style and title of his Highness the Cacique
of Poyais, and who positively contracted with them that their
wages should be paid monthly ; but how great had been their
disappointment ! they had been landed in a wilderness, where
they found three miserable huts inhabited by three or four Am:-
ricans, with scarcely a sign of cultivation around them ! That
instead of the fine settlement declared to be in existence, and a
representation of which had been presented to them in a book
published by. Sir Gregor MacGregor's agent--Strangeways—
they found .to sign of such a place ! all was a thick forest ! ! and,
that they were absolutely under the necessity of, with axe in
hand, to clear away spots sufficient for themselves to sleep on
the bare ground !! ! That every prospect had been bad out
to them was false; there was no appearance of land in cultiva-
tion ; no rich or fertile valleys; all was woodland; and that instead
of finding, as they had been taught to believe, that the grounds
could be cleared for ten shillings an acre, no human being could
be found that would afford their assistance, and that they were
sinking under the fatigue and disappgintment, they had already
endured. That, notwithstanding, having found themselves thus
deceived, they had erected some huts and landed the stores, un.
der the full expectation that they would have received their
wages, and by that means have been enabled to obtain fresh
provisions fortheir families ; but, that to their surprise at the ex.
piration of the month, the Governor acquainted them he had
nothing but a paper currency to issue. the notes of Sir Gregor
MacGregor, and which were of no value there! 1 That while
they were in this situation, reduced at once to the lowest state
of poverty, a communication had some time previous to our ar-
rival been made to theta by Colonel Hell, the Governor, that
the Mosquito King had taken great offence at their present esta-
blishment, and had issued a Proclamation (and which wits
read), declaring the grant to Sir Gregor null and void, he not
having performed his agreement with him, and requiring them
to take the oath of allegiance to him, or quit his territory ! That
despair had then seized them ; and which, added to the already
commenced disease, had brought the greatest part of them
on the bed of sickness, and the state we then saw them !
This, Sir, is but a slight sketch of their declarations and com-
plaints; and we soon found that they had too much foundation
in truth.
Having been thus made acquainted that such Proclamations'
existed, we took measures to obtain copes for your information,
and were fortunate enough to succeed not only in obtaining
copies but one original.
This naturally Induced us to inquire how far the Mosquito
Indians themselves were affected towards this establishment,
and we soon found they were strongly averse from it ; that they !
could not be brought to believe the settlers were British sub.
wereno most explicit in the declaration that difyivould
assistance, as neither through,Their King, nor
inefrcotsra
by hearsay, had the), learnt that his Britannic Majesty had
sent them there, or that they were established under his
sanction.
We found that they viewed with extreme jealousy and con-
cern the caenon and ball that lay scattered about the settle-
ment, as also
the ammunition burned, and of which we were
informed by one of their Chiefs, who was expressly stationed. to
watch the motions of the settlers with the most vigilant eye,
lack Rtver we did not find the Lieute-
anod
()n our
tlarynuvrialknoot)vtil them.
Hall, who, we understood, hid immediately
nant.Oovernor,

after the promulgation of the Mosquito King's Proelamations,
proceeded to Cape Gracias a Dios, to expostulate with hint on
the security of his measures.
. _

On the inornini of the 29th of April a Memorial wets pre-
sented by Mr. Smith, One of the Surgeons of the Establishment,
in the name of a large majority of the Settlers, settling forth'
their deplorable state,
.and praying fur relief. •
The receipt Of this petition, declaratory of so much wretched-
ness, excited in us the greatestsympathy ; and the more ao,
not knowing how far we could be petified in granting the
prayer thereof, and therefore determined to wait the return of
Governor Hall before any reply was given ; and, having in tho.„
meantime understood from the Mosquito Chieftain in the
neighbourhood of this Establishment, that from his knowledge
of the sentiments of the King he would not visit Black River,
but stop at a river at some shortdisteince, called Plantain River,
and being anxious to have an interview with him on the sub-'
ject of- he presents and other objects connected with the wel.
fare of his country, we proceeded there on the 2d of May.—
It was in this sequestered spot that we had further opportunity
of discovering the unfavourable sentiments of a number of the
Mosquito Chiefs relative to the New Establishment. Having
remained there until the morning of the Oth, and received no
information whatever of the King, we decided on returning to
Black River, where we arrived on the evening of that day.
On the afternoon of the following day, the Mosquito King,
accompanied by Governor Hall, arrived at Black River; and
in our interview with him, he arguable us he had stopped at
Plaiiitain.River, and having there learnt we had returned, and
being very desirious to see us, he had proceeded on to the New
Establishment, and appeared highly gratified at our arrival,
observing that it enabled him fully to convey his sentiments to
his Majesty's Superintendent at Honduras on the subject.—
His Moscone° Majesty then expressed to us his very marked
disapprobation of the Establishment, and also informed us saf
the decided measures he Iliad adopted, and that he was deter-
mined under no consideration to allow the separate Government
of Sir Gregor 1119cGregor there independent of himself; not
that he felt the smallest disposition to injure the unfortunate
people, who he saw had been deluded there, but that it was
his firm 'deterniination that whoever resided in his territories
should be subject to his Ordinances; neither would he ever
have contemplated the establishment of a separate Government
in his country without the sanction and guidance of the King
of England.
That lie had been greatly deceived by Sir Gregor Macgregor
in the nature of the transfer or grant, as now promulgated to
the world, and used by him ; and, moreover, he now under-
stood that this individual had claimed a much larger extent of
territory than ever was intended by him should be occupied by
new settlers ; and that it never was his intention either to sell
to Sir Gregor MacGregor, or permit him to sell land in his ter-
ritory ; but his understanding was, that did Sir ,Gregor bring
settlers out, he would allow lands to be parcelled out to them,
still subject to him, hnd assigned certain parts for that our.:
pose, and expressed considerable concern to hear -aids Country
being publicly advertised tar sale in Europe, and his subjects
declareclio be transferred to Sir Gregor ; and from what he had
heard, and then saw of military preparations, it appeared evi-
dent to him, that i 1 this establishment succeeded, himself and
people might soon be annihilated.
. Anxious as we were to follow the dictates of humanity in in-
stantly affording relief to the unfortunate people, and satisfied
as we were that this Settlement could not exist, not only front
the hOstile feelingi.of the M..tquito Indians, but from the accu-
mulation of disease that would overwhelth them when the rains
commenced, and from the total want of system in thecommence-
ment of the undertaking, and due regard to counteract the nume-
rous difficulties that arise in settling new Colonies, particularly
-in tropical climates; yet we deemed it a duty to the Head of the
Government at Black River to take away none without permis-
aion. 'We lied stated candidly .to the acting Lieutenant Go.
vernor, Westcoit, the oirport of the petition for relief, and he
deolared: he could make no objection to the people leaving,
although he could afford no assistance. This was most fully
confirmed bytlie sanction of Governor Hall, on his arrival,
with whour we' had an interview, and who stated to us from a
review of all 'he circumstances lie had come to a resolution to
break up the establishment, and hadaherefore addressed a letter
to Brigade Major Baldwin to be submitted to his Majesty's
Superintendent at Honduras, requesting that he would, from
motives of.humanity towards so many British subjects, afford
him-the meitts to carry his resolution into etTect, and convey the
unfortunate people to Belize, and which letter we had the
honour to present ; and we, therefore, in consequence of such
sanction, with great difficulty embarked sixty-six individuals,
part of this list, and all of whom, with one solitary exception,
were in a law, and many of them in a seriously diseased state ;
the greatest exertions were made to support life in several of
them, and we are happy to say we arrived on the llth of May
instant without a clench.
Thus, having given you a brief outline of the matters that
have come under our observation, we take leave with great de-
ference to remark, that we are convinced . this establishment
could not long have existed, Ist, From the perstiasion,grountl-
ed on thorough local knowledge, that the Luropean Settler is
altogether incapable of tilling the ground .(although up the
rivers it is rich and luxuriant) by his own personal exertions, so
as to obtain a support for the subsistence el himself and family,
under the enervating heat of the torrid zone.
2dly, That other labourers are not to be procured in that
establishment, as it is notorious that the Mosquito Indians,
although in general a quiefund inoffensive people, yet cannot
be persuaded to forego their accustomed pleasures in hunting
and fishing, for any constant and laborious einPloY
Illy, That the coast is hostile •to mercantile pursuits, inas.
much as from Cape litu-cias a Dios to Cape Honduras, a dis-
tance of nearly 300 miles, it dues not afford one solitary liar.
boor, but, on the contrary, exhibits a wild and dangerous road-
Stead, with almost impassable bars at the mouth of rivers.
We also feel it a duty, as much as has been blazoned to the
world of the existence of Poyais seas, of Poyals cities and towns,
anti of Poyais people and lands, to put in your power the means
of apprizing his Majesty's Government of the fallacy of these
assertions. '
The Poyais Indians are a small tribe, a mild and very gentle
'
race of people, not inhabiting the lands or coasts as pointed out
and declared, but residing a great distance in the interior of the
country, on • several mountains, at die head of three or four
rivers, scattered about in a few huts,
with large families in each,
and who principally exist by hunting, fishing, and manufactur-
ing a species of cotton cloth ; and tlom every intbrmation we
could obtain, their numbers are &qui three to five hundred, and
they are under the immediate protection of the Mosquito King,
as being resident in his territory.
We assure you there is no Poyais Sea or City of Poyais in
existence, nor any appearance in any porta the country to war-
rant such an assertion; anti indeed, to sum up the whole, we
cannot better exemplify it than by declaring that the whole
scheme of the Establishment has been built " upon the baseless
fabric of a vision." . •
In conclusion, we would take leave to second the prayer of
the Memorialists, in drawing your attention to the miserable
hind, and to itssiire you that it is our firm belief, if immediate
state of the suliereni on the Mosquito shore, whom we left be.
relief is not not afforded them, the greater part must perish.
We have the honour to be, with great respect,
Your most obedient and most humble Servants,
MARSH iIEFNETT,

Senior lllagistraie Ofil;r Settlement of Honduras.
(E 0 WWII V,
Clerk of the Supreme and Lower Courts, and Keeper of
the Records of Honduras.
Edward Codtl, Esq. illajor-Heneral, his Majesty's
Super intendant Commandant, ut Honduras.

That the grant of
(COPY.)
thel,AGioeoNrugietoFreNdaetiroicnt,hedoSeehoet4db.
land given to Sir Gregor MacGregor is nail and void, he not
having fulfilled his contract with me agreeable to his stipu-
lations, and having, contracted a
debt upon a part of my terri-
ybythe grace of God, King of
Decree,
tory without my eopsent, assuming to hinhelf the title of
Caztque of rOyitA, and declaring the aforesaid grant to be an
Independent State : have
Be it known to all persons who _ _ purchased lands, that
the aforesai.l.lands shall be their' lawful Property after the grant
I that all persons hod'
being signial by me : and of
grants of
land shall make their. claim tomeberore the Ist of January
1024, or they will be forfeited after that date ; and all grunts of
land sold by MacGregor after the first day of January ItiA are
declared null and von!. _ .
Given under my hand at Capeuracias a Dios, this 28th
day of March, in the year of our Lord 1823.
(Signed) , GEORGE FR EDER W.
King of the Mosquito Nation
have the i
In addition to this statement We.
.. sat sfaction to in.
form, that Major. General COPO,.ilis AlskieNtyie Superintentlant
of the Settlement of Honduras, lost no time in removing the
unfortunate Settlers to Belize. .