The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-12
From he Ns,p YORK. Tribune.

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LEON DE NICARAGUA, Sept. ID, IS49.
The instruction which for time disturbed the
peace of this State, and threatened such disastrous
consequences for the future, has been entirely sup
presssd. The robber-chief Somosa has been taken
and shot, together with his principal adherents.
Every thing is now quiet, and promises well for the
prosperity Of the State. The speedy restoration of
order and the renewed confidence which prevails,
may be ascribed in great degree to the recent
Intervention of the United States, and the late inn
portant steps which have been taken towards the
construction of the great inter oceanic canal con-
corning which, for the past two centuries, much
has been said and written.
A large number of contracts have heretofore been
made for this grand object among which is one
with Aaron F. Palmer, of New York, another with
the late King of Holland and another, still later,
with Louis Napoleon, now President of the French
Republic But none seem to have secured any
considerable amount of public confidence, nor was
anything done under them. contract has now
been made, under fortunate conjunction ofcrcun-
stances, which is likely to be carried into execution
At any rate, we may infer from the names of the
men composing the company, at the head of which
stands Cornelius w Vanderbilt, OF New York.
The terms are far favorable, both to Mica
ragua and the company, than those of any previous
contract. II is obtained for ninety-seven years,
with further extent for twenty years. and secures
to the company the right to contract ship canal
or railroad or to improve the present means of
conveyance, Zone or all, as they may think pro-
per- have no doubt the company will proceed at
once to improve the present means of transit; in
which case this will prove formidable rival to the
Panama route.
Steamers of ight draft with a few thousand dol
lars spent in removing the Instructions in the San
Juan river, would enable passengers to ascend the
river to the Lake of Nicaragua, and thence to the
ancient city of Granada, the head of the lake,
from which place to the port of Realejo on the Pa
cifc, is good road, passing through country re-
markable for its beauty and fertility. The New
York and Chagres line of steamers may touch at
Gar Iuan wifhOut nouch IF their IVA W
SO, too, may the Panama and San Francisco line
touch at Realejo, where they may yctual, and pro-
other supplies, at half the cost necessary at
Panama. Passengers would then save about three
hundred miles the Atlantic, and eight hundred
miles on the Pacific. The route across the sthmus,
il is true, is longer than that by Panama, but the
facility OF carrying baggage and merchandise, the
saubrity of the climate, cheapness of provisions,
&C., would, in themselves, more than compensate
for the difference, to say nothing of the distance
saved in the two oceans.
The length of the river San Juan, which is a beau
tiful stream is ninety miles; the course in Lake
Nicaragua, unsurpassed for the magnifcence Of its
scenery by any similar body of water in the world,
about one hundred miles. From Granada to Re-
alejo is about hundred and forty miles
road nearly level, and passing through the popu-
lous towns of Masaya and Monagua, and the cityo
Leon, the capital of the State.
This city second only to Mexico in
wealth and population among all the cities of Span
sh North America and even now it retains many
traces of its former greatness, Notwithstanding it
has been the theatre of more bloody collisions, and
has withstood more sieges, than any other city on
the continent. The great Cathedral is massive
pile, composed of solid masonry, and although a
century old, and has often been occupied for
tress seems to be wholly unimpaired and capable
of defying the attacks of time. From its roof may
be counted not less than fourteen volcanoes most of
which slumbering, but all exhibiting the traces
of terrible activity in times past.
There is probably more salubrious climate in
the world, beneath the tropics, than that of Ncara
qua. The average range of the thermometer for
the past three months has been $50, the mercury
seldom rising four degrees above or sinking four
below. The nights are cool and pleasant. In fact,
the weather approaches nearer that of the last half
of June with u.s. than any other portion of the year.
and is at no time 30 oppressive as our months OF
July and August usually are.
Ii is understood that most important treaty has
lust been concluded between the American minis
ter, Mr.. Squier, and this government, embracing
some provisions concerning the proposed canal. 1t
is probably favorable to our interests than any
which has yet been negotiated with any OF the
American States. AS Congress will soon be in
sion, ! presume you will, in the course OF few
weeks, know more about it than can tell you.
The feeling here and in the neighboring States of
San Salvador and Honduras is strongly in favor of
the United States and the hatred of Great Britain
is intense. The American legation was received
with the most signal demonstrations of respect at
every point The bells of the churches were rung
as il passed through the various towns escorted by
the authorities, civil, ecclesiastic and military.
When it approached Leon, it was met and wei
coined by large cavalcade, including the princi-
pal officers of the government and the army, and
by the clergy, headed by the bishop in person. The
procession entered the town under a national sa-
lutte from the Plaza, amid the ringing OF the
bells Of the Cathedral and of the churches, and the
cheers of the people. Nearly every house was deco
rated indeed, nothing was omitted which might
show the enthusiasm Of the people in behalf of the
United States. These demonstrations were fol-
lowed by civil and military ball and govern
dinner besides m other of
gard. Addresses have been sent in from several of
the towns, including one from the Indian pueblo of
Subtiara, written in the Indian language. You
will find the remarks of Mr.. SQuier, on the occa-
sion of presenting his credentials in the files of the
government paper, which ! send you herewith.
They were published in Honduras and San Saliva
dor with the firing OF guns, the ringing OF the bells
of the churches, and other marks of satisfaction
The proceedings of the United States and its cit-
gems have very much excited the agents of Great
Britain, who omit opportunity To create false
impressions, and retard the progress of American
enterprise. II il well known that, few years
since, the English governments with view TO get
control of this isthmus, set up farcical kingdom
upon the eastern coast of Honduras called the
'Kingdom of Musquitis." The material Of this
"kingdom' is small tribe of squalid Indians and
Samboes, who have hitherto obtained precarious
subsistence by turtle fishing. The "king'' of this
famous people is little negro boy with taste for
s'the ardent worthy of veteran topper; and his
sister, who, in the official correspondence and in
hOfufnents tsthhih iibheH W
land calls Victoria her 'beloved sister, " is dowdy
aegress, quite promscuous in her intercourse with
drunken sailors, and well qualified To shine at the
Five Points, The "King of the Musquitos" is the
ally, and the Kingdom of Musquitia" IL under the
protection of Great Brtanthat is to say, that dig
niied power Is pushing it's encroachmens upon the
territories Of the distracted States of Central Amer
ica hoping thus TO divert the attention OF the world
from her selfish designs. The boundaries of the
Kingdom of Musquitia arc flexible, and may be al
tered at any time to suit the conscience of the Eng
lisb cabinet After having, under various pretexts,
laid claim 10 half the territories of Honduras and
forcibly seized upon the fine island Of Roatan, com
manding the coast, encroacbments began 70 be
made and pretensions set up TO the southwark. IL
was announced that Great Britain was satisfied that
the rights Of the "King Of Musqutia" extended
eastward " Bocs del Toro and Chirqui Lagoon, in
the New Granadian province Of veragua, and west
ward to the Rio Seripiqu, emptying into the San
Juan about forty miles back from the sea But II
was also announced that, for the present. il bad
been determined to assert the aforesaid rights only
90 the south outlet of the San Juan, taking in the
fine harbor and the town of San Juan, which, from
time immemoral had been in undisputed posses
sion Of Nicaragua.