Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-10-17
NICARAGUA.

Aquestion involving the right Of an American Com.
pany to open communication rom the Atlantic to
the Pacific, having excited some interest in this coun
try and in England, and having, as is reported,
given rise to diplomatic correspondence, we have
compiled the following account Of the matter for the
information Of our readers. The government of Nj
caragua, in Central America,x has granted 10 a
Company in the United States, the privilege Of
constructing ship canal, connecting tho waters Of
the two oceans, by way Of the river ST. Juan and
Lake Nicaragua. No distinctions are made in IA
vor Of the ships of any nation that may use the ca
nal. 1t is 10 be a highway Of commerce open to all
alike and the tolls are 10 be uniform and moderate
But as soon as the fact Of the grant became known
the British Consul, at New York, notified the Com
pany that the route lay through the Mosquito coun
try over which Great Britain had certain rights Of
sovereignty. According TO the British pretensions
the Mosquito Indians were never conquered by the
Spaniards, but have always had recognised terri
tory and been governed by their own laws. The
connection of Great Britain with Mosquito, it s said
dates from the time Of the buccaneers, when the
country was taken under British protection The
object Of the notice. is Of course, to exclude Amer
cans from the route that it may be held exclusively
in British hands
The government Of Nicaragua, on the other hand,
has never recognised any such Kingdom as Mos
quito but asserts lis right Of sovereignty over the
whole country. 1t regards the Mosquito Indians as
tribe of savages having more right to form trea-
ties with foreign power than the Florida Semi
noles. The position taken by Great Britain has ex.
cited deep interest in Nicaragua. and the authori.
ties of the country and the British Consul General,
have had an angry correspondence on the subject
The newspapers discuss the question at length and
brand the English as pirates and bandits.
The arrival Of Mr.. SaUlER, the first minister of
the United States to Nicaragua, was considered an
event of great importance. He entered the city Of
Leon amid the tumuuous reioicings of the popu-
lace On being presented 10 the President he made
an address in which he said that if foreign powers
encroach upon the territories, or invade the rights
Of any Of the American States, they inict an inju-
ry upon all, which it is the duty and determination
of all to see redressed. He Furthermore stated that
it of the objects of his mission to assist the
enterprise Of opening communication between the
two oceans. The President, in reply, said that he
entertained no doubt that they should succeed in
establishing the most intimate relations between the
two Republics and in opening the way to the most
glorious enterprise which has been reserved for the
successors of the immortal WASHINGTON.
! Early in September, Mr.. SaUisR concluded
new treaty with the Nicaraguan Minister, embracing
some provisions in relation to the canal, which is
represented as more favorable to our interests than
any heretofore contracted.
1t is hardly probable that Great Britain will in
sst upon her claim when she becomes acquainted
with the liberal terms upon which the Company,
with the concurrence of the government Of Ncara-
qua, proposes to open the canal. Should she do so,
her monopolzing disposition may lead to serious
difficulty.