The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-08
The Mosquito Question.

the Lonuon Gun OF the 4th september;
these reflect in some measure the feelings
and views Of the government. The Post
spices its initiatory leader with sufficient
quantity of abuse of this country to make
it racy and punsent to British palates
This the American reader can afford to put
up with, as it's style of argument which
damages the cause of no one but the par
ty who uses it. As the subject will, no
doubt, occupy chapter in the diplomatic
history of the United States, it is well to
know what the opposition is after.
NICARAGUA AND THE MOSQUITO TER
RTORY.
There is no doubt # the Unsuitable craving and
intolerance of democratic ambition. There can be
reason then for surprise, should the United States
her appetite whetted by the spoil of Mexico and the
golden prize OF California, desire to in store
the Mosquito territory and to reject, by an arbi-
trary mandate, all notion of British protection II
is not, however, the ridh vegetation and prolific re-
sources of the eastern ,hores of the central Amer-
can isthmus, or the premise which these offer to the
perseverance of the Industrious emigrant which
tempt her cupidty; recent annexations have al
ready added to the Union vast domains Of no infe-
rior fertility which it may require centuries to peo
pie.
far grander purpose seems to be stirring up re-
publican bile. To monopolize the commerce of the
Pacific, to become the supreme arbiter of the des-
TIMES OF nations, and people occupying the coasts
bathed by the widespread waters of that extensive
ocean-these are imperial conceptions, and a bold
though INSCRIPTIONS venture to obtain their rea-
zation is more consistent with the character of the
present American Executive than that of
peddiing intrigue which stamped with infamy all
concerned in the Texan affair.
We have before us il this question matter Of
speculation which TO argue, but broad material
interest and plain righ TO sustain. The United
States have now obtained permanent footing and
practically present dominion the Isthmus of
Panama. Once the contemplated railway COM
peted, the only accessible transit passage for
heavy merchandise, from the Atlantic to the Pa
cine, VIII be under their sole control On this fact
have been based their calculations. As long a no
intermediate route shall exist, the facilities which
will be afforded for traffic Panama, between
Europe and the Pacific, China, India, the Eastern
Archipelago, Australia and New Zealand promise
to make this the great channel Of mercantile inter-
course. The power of regulating the terms of that
intercourse, the toll transit dues to be charged,
have become the right of company of United
States citizens. Already have the Government
proposed preferential tolls and fares in fauor Of Aneri-
can trade. They likewise claim, and will doubt
exercise, the right OF transport across Panama for
United States troops, and Government stores and
munitions OF war These secret matters
they were openly mooted at the last meeting Of
Congress, and were no doubt duly represented to
the foreign office by minister at Washington,
or he signally failed in his duty. We know not
whether Lord Palmerston demonstrated. The 18TH
mus of Panama forms yet nominaly part of the
independent State of New Granada. The course
proposed TO be pursued by the United States was
instructive, and the remedy lay pretty nearly in
our own hands. The means of forming an inter-
mediate route, either for land carriage or shipping
through the Mosquito territory and Nicaragua or
Costa Ricn, offered safeguard against undue
croachments or injury TO British interests.
This subject merits from the prominence il is
likely to attain, to be well understood. With this
assurance we shall need no apology for here refer
ring readers TO the interesting and valuable in
formation which appeared upon IT in our city arti-
Gle of Saturday.
As regards the question of international right, the
| claim made by Nicaragua TO the mouth Of the St.
John-nay, we believe, to the whole Mosquito ter
| ritory, and TO our colony Of Belize besdes-is un-
usually prePosterous. The pretensions of Nicara-
qua, incredible as it may seem, founded simply
on this that she is revolted colony of Spain, and
| that, inasmuch as Spain claimed the Mosquito ter
ritory, and it adjoins Nicaragua, the latter has =
| right to II in the character Of an Inheritance.
This illusory fabric, however, will quickly dis
appear before simple historical stat sment Of the
facts, which are briefly these Spain never subju-
gated the Mosquito Indians, and never was able TO
establish permanent footing on any portion OF the
coast extending from Cape Honduras TO the Chirl-
! qui Lagoon; but, on the contrary, perpetual war
| fare and deadly hatred existed between the Span
iards and these Indians. Moreover, at the time
| when the ancient kingdom Of Guatemala, OF which
Nicaragua formed part threw off the yoke Of Spain,
no portion of the coast was in the occupation of even
| a temporary force. And had there been, as there
neither was ever has been, on that coast either
a Spanish settlement native population which
has been subjected ~ Spanish rule, no revolt
from Spain could give any rights to Nicaragua,
| who can only lay claim 10 such territory as may
have been possessed or occupied by her inhabitants
| when Spanish rule ceased over that portion OF the
| American isthmus
The position Of Great Britain in the matter is
very simple The origin of her connexion with
Mosquito dates from the alliances OF the buccaneers
with the Mosquito Indians, whom they supplied
with firearms and assisted in their warfare against
Spain. This was succeeded by frequent profcrs OF
surrendering the whole country and placing II un-
der the dominion OF the Sovereign OF England,
made by the king and chief OF those Indians.
These prohcrs were refused, but the country was
taken under our protection, and the kings Of Mos
quito have ever claimed TO hold under allegiance 70
England The Mosquito territory became IN this
fashion xed as kind OF dependencyo OF jamaica
the King Of Mosquito, on each new reign having
habitually gone through the ceremony oil solemn
coronation either at Jamaica or Belize
When, some years since, the Nicaraguans took
possession Of the port Of San Juan, now Grey Town
Mr. Chatfield, our consul genera at ruateinhis
was instructed te demonstrate; and Lord Aberdeen
subsequently sent n consul general to Mosquito u
watch over British interests in that quarter; and
finally, in lS47 the encroachincnts OF Nicaragua
and Honduras to the north increasing WIN impu
MY IDrd fdlnerslon looh VIZ NY 77o' ''0P' "
prevent a recurrence Of their sggressions.
What then, we would ask, is the claim of Spain
which Nicaragua pretends TO inherit, and on behal
of which the Tinted States, it is sad about Il
intcrpose1 The Pope, by a. bull in the sisteenti
century, gave TO the exclusive dominion OF span
, the whole Of the lands and adjacent territorie,
which her navigators might discover We wisl
the United states 10y Of the title they will have
to sustain; but il l. we'll they should consider tina
ifit be sound one, then their tenure Of Caliiorma
under Mexican title, wants the de jre right, while
il has the same de faeto existence with that of Grea
Britain at Mosquito; and that in like manner ~
, they would know how 10 sustsin the goodness o
their title against all claimants this country rqui
fequal 10 maintain her own against all corners