Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-07-20
CENTRAL AMERICA-THE RIVER COCO-AND
THE MOSQUITO INDIANS
TO the Editors Of the National Lafeligencer.

To the Editors Of the National hafeligencer.
WAsHISsroS, JULr ls, 1850.
Shortly before leaving Central America l had
placed in my hands, by my friend Col. DIAz of
the Nicaragua army and Prefect of the Depart
of New Segovia. paper relating to the important
river of Coco, sometimes known as Wanks, or
Segovia) and the country bordering it, as also con-
veying some facts concerning the Indians dwelling
at It's mouth, constituting part of the Moscos or
Mosquitoes, of which we have lately heard SO much.
As Central America is now attracting large share
Of public attention, and as the paper in question
conveys good many facts of interest, | have taken
the trouble to make hurried translation, which is
appended, and which is at your disposal. The
rive Coco, may mention, has its mouth at the
Cape Gracias Dios; it is some three hundred
miles in length, being the largest stream in Central
America, and takes its rise in the Department of
Segovia, in Nicaragua, Department unsurpassed
for the salubrity of its climate, its agricultural re-
sources, and its mineral wealth. Here are found
all the productions Of the temperate zone, almost
side by side with those of the tropics, circumstance
which, in conjunction with other advantages, will
give this section high value as the country is
opened to American enterprise. -
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. GEO. sQUIER
~ Me FeJect " TIC DepuTlWeHty y Neo SeS0ptd
H.. ..a #@ OcoTAL, APRIL 25, 1850.
SIR As you have desired receive from me an exact ac
count Of the observations which made in my voyage down
the river Coco to its mouth, Cape Gaciss Dos ls42,
have the honor to submit the following: a.
In making my journey in the year here cted did not fail
TO discover that the river, high traffic is proposed be
carried is amply navgabe, and that there few obsta
cles from the point called Coco that called in the Mosco
(Mosquo dialect Paia Just above the latter point there
falls into it large aud beautiful river named Bocay the
mouth Of which that of the large ver Panasma
the right hand descending There other medium sized
tributaries, among which is the Poteea rising the left side
of the mountains surrounding the great valley Of Jaapa,
point called Macara 1t is rough for navigation There
also the river Goa, which flows from the south along the
base of high aud steep mountains 1t abounds in fish, and
the forest is rich in honey also in valuable woods the
supply of which could be exhausted in many years.
pass to describe the rapids, which the
place called Paa They are, Guaigyitan, which has
strong current and broken channel between the
rocks, but which may be passed without the least danger
Uacuz, which is similar but also without DANGER aboundng
In water derived from the great river Uacu which falls from
the right from fearful (Erpaosa mountains, in my opin
ion extending to the southeast Guascr has its RAPIDS
which, though somewhat abrupt without risk in the pas
sage Quioroz is similar although there fall before
~
canal, that the navigation of the river uninterrupted
iuruquan is rapid narrows, which is only dangerous
for the transportation of CATTLE of great rock in
the middle Of stream, upon which, if the
dexterous, the RATS But accidents rare
inasmuch the accustomed this kind Of navi
CATION from their youth. Sugnqutan is another unimpor-
tant rapid AT Cranfara the current srong but the pas
sage entirely practicable is also the Pisauta
The rapids OF Caras, at first sight, terfes the voyage with
its rushng oamng, and tempestuous waters yet does
prevent his passage, for has also here provided
vellousy for overcoming tie difficulty, and made side canal
before arriving the dangerous point by of which the
boats be passed by the in hour with entire
safety 1sas and Qupisps the final rapids and un-
important.
These the sole distractions the navigation of the
from the point of embakaon to the sea- Cape Ga-
cas Dios At present the descent occupies about days.
Two days taken up descending the rapids here de-
crbe and four in ascending hem 1t will be observed that
only about fifth part of the river is in any way obstructed.
The delay in the voyage is chiefly occasoned by unloading
and reloadng at of the points above mentioned From
the last named rapids the Cape there scarcely any
rent and is necessary the This the
try through which the river passes is very beautiful being
composed of open plains covered with grass and scattered
trees 1t section well adapted raising black cattle and
few years, could attain to prosperity and riches upon its viz
gin SOIL in cuvatng its valuable native fruits and
consequence of its proximity to the Cape and the great
Antilles aordng easy Of expectation and market
Mules and horses may here be raised in the greatest abu
dance and proftaby shipped to Cuba, jamaica and other
points where most valued.
1t is lamentable to find beautiful coast with other
population except few worthless Mosco (Mosquitosl un
able, from want of education, untitled by disposition
attain any improvement in the future will endeavor to
give idea Of their savage situation and customs Most
of them subsst by hunting and fishing, and very few by
rude and petty agriculture, planting in little patches the
borders of the river small quantities of panans yucas,
sweet and cotton the last Of which rudely spun and
by the in the form of Blankets sails for their
canoes, strings for their bows and netting for eatherwo.
Some of their eather-work is quite beautiful They make
kind Of cloth of the bark Of called un which
for dress and for covering night They celebrate the anni
versaries of the death of their parents friends with
dolefu and unharmonious songs and waings, which
enough to put the timd traveller flight This mourning
amentaon is chiefly performed by The women, under tent
Of uni bark Some perform the ceremony walking back
wards and forwards for the distance of about hundred
yards in the following manner They advance four or five