The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-12
May 18th, 1850.

PETITION or CITIZENS THE UNITED STATES.
To the Honorable the Senate aud House of RpYe-
SIGNATURES of the Unifed States
We, the Undersigned, citizens Of the United
States, eu route for California, would respectfully
represent that we regard IL OF the utmost importance
that the various lines OF communication between
the eastern and western shores Of the United Sates
across the central parts OF the continent should be
unobstfucted and free and that, therefore, IL any
mpedmt mt 10 such free transit should at any time
arse, IL is the duty of the Amerc government TO
take coCuIzance thereof, and effect its removal.
hat II ~ the policy, and has been the desire, of
the governments Of all the American republics to
facilitate transit, whenever il may be effected,
have abundant proof; and the government of the
United States has exerted itself to secure perma-
nenly tor Its citizens, by ire atty stipulat0ns, the
advantages of this liberal disposition.
By treaty with New Granada all American citi-
tns and thsir personal effects, are allowed To pass
freely across the lsihmus II Panama; and by treaty
with the republic Of Nicaragua, not only is the
same right secured, and all property and merchan-
dIse passing in frdnsifu exempt from charge, but
also all American vessels may enter any of the har
bofs OF the republic, either ocean, free OF port
other duties Under knowledge Of these facts,
and rely ing upon the faith Of treaties and the sup
port OF our government, we, the undersigned,
ected the route across this isthmus, via. the port
and river Of San Juan and Lake Nicaragua, To
California; a choice which we have reason to
regret, except m so far will now be mentioned.
Upon aniying az the port Of san Juan de Nicara-
qua, we found IL occupied by the officers and forces
Of Great Britain. An English vessel Of war was an
choied IN the harbor, and Engli.h officers were adj
minis ring all the affairs Of the port; and above all
was Tying the English flsg Here, although IL is
notori0us fact that this pol has from time lnmemo-
nal belonged to spain, and subsequently TO Nicara-
gna, We were compelled to pay TO the said English
officers, an anchorage duty II 80 cents perton upon
our vessel, and duty Of tive per cent upon eff
iecis, including our provisions, medicines, &c,
NC An exaclion unexpected, and from which, by
our treaty with Nicaragua, we should have been
exempt. And so far from being facilitated in our
transit by the English officers aforesaid. we met
every kind Of obstruction and hindrance at their
hands.
We are not unacquainted with the fact, that
this port was seized by British force early in 1SiS,
under The pretence that IL belonged to an Indian
called king of The Mosquitoes" protected by
Great Britain, and that IL is now held under the
terms al a military armistIce with Nicaragua
But we would represent that so Ear as we could
ascertain, not a single Mosquito Indian lives,
or ever did live here and Il is notorious that the
suHosniious King OF the Mosquitoes, exercises no
mUfc authority here than the city Of Philadelphia
The sole legislative, administrative, and executive
powers, are exercised by gentleman styling him
self British Consul, insisted by some English
subordinstes, and such English officers of higher
or lower rank, as may at any time visit the port
snd we have good reason to believe that IL Is the
De sign ~ the British government TO establish Br-
ush authority permanently at this important point
mountaineering It's pretended relation with the /
pretended Mosquito hing, and 10 spite Of the stipu-
hu,bs Of the etmistce above mentioned The /
BRUSH Consul u now dispensing OF lands under his /
Official seal; Bniifh engineers and officers are sur
Vey ING the barhor and adjacent shores with the
uIdsguised object of establishing Notifications,
shd materials for these and other permanent struc-
lnfes sie how being brought from Jamaica; facts
wmcb .fs ctrally disprove any professions which
NE British cabinet may make to the contrary.
We would alse present that by the arnistice
v nh Nictfspua y certain tariff was fixed, TO con-
hue during said armisticc, bat that, although
he simisiiee Is still in force, new tariff has