The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-18

:" Give me glass of water, Phebe !" he gasped
Dear what has happened!' asked the little
woman
Happened! why, that cussed Miss Verjuice
is paving Mr. Sccatterly's debts!"
"Wellw
well presented my promissory note--he
handed 1t to her--and--and--O murder TIE
been kissing the old sooman"
Phebe put her arms about his neck and pressed
her lips to his, and Thomas Maytower then and
there solemnly promised that he would never
more have anything to do with kisses on demand.
Important from Central America.
MORE BRITISH INTRiGUEs.
We have been placed, by reliable authority, in
possession of some highly important inteli-
gence from Central America, tending to de-
velope still more clearly the nature of the game
which the British are playing for the ascendancy
in that part of the world, and show the unscru-
pulous means to which they resort in order to
accomplish their designs.
! Our readers will remember the quarrel be-
tween Great Britain and Nicaragua, respecting
the Mosquito shore, over which Great Britain,
defying the terms of her late convention with
this country, still claims and exercises protec-
torate in virtue of an alliance with an I'M
breeched savage. 1t appears that her aggres-
sions are not to end here. She now is about to
perpetmte still greater outrage upon Hon.
duras, another of the Central American States,
by appropriating portion of territory to which
she has not even the fimsy title that she has set
up in the case of the Mosquito coast A short
time ago we had occasion to copy from Belize
paper, statement to the effect that British go
vernon was soon to be sent to the island Of
Ruatan, and colonial form of government es-
tablished there. We learn that this declaration
of intention has been followed by an actual &C.
cupation. About the middle of last month
our latest dates from Russia are to February
20-the schooner Bermuda, Lieut. Jolly COM
handing, arrived at the island with letter from
Sir Charles Gray, governor of jamaica stating
that if the inhabitants would bind themselves to
pay annually to the British government one
shilling per acre for the lands belonging to
Ruatan, Bonaca, and their dependencies, the said
government would grant colonial establish
ment, and would remit all droits and other reye-
nues arising to the crown.
So far these proceedings, although in total
disregard of the rights of Honduras, which State
has, ever since the war of Independence, been the
Legitimate owner of the islands, appear to con-
form to the wishes of the inhabitants themselves
Yet, the manner in which this seeming consent
was obtained, is but another evidence of the de-
signing arts which have been put in requisition
by the English, in order to procure foothoId
in Central America
The fact is, that up to 1886, every person go
ing to reside on these islands was compelled to
obtain written permit from the government of
Honduras. Till then, the title of that State was
undisputed. A short time afterwards in 1910,
we believe, British vessel of war anchored at
Runtan, sent detachment on shore which tore
down the flag of Honduras, trampled it in the
dust, and in its stead raised that of Great Britain
Beyond this no decisive steps have been taken
until lately. In the mean time, however, a num-
Der OF English persons took up their residence
on the island, and large number of liberated
blacks from the Caymans were introduced. The
Englishmen, headed by Mr. Ewens Edwin,
were for series of years in the habit of laying
a duty of per cent. on all vessels arriving at
the port. Very recently the people ofthe island,
or those of them who were not under British in
Nnence, have been living under republican form
OF government, instituted by themselves. About
TWO months since the English party, consisting
principally of liberated negroes and Englshmen,
held a meeting, at which some fifty persons were
present, and determined to send to the governor
of Jamaica petition, or memorial, purportng to
reflect the sentiments and desires of the inhabi-
tants. The memorial requested Sir Charles to
decide whether the English government would
hereafter consider Ruatan rs British COLONY
or would view its residents as British subjects
residing within foreign jurisdiction. The mis-
sion of the Bermuda, referred to above, was in
| answer to this memorial. In order to obtain
names to the paper the most extraordinary eff
forts were made, and for the purpose of swell
| ing the list, the names of the children Mt the
! school of the Wesleyan Mission were added.
| This is plain statement of facts, and we leave
/ tn m 10 tbairo Tha
English have now seized on every island along
the Central American coast from Yucatan to
| Panama; and when it is remembered that in
distance Of 800 miles, these islands, during the
prevalence of the northers, furnish the only safe
anchorage to be found, the importance of the
| movement will be the more manifest
In addition to the above, we have received
some intelligence from the main land We
learn that hostties had actually broken out be-
tween the States of San Salvador and Guate-
mala, and that military operations were con-
Quoted with some vigor. The forces of San
Salvador, after receiving reinforcements, nd
vanced into the territory of Guatemala, and cap
! tured the city of Chuquimula. Guatemala,
| alarmed at this invasion of her territory, was
making great efforts to raise troops in order to
| repel the enemy. 1t is thought that she would
receive assistance from Great Britain. We have
of Guatemala, calling on that power for aid.
We have also stated that the liberals of some
of the departments Disguised with the subser-
viency Of the government to British domination,
had pronounced" in favor of union with the
other States. All that we have learned in rela-
ton to this movement, is that the insurgents had
defeated Carrera at San Geronimo ; but the next
day the general returned and reganed possess
sion of the town, killing about 800 of his adver-
sares.
FROM RIO JANErRo-A commercial circular
from Rio Janciro, dated January 81, says that
notice has been given by the police department
OF the city that vessels entering the port will be
required to present TO the police agent boarding
them an exact list containing the names, nation
atty, and professions of any passengers thew
may bring. The difficulties between the gov
eminent and Buenos Ayres remained unadiusted.
The dry goods dealers Of Rio Janero had en-
tered into an agreement to buy no goods at less
: th,.x