The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-10
I1TDRHsTINo LnTxHRs.
Our Nicaragua Correspondenc.

Our Nicaragua Correspondence.
GRANADA DE NICARAGUA, June 4, 1851.
Ihe Common Feeling against Americans-Ignorant
CONDITION OF the Peoph-Inprisonme of Ame-
ricans a~d attendant Crcum stances The Murder
of Mr.. Mayward-Wam of an american Consul
The Canaf Conpany-Casuaity and Loss OF
AJe, &C., &c.
There is always heartfelt joy among the Ameri-
'cans here on the arrival of the Herald and it is ad
land re- read till the reading matter is nearly oble-
rated Before arriving in this country, in November
last, was led to believe the people were most hos
pitable and well disposed towards Americans; but I
soon learned to the contrary. even supposed they
were partially enlightened, and knew omethng OF
the arts and sciences, but | equally disap.
pointed; for since the times of the old Spaniards,
they have been retrograding as fast a mixture of
Spanish, Indian and negro blood can impel them.
Living in a country which nature has lavishy sup
piled with all the necessares Of life, and fruits of
the choicest and richest Notwithstanding in min 3
rails and useful metals precious woods, and various
kinds of medicinal produetions- with soil second
to none for its richness and climate squaling that
of sunny Italy," they have been and still are, go
ing rapidly to decay. A stranger on entering tho
country, is Immediately struck with the picture of
ruin on every hand. Old haciendas, or plantations
overgrown with weeds and trees churches dis man
tied, with perhaps a miserable mud howell stuck in
one corner, that has not been included in the gone
raj ruin, and the roads unworked, and even the
streets, in of the principal towns torn by the
.devastations Of war and the elements The city Of
Leon, the very heart and centre Of Nicaraguan Ie-
Gnement and civilization, is the focus of destruction
and slothfulness Here are congregated the Presi-
dent and the g0vernment-the army, whose bayo-
nets support it, with the bishop and the higher
functionaries of the church. Here the artist ),racy
dwell, and here is what may be called the Paris and
London of Nicaragua.
Before the entrance of the Americans into the
country, the only money current amongst them was
Spanish and South American coin cut into pieces
OF from three to twenty-five per cent in value with
few gold pieces from the mint in Costa Rca which,
at present, are refused by everybody. Trade was
carried On by system Of barter which is still con-
sinued TO great extent.
Arts ana sciences they have none. Even the
most common articles of use are of the toughest aud
s1nesteprimitive kind. The plough consists Of crook
. ed stick pointed with iron.
Although they are SO many centuries behind the
rest of mankind-although they have no commerce,
no manufactures, no treasury, ne system of war;
even of defence-though they have no healthy code
OF laws, nor any Of the attendant benefits arising
from such system, but are left subject to internal
connections and attacks from without; still they
view with jealous eye the introduction of Ameri-
cans amongst them. The very people who will, if
favored ut ALL snatch them from oblivion and give
them q rank among the nations of the earth,
disked. 1t is almost impossible to acco INT for this
transition of friendship which MIR. Squier has said
so much about, to feeling of almost hatred. They
certainly have never received cause from the Anne
ricans and foreigners Gas they all classed under
the head of "Amercans'O. The cause must lie
with the dissemnators of opinion the ruling power
OF the few in authority, combined with the priests
who constantly filing their ears with tales of
lgion and, as they believe all heretics will be
eternay lost to heaven, think we are no better than
80 many brutes, who have no feeling and are the
rejected of God A Yankee and Protestant are
Synonymous, and as such should receive no respect
or sympathy from them. There are, 1t is true, some
bright and redeeming characters to be met with, but
they are isolated, and their influence is small COM
pared to the mass
1t is re ally dangerous for American to walk
the streets at night unltss he go armed, and even
their insults extend to broad daylight. friend Of
mine was met in the street few days since by
native, who hourished nachde about his head
a large knife which the working class always
carry with them. According to the penal code,
published in English, the carrying. of side
arms less than three feet in length is prohi-
bted, yet the natives always carry knives aud
ndchdeS with impunty. Several instances
have occurred where Americans have had their
arms taken fIcm them, and lines OF $40 each
imposed upon them In February last, Two men,
Messrs. Colby and Robinson, were thrust into pri
amongst felons and thieves Of the worst class
for disturbance that took place the lake shore
They were fined so each, and their pistols taken
from them; still they kept in durlnce vile
without the shadow OF trial, or even hearing,
until the subject aroused the Americans, who sent
q petition to the Judge of the First Instance,
that they should he liberated. The petition, most
respectful in form and speech, was signed by
seventy eight men. Ii was rejected, on background
that it was not written in Spanish; secondly,
petition be received unless In political cases. and
signed by only five persons; but the Judge would
inform the Americans Of Granada, tina; they could
not assemble in meetings, as he had heard that they
had threatened taking the men out Of the prison.
.'They may Kill two or three OF us-perbaI's half Of
the town, but they can never leave the country
alive" such was the language Of the grave judge,
who, the second day folio wing this bombastic
threat, released the two men without hearing.
few evenings since, a Do:tor +. sitting
the steps Of his boarding house, conversing with
friend, when native drew a knife on him; but he
luckily lodged the blow, and the fellow made his
escape in the dark. There not the least sign
ofproyocation, as the man was perfectly unknown
to him. The same gentleman amputate poor
mans ann which was nearly cut eff by blow from
n machdc during fight, and attended him about
six weeks, till no completely recovered, when the
authorities of the town sent for him and demanded
TO know II he had license to practice me dcino in
the country, informing him he had made himself
liable to a fine OF S25. He Informed them he old
not intend making any charge, but attended the
man for the sake Of suffering humanity, Knowing
beforehand that he would never receive one cent
for bis services; when taey expressed themselves
greatly obliged to him, thanked him in the name
of the state, and bowed him out of the room.
The treatment towards Americans does not SOP
at insults, but extends to robbery and murder.
\ on have heard Of the death Of MIR, Maynard, who
was personally known to me, and the attack upon
has companions, one of whom they lcft for dead in
the road noticed n communication in the HTala,
over the signature of Mr.. Squier, thinking that
such cannot be the case that there must certainly
be some mistake in the matter. We cinnot call
this peculiar feeling Of that gentlem IN towards
these people by any other name than gratuitous
and undescring charity. There are two gentle
men ut present in the same hotel that ! am who
were knocked from their horses at different times
and one OF them robbed Of all his money. Although
The murdertrs of Mr.. Maynard have been arrested,
aud their guilt proved, nothing has been done with
them, although we were iniOrnod taey were t.
have been shot, long since, in Leon Besides these
instances Of intrigue and murder comm tted upon
the lives and property of American citizens, Others
could be adduced, II ne 'cssary but have already
EXTENDED this TO great length.
There are but ie sAmercans a. present in the coun-
try, and they all look to each other for protection
still, we are left alone, without person to repre-
sent US, not even consul II we are insulted
robbed, or imprisoned for fancicd grievance, we