New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-23
BRITISH sIDE OF THE MOSQUITO QUESTION.
Mosquitia-Its Claims 10 Sovereignty Invcs-
tiRnted-The Rights of Spain and her Col
onies before and since the Treaty Of 7S6.


San JUAN, Tuesday, March l, 1853.
To the Editor Of The NJ y. Tribune!
SIR: The recent legislative inquiry into the
diplomatic proceedings Of Mr.. Flmores Adminstra
ton relating to Central America and to that portion of it.
especially. known the Mosquito Coast Territory
may possibly stimulate in your readers a similar desire
for information in relation to its history relative impor
lance to the United States and its present position with
regard to England
| propose therefore 10 review briefly the history Of
English colonization rather settlement at different
points of the coast now claimed for the Mosquito
ton, and which was unquestionably possessed and
maintained BY them against the encroachments Of the
Spaniards when the less warke aborignes of the in
terror had been subjected to that sovereignty.
This maintenance of their integrity an independ-
cnt tribe nation owing to two fold cause Not
only were they more wsrke and formidable than the
occupants of the interior, characteristic at the pres
ent day Of the Indians Of this country but the policy
of the invaders did not dictate the same unconditional
subsection to their sway and the surrender OF their
territory thus leading to their humiliation as an inde
pendent race The spaniards at this point of the 18TH
mus as in al their settlements upon the Spanish main,
commenced their career OF conquest and colonization
In the interior prevented and fortified lie Of
approach by impeding the navigation OF rivers where
accessible and earrsoning them al important points
and interposed large tract of mountainous territory
cloth sd with virgin and impenetrabe forest between
thsx sses and the seaboard. These impedimcnts and
the remains OF forifcatons exist 10 this day Com
me rcal enterprise viii long remove the former
the latter win remain meunenoes OF the age that
sen, forth s warriors and punderers 70 prepare the
world for our missionaries and merchants.
The different tribes therefore peopLng the tract en-
braced between ChiQui Lagoon to the southwark and
Little Roman River on the north comprising extent
Of about 500 miles of seaboard remained intact from
the aerressions of the Spanish power Nay more (and
this may serve TO explain the system Of colonization
here alluded to as practsod by them in this quarter Of
their possessons.) the Boueaniers who were always
the nplacsbe foes of the spaniards often associated
these tribes with them in their expeditions against the
common enemy and they were always Hospitality re-
ceiyed and entertained by the latter in their terri
tory.
OF these races but little is known. The jealousy
which preserved them from the common fare OF their
raee in their intercourse with the Spanish invaders
extended TO other nations whose interest led them
10 Geek alliance or negotiate for settlement within their
territory.
These tribes often waged war with each other, but
the supremacy seems have been maintained by the
Mosouito nation on of their superior numbers
and discipline In all subsequent exchanges OF trea
ties snd nics with the English Crown the name OF this
tribe only appears the contracting party Tor the soo
rginal inhabitants Intercourse was opened between
the Mesquite Coast and the colony of Jamaica by the
enterprise Of some individual adventures, who vcy'
aged from time TO time from Chat island 10 the Cost
and traded with the natives for tortoise she'll sArsapA
ra and hides and projected BY tsss bartered English
commodities fer Spanish gold Trading posts were BY
them established al different points the shore and
the good understanding which was thus commenced
with this people exists to this day Repeated attempts
were made by the SpSniars 10 rupture these relations
and 10 resent wha; they viewed an invasion OF their
rights and territory Notwithstanding the TACT thai they
had never been able establish the one nor 70 suhju-
cate the other Seizures of English traders were ire
ouerily made by the Spanish erusersthelr posts and
The 6kpots of mahogany cutters in YucstSn were re
pestedy attacked and the occupants driven or to re
turn reinforced by their indian allies to dpoSsess the
invaders.
These Interruptions and sgyressiOns upon British
subjects led 70 frequent wars between spain and the
former power In their turn treaties, IN which the
rights Of England to their occupancy and the PRIV
leres enjoyed By its subjects were vAronsy asserted
according to the disposition OF the existing Adnis1
ten
Passing over without detail many events which
would prove important in more minute history we
and that in l7S6 after prolonged discussion respect
ing the claims Of England and Spain TO the Mosquito
Territory, and msay remohs:rAnees from those IN
edistely affected by the treaty was determined 70
abandon the territorial claims Of the English settlers
and 10 withdraw the prosec,orase OF that power
Lsti,be clearly UNDERWOOD, that By this treaty no
advantage was gained by Span over territory tAAt
Ass sp,.iped Itself with equal integrity against her
,r,n. The country was simply "sSssdonsS' not
de,irtrsd Ep" 1t hsd extended is assistance IS an
sv towards the subjects Of powerful sovereign and
hat power had acknowledged the benefit BY rseosni
ring its sovereignty and by receiving Il IN courtesy As
the ally of the nation The Pro'eeo-Hte under saen
circumstances wa maynsnhnous se'-the abandon.
dor,aeut while respected the claims 70 Territory aad
,.aa sarnrs:-r,x OF her fo,rneI Ally vas sc.llg