Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-04-07
VOL. XLvII, no. 20. WHOLE NO. 1926

Mosquito monarchy. as their security for the
present against Nicaraguan encroachment until
some arrangement is made by the great powers,
OF they are strong enough to protect themselves
wish to speak with some reserve upon this
SUBJECT But must say that this new Govern
ment though found upon popular principle,
and one with which we in the United States
must have all our sympa,hes enlisted, does not
seem to be carrying on It's affairs very wisely
According to information lately received from
there, they have committed an act of great vio-
lence by going over the river and pulling down
the establishments Of the Transit COMPANY. al
though II Is probable they have had causes of
discomfort have also received information of
some transactions towards certain French settlers
established at San Juan, which if truly represen-
ted to me, will involve the new municipal author
tiles in very heavy expense with the French
Empire. But as have before said there may
be unfounded reports and should not like tc
pronounce too decided opinion upon er pqrte
information trust that as the new Govern
ment IS organized upon popular principles it
will by wise administration be credit 10 such
an origin.
This was the State of things when came to
the Department OF State, in November last
Causes beyond my control prevented my taking
mp the negotiations in reference to Central Amer
/ ia nv Nihl tliits III II lew WttkS we received
information that change of ministry had taken
place in England, and new government had
been formed there, with Lord Aberdeen at its
head In two or three weeks | received from
the British Minister here n communication 90
ing to show that one of the first acts of the new
government was an attempt to settle some 2rac-
teal terms of final adjustment Of these difficult
ties in Central America / must confess that
this produced an agreeable impression upon my
mind. Ii reminded me Of state Of things some
twelve years since, when found myself IN Lon
don, as the representative of this Government
You will recoect that at that time the intermin.
able controversy ABOUT our northeastern bounda-
ry the difficulty arising from the burning of the
Caroline, and the arrest of Mcleod, and the seiz-
ure and detention Of American vessels upon the
coast of Africa, had been discussed-some for
half century-wth no other effect than to fix
each party deeper IN the conviction that it had
all the right upon its own side. These difficult
ties had brought these two great powers to the
verge OF collision at least, such appeared To me
at the time TO be the condition Of affairs Late
one night in December, as was meditating up
on these matters. and not in the most hopeful
frame Of mind, feeling pretty heavy sense Of
responsibility as to my own position, sent there
! with full discretion 70 discuss all these questions
without word Of instruction from my own Gov
eminent received note from Lord Aberdeen,
appointing an interview for the next dav, the OBJ
Ject OF which turned ont TO be to inform the that
the Queens Government. then lately Just enter
ed into power under Sir Robert Peel had come
to the conclusion to make new, and as they
hoped, a successful attempt to settle ali these
difficulties and that with this object in view,
they had determined TO send special Minister to
thel United States, and had selected for that pur-
pose Lord AshburtoD, upon tine express ground
: that tlouul Hrtto, br
could DO nothing deiogatory to the interest and
honor OF has Government, still he was the midi
vldual m all England In position to undertake
such mission, who would carry to the United
States the kindest feeling and the most friendly
personal and domestic associations with that
, country. ] confess that this communication,
made in this kindly spirit and for THIS nclliato-
; ~ object, did as 1t were lift somewhat heavy
, load from my mind. thought | saw in the dis
lance prospect and ground for a hope for the
adjustment of these harassing aud dangerous
questions prospect that was happily realized
IN the course Of the next summer, by the conclu-
sion of the treaty of Washington of the 9TH of
August 1912.
| feel that It is rather comparing small things
with great, but must say that it was with a
somewhat similar feeling of satisfaction that
found that the first step Of Lord A5erdeen's Gov
ornment upon coming into power, was for the
settlement Of this, not so formidable, still by 70
means inoonsiderabe, difficulty in Contra, A.
merlca. The purport of the communication
which received from the British Minister here,
by direction of Lord John Russell, the new Min.
lister of Foreign Affairs, was that the Government
of Her Britannia Majesty were agreed to almost
anything; they were willing to acknowledge
in fact had Acknowledged independent
= Government which had been set up in San Juan,
and with respect to the Mosquito Protectorate,
they desired nothing more than to entirely dis
embarrass themselves from il. so far as they
could in honor and with credit. and without an
entire sacrifice of the duties which they owed
to those broken down remnants of Indian tribes,
which, for 200 years. had, to a certain extent
| been under their tutelage. They wished only
t to get out of their position there with credit
} They were willing to go there with the Uni ed
States and treat with the municipal authorities
of San Juan, conceding to them the effective
government of the country. They were willing
) they should continue TO govern IT. American cit
liens though they WERE They might continue
, to groan under the name of the Mosquito King,
g or they might be themselves the exclusive SOW
c erelgns of the country, extending only TO those
o broken-down remnants of the native race just so
q much protection and aid as would prevent them
Y from starving or being destroyed England in
/ yited us TO Join her IN treating with these munic
d ipai authorities, and when arrangements were
\ concluded then TO Join with her, not in guaran-
], teeng the independence OF this country, but in
extending such cOuntenance 10 II as would Sc
secure these poor remnants Of the native Indians
from perlshing from the face Of the earth. own
thought this a very important and hopeful com
[ municatlon. | thought il held out a prospect
that something practical might at length be
done. | accordingly made the suggestion to the
y President which was referred by hlm 10 Con-
. gress, and which ! am happy 10 say, was sane
D toned by the two houses; that on one side, in
5 order to carry this arrangement into effect, We
) should put our diplomatic intercourse with the
+ Central American States upoIrsuch a footing as
y best TO secure the object IN view. | will say,
: however, that did think, and do still thiuk,
r that instead of recognizing the permanent lnde-
r pendence Of this new municipal organizauon-
this free City of San Juan-ior It appears 10 be
e of the nature of one Of the Hanse-towns OF Ger
J, many,-the better way would be, considering the
e antecedents of the question, and the history OF
2 the whole affair, 70 renew TO Nicaragua the pro-
!. positions which in conjunction with England We
: made TO her last spring, and give up San Juan
: 10 her and allow her TO establish her sovereign
e " over that city, am sensible that there will
h be an inconvenience in this. If things go ON IN
o the present course, this town will be an Ameri-