Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-27
A NEW GOVERNMENTS IN CENTRAL
AMERICA.

1t has been known for some time that an
American Company was being formed for the
purpose of making settlement on the Isthmus
of Nicaragua, and establishing new indepen-
dent government there. This company claims
large extent of country on the Atlantic side
Of the Isthmus, under grant from King of
the Mosquito Indians portion of which is
also claimed by the States of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica. On hearing Of the movement
we have mentioned, the Minister Of Costa Rica
sent the following letter Of warning and of
protest to the Secretary of State.
LEGATION OF COSTA RIGA.
WASHINGTON, December l3, 1854.
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary Of Costa Rica, has
the honor to represent to the Hon. MILkIAM
L. MARCY, Secretary Of State of the United
States, that the undersigned's attention has
been recently called, by the intelligence pub
lished in the newspapers OF this country, OF an
expedition having been arranged and organ
lied among American citizens for the purpose
of colonizing certain lands in Central America
under an alleged title granted by a Mosquito
King.
Among other journals the "Union" Of this
city, 1.-THE reputed organ of the Administration
in its issue of the 9th instant speaks of the ex-
petition in question as q fixed fact" inform
ing its readers that Col. KINNEY, of Texas,
will be the conductor or leader of the first par
ty Of colonists; that the tract about to be colo
nized embraces an area OF thirty millions OF
acres. extending several hundred miles on the
coast; and that the enterprise is entirely paci-
&c in all it's arrangements and purposes. Be
this as It may, since no description is given Of
the tract of land to be colonized, and the views
of the spectators may extend TO Costa Rica,
the undersigned has a solemn duty to perform,
by declaring, as he now does declare, in the
name Of the Government Of Costa Rica that
this Republic has never recognized or is dis
posed to recognize any title or grant made by
the Kings or Chiefs of the Mosquito Indians,
and purporting to be located within the we'll
known limits of Costa Rica, which are from
"Escudo de Veragua' TO the fort of San Juan,
on the Atlantic; and thence, following the
course of the said river to the Lake Of Mica
ragua, &c.
The undersigned declares likewise that his
government viii moi allow any colonist or
party Of colonists from whatever country they
may proceed, to occupy, locate, or take posses
sion of lands belonging TO Costa Rica, for the
purposes of agriculture, mining. or any other,
unless he or they shall have previously applied
TO the government Of Costa Rica and duly OBJ
tanned permission and legal title to that
effect.
1t will not be inappropriate to add, that the
laws of Costa RIGA are extremely liberal on the
subject and afford great facilities 10 immi-
grants who should like to go and FIX their resi-
dences there. y
But, so far as regards the "Mosquito Coloni-
cation and Mining Company" on whose ac-
count Il is understood that the alleged expedi-
ton has been prepared, the undersigned begs
TO inform the government Of the United States
that said association has acquired no title what
ever from the government Of Costa RIGA, and
that any attempt on the part of it TO invade the
territory of Costa RIGA shall be opposed by all
the means that the undersigned's government
may command.
Mr.. Molina has the honor 10 renew to Mr..
Marcy the assurance of his very high conside-
ration, and remains his most obedient humble
servant, +. MOLlNA.
Hon. WILLIAM L. MARCY,
Secretary Of State of the U. s.,
Washington.