The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-30
HOW tAs DratlsA Acquired Ruaean-
TO TEE HDH0B or THH NEW YORK HuRALn

How TIE Dr1tasA Acquired Rusesn.
TO TEE HDroR or rHs NEW YoRx HmALn
NN sLAsD or RuArAx, July l6, 1854
Is~asoS originally : Dependency Of Heudsras- -Rs
Ssisnr by the Brush Ssbseq~eM Sxsse Of Ar
fairs &hcrs.
have observed several articles in the HssAGp
during the month Of May, relative TO the State a
Honduras. Central America, and the violattoa q
the Clayton and Bulwer treaty by the colonz ssio0
Of the Bay Islands (Ruatan) and Its dependencies.
now farnish you with few facts.
For years previous to 1889, the State Of Honduras
had actual possession Of the Island Of Ruatan and
dependencies, and garrison was stationed ct Per<
Royal, one Of the best harbors on the island. Dsa
Juan Bta- Loustelet, holding a commission from tie
State Of Honduras, was the commsndsnt there.
with q sergeant's guard and lot Of c1nvicts Bd-
tish subjects wishing to become settlers On tho
islands had to apply to the government ct Truxills
State OF Honduras, for permission which was i'm.
mediately accorded.
In the year 1s48 party Of emigrants from the
Grand Caymans, about fifty in number, went there
to settle. The commandment requested them to Ap-
ply TO the government Of Honduras first FOR permis-
sion which portion refused to do, but Immediately
applied to the superintendent Of Belize, Colond
Macdonald, who, few months after, arrived in .
sloop of.war, called at Port Royal, took down the
Central American fag and hoisted the English flag.
The commandant took down the English and sens
up the Central American flag again; but Colonel
Macdonald, being on board and seeing the act. inn
mediately sent Shore and again hoisted the Eng
lsh flag, took the commandant, guard and convicts
on board the sloop ard carried them over -
the State OF Honduras forbidding them to return.
The population increased as the emigcans.
consisting principally OF emancipRted negroes,
orrived from the Grand Caymans. After tine,
Colonel Macdonald was recalled and Colonel
Faucourt was appointed his successor, whs
assumed more cautions .S , line Of policy.
twelve representatives to form . Legislative as
stmbly for the enactments of laws, &C.. sub
ject to his veto. He nominated I've magistrates:
with their conduct, and elected others. The super
intendant declared this was an encroachment q
the prerogatve Of the Crown, and, unless they sub
mitted to his nominees, he should Withdrew ass
him that, he being non resident, and unacquAint-
ed with individuals, he cught to allow them tho
privilege Of electing municipal authorities. The
Inhabitants were then divided into two parties
one who was DESTROYS Of being taken under
her Msjesty's protection, drew up . petition.
soliciting the appointment of sipendiary ma
gistrate,. pledgiDg their sacred honor. to raise
contingent expenses. It lay for signature at the
house Of Methodist schoolmaster, and, for want q
sufficient signatures, be made his pupils-young
memorial was handed to her Majesty's suparin-
tendent at Belize, to be forwarded to the British
Secretary Of State for the Colonies proof Of the
loyalty and devotion of her Maestys subjects settled
Things remained at q stand until the arrival M q
new superintendent at Belize-P. +. W0dehouse.
Esq-who paid his first visit to the island IN 1861,
informed them that the petition, with the little
boys signatures bad be- most gracously received.
He then pointed out to them the blessings Of tho
British rule, and ultimately persuaded portion Of
tax Of sixpence per acre per annum and not to DO
less. Ard that is the tenure by which her Majesty
graciously permits them to hold then lands.
brig Persian colonized Ruassn and dependencies.
calling it the Colony OF the Bay Islands and deoAr
ing them an integral portion Of the British empire
BE also told the inhabitants TO elect representatives
for the Legislative Assembly, which was imme-
diately done. he then gave them . list OF enact
ments to pass and taxes that would be necessary e
raise Everything passed of to his satisfaction, ard
The colonization Of the islands by the Britsh WAS
more than the inhabitants expected or required. At
most, they only solicited the appointment Of per
son to administer justice and preserve order fney
did not wish to be governed by the H0nduren0s FOX
the very plain reason that the H0ndurenos we're
unable to govern themselves; and, like the other
States, are continually in state Of revolution and
anarchy, but IL annexed to the United States, would
be one Of the finest countries under the heavens.
The Inhabitants OF the Bay Islands already fesl the
blessings OF the British rule In tue shape Of numer
they would willingly dispense with her MAjesty's
pr lection. The Legislative Assembly wit meet
al ortly, when the government intend to introduce
propositions to try aud raise extra revenue a
several thousand dollars, SO az to support lot Of
useless officials, the usual psraphernals attendant
on q colony blessed with British rule. Per- aps
some traveller passing that way may give you do
tailed account Of it in future. A C0uNrKTMAN.