The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-19
NEW YORK HERALD. SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1885, ;


lodeson TO the Mosquito shore obtain the cesson Of
that coast to the British crown At the same time an
nearest the Bay Islands, made estab shments at the
mouth Of Black liver and occupied and fortified Ruatn.
was between the countries by the nth artcls
Of which was stipulated that his Britannia Majesty
shall cause 70 be demolished all the orticanons which
his subjects have erected in the Bay of Honduras and
other places OF the territory Of Span that part OF the
world, within four months" &c seems that this
violation by the English principal cause of the war
which commenced in 1850, in which year the authorities
of Guatemala orcby expelled the English then estab-
shed in Ruaan In the treaty Of l7s3 it was stipulated
would with special reference these Islands, that
the English should only abandon the continent rex.
cept certain clearly defined territory known Is 9e-
nze, within which they could cut ogwood but without
dtrogaon 70 the sovereignty san but ,s a islands
sisted still ringent provisions which in
corporaed in the treaty Of that year. recurring the Eag
sh evacuste the country OF the Mosquitoes. well
the continent In general, and the islands ijacent
without exception" II would be difficult to frame Ian.
guage more clear and explicit.
Ahe evacuation seems 10 have complete Spain
was left in undispued occupation OF Ruatan and It's de-
persons established themselves there for in 1896 the
English government, having resolved 70 deport the tur
bulent Caribs Of st Vincent (who being in the French
interest gave great trouble to the English setters)
ried them, upwards of 1000 in number, at cost OF
million sterling to Ruatan where they we're landed and
abandoned 10 their fate Upon Intelligence OF this
reaching the Captain General Of Guatemala he des
patched Don Jose Rossiby Ruba, well supported by Off
ceis men, in luire into the circumstances. This
officer found the Cribs great Distress they were
invited, upon his recommendation, to the mainland
where their immediate necessities were supplied and
where lands afterwards igned them the coast
in the vicinity OF Truxilo They have since greatly mu
tplied and, chiefly engaged in mahogany cutting
amongst the industrious and loyal citizens Of Hondu
Amer this event the Governor Of Honduras, under
orders Of the Captain General maintained military post
on the island without Interruption, and many Of the in
habtants OF Truxo again established there p,anta atoms
there Upon this point the world has evidence which
Engshman can dispute This the testimony of Captain
Henderson, who, in 1905, commander of the British
forces at Belize He visited the island and des
cripon of in his Account Of the British Settlement
OF Honduras of which two editions published in
London, one in 1902 and another in 1911. On page 204
Of the later he The island Of Ruatan
previously remarked, belongs TO Spain and military
station is retained up N it,
In 1914 Great Britain revived the provisions of the
~ Of 1885, all that concerned the Mosquito Shore Be-
lie &C., and consequently excluded the English from
the country of the Mosquitoes the continent in general
and the islands ad accent without In 1921 the
provinces Of Central America threw off the dominion Of
Slan and States laid claim TO the territories which
perained to them as provinces The fortress of Omoa
alone held out and the expedition which reduced 1t
Quoted its operations from Ruaan Of which island the
people Of Honduras held unsputed possession. In $780,
however Col. Macdonald, Superintendent Of Belize, made
descent upon the island and seized on behalf Of the
British Crown The federal government Of Central Amer
ca made formal and energetic remonstrance and the
act facility not directly, disavowed, and the Hon
duras establishment the island kept up before.
In 1888, party Of liberated slaves abandoned the i'm
povershed soil OF the Grand Cayman Islands, and
to Ruatan to settle Col Lcusrelet the commandant,
who stationed at Puerto Real informed them that
foreigners desiring settle the island must obtain per-
mission from the government Of Honduras. portion of
them made the required application and obtained leave
10 s 20
ia the sloop OF war Rover down the flag OF Honduras
With the greatest indignites and raised that Of England
again raised whersupon he returned, seized Col
Loustreiet and put him ashore on the mainland
Threatening bin with death II he returned. This
was done in time OF profound peace, without warn
ing, and without The government Of Honduras
Fancourt appointed Superintendent Of Belize. ls43
these protests were renewed, and immediate surren
responsibility by referring matter TO the British go
vernment, and the result a despatch sent TO Me-
Chaihed, British Consul General In Central America in
sructing inform the government of Honduras that
Col Macdonald had hauled down the flag Of that State by
order Of the British government This order would
dated January 20 1882 and WAS given by direction OF
Lord Pamerston.
From ls4l appear that Great Britain has ex
ercsed any direct sovereignty Ruatn. Its inter
ference was confined TO keeping Honduras out of is
rights. In the meantime other settlers from the
Cayman Islands, joined by a few families from
The mainland. In 1850. the year which the Clayton
and Buwer Convention signed the island visited
by Capt MITCHELL u her Majesty q steamer Sappho, who
published account OF his visit in the Unitad Ser1Ioe
Aogo;ine for Angus, Of that year lie says The popu
alton Of the island estimated 1T $50 or 100 In 1sI3
only So. The Of the population hbe
ated slaves from the Grand Cayman small portion
merry slave owners. Added 70 these two Classes /
third and much smaller one, consisting purely Of Euro
peans, who exercise great influence over the popula
ton Lett TO themselves, and increasing numbers
hey experienced the want OF government and laws.
They assembled together, and by universal suffrage
posed Assembly Of To- This Assembly enacted Laws aud
regulations which were put In execution by magstrates
Of then choosing. They that they quite
ignorant under what government they placed, and
whether her Maestys superintendent at Belize has
authority over them. some discontented people have
poisoned the minds Of others and induced them to APP
point magistrates IN opposition Ia those recommended by
tie superintendent Al times the island has been with
out sort Of government such was the state OF things
when arrived They have now elected magistrates by
universal suffrage TO act until the pleasure OF the cover
nor Of Jamaica shall be known TO whom they have sen.
petition The position OF the island seems important
IN commercial and perhaps IN political point Of view.
It's proximity TO Central America points u out as good
depot tor English goods and manufactures, which would
md ready market, even IN opposition 20 any duty
placed them. Smuggling The settlers have not
been disturbed In their possession OF the island Of late
years Threats. however constantly held out by the
negbboIng Cover Dnenn OF their intention 70 tako pos
session OF the island"
The petition referred TO was got mp by the English
y IN The isand, and 70 give an imposing appearance,