New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-12
Correspondence Of The n. Y. Tribune.


A British mar-Owar arrived here on the 4th INST,
with Mr. Seymour on board who comes to relieve
Mr.. Stephenson as Superintendent OF British
Honduras. The latter gentleman has been APP
pointed Governor of the Island of Mauritlus. On
the 9th the new funCtionary clad III blue UNIFORM
with silver, was publicly sworn; the oath beng adj
minisered by the Chief Justice. The principal clti
Gems were present on the occasion, together with
crowd of negro women, who, like their sisters III
Guinea or Mozambique, appear to take lively inter
est in politics. In my quality as foreigner, L
thought it becoming not TO be foremost among the
notabiies Of the place, and thus l got between the
black ladies, who, forgetting all considerations be-
yond those of seeing and hearing the new superln-
tendent, squeezed me between themselves, I'LL al
last modestly yielding to the pressure, came out
AT the door where found fresh air to breathe again.
but could not hear the formula OF the oath.
This, however, | do not regret as much as moi
having been present ut the repetition OF the same
ceremony, d few days later, on the Island OF Rud'
tan. Great Britain il is very true, has ceded The
Island Of Ruatan and the other Bay Islands 10 The
State Of Honduras, but this Is no reasonable "Dect
why the British Government should not lnsIrlct
new Superintendent Of British Honduras 10 present
himself TO the inhabitants Of those Islands IA tht1r
new Governor and be formally installed a. such, by
taking the official outh The British Government, at
least appears 10 think so.
The high opinion have had of English energy
and English intelligence has been considerably d.
mnished, since came here British policy, Ill re-
spect to Central America, is the most valid and IN
dsputable "festimonium paupertdtts" in possession
of The English nation. We'll, for Gods sake, if
ENGLAND wants those countries, why act 50 ioOshy
and if she does not want them, why again act 50
| foollshly! But allow me to spare this subject OF
| discussion for another occasion IL wants some
more time and space than is now ut my disposal.
In general, the superintendent OF this
possession Of Great Britain are SAID to
be afraid OF and to iatter the cOlored
population. They have all annual income OF $4,000
sterling, together with the Of Il well-furnished
dwelling house which is the property OF the com
munity. The public voice says that in general they
nav more attention to this fine income in 50 cheap
place as Balze, than TO the interest OF the settle
| ment.
| The history Of British Honduras is not of easy
| access Public documents have been repeatedly
destroyed by accidents, and among the inhabitants
| even the better educated, l have found AS little
interest information on the subject. One OF the
public functiOnaries IL whom put several questions
| concerning tie history of the settlement advised
me to read lecture delivered in England, some
| time agO,by Mr.. Temple, from here, OF which had
just read report, day before, in one OF the New
| York papers that had found their way here, and
which is very severely spoken OF by the critics of
Belize At las. Twas fortunate enough to get pos
session Of copy Of two years OF an almanac Tor
! merry published here under the title of " The
Honduras Ahnanack." The two have years before
me are 1879 and 1889, and the copy liz said to be ii
| great rarity, only more existing here Both
years contain ESSAYS on TIE history of British Hon
! duras-that Of lc.9 " Honduras Chronology" be-
side, which begins with the discovery OF America.
Among the subsequent dates hnd:
l63e-Ihis year few British subjects first iuhab-
| tied Honduras, having been wrecked On the coast.
| h tai. A.
| Ruatan, which they Kept till loo.
| l6t2.-Cape Catoche settled by British logwood
| cutter.
l67O-A freely concluded with Spain, ceding il per
| petuity 10 Great Britain. After which, the
logwood establishments augmented rapidly. Hondu
ras from this period considered an absolute
colony Of Great Britain.
l74l.- Commissioners appointed by King George
| II, for the government Ut Honduras, Ruatan aud
| Bonaca.
| 744-Recommended to the King in Council, tina; 4
legislative body be formed for the purpose Of draw
ing up Constitution for Honduras, founded on the
laws Of England
| l7tS-TTeaty of Paris.
E65-His Majesty was graciously pleased 10 send
| down the Hon. Sir William Burnaby to sec that the
| Crown Of Spain had fulfilled the conditions OF the
Treaty of l't3 After having accomplished this most
| important mission he gave III the king's name, a
| Constitution 70 tie ytcpc founded on their ancient
iorls and which had been in Use from time nnme-
moHal, viz: Legsating by public assemblies, and the
election oil magistrates by the free Suffrage of the
| people.
E6S.-Robert Hodgson, esq. was appointed Super.
intendent on tine Mosquito shore by letter from the
| Earl Of Hlllsborough.
E75.-Mr. HOdgsOn was dismissed from his Super.
nendency by letter Of recall from the Earl of Dart
| mouth.
| l779-Omoa taken by the English, which they
| shortly afterward abandon from ats unheathiness.
| l7s0-The English dislodged from Ruatsn by the
| Governor Of Guatemala