New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-08-17

Central America. and keep the deer open Cor fo'He
operations.
The next we hear Of Nicaragua Trnnsit affairs was
in October 1876, when Gtn. Jerez, tie represeDt~
tive Of Mic ,sguA to the United Ststts, made al ar
r.pgement with MeseIs. Wallace, Van Dyke, and a.
soo;a.es which was TO be subject however, TO the
Nicarsguar Government Duplic.,es Of this arrange
inert were transmitted TO the Governmeut for sppro-
val, and able sg,Lts were sent out to engineer the
matter; and the result OF the negotiations has ap-
peared in the newspapers.
Then came the johnson Nail contract. Who has
not heard Of johnson, the mail contractor! Some
letter writer's at Wellington raised report that
johnson wac myth. This was mistake We hap
pen to know that johnson, the Mail Man, has
stopped at ore Of principal hotes IS true that
he was not Known there previous to his name being
beralded a. "the mail contractor" but after that
auspicious event We cav bin a number OF times IN
some of the most conspicuous rooms, as johnson,
the mail r., utrsc,or." Tue ways earned the thing
too far for though johnson was not unwilling to co.,
yirce people Of distinction that he was no myth, he
nevertheless got Disguised with the gross familiarity
f the boys who insisted upon introducing him to the
same individuals over and over again. Had the afar
been properly managed the Metropolitan Hotel might
have been crowded every evening and morning with IN
curing guests who desired Introduction tn the dis
tingushed man. The boys really thought there wasian
in the affair, and they were so desrous OF obtaining
their full share that johnson was compelled TO apan-
don the metropolitan and take lodgings at the smith
sorian. For the perfect satisfaction OF all whom II
may concern, pledge our veracity that johnson Is
living reality. II is true he has but seldom been
visible in New.York during the last month, since his
associates tricked him into signing away the mail
contract, and then publishing that johnson was
only broker in the transaction"
The manner Of signing away that mail contract was
one of the most aughable farces ever enacted 1t took
place at the ST. Denis Hotel aud We stall endeavOr
TO give every particular of as it was related to us
by one of the principals in the affair.
A Philadelphia lawyer was on hand to act in the
capacity of scribe, being at the same time also inter-
e.ted in the transaction Drnksbles were provided.
The preamble drawn up, and johnson called on
to sign. He modestly requested to read the dOcu-
ment, but found it very badly written-to read the
writing OF Pbilsdelphan being at no time very
easy job. His disposition was no way backward, but
after four hours discussion, varied with suitable re-
freshments he found that he had not made any head
wsy with the manuscript. Hwastben agreed that the
writer should read the document, which was done;
but the mail contractor was still unsatished,
and requested permission to copy it, This was
agreed 10. The work was commenced, and at the end
of the fourth line, the Hon. j. l.. White exclaimed
" Hold on. d-n you'll You have interpoated a
whole line. i won't stand any ID fcoling Now
sig the paper Don't be too hard on him, said
the Philadelphia lawyer, "et him &c on and satisfy
himself that all is right "No, SirY answered
White, 81 won't be ipsuted in my own room by any
two shilling fellow; he has asked permission 10 copy
the paper, and in four lines he has nterpolaed one
whole new line, and won't stand that Remarks
were made by other member, of the company, appa-
rently apoloeziDg for the mailman, but in reality in
tended to throw dust 10 his eyes, and prevent him
retortipg on the violence of White. johnson finally
asser ted signed the document and from that night 10
the present day is seldom visible.
The history of that mail contract is well worthy OF
being recorded, and if to stop here, our re-
cord would be incomplete. But we shall proceed,
and attempt to open the eyes Of Uncle Sam, 50 that
when ne shall see how he himself has been hum
plugged, he may possibly understand some of the
tricks that have been played of on Nicaragua Tor
some time past.
The fact is that there is set of chaps about these
parts, who are trying, by hook or by crook, to get
hold of something that somebody else wants though
they themselves could do nothing wi it, if tney got
ont this game but we do not think there is posi-
bilitv of their ever doing it again. They had sue
ceeded in roping in the old California Mail con-
tractor and after several months Of uncessng and as
siduous efforts they have now published to the
world that their arrangements consummated; that
they have purchased the steamship Hermann from
Capt. Wright. This purchase is, without doubt,
similar purchase to that of the Scottish Chief and the
Amazon which are said to be very available for SER
vice on the San Juan River. The first named ooat
would be Of very little there, and has not yet et
quay work. The Amazon is double stern-S heei
boat, and how do they propose to get her down 10
Greytownl Any person having the least expert
cree with stern wheel boats Of light draught Will say
that she cannot run 10 that place. Even allowing the
possibility of smooth sea the whole trip, she can
make no better headway than " SOW gong To war;
But 10 return to the history of the Mail Contract
We state from our personal knowledge, Johnsons
letters to the contrary notwithstanding, that the con-
tract has been offered to both Vanderbilt aud Aspin-
wsll-a fact which can be substantiated under OATH
The specuators say that both Of these Companies
have offered 70 DO their ocean service, which we pro-
pource false. We know that they have tried every
means in their power 70 effect such an arrangement
The inhabitants of the Pacific States were resdy 10
buv provided the contract coud be changed so as TO
read ria Panama, instead Of RIA Nicaragua.
Johnson at one time had gres. notion for the
steamer Bay State which lie believed efficient o' tue
Pacific side and an excellent choice, provided they
could find q proper mate to assist her. In his own
wor,ls. 1.-TWO such boa,s every w.y adequate 10
tbe service" Next there was some talk OF getting
Mnchilrs steamship line for this side. The Coonei'
however. damned the Bay STATE, and opened
correspondence for the purchase two Collins steam
.rs for the Pacific service Here tae old mai hne'