The American Negro., 1890-10-25

twenty-eight years Of age, OF small
statue, ana thickly built. He was
dressed in a navy blue uniform some
what like that of New York police
man, trimmed with gold lace and orna-
mented with brass buttons The King
wore epaulets of black velvet, marked
with the letter M, and the same letter
graced the front of the small capwhich
covered his head.
THE Kings enemies say that he is a
man OF weak character and heavy
drinker In fact, they go so far as to
assert that whisky of the strongest
character is too weak to suit His Ma
jesty's taste; so he dilutes his whisky
with Worcestershire sauce and Chilli
vinegar. We were invited to partake
of punch brewed by the King, but we
declined most courteously, much to His
Majestys astonishment
king Frederick then intimated that
whole bottle of gin was really moth
ing to start the day with, and we were
convinced that such was the case-with
His Majesty at least-when we saw him
dispose Of a quart bottle of whisky, fol-
lowed up with repeated bumpers of
champagne and claret mixed
king Frederick's right-hand man is
jamaican negro about sixty years old,
named Thomas, who holds the office of
Chief Justice and President Of the
Council. Thomas is short, gray-haired.
very polite, and remarkably smooth
tongued. Every line of his face denotes
man of crafty ability. Thomas is
man of wealth, having derived his riches
from cleverly employing the Indian
population Of the reservation. He has
more influence than any man in power
in the Mosquito Reservation.
Cali the other members Of the Kings
Council are full-blooded negroes of ad-
vanced years and astute appearance.
Naturally King Frederick is a mere
puppet in the hands of his Council and
he may be said to have absolutely nc
voice in the government of the province.
This Council is in session during the
greater part of the year at Bluefelds;
the meetings take place at Council
Hall, situated on a hill overlooking the
town. The legislative building re-
ferred to is two-story frame structure
Of respectable dimensions The lower
part of the building is used as the
Council Hall, while the upper part
serves as quarters for the Indian chiefs
who como to treat with the Council
GA permanent gallows stands in the
Immediate vicinity Of the hall, causing
the Indian visitors to experience feel
ing of dread for their safety SO long as
they are in the power Of the Council.
King Frederick is not lenient ruler;
we noticed an unfortunate criminal
wandering about the Council Hall
grounds, having an iron collar around
his neck, fastened with a huge pad
lock, and connected by a chain with
an iron band around his waist. This
band in turn was connected by chain
to large stone, which the prisoner
painfully dragged after him. Needless
to add. the prisoner was an Indian-not
Jamaican.
"King Frederick has always lived
at Bluefields or at Corn Island, where,
in his earlier days he worked cargo
for the different steamship lines,
shelled cocoanuts, or turned his hand
to any thing that would produce him
meal. The predecessor of His Majesty
had no family, and after his death (due
to poison administered by member OF
the Council, according to popular ru.
mor) King Frederick, who is distant
relative of the late ruler of the reserva-
tion, ascended the throne The Kings
salary is 200 soles month, without ex
penseS. IN. Y. Times.