REVOCATION, NO. II.

Inasmuch, as it is notorious, that almost all the cessions of land made in the kingdom of Mosquito, and, probably, all of them have been improperly obtained from the late king, that no equivalent whatever for them, nor the promised services have been lent; and, inasmuch as many of the cessionaries have obtained said cessions from the late king when he was not in his sound judgment, (i. e. drunk,*) and as said cessions despoil the successor of the late king of territorial jurisdiction in his kingdom, and of his hereditary rights; and, inasmuch as said cessionaries have obtained said cessions, not for the purposes of the colonization and improvement of the country, but merely to speculate with them in London and other places:

And, whereas, the greater part of said cession is actually in the possession of poor insolvent men and in real distress, said cessionaries never having fulfilled their duty of occupying said lands, though the most recent of said cessions bears date of

July 27, 1841; and as the acknowledgement of the validity of said cessions would be subversive of the just rights of the present king, and destructive of the interests of the country, and may cause to the deceived emigrants greater sufferings even than those that hitherto they have experienced-Therefore, it is necessary, and convenient for the security, honor, and welfare of this kingdom that said cessions be

annulled and abolished.

Be it thereupon decreed, that said concessions and titles of lands agreed and obtained previous to the 8th of October 1841, are forever annulled and abolished, &c. &c. (Signed)

GEORGE WILLIAM CLARENCE.

It was most undutiful to hint at the weakness of his father, but then the little

sambo, "George William Clarence," knew nothing of all this. The entire procedure being designed by M'Donald to effect the objects which we have already indicated, the absolute absorption of the country by Great Britain. By this bold stroke, M'Donald got rid alike of the Prussians and the Jamaica traders. They stood in the way of the designs of the British Government, and were sacrificed. The Princess Agnes should have succeeded to the " crown," by the English law, but she had been too long with those in the Spanish interest to be trusted; and, by the decree of M'Donald, the successor was fixed in the male line! M'Donald was competent to anything!

The young ald, were taken to England, with the exception of George William, who was left in the care of Mr. Walker, now promoted from the secretaryship of the Belize to be universal director, commissioner, agent, tutor and adviser of "His Mosquito Majesty," ," and particularly entrusted with the care of British interests. He established

"Princes" confided to M'Don

himself at Bluefields, where he acted precisely as he pleased, under liberal verbal if not written powers from the British Government. The plans of the British Government were not yet ripe for consummation. Meantime, Walker exerted himself in exciting the avarice of the English people. The stories of the speculators of 1771 were revived, and the flaring accounts of the ousted Jamaica traders duly sworn to. The importance of the country in a commercial point of view, its resources and capabilities, all that could excite the cupidity of the English public, were made the themes of the newspapers of Great Britain. The prospective canal across the continent was hinted at, but for obvious reasons, not dwelt upon with so much unction.

While all this was transpiring, the Central American States, to whom the territory of right belonged, were so much absorbed by their internal dissensions, carefully fomented by M'Donald's and Walker's coadjutors in Guatemala and elsewhere, that they were little able to give attention to the encroachments that were going on. Morazan, the last and best President of the Republic, saw, however, the danger, and refused to enter into any treaty arrangements with Great Britain, until she should

cease tampering with the Indians on the coast. We have the means of knowing that it was one of his designs, as soon as internal order could be restored, to drive out the intruders by force. This was not unknown to the British Government, which hesitated to break openly with the Republic. It was not until that Republic was dissolved, and the individual States themselves weakened by conflicts with each other, the consummation which had so long been wished for, and for which its unscrupulous agents had so long labored, that the British Government disdained a disguise no longer necessary.

In 1838, after Nicaragua had organized itself as an independent State, the Consul-General in Central America, Mr. Chatfield, the worthy co-laborer of Walker and M'Donald, transmitted a communication to the Government of Nicaragua, saying "he had received information that the Government of Nicaragua intended to dispose of certain lands belonging to the Mosquitos on the Northern (Atlantic) coast; that the Mosquitos were a nation formally recognized by H. B. M., and that she could not view with indifference any attempts which Nicaragua might make to dispose of these lands." The Government replied that it had no such intention, but that if it had, it was a matter which did not concern the British Consul-General, as the Mosquito coast belonged to the State of Central America. Some other correspondence passed but of no special importance. Nothing further was said until after the will of "Robert Charles Frederic" was procured and his grants annulled, when on the 10th of November 1841, M'Donald addressed a letter to the Nicaraguan Government, stating, "that the British Government had determined to maintain its ancient relations with its ally the King of the Mosquitos, whom it recognized as an independent sovereign," and proposing that a Commissioner should be named to settle the territorial limits between the "Kingdom of Mosquito" and the Republic of Nicaragua, and stating also, that, for this purpose, he had named Patrick Walker and Richard Hervey. The Government of Nicaragua replied that it knew no " Mosquito kingdom,' that the wandering Indians living on the coast of Nicaragua were under the sovereignty of the Republic, and that it

would be soon enough to enter into any communication with the gentlemen named when they should present any credentials from H. B. M., authorizing them to enter into such relations with the States of Central America, together with authentic copies of the treaties of alliance which was said to exist between Great Britain and the Mosquito tribe. To this, M'Donald made no reply. The Consul-General too, was suddenly silent.

The cause of this silence may be explained in a few words. In the flush of his new dignity, conferred by the "King of Mosquito" and with a loyal desire to vindicate His Majesty's rights," M'Donald, in the preceding July, had placed himself on board a British vessel of war at Belize, and started on an exploring expedition along the Mosquito shore. He visited Boca del Toro and other points at the Southward, but seeing but a poor prospect of inducing the citizens of New Granada occupying the first place to quit it, he returned with much chagrin, and stopped at San Juan. Here he attempted to play the sovereign, but was resisted by the collector of the customs of that port, Colonel M'Quijano, upon which he seized that officer, carried him on board his vessel, and set sail from the port. He subsequently seems to have regarded the step as very rash, and offered to set Quijano at liberty, upon his signing certain documents. The proceeding roused great indignation throughout Central America, and each State demanded a complete disavowal of the act. In fact it was regarded as of so flagrant a nature, and roused so strong a feeling of patriotism, that a correspondence was at once opened and preliminary measures taken for a consolidation of the States. This alarmed the British Agents; the folly of M'Donald came near overturning their long cherished plans; the Republic which they had labored to overthrow might rise again with new strength. So M'Donald made a lame excuse for his act, and all reference to Mosquito rights was carefully avoided until the roused spirit of the people was again laid, and until British intrigues had again involved them in civil war.

When internal hostilities had commenced in 1844, and the capital of Nicaragua was invested by an army, the British ConsulGeneral addressed a circular to the various

States, advising them that Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, continued to protect her ancient ally the King of Mosquito, and that in order to preserve legitimate authority, promote order, &c. &c, she had named Mr. Walker, resident Consul on that coast. On the 10th of July, in that year, this worthy arrived in a British vessel of war at Bluefields, with his royal charge and one James Bell, appointed to act as sheriff and commander during the minority of the regal boy! He commenced his administration, and on the 12th of August addressed a letter to the Nicaraguan Government, stating that the subjects of the Mosquito King were interrupted in their lawful business, of gathering turtle-shells, by the occupation of the port of San Juan, and other points by the people of Nicaragua! and adding, that the establishments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica upon the coast, were infractions of Mosquito rights. On the 16th of the same month, Mr. Sheriff Bell sent a protest against the occupation of the Port of San Juan by Nicaragua. In May of the following year, the ConsulGeneral, Mr. Chatfield, announced the important fact, that the young sambo, George William, had been crowned" at Belize, and repeated again that Great Britain had determined to protect her "ancient ally.”

Upon the 25th of September of the same year, Mr. Marcelota, the Chargé d'Affaires of Nicaragua, addressed an able letter to

Lord Aberdeen, principal Secretary of State of Great Britain, calling his attention to the high-handed proceedings of Walker and his associates, and informing him that the port of Bluefields, where that worthy had established himself, belonged to Nicaragua He appealed to the sense of justice of the British Government, just as though any such appeal, unless backed by a thousand cannon, could have any weight; Justice forsooth! Was not the history of India and China before him? As might have been expected, no answer was returned to this communication. In the same year, Don Francisco Castellon was sent Minister to England, with directions to bring the infractions on Nicaraguan rights before the British Government in person, and particularly to protest against the occupation of Bluefields by Walker, backed by the name and military force of Jamaica. He was received at London, but no attention whatever was paid to his representations.

Meantime, the clouds of war between the United States and Mexico were gathering.

The English Cabinet feared the result, and directed all its efforts to secure California from Mexico, or prevent its falling into the hands of the United States. The affairs of Central America were for a time neglected, much to the tribulation of Walker and Chatfield, who, nevertheless, neglected no effort to perfect their plans

English intrigues had failed in Mexico, and it was clear that California would go to the United States. The contemplated aggressions in Central America were invested with new importance. The passes across the continent must be put under English control. Nothing could be done with Panama; New Grenada was a power too considerable to be trifled with, England feared to create another Rosas.

It was under these circumstances, that the British Government determined that the time for action had come; and that now it must appear in its proper character. Accordingly, on the 20th of June, 1847, Viscount Palmerston addressed a note to Mr. Chatfield, "Her Majesty's ConsulGeneral" in Guatemala, requesting the most authentic information which he might be able to procure แ as to the boundary claimed by the King of Mosquito," and concluding with the significant paragraph: "You will also report what, in your opinion, is the line of boundary which Her Majesty's Government should insist upon, as absolutely essential for the security and well-being of the Mosquito shore."

A similar letter was at the same time addressed to Mr. Walker, "Her Majesty's Consul-General" in Mosquitia, and to Mr. O'Leary, British Charge d'Affaires in New Grenada.

Pending the reception of the information here requested, and impatient of delays which might interfere with its purposes, the British Government applied itself to the task of searching for additional pretexts to justify the contemplated usurpation. And upon the 30th June of the same year, Viscount Palmerston again wrote to Mr. Chatfield saying, that "Her Majesty's Government have carefully examined the various documents and historical records which exist relative to this subject, and they are of the opinion that the right of the King of Mosquito should be maintained as extending from Cape Honduras down to the mouth of the river of San Juan."

It will be observed that Palmerston does not yet venture to say that the rights of the pretended king really extend or have the shadow of validity over the territory indicated; he is of the decided opinion,

ed" to that extent! This letter concludes by instructing Mr. Chatfield to inform the respective Central American Governments of the opinion arrived at by Her Majesty's Government," and to inform them that it would not view with indifference any attempts to encroach upon the rights or territory of the King of Mosquito, who is under the protection of the British Crown." Similar instructions were sent to Mr. O'Leary, at Bogota, and to Mr. Walker, the peripatetic agent of Great Britain "all along shore."

In the mean time, Mr. Chatfield had been at work in making out a case for his government, and the results of his labors had been received at the foreign office eight days after these instructions had been dispatched. Mr. Chatfield's letter is not deficient in characteristic and impudent assumptions, but he was nevertheless compelled to say, that "nothing had reached him to enable him to state positively, what is the line of boundary claimed by the Mosquito King!" Mr. Chatfield was, no doubt, quite right, for it is exceedingly doubtful whether the august personage referred to had any idea of boundary or any thing else, beyond the instructions of the agents of Great Britain around him. The communication was chiefly taken up with a discussion of the claims of the Government of New Grenada to the whole coast from Veragua to Cape Gracias à Dios, which claims ware founded on a royal order of San Lorenzo, of Nov. 20, 1803,separating for military purposes this section of coast, together with the island of St. Andrew, from the Captaincy General of Guatemala, and annexing it to the Vice Royalty of Sante Fe. Mr. Chatfield, however, adds, that he is unable to give a specific reply to the questions which had been propounded; but, as respects the southern boundary of Mosquitia, he finds among his notes, "An act of allegiance to the Hereditary Prince Frederic, (crowned at Belize, 18th Jan., 1816, eldest son of the former King, George, and brother to Robert Charles Frederic, crowned in Belize, 23d April, 1825, lately deceased), signed by Prince Stephen, Prince Regent, and the chiefs and people of the Mosquito coast, at Woolang, 14th Nov., 1815," which said act, according to Mr. Chatfield,

describes the southern Mosquito shore as comprising the several townships from Wanks river to Boca del Toro." Now, as this "act" was drawn up by British agents, and was subscribed "Mr. William Boggs," proxy for the dignitaries named in it, it must be regarded as not strikingly conclusive, and of a kind of "historic evidence," a talent for the manufacture of which would only need a little different direction, (in countries where "conspiracies" and "fraud" are crimes,) to consign its possessor to the penitentiary! This, and a letter from Col. M'Donald, to the custom-house officer of New Grenada at Boca del Toro, dated 1841, with an extract from the narration of Roberts, an English trader on the coast, and which are wholly immaterial, constituted the "historic evidence" obtained by the British Government, through Mr. Chatfield, in support of contemplated felony. In respect to the other part of Palmerston's inquiry, Mr. | Chatfield is more positive, and it is his decided "opinion" that "the line of boundary which Her Majesty's Government should insist upon as essential to the well-being of the Mosquito State, is that tract of sea-board situated between the right bank of the river Roman, where several English mahogany works are established, and the left bank of the river San Juan," and as the river Roman, (upon the right bank of which British adventurers had squatted,") is a long stream, and extends far into the interior, including, with the other lines named, half of the continent at this point, as also some of the inhabited districts of Segovia, we do not wonder that Mr. Chatfield drops the name of coast, which conveys a circumscribed idea, and substitutes state, which is limitless in its acceptation. But Mr. Chatfield does not stop with a mere expression of this opinion; he adds: Moreover, looking at the probable destinies of these countries, considerable advantages might accrue in after times, by reserving for settlement with Central America, or Costa Rica, the rights of Mosquito BEYOND the San Juan river! In the meanwhile," he continues, "considerable benefit would result to British interests from the EARLY ASSERTION of the rights of the Mosquito King to the terminus indicated." We shall soon see that these hints were not lost upon Her Majesty's Govern

ment, who received new "historic and other evidence," as the Mormon leader did revelations from heaven, whenever it was convenient.

We have said that Mr. Walker was instructed to report such "historical and other evidence" as was within his reach. It would have been impossible for the British Government to have found a more convenient instrument for its purposes, than this man Walker. He was always at hand to supply the vacancies left by Mr. Chatfield, and does not appear to have been troubled with conscientious scruples. Nor did he wait for the suggestions of his superiors; his evidence was always ready. Without his invaluable aid, the Mosquito King might have lived and died in total ignorance of his "clear rights," and the British nation lost an "ally." He understood the art of manufacturing "historical and other evidence," and might, if required have made out a clear title for the King of Mosquito, to the coast of Florida. His answer is very long, and particular stress is laid upon a paper signed by "M.Quijano" who was in 1841 Nicaraguan Commandant at San Juan. This individual was seized at that port, as we have before said, carried on board a British vessel, mal-treated, and finally induced, by an offer of liberation, to sign a paper to the effect that, when he was a child, his mother, who had a plantation upon the coast of Costa Rica, annually gave a quantity of cacao to the roving Mosquito Indians, which cacao Mr. Walker calls tribute, and deduces therefrom sweeping pretensions of sovereignty! By a parity of reasoning, the entire United States is tributary to Split-foot, chief of the Pottowattamies! The Commandante was liberated upon signing this paper, which was at once filed away as invaluable "historic evidence!" The circumstance that Honduras once made some kind of a treaty with the Indians, is also quoted with a prodigious flourish as a recognition of the sovereignty of the serene "King of Mosquito!" We have made a treaty with the Chinooks; does the Government of Great Britain therefore regard the chief of that tribe as a sovereign? Perhaps she would like to make him her "ally," and get possession of the mouth of the Columbia? Let her try the experiment! And further, that a Guatmalean officer once carried a chief from