The Gate of the Pacific

Front matter

THE GATE OF THE PACIFIC. J. E. TATLOE, PRINTER, LITTLE QUEEN STREET, HOLEOEN. Captn,l "V*J\ndei'son,aeL slncent Brook PRIMEVAL FOREST PREPARING FOR THE IRON ROAD THE GATE OF THE PACIFIC. BY COMMANDER BEDFORD PIM, R.N., F.R.G.S., ASSOC. INST. C.E. LONDON: LOVELL REEVE & CO., 5, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1863. " There are cases in which our public duty is so clear and imperious, that no desire of praise, no motive of personal respect, no wish to gratify our friends, nor any other con sideration, however powerful, can enable us to dispense with it." — Fox. AND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR JOHN SOMERSET PAKINGTON, BART., M.P., G.C.B., &c. &c, WHO HAS WON FOE HIMSELF THE WARM ESTEEM REGARD OF THE ROYAL NAVY BY HIS UNIFORM COURTESY TOWARDS ITS OFFICERS, AND HEARTFELT DEVOTION TO ALL THAT CONCERNS ITS WELFARE AND PROGRESS, QLi)i& OTork £0 bo permission ©eoicateo WITH FEELINGS OF SINCERE ADMIRATION AND EESPECT BY THE AUTHOE.

Preface

. Deeply impressed Avith the political and commercial necessity of opening a great Higlnvay to the Pacific, free to all nations, knd independent of the American monopoly at Panama^I found myself in the unenviable dilemma of either quietly looking on and seeing the dearest interests of my country permanently sacrificed, or making a bold effort to secure for them the consi deration Avhich their importance imperatively demanded. In adopting the latter alternative I have not shut my eyes to the difficulties of the task. In order to do any good, I had to call a spade a spade, nail my colours to the mast, and denounce a timid and un-English policy. Moreover, Central American affairs, and their bearings upon those of Great Britain, are so little understood by the general public, that all I might Avrite would appear mere verbiage, unless my readers could be placed in possession of all the facts of the case, hitherto dis persed in a variety of official documents and trustworthy

PREFACE.

. publications. Hoav to do this, and at the same time produce a readable book, was a difficulty at which ex perienced writers may smile, but which looked rather formidable to a man like myself, who has spent fewer years at school than he has amongst the icebergs of the Arctic regions, or under the scorching rays of tropical suns. My best thanks are due to those kind friends Avho have furnished me Avith information, and enabled me to embellish my work with illustrations. I am especially indebted to Sir William Gore Ouseley and Mr. SeAvell for their spirited sketches of Nicaraguan scenery, and to Captain Anderson, of the King's Own Staffordshire Militia, for putting all the illustrations into shape for the lithographer. Bedford Pim. Belsize Park, Hampstead, N.W. February, 1863. Page CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE I. English Good Settlers. — Best Means of securing the Attachment of Colonies. — General Opposition to Quick Locomotion. — Monroe Doctrine. — Panama Route no Highway of Nations. — Political and Commercial Necessity of a New Transit Line through Central America. — Colonel Walker. — My Surveys and Explorations. — Greytown Harbour silting up. — Surrender of Important Eights. — Endeavours to establish an Independent Line . . . . 1 CHAPTEE II. Boundaries of Central America. — Political Divisions. — Extent and Area. — Comparison of the Two Great Isthmuses of the World. — Isthmus of Panama (Panama and Veraguas). — Provinces of Mexico (Yucatan and Chiapas). — Belize. — Costarica.— San Salvador. — Tradition. — Honduras and Bay Islands. — Abandonment of Fellow- Countrymen. — Guatemala ........ 15 CHAPTEE III.

Boundaries of Nicaragua. — Climate. — Temperature. — Early Accounts. — Aborigines. — Costume. — Little Change since the Conquest.— Character of Indians.— The Spanish Rule— Historical Notices.— Colonel William Walker.— Filibusterism.— Destruction of the Transit. — Walker's Battles. — Defence of the Guadalupe Church.— Expulsion of Walker.— His Real Object and Policy — Selfishness of the other States.— Walker's Execution.— Administration of President Martinez CONTENTS. X CHAPTEE IV. Page Sketch of the Mosquito Shore.— Papal Bull of Alexander VI. — Nelson and Mosquito. — Disgraceful Treaty. — Defeat of the Spaniards at Black River. — Expulsion of the Nicaraguans. — Greytown. — Its Destruction. — Silting up of Greytown Harbour. — Remarks on the Climate. — Mosquito Indians. — Moravian Missionaries. — Blewfields. — Corn Islands. — Population and Area of Central America . 55

CHAPTER V.

Schemes of Transit by Canalization. — Isthmus of Tehuantepec. — Fernando Cortez. — Priestly Opinion of Transit. — The Spanish Cortes. — Seiior Moro. — Surveys and Estimates. — Regeneration and the Iron-Road. — Letter of Don Jose de Garay. — Decree of Santa Anna ......* 99 CHAPTEE VI. Nicaraguan Canal the most practicable. — Don Francisco Castillon and Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. — Extracts from the French Emperor's Pamphlet. — Commanding Position of Constantinople. — Masaya the Centre of the New World. — Colonization Project. — Profits of the Undertaking. — All Interests consulted. — Course of the Proposed Canal. — Estimates 116 CHAPTEE VII. Splendid Atlantic Harbour. — Description of David. — American Schemes of Annexation. — President Lincoln's Speech. — American Aversion to Negroes. — Coal-Pits versus Transit. — Poetry. — Senator Pomeroy. — Scheme checked in the Bud ..... 135 CHAPTEE VIII.

Panama the Narrowest Part of the Isthmus. — Favourite Locality for a Canal. — M. Napoleon Garella. — His Project. — French Mission of Civilization. — San Bias Route. — Failure of Canal Schemes. — A Descendant of Montezuma. — Description of the Native Tribes. — An Historical Puzzle explained 147

CHAPTER IX.

Gulf of Darien. — Route from Caledonia Bay to San Miguel. — Dr. Cullen. — Mr. Gisborne's Efforts. — Taken Prisoner by the Indians. — Succeeds in crossing to the Pacific. — Sufferings of Lieut. Strain and Party. — Rescue by Lieut. Forsythe, R.N. — Commander Prevost's Journey. — Valuable Precedent ...... CONTENTS. XI CHAPTEE X. Canal by the River Atrato. -Pas sage of a Canoe from Ocean to * Ocean.— Failure in London to form a Canal Company.— Mr. Kel ley's Project.— Difference of Level between the Two Oceans- Estimated Cost.— Letter from Alexander von Humboldt.— Apathy about Transit is dangerous to Commerce and Freedom.— Present French Efforts ,„„

CHAPTER XI.

Panama Railway.— Preliminary Efforts.— The New-Granadian Charter.— Making the Railway.— The Company charges what it likes. —Concession of Land.— The Company's I O U.— The Half-way Bridge.— Cheap yet Efficient Working of the Line.— Exorbitant Railway Fares. — Profits.— Panama and Aspinwall.— Colonel and Mrs. Totten 192 CHAPTEE XII. Nicaraguan Transit Line.— Bulwer-Clayton Treaty.— Commander Fead's Skilful Seamanship. — Schemes of the Accessory Company. — Bombardment of Greytown. — A Liberal Government. — The Company forget to Pay. — The Battle for Transit. — American Efforts to hold the Route. — Correspondence. — Damming the Colorado. — San Juan del Sur 221 CHAPTEE XIII. Start up the Colorado. — Leaf's Island. — Laura Frances. — Delta of San Juan. — San Juanillo. — Serepiqui. — Colonel Cauty. — Wrecks on the River. — Castillo Viejo. — Fort San Carlos. — Lake Steamer. — San Miguelito. — Voyaging on the Lake of Nicaragua. — Specimen of Carib Work. — Granada ay de mi I — Otter's Mule. — Interview with Mr. Wyke. — Managua 250

CHAPTER XIV.

Leave Managua on the Return Journey. — Lava Field of Masaya. — Aboriginal Fair.— Granada and Mons. Jules Thevenet. — Los Cocos. — More Ripping. — Cocito again. — Cass Irissari. — Beautiful Scenery. — Descend the River. — Emmons Plantation. — San Juan Branch of the Delta. — Arrival at Gorgon Villa, Greytown. — Astonish the Natives . CONTENTS. Page 313

CHAPTER XV.

Proposed Railway through Honduras. — Direction of Road. — Puerto Caballos. — Bay of Fonseca. — Estimates. — Honduras Interoceanic Railway Charter. — Failure to form a Company. — Colonel Stanton, R.E. — Von Tempsky.— Why is ' Mitla' worthless ? .

CHAPTER XVI.

My own Project. — The Surveying Service. — Palmetto and Rocky Cays. — The Rama River. — Pacific Ports of Nicaragua. — Realejo. — San Juan del Sur. — Nature of the Country. — Probability of an Easy Gradient. — Immigration to Nicaragua. — Mosquito a Cotton-growing Country. — A Black Macadam 322

CHAPTER XVII.

Mr. Griffin's Railway without Wooden Sleepers. — Present "Consumptive" System. — Economic Proposal. — Estimate of Nicaraguan Railroad. — Colonization. — Probable Receipts of the New Transit. — Monthly Mail to Australia. — New Zealand.— Great Barrier Island. — General Summary 353 CHAPTEE XVIII. The Importance of Mosquito to England.— Our Foreign Policy. — A Brilliant Conception.— Protectorate of Mosquito.— The Spirit of Ministers. — Her Majesty's Promise. — Independence of Mosquito. —Badinage of the ' New York Herald.'— Christian Principles ! — Marked Displeasure of their Lordships. — Apathy of Government. —The Duke of Newcastle.— The Young Giant.— European International Highway. — Conclusion . CONTENTS. XIII

Appendix

. I. Page Extracts from a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation, between Her Majesty and the Republic of Nicaragua . . .403 II. Extracts from a Treaty between Her Majesty and the Republic of Nicaragua, relative to the Mosquito Indians, and to the Rights and Claims of British Subjects ........ 409 III. Extracts from a Treaty between Her Majesty and the Republic of Honduras, respecting the Bay Islands, the Mosquito Indians, and the Rights and Claims of British Subjects 412 IV. Extracts from an Official Report to the American Congress, on the Communications between the Atlantic and Pacific .... 415 V. Extracts from Convention and Amended Charter of the American Atlantic and Pacific Ship Canal Company, 19th June, 1857, and explanatory articles respecting the same, 15th October, 1857 gtaps artb Illustrations.

MAPS. Page 1. Central America ■ to face 1 2. Geeytown Haebour 67 3. Delta of the Eiver San Jtjan 254 4. Poet Kealejo 333 5. Goegon Bat 340 6. Geeat Barrier Haebour 373 7. New Transit Eoute 394 ILLUSTRATIONS. 1. Preparing foe the Iron Boad to face Title 2. San Juan del Sur, 1859 45 3. Goegon Villa 96 4. Poet of Bealejo, 1859 133 5. Eailwat Beidge over the Chagres 201 6. Eastern Suburb of Panama 219 7. Plantation below Machuca Bapids 308 8. Eastern End of Goegon Bat 327 9. Economic Bailway

Chapter I. English Good Settlers

BEST MEANS OF SECURING THE ATTACHMENT OF COLONIES. GENERAL OPPOSITION TO QUICK LOCOMOTION. MONROE DOCTEINE. PANAMA ROUTE NO HIGHWAY OF NATIONS. — POLITICAL AND COMMEECIAL NECESSITY OF A NEW TEANSIT LINE THEOUGH CENTEAL AMERICA. COLONEL WALKER. — MY SURVEYS AND EXPLORA- TIONS. — GREYTOWN HARBOUR SILTING UP. — SURRENDER OF IMPOR- TANT RIGHTS. — ENDEAVOURS TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT LINE. The English seem to excel all other modern people in fitness for colonization ; and to their pioneering energy may be attributed the enormous increase of commerce, the rapid advance of civilization, and the spread of Chris tianity; but it cannot be denied that in spite of this natural advantage the nation has been singularly un happy in the management of its colonies, and profited little by former trials or dearly-bought experience.

When sanctioning the formation of a colony, the mother-country should regard it as a primary object to ensure the permanent attachment of her offspring, by facilitating a certain, speedy, and safe exchange of c ideas and commodities between herself and the inter esting young stranger. Those ties which affection, a community of interest, or a love of gain, weave between a kindred people, are not the less strong because they are unseen ; and once established, furnish the best gua rantee for permanent peace and lasting goodwill. A rapid, certain, and safe means of communication between the different nations of the earth has now become the great aim of all well-wishers of mankind, and our colonies should be the first to experience the benefit of this state of things ; unfortunately, the open ing of new roads, and the improvement of the means of locomotion, has hitherto been viewed in this country in a narrow spirit.

The introduction of stage-coaches, it was asserted, would be the sure forerunner of national degeneracy ; people would no longer choose to ride on horseback, but prefer to " loll at ease " in those effemi nate contrivances, which were pronounced " one of the greatest evils that had happened to the kingdom." The introduction of railways met with equally ridi culous objections; and one is almost at a loss to com prehend how sane men could utter such absolute non sense against that great blessing of the human race which the genius of a Stephenson was about to confer upon the nation. It may be argued that a great many who spoke against the introduction of railways could have had no clear conception of what they were talk ing about ; but no expuse of this sort can be advanced with regard to the late Thames embankment question.

Everybody could understand that ; everybody had more or less suffered from delays, and been annoyed by the OPPOSITION TO QUICK LOCOMOTION. 3 crowded state of our London streets, and the unhealthy condition of our great river, yet it was gravely questioned whether the embankment would be an improvement or not ; and future generations will behold with astonishment the ridiculous aspect of this controversy. If such or similar shortsightedness prevails with regard to the means of locomotion at our very doors, no surprise can be felt at the utter blindness displayed regarding localities so distant that public opinion can not be brought to bear upon them in any great force. A recent instance was afforded by the late transpor tation of troops to Canada. Owing to the absence of a direct road, which ought to have been constructed years ago, we were compelled to send our soldiers by a round about way, and at an outlay which almost equalled the cost the construction of a good railway would have involved.

The overland route to India was entirely established by an individual, and in the teeth of direct opposition ; the Government of the day openly discountenancing the scheme, and the India Board distinctly stating that they required " no steam to India " at all ; indeed, that struggle for a transit is a stranger tale than fiction. Fortunately for us, Lieutenant Waghorn, R.N., per severed in his great undertaking. His route was successfully opened, its value distinctly proved, — in no case more than in the great Indian mutiny, — and a new source of wealth and happiness opened to our nation. But what was the reward of him who sacrificed all he possessed, who spent his entire property, devoted his health, ay, life itself, in order to ensure the success of b a so noble a cause % He did not receive anything, either for himself or his family !

The vast benefits which resulted from opening a short route to the British possessions in tbe East, by way of Suez, naturally drew attention to the great Isthmus of the New World, Panama (the high-road to a great portion of our wealth), in the hope of obtaining similar benefits for English colonies and interests in that direction. But it was not the good fortune of Great Britain to possess another Waghorn in this Western field, and all the efforts made to obtain a footing in Central America signally failed. The truth is, that each and every attempt was frustrated by the United States, ever anxious to prevent any nation but itself from enjoying the commerce of the New World, to which, according to the Monroe doctrine, it has the sole and exclusive right. In this instance the Ame ricans spared no pains to secure for themselves the monopoly of the transit over the Isthmus of their con tinent, and they have succeeded perfectly.

With the whole field to themselves, our transatlantic cousins lost no time in opening their route ; a railroad was built which will ever be a monument of skill and enterprise, and the value of which has far surpassed every calculation. Its political importance to the United States is immense ; by means of it the real control of the Pacific commerce falls into the hands of our rivals ; and our policy must of necessity be cramped when we reflect that our unscrupulous offspring have the power, in the event of war, to inflict disaster upon our squadron, menace our possessions, cut up our trade, or destroy our PANAMA NO HIGHWAY OF NATIONS. 5 cruisers in detail, before we could even inform our countrymen that hostilities had broken out. An opportunity occurred about the time the transit vid Panama was secured in favour of the United States, to open a new route, partly through Mosquito and partly through Nicaragua, starting from Greytown ; but again, although the Atlantic port was under our protectorate, and everything in our favour, we were beaten out of the field by our ubiquitous rivals, who opened a steamboat communication by the river San Juan and across Lake Nicaragua, while we were squabbling about the Mosquito question.

Once more an opening presented itself during Walker's sojourn, in the country; but the same shortsighted policy, the same weak submission to transatlantic intimidation, prevailed ; and not content with overlooking the chance thus offered, we actually went out of our way to destroy it. If the Panama route were a great highway of nations open to the whole world, there would be no cause for disquiet or distrust on the part of England ; but it can not be repeated too often that it is the only transit, and belongs exclusively to the United States. It is true that the soil is the property of New Granada, and that the Americans simply hold a lease of it ; but that wonderful people make no secret of their intention to convert their leasehold into a freehold, malgre the rightful owners. That this is not mere wordy declama tion has been evidenced on more than one occasion; and, doubtless, long ago the matter would have been settled in this wise, had not all parties in the United States been fully occupied with the internal troubles of their own country.

An unmistakable exposition of the popular determination in this matter has very lately been given by the seizure of Confederates upon neutral ground, and their forcible conveyance as prisoners across the Panama Eailway, in direct violation of the neutrality of New Granada ; remonstrance and protest only elicit ing the startling reply, that the line was held to be the property of the United States. The time has arrived when the eyes of the public ought to be opened to the true aspect of affairs in Central America. Sooner or later, nothing but disaster will be the result of tamely submitting to this close monopoly of the transit. We are permitted to tra verse the line only on sufferance ; and by-and-by, when accustomed to its use, and unable to carry on our Pacific trade without such a speedy means of commu nication, then, without notice, we shall find the gate closed against us, and incalculable injury inflicted upon our commerce and prestige.

This was more than sha dowed forth in the speech of our Colonial Secretary (the Duke of Newcastle) from his place in the House of Lords last session (1862), when he said, "A short time back, when there was an apprehension of hostilities with the United States, (the ' Trent ' affair,) he was unable to communicate with the Governor of British Columbia for the space of six weeks, there being the possible chance of any dispatches sent vid Panama falling into hostile hands." Time was when a British Minister would not have dared to make such an admission of governmental weakness and pusillanimity ; but in the present day, after the meekness with which repeated NECESSITY OF A NEW ROUTE. insults have been borne when coming from the other side of the Atlantic, one is not surprised at anything ; and no doubt even the ' Trent' outrage would have been quietly put up with if it had not come within the scope of public observation.

The energetic measures taken on that occasion no more emanated from the Government of the day than did the raising of the Volunteer Rifle force, or any other really useful project. The United States, by the untiring energy, skill, per severance, and patriotism of its citizens, and the foster ing care and foresight of its government, had passed the mother-country in the commercial race, when the present deplorable struggle commenced ; that event has, of course, put a decisive stop to all progress ; never theless, when peace is restored, our rivals will possess an immense vantage-ground in the Panama Railway ; and while it continues the only gate to the Pacific, of which they hold the keys, they must be the winners. The English will be blind indeed if they throw away the chance now offered. There are other parts of Cen tral America which present even greater facilities for a transit than Panama ; and it is in the power of Eng land to open more than one new route for herself exclusively if she chooses ; but, if she is wise, she will make a highway free to all nations.

Some explanation of my connection with the sub ject of transit routes may be due to my readers. Long practical acquaintance with the efforts to discover the North-West Passage first drew my attention to the matter, and impressed me with the importance of shortening the road between the scenes of my countrymen's commercial enterprise and the mother-country. Strongly imbued with this feeling, an invitation to ac company the late Mr. Robert Stephenson, M.P., to the Isthmus of Suez, was eagerly accepted, and the opportunity of studying the question of transit with one of the ablest engineers of the day thus afforded. After wards I found myself, in the course of service, stationed as senior naval officer on the Atlantic side of the great American Isthmus, the entire Pacific side of which (with Panama as head-quarters) I had formerly been made familiar with by constant employment in sur veying duties.

At Greytown I found the question of transit of absorbing interest to the inhabitants ; without commerce their town sinks to the level of a wretched swampy village, but with it becomes the en trepot of a very extensive trade. It is this fact which has caused it to be coveted by Nicaragua, and made the United States strain every nerve to deprive us of foot ing at a place so important, not only in a commercial but in a strategical point of view. Neither the Ameri cans nor the Nicaraguans ever cared one straw whether or not England exercised a protectorate over Mosquito ; but the possession of the port of Greytown has ever been the real bone of contention in the Mosquito question ; and that unseemly squabble would never have taken place had not this harbour, so valuable for transit purposes, been included in the Mosquito ter ritory.

Thrown in the very midst of this most important and congenial discussion, it is but natural that I should have manifested the warmest interest in the subject, and very THE YANKEE SCARECROW. 9 soon discovered that the question affected British inter ests much more nearly than is suspected by the public at home. England has never had her attention properly aroused to the importance of possessing a ready means of access to her possessions and commerce in the Pa cific. The Government has tabooed the subject by every means in its power, frightened, no doubt, by the Yankee scarecrow which is for ever dangling before its eyes, and which, to its vision, is always on the point of as suming vitality. Whilst simply crossing the ocean was the only means of transit, we were able to hold our own against all comers ; but now that the genius of a Stephenson and a Waghorn has curtailed both time and distance, it is a widely different affair : those men have effected a revolution, and we must abide by the work of their hands.

A giant innovation has taken place, and we must stand to it for better or for worse ; for better if we keep pace with it, for worse if we lag behind. Already the glaring error of allowing the United States to monopolize and control the only avenue of approach to the Pacific is apparent ; and it is to be hoped, now that the govern mental apprehensions have been quieted by American disunion, that a vigorous effort will be made to open a new and independent route. The territory of New Granada being closed against any rival to the Panama Railway by the terms of its contract,* which grants to the citizens of the United States the exclusive privilege of transit, it follows that we must look elsewhere for the means of crossing expe- * See chapter on Panama. ditiously from ocean to ocean. Nicaragua offers the best field for such an undertaking ; but here again we have been out-generaled, and the route through that republic would also have been completely in the hands of Americans, had not, fortunately for us, causes of both a political and physical nature combined against them.

Their transit was eminently successful, in spite of its various transshipments, until Colonel W. Walker was driven to interfere with it, with destructive effect both to himself and the undertaking. Dming the conflict which ensued, the river was so seriously impeded by artificial obstacles, as also the port of Greytown, that the navigation soon became barred against even the smallest vessels. In the first place, I turned my attention to the river, with a view to ascertain if it could again be used for traffic, but my surveys and explorations failed to give any hope of such a consummation. The favourite project on the spot Avas to dam the Colorado, and by thus forcing all the stream into the San Juan branch, to cause the descent of so strong a current and large a volume of water as to scour out and deepen the channel and harbour.

This, no doubt, might be done ; but it will be as well to say nothing of the time and cost. In short, there is but little question that the days of Greytown are drawing to a close ; its once fine port, in which a number of heavy ships could have been anchored with ease and convenience, will now admit only the smallest vessels, as is proved by the last survey (April, 1860), when only eleven feet could be found on the bar ; and the sand-spit which forms the seaward face GREYTOWN HARBOUR SILTING UP. 11 of the port had extended itself, and therefore narrowed the entrance, during the preceding fifteen months, no less than two hundred yards. Greytown, like its neighbours, Blewfields, Pearl Cay, and Cape Gracias, must fulfil its destiny. Each of those places once boasted a splendid harbour, but what are they now] Lagoons — mere shallow sheets of water : and to this Grey town must shortly come, and therefore its commercial and strategical importance will soon belong to the past.

The certainty that Greytown was doomed, and with it any hope of transit in that quarter, prompted me to examine the nature of the coast more minutely than had hitherto been attempted, and thus the deep. bay formed by the projection of Monkey Point became known. This bay, which I have designated Gorgon Bay, after H.M.S. Gorgon, then under my command, is about thirty miles to the northward of Greytown ; it proved to be capacious, free from shoals, easily entered by day or night, well sheltered from the Northers, and in every respect admirably adapted for the Atlantic ter minus of a transit route. The distance to the Lake Nicaragua did not much exceed sixty miles, with indi cation of an easy gradient the whole way; while from the Lake terminus to the Pacific the road and the steamers left by the " Accessory Transit Company " could be at once made available.

The absolute necessity for an alternative route in the interests of British commerce had so impressed itself upon my mind, that I felt nothing could have been more opportune than the bringing to light of such a port as that just described ; and now came the question — how to secure it? In this, not so many obsta cles were experienced as I had been led to suppose. I found the King of Mosquito quite alive to the many advantages that would accrue to his people from open ing a transit through his territories, and consequently he was quite prepared to grant a liberal concession for a railway, and to allow me whatever land I required. No time, therefore, was lost in effecting the purchase of the entire bay, from Monkey Point to Little Monkey Point, including the adjacent islands, and in obtaining his signature to a concession of land for transit purposes.

Having taken the above step, the next thing to be done was to advise our minister, Mr. Wyke, of the altered aspect of affairs on the coast of Mosquito, and of the rapid deterioration of Greytown Harbour ; and this seemed to me the more important, as rumours had reached me that, as usual, Greytown was the stumbling block in the way of his negotiating a treaty with Nica ragua. For various reasons, it was improbable that a dispatch would ever reach its destination ; besides, time was very precious ; and therefore, taking all things into consideration, I deemed it best to pay a visit to Mr. Wyke myself. I cannot say that I met with the least encouragement from that gentleman, and afterwards found, by a comparison of dates, that just before my arrival he had concluded a treaty, giving up everything — protectorate of Mosquito, boundary, etc. ; in short, each and every point which we had maintained and held long before the United States became a nation.