observed one fault in his general proceeding. He ter, it was my fortune to converse with many of We resume with the original dispatch giving an account of the first formal taking possession of that region towards which so much interest has been attracted lately. It will be found to be very interesting and curious. It is somewhat singular that the King described so nearly resembles the descriptions of the present "King of Mosquito." Lord Palmerston, in his dispatch to the Nicaraguan Government, says: "The time when and the manner in which the connection between Great Britain and the Mosquito Coast began is not well known." This paper evidently throws some light on the subject, and may be useful to his Lordship, provided he still continues to ignore the treaty of Paris, 1763. We do not desire at present to re-open the discussion of the Nicaraguan question, especially in the manner it has been discussed in this Review, contrary to the advice of its present conductor, but we are glad to be able to add any new facts that may throw light upon it; retaining personally, as we do, the confidence we have always felt, notwithstanding all that has been said, in the patriotism and far-seeing statesmanship of the eminent Secretary in whose hands the negotiation has been, knowing that he of all others is the man to settle it upon such bases as the honor and interests of the country demand. XI. [Backed, "Mr. Hodgson, from yo 13th of March to 12th April. Sandy Bay, 8th April, 1740. Mr. Hodgson to Gov. Trelawny."] SANDY BAY, April 8th, 1740. May it please your Excellency:-I dated my last from Port Royal by mistake on the 1st of March, whereas we sailed from thence on the 29th of February, arrived at St. Andrews on the 3d of March, sailed for Sandy Bay on the 6th, where we came to an anchor on the 11th, but were prevented by a north from going ashore till the 13th. King Edward being informed of my arri val, sent me word that he would see me the next day, which he did, attended by several of his captains. I read to him your Excellency's letter, and my own commission, and when I had explained them by an interpreter, told my errand and recommended to them to seek all opportunities of cultivating friendship and union with the neighboring Indian nations, and especially such as were under s bjection to the Spaniards, and of helping them to recover their freedom. They approved every thing I said, and appointed the 16th to meet the Governor, John Briton, and his captains at the same place, to hear what I had farther to say. On the 16th they all came except Admiral Dilly and Coll Morgan [Mosquito Indian chiefs, who had been complimented with British commissions or titles.-ED.] who were sick. General Hobby and his capt were at too great a distance to be sent for, but their presence not being material, I proceeded to acquaint them that as they had long acknowledged themselves subjects of Great Britain, the Governor of Jamaica had sent me to take possession of their country, in his majesty's name: then asked if they had any thing to object. They answered that they had nothing to say against it, but were very glad I was come for that purpose. So I immediately raised the standard and reduced the sum of what I had said into articles. I asked them both separately and jointly if they approved and would abide by them. They unanimously declared they would. So I had them read over again in a solemn manner under the colours. At the end of every article fired a gun, and concluded with cutting up a turf, and promising to defend their country and to pro cure them all the assistance and instruction from England in my power. The formality all this was done with seemed to have a good influence upon them, for they often repeated their desire of learning to read, and said they must now mind their king more than they had done, and do all they could to help themselves and hurt the Spaniards, to whom I recommended all the mercy that was consistent with their own safety. But they seemed not to understand me rightly, saying-if they fight they must kill. The articles I enclose, and hope your Excellency will excuse so much ceremony for as I had no certain information whether the country was ever taken possession of before or ever claimed otherwise than by sending them down commissions, I thought the more voluntary and clear the cession of it was, the better. The governor came attended with a numerous guard, who behaved to him with much respect and silence. He is a sensible old man, and carries a good command; the king being very young, I believe not twenty, is not much observed, but was he to be a while in Jamaica or England 'tis thought he would make a hopefull monarch enough. On the 18th the king with his captains came of their own accord to consult about a proper place to attack, but hearing that Captain Jumper was expected from the other side of the Cape, with 5 or 6 periauguas, and neither the governor, Admiral Dilly nor Coll Morgan being present, I thought it best to defer it 'till they were summoned. The king brought his mother and the captains their wives. I entertained them as usual, but there always comes such a train with them that instead of one puncheon of rum I should have had three or four. However, as I recommended sobriety to them at first as from your Excellehcy, none of them has presumed to get drunk when they come to me. King Edward and his captains went aboard likewise. As we went, they told me that Captain Stewart had teazed them into a sort of promise to go with him, but they were averse to it, and wondered that such a privateer, who was a blaze of fire, did not look out for Spaniards at sea, rather than trouble them to make his voyage for him. I told them that I had nothing to say to what promises they had laid themselves under before I came amongst them; that I knew truth and sincerity were most agreeable to your Excellency, and therefore could say nothing more than if they went with Captain Stewart and I liked the design, that I would go with them. If I did not, would depend upon their hastening back to try another that both they and I should like. However, if they desired me, they might depend upon my going with them any where. I spoke the same to Captain Stewart, who persuaded them with much ado to meet him at Pearl Keys. They tyed their knotts with much reluctance, and told me the next day they were so divided in their opinions since my coming, that they knew not what to do for the best. The same day Admiral Dilly and Coll Morgan sent me word they were coming to wait on me. I immediately crossed the Lagune to meet them, hearing they were sensible clever fellows, and such I found them. They had despatch'd a messenger to the governor to meet them the next day to hold a general and decisive council. They all mett on Sunday the 23d, at Senock Dawkras (Mr. Whitehead's house). The governor being sick, tryed our patience by making us wait till the afternoon; but when he came, made ample amends by the justness of his sentiments. He told the king and his captains it was plain they had got a name and the good opinion of the Governor of Jamaica, (whose success against the rebellious negroes they On the 19th Capt. Andrew Stewart, who had all heard of,) and if they did not keep has been hovering several months on this it up, what could the world say of them? coast in hopes of getting the Muskitos to There was an officer now sent down by your make an expedition for him, came into the Excellency to observe their manner of fightroad and sent me an invitation to dine on ing, and if they did not do their best they board, with an apology for not waiting on should lose the favor of the English. It was me himself, which I accepted, and was salu-true they were but a small number of peoted with 5 guns at coming off. He was very desirous to agree with me about attacking some place or other, but proposed none but a gold mine which he could not describe. ples compared to us who had men to spair for sickness and the sword. But if they show'd themselves worthy, no doubt the King of Great Britain would send a force sufficient to get them all they wanted, besides teachers to instruct them in what is right and good. He said General Hobby had often talked about taking towns in time of peace, and called the English cowards. Now it was war, they must show they were not such themselves; that the English were the best judges when war or peace were proper, and none of them had any business to act otherwise than they were directed by the Governor of Jamaica. In short, all he said show'd a strong natural judgment, and the sedate tone of voice in which he and some others debated, was very agreeable and affecting. They quickly came to the point, viz-what place they shou d attack, and soon agreed upon one where there is both a mine and a town, viz., the river Coaclyo and the town of St. Juan de Vasaqua: Thinking, I suppose, to oblige Captain Stewart by the first and me by the latter. We tyed fourteen knotts and concluded with many loyal healths. Then they all got up and took their leaves in a respectful manner before they had drank too much. I found my council about sobriety has had some weight with the old men, but the young ones are got together since with the women into drinking bouts. They intoxicate themselves with a liquor made of honey, lime apples and cassada, and if they avoid quarrels, which often happen, they are sure to have fine promiscuous doings among the girls. The old women, I am told, have the liberty of chawing the cassada before 'tis put in, that they have a chance in the general rape as well as the young ones. I fell into one of them by mere accident last Monday, where I found Admiral Dilly and Col° Morgan retailing my advice among them to little effect, for most of them were too drunk to mind it, and so hideously painted that I quickly left them to avoid being daubed all over, which is the compliment they usually pay their visitors on such occasions. Those two captains complain much of their drinking, but say it has been taught them by the English. Others say not-for how should the English invent the pine and cassada drink? Their resentment of adultry has lost its edge, too, more than among other Indians. That, I make no doubt, they are obliged to us for. Their breach of promises in their bargains, I take to be a good deal owing to a sense of being defrauded by traders, but through their ignorance of numbers and value not being able to tell how, they are apt to make improper reprisals. As for their laziness, the grand promoter of the rest, I really think it must have been owing to their discontent at the ill usage they have received from privateers and others; because I don't find that it has been epidemical amongst them till lately. They will loll in their hammocks till they are almost starved-then start up and go a turtling in a pet, and if they have not im mediate success, and there happens to be many periaguas together, they form a design on some Spanish or Indian town. They have never been upon any considerable expedition since that of Barcuto, which is thirteen years ago; so that there are many raw lazy young fellows among them, for which reason the old men say it will not be proper to put them upon severities at first. They are better judges than I can possibly be. I propose when I come back to collect all that live on this side the cape into little towns. Their present straggling life being very inconvenient. Dilly and Morgan complain of it, and say that they lived together formerly, but falling into the English custom of ridiculing and abusing one another behind their backs, they fell into varience, and so dispersed; and they believe that there are larger numbers back in the country that never appear, than those that do. I shall endeavour to get them together. These things require more time and patience than I expected. But when their inveteracy to the Spaniards and fidelity to us during [word illegible] of 100 years is considered, and that our own vices have helped to spoil them, no pains, methinks, should be spared to reclaim them. I have disposed of several presents, but their returns being principally in visits to get more or to drink punch, I have stopt my hand. The Lubeck duck, osnabrigs, powder, ball, flints and shott I shall divide among them at setting out, with a promise that they shall pay me according to their behaviour or their plunder. I have disposed of none of your lady's merchandise yet, hoping for the best market when we come back. The English here have laid me under a kind of prohibitation, by telling them that I did not come to trade, but to do them good, which both makes me has gone to take Banalo; but wish that I had seen him first, because it is the Governor of Jamaica's orders that you make slaves of the Indians no longer; but on the contrary, when you happen to take any, that you will tell them the gray-eyed people will soon join you and come to help them against the Spaniards, whose yoke you must advise them to throw off in the mean time, and so send some of them back, and use the rest well till I come amongst you, which will be as soon as our expedition is over. I would have seen you first if time would have allowed it, so wish you and your family health and success against our common enemy, cautious and implies their own way of trade | speed, that we may go out as strong as posis bad. Indeed I observe it is upon a very sible. I am glad that Captain Handysides unequal and uncertain footing, and dont see how it can be otherwise till the people themselves are upon a better. I can give your Excellency no information as yet of the white people on the other side of the Cape and at Cape Camdrous. At my return I shall go among them and among the Pians and Pictocks. The weight of the Muskitos among their neighbours notwithstanding all their vices, appears from their influence upon these two Indian nations, who, tho' generally at war with each other, are always good friends when the Muskito men come among them. If the season will allow it, I propose another expedition when I come back that shall direct them all better to the country of their fathers than this we are going upon. I am in great want of mapps, the 1st vol. of Dampier Uring's and others, whom I never read. Captain Stewart was present at our last meeting, and told me he designed to wait for us at the Pearl Keys. I answered we should be there, but as for the Muskito men, they were soly under my command, and that it was my duty to see them have justice done, whatever they took. I show'd him my commission and King Edward's declaration. So I hope that we shall have no disputes. He told me that his carpenter had repair'd six crafts at the cape upon the promise of their captains to go out with them, which they now said they would not have done if I had not come among them. I wrote to Gen' Hobby as follows: and am Your friend and brother, ROBERT HODGSON. The report of Handysides being gone to Banalo is contradicted, so that I can assure your Excellency of the truth. He is Hobby's son, and a very bold fellow. Thus, sir, I have related my proceedings hitherto, and hope they will be to your satisfaction. I can form no judgment till the expedition is over, how far these people may be rendered serviceable to the main design. Neither can I add many remarks upon the country, having had no conveniency as yet for travelling. What I have seen is flat. Being all savannnas and lagunes, it produces very good cotton, in my opinion much finer than Jamaica's; and I am told there is as good cocoa near the cape as any in New Spain. Their pine apples are delicious and three times as large as ours. Wild honey is in plenty. I live chiefly upon turtle, their idleness not suffering them to raise stock or cattle. In short, the people only want stirring up by war and a little better sense of shame, and then to be kept employed about the conveniences and decencies of life, and not to be defrauded, all which might be soon done by introducing a more regular set of whites. Those few I have mett with on this side do not seem so averse to the government as I expected, and I hope to find them on the other side, where they are pretty numerous, tractable enough. There is one honest gentleman named Luke Horton living at Black River Lagoon, who some years ago bargained with the Spaniards of Truxillo to be tray the country to them, and had almost ple as obnoxious to the Spaniards as the brought the King into it. A Spanish lieu- devil. If we have success, King Edward tenant and twenty men ventured upon the begs that when your Excellency is informed assurance Luke had given them, and the how we are gone, and that he is ready to standard of Spain was hoisted upon his come up to Jamaica, that a small man-ofhouse-top. The Muskito men hearing of it, war may be sent for us. The honor as well sent them a message to prepare for death, as the interest of the nation, methinks, is and immediately put them all to the [word now concerned to aid these Indians in every illegible] except the lieutenant and Luke, respect. whom the English begged off. A Spanish I propose, if possible, to stand the Voyage privateer was forced by a north into Brew-in an open periagua along with the king. er's Lagoon about a year since. She had We expect to be out three months. Sevegot some damage, which the English there ral, as well Muskito men as others, seemed were so weak as to assist them in repairing, and afterwards so base as to fire upon them at parting. The captain was a knight of Malta, and talkt publicly of returning with a force sufficient to settle and fortify that key. If he keeps his word I hope to give a good account of him. King Edward talks of coming to Jamaica with me, and several others. They all seem desirous of having some of their children sent to England, but their women and sukeys too often oppose their best designs. I don't take their number to be near so many as the author of the project makes them out, except they are concealed backwards. I don't like this expedition to the southward half so well as one to the leeward, and did all I could against it consistent to my promise of leaving them to themselves; for every body agrees about the expectation of the Mohela Indians, who are said to be the race of Montezuma, that they shall have a deliverer from the gray-eyed people. Without superstition 'tis very possible, if the design is prosecuted, which I beg it may, though I miscarry or am lost in the attempt; for, to explain, I am not so good a judge of human nature as I may be thought; and whatever good opinion your Excellency has conceived for me, I am conscious as yet of being too superficial for an affair of this importance. I have neither the Spanish nor Indian language. The latter I have neither patience to learn nor memory to retain: and would a small cargo of ingenious young fellows embark from England, the difficulty would not be much, for the war may be made a diversion, and the climate a medicine for the most shattered constitution, if people would but adapt their way of living to it. In the mean time I shall break the ice, and render both myself and these peo desirous of taking Bocca del Drago, in our return, and I don't well know how to act in regard to them and other Indian bravoes. Their horrid cruelty and perfidy is certainly detestable, but whether it has not been derived originally from their Catholic neighbors on the Main is a question. If one half of the Muskito men that go out with me will engage to keep it till your Excellency's pleasure is known, I will send them a civil message to quit the island, which, I imagine, they will comply with, as they have got so few fire-arms. Their avenues, I am told, are fortified by deep pits, covered and sunk full of lances. I suppose they are easily avoided. Their's is a noble harbor, and I am told it would be a key to a better commerce than any we know of in the West Indies. I find some force will be requisite from England, let us proceed never so successfully; and several places will need fortification. When I have seen the whole shore, I shall inform your Excellency better. I expected twenty-five periauguas, but fear a disappointment, the people are so consummately superstitious and lazy. The king is sanguine enough. He proposes calling his people all together, and to press the fittest, and so push to sea at once. He has got a handsome brisk young wench to his queen, that pleases him well and makes him very good-natured and ready to follow advice. The governor, I find, notwithstanding his other good qualities, is quite an old leecher, which renders him unable to follow his own reason. He has got no less than five wives. Whitehead has been very serviceable to me, and grateful for my engagement to Macfarland. I thank your Excellency, whose favor has given me credit to do some good. Stuart tells me he had paid the money, and |