No. 99.
Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.
Managua, Nicaragua, Nov. 12, 1874. (Rec’d Dec. 31.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that in a conversation with President Quadra yesterday, he told me quite fully about the disturbance on the Mosquito coast, of which I gave you a brief account in a previous dispatch from Guatemala, the number and date of which cannot now be given, on account of absence from the office of the legation.
The President says a young colored man, the grandson of the last so-, called “King of the Mosquitos,” came to Bluefields several weeks ago, accompanied by four British subjects from Jamaica, and one American colored man, who claims to be a citizen of the United States. They were received with some enthusiasm by a few persons who seemed to be advised of their coming. A banquet was given, and he soon declared [Page 141] himself the legitimate “King of the Mosquitos.” His cabinet, the President says, is composed of the four British subjects and one American citizen above referred to—all colored men. He proceeded to exercise his authority by having two persons hung, who were accused of committing murder in a riot that occurred probably about the date of his banquet. He also expelled from the Mosquito coast two persons who were engaged there in some kind of enterprise, under a privilege granted by the government of Nicaragua, and threatened them with death if they returned.
The President did not know whether “the King” brought arms with him, but stated it was supposed so, as he claimed to have an army, and declared he would resist any attempt of Nicaragua to exercise authority over his dominions.
He is said to use the old flag of the Mosquitos and the British flag. His pretensions are based upon the allegation that he is not bound in any way whatever by the treaty of Managua of 1859, between Great Britain and Nicaragua. He moreover alleges that Nicaragua has not fulfilled upon her part the stipulations of said treaty.
I did not understand the President to say in terms that he believed “the King “to be under the protection of the British government. The intimation was thrown out by both the President and minister of foreign affairs that they apprehended that government was advised of their movements. At all events, the government of Nicaragua has taken no steps, that I can learn of, either to capture the young adventurer and his aiders and abettors, or to expel him from the country. It is waiting for further intelligence, the President says. By the next mail from this place I will write to Mr. Frew, commercial agent at San Juan del Norte, to give me a full report of the whole affair. It may be much more important than the government of Nicaragua seems to think it at present.
I have, &c.,