Crescit sub pondere virtus.
His Majesty the King having deigned to address the council of chief
leaders and representatives of Mosquitia in the following manner, the
same is ordered to be published for the information of all.
To the chiefs, leaders, and
representatives of Mosquitia assembled in council:
Honorable Gentlemen: I cannot express the
satisfaction I feel at being once more among my beloved subjects. It
is more than two years since I separated myself from you to go to
Jamaica, and now, by the special mercy of the All-Powerful, I am
able to assemble you here.
On looking at my surrounding, I feel deeply the absence of many old
and faithful members of our council. When I mention the name of
Henry Patterson, our former vice-president, who has been so recently
and suddenly removed by death, I do not find words with which to
express my own obligations, and the half of what the country owes to
him. What better tribute can we pay to his memory than to elect to
succeed him one whom he loved? When I think also of the honorable
services of John Fox,
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Admiral Smart, James Norwich, and Daniel Iscany, and others, I ask,
who are to be raised up to occupy their places? and I feel that our
most urgent interests consist in seeing that our beloved Mosquitia
may not fail in having as good and as trustworthy chiefs.
And, honorable gentlemen, while I feel deeply the loss of these men,
shall I not also express how much we owe to those who still remain
at their posts as officials, and who have sustained the government
during my absence? Many names I could mention, but those of
Cuthbert, Landberg, and Hooker deserve special mention.
I ought not to forget here the fulfillment of my pledges to my
beloved people who have contributed to my education, and to those
‘gentlemen of Jamaica who have directed it. If I could have gone
earlier and for a longer period, I believe without vanity, that,
with the blessing of God, I would have been eminently fitted for the
position I am called to occupy. The Revs. D. J. East and J. T.
Roberts have omitted nothing in guiding me, and to advance the
interests of Mosquitia, and through their influence I have enjoyed
and had agreeable interviews with the governors and officials of
Jamaica. So I trust Mosquitia has gained many influential and firm
friends. I desire that our past and present circumstances and
necessities be published to the world, since I have been surprised
at the false appreciation and the want of information about
Mosquitia that exist even in Jamaica, and for this I count on your
assistance.
When we remember how necessary is the blessing of that One by whom
rule the kings and princes who govern with justice, how can we,
honorable gentlemen, express the obligations, personal and national,
that we owe to the Mission of Brothers, moved by their continued
interest, and to its ministers and chiefs who have been sent among
us?
Let us assist, then, the mission with its chapels and schools, and
let us consider how to increase them, because I am convinced that
the religious education of our people is indispensable.
With reference to our present position as a semi-sovereignty,
exercising a de-facto government, by means of
a King and a council of Mosquitia, which constitute our supreme
powers, and to the treaty made by Her Majesty the Queen of Great
Britain, which defines our place among nations, I am grateful that
the government during my absence has corresponded to these
objects.
However, it is already time that everything of our past and present
relations should be clearly enunciated.
I will have much pleasure in making known to you the measures taken
to obtain this result. For these matters we no longer count on the
services of the late consul and vice-consul of England in Greytown,
but I am sure we gain more by other means. However, it is most
urgent that a British consul should be immediately named for
Greytown or Bluefields.
Returning to the affairs of the interior, my residence in Jamaica and
the knowledge that I acquired of their institutions, tariff, and
people have made me see all that we need, and I am certain that the
best means to establish and execute the laws, to educate and protect
the people, as well as to inaugurate and control an honest commerce
to increase our revenues, require a prompt attention.
Honorable gentlemen, on commencing my active duties as hereditary
King and President-elect of Mosquitia, permit me to assure you that
without your advice and consent I can do nothing. Under the
protection of the All-Powerful, I desire to be the protector and
maintainer of all classes of my subjects, and to sustain their
independence and integrity. I desire to see Mosquitia respected by
other states and known among nations. Mosquitia has a history we do
not need to hide. Under our present circumstances let us take for
our device, “Crescit sub pondere virtus” and
our future as a people will be prosperous.
Honorable gentlemen, proceed in the business of the council. The
estimates for the year will be submitted to your consideration, and
I will cease to weary your attention God save the King.
Printed in Kingston, Jamaica, by Duncan McDougall & Co., 130
Harbor street.
This is a true translation from the English in which is written the
address of His Majesty the King of the Indian Mosquitia.
San
Juan del Norte, December 10, 1874.
