CHAPTER XII.

REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.
1838-1855.

STATE GOVERNMENT DIRECTOR BUITRAGO S CONSERVATISM BRITISH Ac-

GRESSION DIRECTOR SANDOVAL S RULE INTERNAL TROUBLES GUER
RERO S ADMINISTRATION THE MOSQUITO KINGDOM ITS ORIGIN AND
HISTORY BUBBLES BRITISH PRETENSIONS SEIZURE OF SAN JUAN DEL
NORTE DlPLOMATfC COMPLICATIONS CLAYTON-BULWER TREATY NlC-
ARAGUA RECOVERS HER OWN RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS AN
AMERICAN WAR SHIP BOMBARDS SAN JUAN DEL NORTE PINEDA S
GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REPUBLIC PARTY DISSENSIONS
LEGITIMISTS VERSUS DEMOCRATS CHAMORRO AND CASTELLON CIVIL
WAR DEATH OF CHAMORRO ESTRADA SUCCEEDS HIM.

LITTLE, if anything, has been said in this history of

the internal affairs of Nicaragua since 1838. Under
her first constitution, that of 1826, the chief executive
officer of the state was called jefe del estado, and his
term of office was for four years. The second organic
law, promulgated in 1838, gave that functionary the
title of director supremo, limiting his tenure of office
to two Pablo Buitra^o
years.
*/ O seems to have been
the director called upon to enforce the constitu
first
tion of 1838.
1
He was declared by the chambers, on
the 4th of March, 1841, to have been constitutionally
chosen. His first step was to remove from the office
of ininistro general Francisco Castellon, who held it
ad interim under appointment by Patricio Rivas, 2

*The following persons held the office ad int. before him: namely, Patri-
oio Rivas, June 1839; Joaquin Cosio, July 1839; Hilario Ulloa, senator in
charge, Oct. 1839; Tomas Valladares, senator, Nov. 1839; Patricio Rivas,
Sept. 1840. Marure, Efem., 64; Montnfar, Resefla Hist., iv. 136; Wells
Howl., 494.
2
There was much dissimilarity of views on political matters between the
(238)
 BUITRAGO, OROZCO, PEREZ. 239

calling to succeed him Simon Orozco, whom he could

more easily control.
Buitrago treated a communication from Morazan,
sent him from San Miguel, with contumely; and after
ward, when the ex-president, as jefe of Costa Rica,
accredited near him two commissioners, he declined
3
to receive them. His course won him commendation
4
from the rulers of Guatemala. His term of office
came to an end on the 1st of April, 1843, and he was
temporarily succeeded by Juan deDios Orozco. The
official press asserted that the election for director had
been made with perfect freedom. But no candidate
having received the requisite number of votes, the
5
assembly chose Manuel Perez to fill the position.
6
The state was at peace, but was not to enjoy that
benefit long. In a previous chapter I have spoken of
the desolating war waged within her borders by the
tyrants of Salvador and Honduras. She was, more
over, harassed by the intemperate demands for Brit
ish claimants made by Chatfield, the ally of the
aristocrats of Guatemala, who went so far as to dic
tate to Nicaragua how to recognize and pay these
7
claims. The assembly then authorized the executive
to arrange the matter in the best way possible, and
two men, though Castellon had contributed to Buitrago s election. Many
bitter publications appeared subsequently from the pens of the two adver
saries. Perez, Mem. Hist. Rev. 2?ic., 48, 146.
3
They were not even allowed to enter the state, because of the treaty of
Oct. 1842, signed by Pavon, Arriaga, and Duran.
4
The Gaceta eulogized him, and Pavon said that he was un hombre de
drdeii que solo aspiraba a la justicia y al clecoro. Buitrago s position was be
coming a difficult one. Morazau ruled in Costa Rica, had not a few friends
in Nicaragua, and public opinion in the latter state favored a convention of
states. On the other hand, he was anxious not to forfeit the good opinioii of
the nobles and nuns. Upon the news of Morazaii s execution reaching Leon,
he had it published with marks of satisfaction. He also objected, though not
strenuously, to the landing of Saget and his companions, ycleped Coquimbos,
in Salvador.
5
One of his first acts
was to make Francisco Castellon his ministro general.
6
The new Eco de la Ley, in its first number declared that
official journal,
an Octavian peace reigned. And indeed, had Nicaragua been away from ob
noxious influences, peace might have been maintained under republican insti
tutions. But she was, unhappily, surrounded by states where for a time brutal
force held sway.
7
The claimants were Bridge, Clenton, and Manning. Full details on the
claims of the last two are in Nic., Reyistro Ofa., 109-10, 121-3, 132-5; Dun-
lop s Cent. Am., 55-6.
240 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.

Castellon, the ministro general, proposed to Chatfield

to submit the disputed claims to arbitration, naming
Bishop Viteri as the Xicaraguan arbitrator. Finally,
a legation was despatched to London, Castellon being
the minister and Maximo Jerez the secretary. 8 The
British authorities resolved, however, to use coercion
in order to force a settlement of the claims, the cor
vette Daphne blockading the port of Realcjo in Au
gust 184G; and the government, being without funds
to meet such demands at once, had to pledge the rev
enue from the tobacco monopoly during the next four
years.
Leon, after its terrible conflict with the forces of
Salvador and Honduras, aided by Nicaraguan allies,
was in a shattered condition, and most of the families
dwelling therein were in mourning, and reduced t;>

indigence. Muiioz, who so efficiently cooperated to

that result, had secured the coveted reward, the com
mand in chief of the western department. The scat
of government was at San Fernando, and Bias An
tonio Saenz assumed the executive duties on the 20th
of January, 1845. 9 Under the sword of Mufioz the
elections for director supremo were effected, and Jose
Leon Sandoval obtained a plurality vote. 10 He was
declared duly elected on the 4th of April. The assem
11
bly passed several important measures.
Peace had not been restored. Disturbances were
breaking out in several parts. There were revolu-
8
They embarked at San Juan del Norte on the llth of March, 1844. Both
have since figured prominently in political circles.
9
Selva had held the office by virtue of his position as senior senator to that
date, when his senatorial term expired.
10
2!23 votes were cast for him, the next highest receiving only 190. The
other candidates were Juan Jose Ruiz, Jose Guerrero, Pablo Buitrago, Laure
ate Pineda, Jose Rosa Perez, G. Carcache, Patricio Rivas, and Rafael Ala-
t liado.
fric., Registro Ofic., 47-8; Sandoval, Revistas Polit., 19; Dunlop s Cent.
Am., 250.
11
To raise two loans of $10,000 and $30,000, respectively, and to regulate
the financial system. Trial by jury was suspended. An amnesty was issued
with many exceptions against the defenders of Leon. _Ar c., Registro O flc., 69
7J. Two portfolios were created; namely, that of war, intrusted to Lino
(A -sar, and that of treasury, placed in charge of Jesus de la Rocha. Jose
Montenegro was ministro general and of foreign relations. The administra
tive course of Fruto Chamorro, as supremo delegado of the late confederacy,
was approved the 9th of May, long after Chamorro had vacated his office.
 REVOLUTION UPON REVOLUTION. 241

tionary movements in Managua, and the government

sent thither Ponciano Corral to make an investiga
tion, and quell the sedition. His report brought
about the imprisonment of several citizens. 12 Mani
festations in favor of Cabanas at Rivas were put down
with an iron hand. On the 24th of June there was a
revolt at Leon, which Munoz quelled, and the govern
ment had its authors confined in San Juan del Norte. 13
The executive had proclaimed neutrality in the con
test between the government of Salvador and Males-
pin, who was sustained by Honduras; and though he
concluded with Salvador at San Fernando a treaty of
peace, friendship, and alliance, he also entered into a
14
similar one with Honduras. The latter treaty was
intended to be a reality, and undeniable that Nic
it is

aragua was a faithful ally and cooperator of Honduras

down to the treaty of Sensenti. The treaty with
Salvador was not made in good faith on the part of
Nicaragua.
The town
of Chinandega was, in the latter part of
July, captured by 200 revolutionists under Jose M.
15
Valle, alias El Chelon, who had come with sixty or
eighty men on a
schooner from La Union, and landed
at Cosigiiina. 16 On
the 2Gth Munoz was attacked in
17
Leon, but defeated his assailants. The government
abandoned San Fernando and went to Managua. 18
12
Under the decree of June 23d, the prisoners were confined respectively
in Granada, Matagalpa, Acoyapa, San Fernando, and Nandayme, and sub
jected to prosecution by the courts. Many persons, specially the partisans of
Cabanas, were given by Corral the advice which was tantamount to an
order to quit Managua and not return. JVic., Reyiatro Ofic., 90, 9G-8, 101,
1 04.
13
The cause was the indignation at the sympathy of the government s
agents for Malespin and Guardiola.
u The
treaty with Salvador bore date of May 6, 1845, and was ratified by
the Salvadoran chambers June 3d.
15
The municipal authorities and citizens of the place, by an acta on the
29th of July, authorized Valle to take such action as he deemed best to
upset
the existing government and restore constitutional order. Montiifar, Resena
Jfist., v. 139-40; Ntc., fiegistro Ofic., 138-9.
10
Salvador \vas for a time suspected of connivance with Valle, but she
proved the contrary.
17
Director Sandovai called them assassins and robbers.
18
The western department and Managua were mulcted in $12,000 as pun
ishment.
HIST. CENT. AM., VOL. III. 16
242 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.

Munoz, victorious again at Chichigalpa, marched on

Chinandega, which he occupied without opposition ;

but having to return to Leon, the insurgents retook

it. He came back with a large force on the IGth of
19
August, and reoccupied the place. Sandoval had,
on the 9th, forbidden the men who accompanied Mo-
razan to Costa Rica from entering Nicaraguan soil.
A ministerial crisis occurred at this time, Rocha and
Cesar resigning their portfolios, which were given to
Maximo Jerez and Buitrago. 20 Their tenure was
necessarily short, and they were superseded in the
latter part of the year by Fruto Chamorro and Jose
Guerrero, the latter being almost immediately suc
ceeded by Lino Cesar. This new arrangement gave
the director an homogeneous cabinet. The govern
ment was now a decidedly conservative one.
The revolution came to an end in the latter part of
September 1845, an amnesty being issued excepting
only the chief leaders, and persons guilty of common
21
crimes.
This short truce enabled Sandoval to pay an official
visit tothe several districts. In Chinandega the in
habitants having abandoned their homes, he issued
22
orders to bring them back. The government was
levying heavy taxes. The citizens of Leon, Chinan
dega, El Viejo, and other places, who were the victims
of the self-styled "ejercito protector de la paz," were
compelled to support the regime which had its being
out of the destruction of the first-named town. It is,
therefore, not a matter of surprise that the people of
many towns went off to the woods. The insurrection

19
His official reports of July 8th and 17th are textually given in Montufar,
Rescna Hist., v. 102-4; Nic., Refjistro Ofic., 128-9, 133-i.
20
It is inexplicable how these two men could serve in the same cabinet,
unless under some one of very superior mind and character, which Sandoval
certainly did not possess. Jerez was a democrat, a friend of Central Amer
ican union, and an admirer of Morazan. Buitrago was the opposite a con
servative, separatist, and opponent of Morazan.
21
Leaders surrendering were to be dealt with by the civil courts; other
wise, if captured, would be tried under military laws.
Every one refusing to return was heavily fined. Chief -of -bureau E. Cas
"

tillo s instructions to the sub-prefect, in Monttifar, Resena Hist., v. 293.

 SANDOVAL AND MORALES 243

broke out again, Valle appearing in Segovia, and re-

entering Chinandega on the 26th of November. The
23
amnesty decree was thereupon revoked. The state
of Honduras took part in the war, sending an army
under Guardiola to the aid of Sandoval. The insur
gents were defeated first by Munoz, and soon after by
Guardiola, who occupied Chinandega.
24
At the end
of the campaign Munoz signified a desire to leave the
state, and asked for a passport; but the government
replied with words of fulsome praise that his services
25
could not be spared. This was precisely what Munoz
26
had fished for.
Efforts were made by Buitrago and others to pre
vail on Sandoval to call the chambers of 1846 to sit
in Leon, but he objected to the proposition. The
assembly met first in San Fernando June 7, 1846, and
on the 14th of August sanctioned every past act of the
government.
27
At a later date it removed to Mana
gua, and adjourned leaving much unfinished business,
28
for which it was summoned to an extra session, and
after doing what was required of it, retired on the 18th
of December.
The end of Sandoval s term was approaching, and
elections for supremo director took place. The as
sembly met again on the 12th of March, 1847, and
Senator Miguel R. Morales assumed the executive.
Minister Salinas in his annual report made a number
of suggestions to the chambers; namely, an amend
ment of the constitution in the direction styled by the
23
Decree of Oct. 30, 1842. Nic., Reghtro Ofic., 126, 128, 138, 143.
Official reports of Dec. 6th and 8th to the min. of war of Nic. Id., 157-
<24

8; El Tiempo, March 12, 1846.

En
cuanto al pasaporte, el Gobierno Supremo ama y desea mueho la
"

felicidad del Estado, y no podria privarlo de su mas fuerte apoyo. Montufar,

Resena Hint., v. 284-5; Nic., Registro Ofic., 290.
26
He
followed the example of Carrera in Guat.
27
Sandoval surrendered his office June 2oth to the legislature in order that
it might freely adjudicate upon his official acts. Once approved, he resumed
the executive duties Sept. 2d.
28
Dec. 12th it voted an amnesty law with a number of limitations; namely,
against persons entering the state with arms to disturb the peace; and against
the guilty of murder or other atrocious crime. The govt issued, Jan. 9, 1847,
C;
supplementary decree of amnesty. Sandoval, Revista Polit., 57-9- Nic.. Re-
yistro Ofic., 390, 401, 407-8; Montufar, Resena Hist., v. 298-9.
244 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.

conservatives, moclerado y ae orden;" good relations

"

with the pope, and cordial friendship with the priests;

public instruction based upon the requirements of the
council of Trent. The office of supremo director
passed, on the Gth of April, into the hands of Jose
Guerrero, who had been chosen for the constitutional
29
term. Acceding to the repeated petitions of the peo
ple of the western department, Guerrero decreed 30 to
make Leon the residence of the government, and the
transfer was effected July 20th, the people of that city
greeting the director and his officials with joy The
assembly, however, preferred to sit at Managua, and
did so on the 3d of September. 31
The country stood in need of a new constitution,
but this could not be framed at the present time, be
cause the whole attention of the o government and
people was absorbed by the questions with Great
Britain, which were a menace to Nicaraguan terri
tory, and even to the independence of all Central
America. These difficulties were connected with the
possession of the territory known as the Mosquito
Coast, or Mosquitia. The Spanish authorities to the
last moment of their rule over Central America acted
in a manner indicative of
Spain s claim of full sover
eignty over that territory, disallowing the pretended
right of the Zambo chief who under British protection
had been dubbed King of Mosquitia. 32
A British agent claimed some years afterward that
the relations of the Spanish and Mosquitian authori
ties had been in 1807, and even before, such as arc
held between independent powers. 33 The so-called
29
Sandoval returned to Granada and was received with great honor.
30
July 16, 1847. This measure awakened much acrimony outside of the
benefited department.
31
El Ra.zoncu.lor, Dec. 29, 1847.
3*
See Hist. Cent. Am., ii. 599-607, this series. In Nov. 1803, the whole
north coast, including the island of San Andres, and the Mosquito Coast ex
tending from Cape Gracias a Dios to the Chagre River, was placed under the
viceroy of Nueva Granada; but five years later the transfer was annulled, and
the coast of Mosquitia restored to Nicaragua, to which it had been annexed
by royal order of March 31, 1803.
33
He based his pretension on the following incident: The Caribs on the
Trujillo line rebelled in 1S07 betaking themselves to Mosq. territory, where
 THE MOSQUITO COAST. 245

king of Mosquitia claimed sovereignty over an extent

of country 340 miles long from north to south, and
about 235 miles in breadth. He also claimed the
district of Talamanca in Costa Rica, and that of Chi-

riqui in Panamd. 84
The British authorities main
tained a sort of protectorate over these Indians, occa
35
sionally sending presents to their chiefs.
O Frederick and his half-brother Robert, like
George
their father George, who was killed in 1800, were of
mixed negro and Indian blood. They were first taken
36
to Belize to receive some education, and next to
Jamaica, where they were the objects of some atten
tion on the part of Lord Albernarle, the governor-gen
George Frederick s education w as an indifferent
r
eral.
one. In 1815 he was back in Belize to be crowned
there at his own request, Chaplain Armstrong per
forming the ceremony, and his37chiefs taking the oatli
of allegiance in regular form. He was then pro
claimed king of the Mosquito shore and nation, and a

they were captured by Sp. troops and brought back, together with some Mos-
quitians, as prisoners. King Stephen, successor to George, the man crowned
by the British, threatened to burn Trujillo and to wage a border warfare if
his subjects were not forthwith returned. The president of Guatemala, for
prudential reasons, had the prisoners sent back. Am. Cent., Reclam. de Iti-
tervcn., 8.
Altogether about 70,000 square miles. Strangeways Mosq., 45. Lord
3*

Palmerstou, in his instructions to Brit, represent, in Nueva Granada and

Cent. Am., spoke of a coast line of about 720 statute miles as belonging to
Mosq. Squier, Cent. Am., 629, has it that from 200 to 500 miles in length,
and undefined breadth, have been claimed.
35
Capt. Geo. Henderson took some in 1807. The chiefs expected higher
marks of regard, but had to be contented with what they got. Henderson s
Brit. Hond., 168, 204.
30
That was done, it is presumed, after the death of Stephen, George s suc
cessor, who was ruling in 1807. The govt, at the time of their going to Be
lize, was in charge of a sort of regency formed of the three principal chiefs,
who divided the country into three separate departments. The first, extend
ing from Roman River, near Cape Honduras, to Patook, was intrusted to
Gen. Robinson. The second, from Caratasca, or Croata, to Sandy Bay and
Duckwarra, including all the Mosquitians proper, was in charge of a brother
of the late king, who bore the title of admiral. The third, from Brancmaiis
to Rio Grande, including various tribes, was under Don Carlos, called the
governor. The three head chiefs had sub-governors. But the small colonies
of Zambos, at Pearl Cay lagoon and Blewfields, could choose their own gov
ernors. Roberts Narr. of Voy., 146-7; Stout s NIC., 168-71.
3
A
regalia consisting of a silver-gilt crown, a sword, and sceptre of mod
erate value had been provided tor the farce. The emblems of royalty were
confided to the custody of Jack, an old negro, who, with wise precaution,
kept them carefully concealed. Sliders Cent. Am., 640-1.
-^-C.Camarones

MOSQUITIA.
 KING GEORGE FREDERICK. 247

British war vessel conveyed him and his chiefs to

38
Gracias d Dios. It seems that kingly life afforded
him little or no satisfaction. Aware of his lack of
qualifications, and fully sensible that
he could not
retrieve himself from vicious habits, especially from
the bottle, which soon controlled him, his heart failed
39
him, and his life became embittered. The British
at first manifested a friendly interest,
government
sending him presents, and Chaplain Armstrong his
advice but the latter was disregarded by the king
;

and his chief minister, who often remarked that a

present of rum would be more welcome. The instruc
tion on government was beyond his understanding,
and looked on as falsehood. Such was the effect of
his West India education in civilization. It has been
40
asserted that he was murdered in 1824. Robert,
his brother, succeeded, and was deposed, his successor-
being James, descended from an older branch of the
41
family, who took the name of George Frederick.
38
Col Arthur, the superintendent, gave him much good advice to guide
him in his government. Arthur s Letter, in Mosq. Dor., 122-3; Disputes with
Am., in Brit. Quart. Rev., xcix. 242-3. But the good advice was lost upon
his swarthy majesty. It is understood that every new king had been to
Jamaica to receive a commission from the Brit, govt, his subjects refusing
him recognition as their sovereign till he had done so. Bonny castle s Sp. Am.,
i. 171-2.
39
He became
a confirmed drunkard. Roberts Narr. of Voy., 148-9.
40
Some
parties accused of the crime are said to have suffered death.
41
George Hendersons British Honduras, London, 1811, 8, 236 p., is a diary
of the author s trip to and from the Mosquito shore, which also furnishes an
interesting account of Belize and her resources, climate, etc., together with
a map of Honduras, and ends with sketches oil the manners and customs of
1

the Mosquito Indians. Thomas Strangeways Sketch of the Mosquito /Shore,

Edinburgh, 1822, 8vo, 355 p. The author, who calls himself a K. G. C. t cap
tain of the first native Poyer regiment, and aide-de-camp to his Highness, the
cacique of Payais, gives with a portrait of that cacique, Sir Gregor MacGregor,
a historical preface, and a map of Mosquitia, and the Poyais territory. The
book also contains a descriptive sketch of that country, its productions, mode
of cultivation, and other facts, all compiled for the special use of settlers.
Peter F. Stout s Nicaragua, Past, Present, and Future, Phila., 1859, 12. 372
p. With the exception of a cursory glance at affairs in Mosquito, on inter-
oceanic communication, and ancient history of Mexico, this work is confined
to the resources, history, and general features of Nicaragua, the chief object
being to furnish a general description of the country rather than its history.
The author was U. S. vice-consul, and his opinion on questions between his
country and Great Britain might be deemed by a subject of the latter not
wholly impartial. Orlando W. Roberts Narrative of Voyages and Excursions
on the cast coast, and in the iiiterior of Central America, Edinburgh, 1827, 10,
302 p., preceded by a map of a part of Cent. Am. showing the route from
248 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.

Mosquito annals do not record what became of him.

The next king was Robert Charles Frederick, who
O himself a real monarch, for and in consider-
believing
ation of abundant contributions of rum, to which he
was much addicted, began to make large grants of
land, some of which carried with them the rights of
absolute sovereignty. Most of these grants were
afterward cancelled, and the king was taken by the
British authorities to Belize, and kept under control.
He died there, leaving, in a so-called last will, dated
in February 1840, to Superintendent Macdonald the
regency of his dominions during the minority of his
heir, the princess Inez Ann Frederick.
42
Macdonald,
whether as such regent or as an officer of the Brit
ish crown, appointed his private secretary, Patrick
Walker, to reside at Blewfields, and have charge of
the affairs of Mosquitia since which time the shore be
;

gan to assume much importance, at least in a political

sense. Walker established a council of state, and
soon opened a dispute about boundaries with the
Central American states, giving rise to grave questions
which occupied the attention of other governments,
and of which I will treat later.

Several attempts were made since the early days

of the present century to colonize the Mosquito shore,

the Atlantic to the Pacific, via the river San Juan and lakes Nicaragua and
Leon, with an index and a preface by Edward Irving, is a little book descrip
tive of the author s journey up the San Juan. River to Leon through Lake
Nicaragua, and of trading voyages in which he was many years engaged
among the Indians of Hond., Nic., and Costa R. His opportunities for ob
servation seem to have been good, and his manner of setting forth the infor
mation thus obtained is clear and apparently reliable. On Mosquitia and her
irovt and people he gives much that is really interesting and useful. 7?. //.
Bonnycastle s Spanish America, or a descriptive, historical, and geographical ac-
of the dominions of Spain, London, 1878, 8, 2 vol., pp. xxix. 336, v. 359,
c->u:.t

map and engraving, is mostly a compilation, poor in style, divided into two
pirts. The first treats of the Spanish dominions in North America; the
second of those in. South America. Everything is treated in a cursory man
ner, and the part relating to Cent. Am. and the isthmus of Panama is meagre
and trifling.
42
More details in Squiers Cent. Am., 041-3; Mosquitoland, 31-3, 38-40,
47-50, 225-9; NIC. Nvevn Discusion, 6; Crowe s Gospel, 208-10; S. Juan, Ocuj>.,
33-5, 45-9; Nile* ]{?)., Ixiv. 130; Frisch, Staaten von Mcx., 94; fieichardt,
Am., 134, 140- 1 , 208-11.
<Jt.it.
 COLONIZATION FAILURES. 249

for which large tracts of land were granted. Among

the most important was one made to the Scotchman
43
Sir Gregor MacGregor, who soon after started a
wild project, which later was known as the Poyais
bubble, and ended, about 1823, disastrously for the
44
dupes who had been drawn into it. In 1839 the
British Central America Land Company of London
made another experiment on the same place where
MacGregor had tried his, and it ended in failure. A 45

German colony named Carlsruhe, near Blewfields,

which was started about 1844, had to be abandoned
in 1849 after losing about two thirds of the emigrants.
The climate of the coast is moist, hotter than in
the interior, and not as healthy. The greater part of
the soil is fertile, and it may be said that the country
46
possesses manynatural elements of wealth. Blew
fields, the capital of Mosquitia, is on the river and
lagoon of the same name. In the latter part of 1847
Blewfields and its dependencies had 599 inhabitants,
47
of which 111 were white and 488 black, in two vil
lages, the larger, Blewfields, having 78 houses, and
the lesser, Carlsruhe, 1G. Few of the houses were
built of boards. One of this kind was then occupied
by Walker, the British agent48and consul-general, with
whom the sovereign resided.

On the 12th of August, 1841, Macdonalcl, superin

tendent of Belize, came to San Juan del Norte on the
43
At the court of Gracias a Dios, Apr. 19, 1820. The grantee called himself
his Highness the cacique of Poyais, and claimed absolute dominion over the
Poyer district on the extreme west of Mosquitia, including the Rio Tiiito.
44
The plan comprised well-equipped regiments of infantry and cavalry, a
theatre and theatrical company, a band, and paper currency. Crowe s Gospel,
207-8; Mosq.-Kiiste und Texas* 28; Mosquitoland, 34-8; Quart. Rev., xxviii
100-1; Eco, Hisp.-Am., July 31, 1800.
45
This settlement was called Fort Wellington, and was brought to ruin by
a succession of calamities, including shipwrecks. Mosq.-Kuste und Texas, 29-
33; Younys Mow/. 53-9, 65-71.
8Iu>re,
40
It has an abundance of mahogany, rosewood, caoutchouc, and other val
uable trees, and is capable of producing cotton, sugar, rice, indigo, and most
of the tropical staples.
Slavery was abolished in 1841. Nic., Gaceta, Feb. 10, 1866.
47

48
1 here wa,s neither church nor pastor in the place. S. Juan, Ocup., 13-15;
JSyuier s Cent. Am., 661-2.
 250 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.

frigate Tweed, bringing with him the so-called king

of the Mosquitos or Moscos. At the same time an
armed sloop, under the Mosquito flag and commanded
by Peter Shepherd, entered the port. The coman-
dante and revenue officer, Lieutenant-colonel Quijano,
went to see the commanding officers at Shepherd s
house, but was riot received, on the plea that both
the king and superintendent were unwell. An offi
cial letter from him was left unanswered. At last,
the superintendent s secretary, together with the cap
tain of the frigate and the king s secretary, called on
Quijano and told him that on the following day his
letter would be answered, requiring his recognition of
the Mosquito king as the ally of her Britannic Ma
jesty. Quijano refused, and his visitors retired. He
reiterated his refusal in a letter to the superintend
ent, and in the name of his government solemnly pro
tested against his pretension, as well as against the
insults inflicted on his country.
43
He was finally notified
that if he interfered with any British or Mosquito
subject, both he and his government would be held
responsible."
The demands and insults of the British officers con
tinued until the 15th, when they seized Quijano and
carried him on board the frigate, intending to take
him ,to Belize. 51 The Nicaraguan government, in a
note to British Vice-consul Foster, denounced the acts
49
Macdonald answered Aug. 13th that the object of his visit to the coast
had been to convey a message of H. B. M. to her ally the sovereign of the
Mosquito nation, and to ascertain by his own observation the true boundaries
of the Mosquito dominions, upon which point he wished to be enlightened by
Quijano. He made further demands for a recognition of his demand, but the
Nicaraguan invariably returned a refusal. Mow/uitoland, 29, 223-5;
official
Niles Re<j.,
Ixi. 275; Ixiii. 19, 194; U. S. Govt Doc., H. Ex. Doc.
98; Ixii. 64,

75, vol. x., 31st cong. 1st sess. ; Young s Mosq. Shore, 33-4.
50
An English writer says: This farce hardly seemed consistent with the
dignity of a British officer, gov. of a settlement. Dunlop s Trav., 215-16.
Crowe, also an Englishman, declares it to have been an infamous act. Gospel,
212. It was not disavowed by the Brit. govt. 8quiers Travels, ii. 449; Nouv.
Annettes Voy., xciv. 251-2.
51
He was left on a desert island on the coast. Marure, Efem., 54; Montu-
far, Resena Hint., iii. 612. Macdonald himself on the 15th made his acts
known to the govt of Nic., alleging that he had been specially requested by
many persons of San Juan to remove Qiiijano. The latter was undoubtedly
a bad man, but no foreign authority had any right to interfere with liin.
 BRITISH INTERFERENCE. 251

of the British officials at San Juan as high-handed,

accusing Macdonald of usurping the name of her

Britannic Majesty in supposing her to be an ally of
52
the so-called Mosquito king. The whole American
continent became indignant at the British proceedings
in San Juan. There was one exception, however,
which must be classified as vile. Ferrera, jefe of
Honduras, under the influence of the servile element
of Guatemala, allied with Chatfield, recognized the
53
Mosquito nation.
Chatfield informed Nicaragua that the whole Cen
tral American territory lying between Cape Gracias
a Dios and the mouth of the San Juan River belonged
to the Mosquito king, without prejudice to other
4
rights the king might have south of the San Juan/
In January 1848 two British war vessels occupied
the port of San Juan without resistance, replacing
the Nicaraguan officials by Englishmen as servants

52
Consul Chatfield claimed that Quijano was removed from Mosq. and not
Nic. territory; that he had himself notified the govt of Cent. Am. of tlio
existence of the Mosq. nation, and that Great Britain would not look with
indifference upon any usurpation of the territory of a monarch with whom
she had close relations; that Spain had recognized the Mosq. nation when
Prince Stephen visited San Salvador and Guatemala. His letter was dated
Oct. 24, 1842. Further correspondence followed between Nic. and Chatfield
without the former giving way to his pretensions. The whole correspond,
may be seen in Mosq. Doc., 5-23; Nic., Cor. 1st., Sept. 2G, 1850; Montufar,
R&sena Hist., iv. 98-111.
&3
In a treaty with Thomas Lowry Robinson, signed in Comayagua Dec.
1(3, 1843. Montufar, liesi H-a Hist., iv. 112-14. The aristocrats of Guat.
wanted a protectorate of Great Britain over Cent. Am., and it was believed
in Nic. for a while that Costa R. had given way to the influence of Pavon,
Chatfield, and J. J. Flores of Ecuador, and had accepted the scheme. Chat-
field having concluded, on the 26th of Nov., 1849, a treaty with Costa R.,
attempted on the strength of it, on the 1st of Dec., to dictate to Nic. He
said that differences between Nic. and Costa R. must be amicably arranged in
the understanding, that other means would not be looked on with indiffer
ence by Great Britain.
4
That was pursuant to orders from Lord Palmerston, in which for the
"

first time a protectorate over the Mosquito shore was asserted by Great Brit
ain. Chatfield and Walker had claimed rights over the entire eastern coast,
from Cape Honduras to Chiriqui Logoon, an extent of 700 miles, but Palmers-
ton set the limits from Cape Honduras down to the mouth of the river San.
Juan. Meantime the Nicaraguan authorities had obtained, Oct. 28, 1G47,
Jroiu the Princess Inez, believing her the heir of Robert Charles Frederick, a
full recognition of the authority of Nic. over the shore of
Mosq., and her com
mand to all interloping foreigners to leave the country. The British officiala
of course pai;l no heed to this arrangement. Squlers Cent. Am., G44-G; S.alv.,,
Gaccta, March 15, 1850.
252 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.

of the Mosquito king, after doing which they sailed

away; but no sooner had the intelligence reached the
interior than a force was despatched to San Juan,
which reoccupied the place and sent to the capital as
55
prisoners the intruders. Whereupon the British
returned in force in March 1848, and defeated the
Nicaraguan detachment. Hostilities being further
prosecuted, the Nicaraguans had to succumb before
the superior power of their foe, and consented to an
armistice, providing that they would not disturb San
Juan, or attempt to reoccupy the port, pending the
56
negotiations which must follow on these events.
Nicaragua, by her ablest diplomates, defended her
rights to the disputed territory both in Europe and
America, without obtaining a satisfactory result, until
the fears of Central Americans for the independence of
their country were brought to an end by the Clay ton -
Bulwer treaty, otherwise called the Ship Canal con
vention, concluded at Washington between the United
States and Great Britain on the 19th of April, 1850,
by the first article of which neither power could
occupy, fortify, colonize, nor exercise dominion over
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito Coast, or any
other portion of Central American territory, nor make
use of a protectorate in any form. 57 Thus was this
vexed question terminated, England resigning all her
claims to the Mosquito Coast, and by a subsequent

304; ^Z?6. ^e^-, no. 211,

-
a Travels, i. 78-80; Morelct, Von.,
144; Nile Rc. j., Ixxiii. 273; Tucker s Monroe Doctrine, 4(3-7, 52^4.
66
But the Nicaraguans never relinquished their claim of sovereignty over
i
*
,1
*
j_: i _i*_^_. _J?HT
j_i i -i-r

Gob. Supr., Oct. 14, Nov. 4, 25, Dec. 2, 1848; Nile* If eg., Ixxiv. 100; Squier s
Cent. A G47; Id., Trav., i. 101-2.
>n..,

6l
The other articles refer to the construction of an interoceanic communi
cation, either in the form of a canal or of railroads, securing the neutrality of
interoceanic ways. Annals Brit. Leyis., 97-110, 239-41; Nic., Nueva Discov.,
1-44; Montt ifar, Resena Hist., iv. 87-91; Costa R., Gaceta, March 4, 1854;
Abbott s Max. and U. 8., 340-2; Molina, Bosq. Costa R., Ill; Polynesian, vi.
1G5-G; vii. 46; Ntc. y Hond., Doc., 122-5; Am. Quart. Reg., iii. 310-13; Brit.
Quart. Rev., xcix. 237-70; El National, July 31, 1858; Nic., Semantic.,
Feb. 14, 1374; Hunt s Merchants Mag., xxiii. 109-11; Welti Walker s Exped.,
125-.Q 3; Caictdo, Lot. Am., 73-5.
 TREATIES. 253

treaty concluded at Managua on the 28th of January,

I860, known as the Zeledon-Wyke treaty, ceded to
58
Nicaragua the protectorate absolutely. Since then
Nicaragua has subjected the
i)0
Mosquito Coast to a pre-
fecto. Nevertheless, it is understood that the In
dian reserve is still ruled by a chief chosen by the
natives, assisted by a council, which assembles at
Blew ficlds; but subject to the supreme authority of
r

the Nicaraiman
o government.
o

Nicaragua, as soon as she assumed the position of

an independent nation, hastened to open friendly
60
relations with other powers. Spain made with the
republic July 25, 1850, a treaty of friendship, com
merce, and navigation, the first and second articles
of which fully recognize Nicaragua s independence. 61
Early efforts were made to arrange ecclesiastical affairs
with the papal see, a concordat being finally concluded
62
at Koine November 2, 186 1.
With the other Central American states Nicaragua
made treaties, which underwent from time to time
alterations, as circumstances seemed to demand for
her own or the general defence. Several of these
will be made apparent in the course of my narrative.

Nicaragua has endeavored to maintain cordial rela-

58
The was prevailed on
to accept this arrangement with a pen
local chief
sion of 5,000 a year, during ten years, that is to say, till 1870, payable by the
suzerain, but the last chief died in. 1804 or 1805, and Nic. has never recog
nized his successor. Nic., Gaceta, Dec. 23, 1805; Encydop. Brit., xvii. 493;
Nic., La
Union, June 15, 1861; Hond. Gaceta, Feb. 20, 1801; Itocha, Cod.
Nic., 118-27, 132; Belly, Nic., i. 297-301; Nic., Conv. J/o* /., 1-8; Pun*
i.

Gate of the Pac., 409-12. Further details on the Mosq. question, giving dip
lomatic correspondence and parliamentary discussions, in Hansard s Part.
cxlv. 1003-7; Annals Brit. Laji*., x. 129-41; also in U. S. Gort Doc.,
l)el>.,

Ex., Sen. and House, which are too numerous to quote here; and likewise in
U. 8. Globe, 1855-6, 1857-8, 1859-00; Diarlo de Avisos, Apr. 24, 1857;
Con.<j.

Nic., Boletin Ojic., Jan. 23, March 4, 1857.

Hocka, Cod. Nic., ii. 21-2; Pan. Star and Herald, Mar. 20, 1884; Nic.,
Mem. Rd., 1807, 3-12.
60
Autograph letters were exchanged in 1848, between Pres. Herrera of
Mex. and Director Guerrero. Nic., Gaceta Gob. Sitpr., Sept. 10, 1848.
01
Ratified by Xic. March 21, 1851; Rocha, Cod. Nic.. i. 99, 103; Nic.,
Trat. de Paz, etc., 1-13.
^By Cardinal Antonelli, for the pope, and Fernando de Lorenzana for
Nic. The treaty was published in the latter country as a law Aug. 28,
1832. Nic., Gaceta Gob. Supr., Oct. 7, 1848; Rocha, C6d. Nic., i. 79, 132-7.
254 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.
63
tions with her neighbors. The republic entered into
friendly diplomatic relations with the powers of
Europe and America, most of them having treaties
of amity, commerce, and extradition of criminals. Its
relations with the United States have generally been
intimate, made so by considerations of neighborhood,
business interests, and similarity of institutions, as
well as by a mutual desire to forward the construction
of a ship canal across Nicaraguan territory. They
have been disturbed at times, however, while Nica
ragua was a transit route between the eastern states
of the American union, and during the execution of
schemes of American filibusters, such as those of
Kinney and Walker.
While the Mosquito question was pending between
Nicaragua and Great Britain, circumstances wore
hastening a practical solution of it. An American
company, acting under a Nicaraguan charter, opened a
transit route for passengers through the state, begin
ning at San Juan del Norte, which place rapidly filled
up with emigrants from the United States, who be
coming numerically predominant, met in a primary
64
capacity and organized an independent government.
After an indiscreet attempt on the part of a British
commander to levy duties on an American steamer,
which was disavowed by his government, the British
protectorate over San Juan at last virtually ceased.
The town and port remained under the direct control
of the inhabitants, most of whom were Americans, as
a free city. 6j The prosperity of the place was retarded
by a dispute with the persons into whose hands the
63
Full particulars will be found in Id., 137-43; Nic. Trat. etc. entre Nic.
y Hond., 1-8; /(/., Gaceta, 1853-74, passim: Id., Col. Doc. y Acuerdo*, 1850-
1872, passim; Id., Trat. con Costa R., 1-7; Conta 7?., Inf. Eel, 1876, 5-11;
1878, 1; 1880, 3-4; Salv., Gaceta, Aug. 12, 1853, Oct. 26, 1876, March 21 to
April 20, 1879, passim; Nic., Metis, del Presid., 1879, i.-v. 1-25; and nu-
inerous other authorities.
61
They first endeavored to regard the alleged Mosqiiito authority, but
finally treated it as a mere fiction. Squier s Cent. Am., 652.
Municipal ordinances for the place which had now taken the name of
(JJ

Oreytown. Reichardt, Cent. Am., 241-6, 251; Munic. Ordinances, in Cent. Am.
A/airs, no. 4, 1-10.
 ARBITRARY ACTS. 255

transit had fallen, which produced bitter feeling, and

resulted in alleged insults to Solon Borland, United
States minister to Nicaragua, whose belligerent in
stincts carried him away to interfere in matters which
were foreign to his office. The sloop of war Cyane,
Commander Hollins, was despatched by the American
government to look into the case. Hollins assumed
66
a hostile attitude, made arrogant demands, and the
latter not being complied with, he bombarded the
town on the 13th of July, 1854, and landing a party
67
of marines, burned it to the ground. This act has
been generally condemned. The American govern
ment hardly contemplated it; but not having pun
ished Commander Hollins, it must bear the odium.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, peaceable relations
were not disturbed. 68 Nicaragua also has treaties with
Belgium, Italy, France, England, Peru, and other
60
nations.
66
He is said to have been acting under improper influences. Kquier s Cent.
Am., 653.
67
The townauthorities had refused to pay an indemnity. This was the
first direct aggression Ly the U. S. in Cent. America. Nic., Doc. Diplom.,
7-12; Costa R., Gaceta, June 17, 22, 29, 1854; Salv., Gaceta, Oct. 12, 1854;
Tribune Aim., 1857, 31; U. S. Govt Doc., 33d cong. sess. 1, Sen. Doc. 8, vol.
iv.; Doc. 85, vol. xii.; 126, xvi. 31 pp.; Id.. H. Ex. Doc. 1, vol. i., pt ii.,
385-6.
68
Levy, Nic., 335. Pablo Levy, biotas Geogrdjlcas y Econdmicas sobre la Re-
publica de Nicaragua, Paris, 1873, Roy. 8, 627 pp. and map, is a treatise on
Nicaragua and its inhabitants. Beginning with an historical resume of ancient
and modern Nicaragua, it gives a review of the topography, climate, natural
productions, government, people, and their institiitions. The writer s infor
mation on the country s physical peculiarities may be set down as useful,
though some deficiency is noted; but that on the political and administrative
branches is unreliable, showing him to have had but little knowledge of Cen
tral American politics. He evidently had not the documents upon which to
form a correct judgment. The question of a canal across the isthmus of Nic
aragua is also reviewed, and a resume of its history given. The last general
treaty with the U. S. was negotiated in 1867. There was also a convention
for the extradition of criminals in 1871. Nic. has made arrangements to pay
Am. claims against her, and on her part asked compensation for the damages
caused by the bombardment of San Juan, which the Am. govt refused. Pe
rez, Mem. Camp. Nac., 18-19; Rocka, Cod. Nic., i. 93; Nic., Trot, de Amis-
tad, etc., entre Nic. y los EE. UU., 1-16; Sun Juan del Norte, Las Ceniza*,
1874, 1-12; Ltvy, Nic., 235-9; Salv., Diario Ojic., Nov. 10, Dec. 22, 1878; Ber-
ruel, Freres et Cie, Petition, 1-20; and a multitude of U. S. govt docs., and
other papers.
69
Treaty with Belgium, May 18, 1858; with France, Apr. 11, 1859; with
Britain, Feb. 11, 1860; with Italy, March 6, 1868; and a consular conven
(~r.

tion made in 1872; with Peru, 1879. Trat. de Am

istad entre Nic. y la Belyica,
i-15; Id. t entre Nic. y la Francia, 1-26; Nic., Ley. Emit., 11-30; Rocka, Cod.
236 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.

A squabble occurred in
1876 at Leon, in which, the
German consul and a Xicaraguan citizen were con
cerned, giving rise to a conflict between the German
and Nicaraguan governments, the former making of it
a casus belli, and demanding, backed by a naval force,
a considerable sum of money. 70

The political situation in the interior of Nicaragua,

during the winter of 1848-9, was anything but sat
isfactory to the lovers of peace. Parties were again
venting their animosities. The leader Bcrnabd So-
rnoza captured Bivas, and afterward became notorious
for deeds of cruelty and robbery. Director ISTorberto
Ramirez 1 despatched there a strong force under J. T.
Murioz. Somoza was defeated and captured at San
72
Jorge on the 14th of June. Ramirez was succeeded
by Jose Laureano Pineda in 185 1, against whom a
73

revolt broke out August 4, 1851, having J. Trinidad

Murioz for its leader. Pineda and his ministers Fran
cisco Castellon and F. Diaz Zapata were arrested.
The plan failed, however. Leon, Munoz headquar
ters, was taken by government forces assisted by
74
troops from Honduras, and Munoz surrendered. On
the expiration of Pineda s term in 1853, Chamorro
became chief of the state, having been elected by the
suffrages of the moderados. The new director was a
Nic., 105-18; Rouhaud, Reyions Nonv., 305-86; Trat. de Amixtad, etc., cut re
NIC. y S. M. B., 1-15; Annals Brit. Leyia., ix. 378-81; Trat. de Amistad,
etc., entre Nic. y el reino de Italia, 1-17; Convention Consular entre Nic. y el
reino de Italia, 1-19; Nic., Gaceta, Sept. 7, 14, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 1872; Salv.,
Diario Ofic., Oct. 29, 1879.
70
Damages for the injured Germans $30,000, and a fine of $8,000, besides
the punishment of the official accused of insulting German dignity. Thus
the superior force dictates unjust terms to the inferior.
71
His term began Apr. 1, 1849.
72
He was tried by court-martial, sentenced, and shot June 17th. Nic., Bo~
m
Irt
Ofic., June 15-28, July 4, 5, 12, 1849; Squicrs Trar., i. 121, 106-72,
295-9; Cent. Am. Miscel. Doc., no. 7. Mufioz was rewarded with a gold
medal, and the friends of the soldiers who perished received pensions. Rocka,
Cod. Nic., i. 210-17.
7a
Recognized by the assembly March 14th as duly elected. Nic., Cor. 1st.,
March 20, 1851; El Sigh, March 28, 1851.
74
Nov. 10, 1851. Muiioz had been declared a traitor and deprived of his
military rank. He was allowed to leave Nic., and went to reside in Salv.
Chamorro was made commander of the forces. Nic. Dec. y Acuerdos, 1851-3,
92-0, 110-18; Jlond., Gaceta Ofic., Jan. 15, 1852.
 CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY 257

well meaning man, and hoped by pursuing a moderate

course to allay party bickerings. But his political
opponents, together with a portion of the military
element, did not permit him to develop his policy in
peace.
The assembly rejected, April 30, 1853, a
legislative
provisional constitution which had been framed arid
published by the national constituent assembly on the
13th of October, 1852, 75 and at the same time declared
the state to be independent and sovereign. This was
followed on the 28th of February, 1854, by another
decree of the state constituent assembly assuming for
the state the title of Republica de Nicaragua, and giv
76
ing its executive the name of president. The coat
of arms and flag of the new republic were decreed
77
April 21, 1854.
Aconstituent assembly, called on the llth of De
cember, 1853, to meet on the 8th of January, 1854,
for the purpose of framing a constitution for the
78
republic, was installed on the 22d of that month.
It continued its session without interruption, and on
the 7th of April assumed, for urgent cases, the powers
of an ordinary legislature, enacting that, in the event
of a temporary vacancy in the office of
president, his
75
A new constituent assembly was convoked May 13, 1853. Nic., Gaceta
Ojic.,
76
May 28, 1853.
Se denominara ReptTulica de Nicaragua. Rocha, C6d. Nic., i. 94-7;
Costa R., Gaceta, March 4, Apr. 1, 1854; Guat., Gaceta, Apr. 7, 21, 1854; El
Eco Hiap.-Am., May 15, 1854.
77
In a circle bordered on the inside with two sprigs of laurel, was a volcano

the centre one white, with the coat of arms in the middle; the upper one yel
low, and the lower, nacar, or light blue. Merchant vessels were to use the

wi ith of the blue, and in the centre of the white a lone red star. Stewarts
Filibusters, 12-13.
78
Among members elected were Castellon, Jerez, Guerrero, diputados
the
propietarios, and F. Diaz Zapata, suplente, from the western department.
The govt reported them out of the state, having been expelled fo^ their revo
lutionary attempts. The assembly on the 1st of March declared them dis
qualified to take their seats. Nic., Gaceta Ofic., March 4, 1854; Perez, Mem.
Hi-it. Rev. Nic., 12.
HIST. CENT. AM., ^OL. III. 17
258 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.

duties should devolve on the member of the constitu

ent assembly called by him to assume them. Cha
in orro was then chosen provisional president, to hold
the office till the 1st of March, 1855. The new char
ter of the republic was sanctioned on the 30th of
9
April/ which was in force only in Granada and other
towns acknowledging Chamorro s government.
The opposition of the liberals culminated in an at-

NlCARAGUA.

79
It had 104 articles, and somewhat restricted the right of citizenship,
created a single chamber, composed of an equal number of senators and rep
resentatives; priests were excluded from these positions. The terms of the
president, senators, and representatives
were to begin March 1, 1855, and
last four years. After the expulsion of the filibusters, a junta de gobierno,
composed of the leading men of the two opposing parties, was established,
which declared the constitution of 1838 in force, and a constituent assembly
was convoked, its members being from among the best and most talented
men of the republic. Id., 23-4; Nic., SemanalNic., Apr. 17, 1873. The powers
granted the executive, which were included in the fundamental law
of 1854,

though with the additional clause that when using them he should report the
fact to the next legislature, greatly alarmed the opposition. Perez, Mem. Hist.
Rev. Nic., 24.
 LONG AND BLOODY WAR. 259

tempt at revolution in Leon, promoted by Castellon,

Jerez, and Mariano Salazar. The government then
residing at Managua defeated their plan for the time,
and banished the leaders and a few of their influential
80
followers. The sought
O exiles Salvador and O in
refuse
Honduras, and with the favor of Cabanas, who
was then on bad terms with Chamorro, 81 obtained re
sources for a second attempt against the government
of the latter. With a few men and a quantity of
arms and ammunition, they went from Tigre Island
to Realejo. The invaders were enthusiastically re
ceived, Leon, Chinandega, and immediate towns pro
claiming Castellon provisional director, which office
he assumed June 11, 1854. 82 This was the beginning
of a long and bloody war, which Salvador and Guate
mala vainly tried to avert. 83 Chamorro approached
Leon, but finding it had declared for Castellon, retired
to Granada and fortified the place, sustaining
O afterward
1

an irregular
O O of several months from thrice the
sie^e
number of his force, under Jerez, till the early part of
1855. Castellon, meantime, gained possession of the
republic, Granada excepted but the long siege of this
;

town wroughtO a change

O in the feelings
O of the unstable
people, and in a short time Chamorro or his party re
covered Managua, Masaya, and Rivas, after a series
of bloody encounters. The siege of Granada was con
84
sequently raised. Even Chamorro s death, which
89
In Nov. 1853. Id., 9-12; Guat., Gaceta, Dec. 16, 1853; Jan. 6, 1854;
Salv., Gaceta, Dec. 30, 1853; Hond., Boletin Ojic., Dec. 5, 1853; Costa R., Bo
letin Ojic., Dec. 15, 1853; Id., Gaceta, Dec. 12, 19, 24, 1853; Jan. 15, 30, 1854.
81
He thought Chamorro was evading the obligation of Nicaragua to aid
Honduras with troops for the war with Guatemala.
62
His manifesto of June 12th was moderate in tone but significant in its
substance. It promised a liberal policy, and to reconstruct, if possible, the
federal republic. Wells Hond., 508-9; Belly, Nic., i. 2G8-70; El Rol, Oct. 6,
1854.
fc3
They tendered their mediation. Perez, Mem. Hist. Rev. Nic., 67-75.
84
Early in Jan. 1855, J. Trinidad Mufioz was made general-in -chief, Jerez
having been disabled by a severe wound. El Rol, Feb. 9, 28, 1855; Costa R.,
Boletin Ojic., Feb. 28, 1855. The successes of the legitimist party so called
because of the motto on its colors, Legitimidad 6 muerte were obtained by
Gen. Ponciano Corral and his subordinates, Chamorro being too ill for service
in the field. Perez, Mem. Hist. Rev. Nic., 30, 42-3, 108-20; Eco
Apr. 30, 1855.
260 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.
85
occurred at this time, did not favor the democrats.
He was succeeded by Jose Maria Estrada. Corral
was the general-in-chief of the legitimist forces, and
O at Masaya an army to capture Leon.
was or^anizino;
O t/ t/ J-

The government had called the constituent assembly,

which met on the 8th of April with only fourteen
members, and on the 10th resolved that Estrada
should retain the executive until a president should
be chosen under the constitution. This greatly dis
pleased Corral, who had expected to be called to that
position. He had his headquarters in Managua, and
threatened to be revenged
o of the men who had slighted
o
86
him.
Meanwhile Munoz had o onc to Honduras and re-
turned with a small division of troops, the chief com
mand of both the democratic and Honduran forces
being vested in him. By his advice Castellon ap
pointed Rosalfo Cortes and P. Aleman commissioners
to ascertain the views of the legitimist chiefs with
reference to peace negotiations. Estrada consented
to receive Cortes, but not Aleman, and the former had
interviews with him and his supporters, prevailing on
them to enter into negotiations either in their official
or private capacity. Munoz had authorized Cortes
to tell Corral he wished to have a direct understand
87
ing with him. Cortes first saw Corral, and by his
advice next had interviews with Estrada, Vega, and
others, all of whom showed a willingness to treat for
peace, and asked him to return to Leon, which he
did, touching at Managua, where Corral assured him
of his disposition to come to an understanding with
Mufioz.
In the hacienda of Quismapa, south of Granada, March 12, 1855. Cha-
85

morro was a wealthy citizen, born in Granada. A brave, resolute man, firm
in sustaining his political principles, but lacking discrimination, and easily
duped. Perez, Mem. Hist. Rev. Nic., 126; Astalmruaya, Cent. Am., C7.
86
Perez, Mem. Hist. Rev. Nic., 128, considered the act of the assembly as
a serious blunder.
87
His propositions were: Corral and himself were to constitute themselves
a junta de gobierno, and direct public affairs until a constitutional president
could be elected. If Corral objected to this arrangement, he, Munoz, would
recognize the legitimate government, provided Corral became the head of it.
 DEMOCRATS AND LEGITIMISTS. 201

The situation of the democrats was improved since

the return of Muiioz. That of the legitimists was
not so good, but the rulers felt confident. By its
moderate course the legitimist government was gain
ing favor in democratic towns. Estrada s confidence
was increased with the arrival of two foreign minis
88
ters accredited to his government. By this time
Corral had an efficient division at Managua. His
subordinate, Colonel Tomas Martinez, who in late
years became president of the republic, not only
cleared Nueva Segovia of Hondurans, but also occu
pied the town of San Mdrcos in Honduras. Lieu
tenant-colonel Andres Murillo obtained a victory over
the democrats at Tecuaname on the 17th of May.
A few days after May 31st Estrada s government
decreed an amnesty to all soldiers, from private
to sergeant inclusive, presenting themselves within
89
twenty days. On the 13th of June came two men
who afterward were fatal to the legitimists, Santos
Guardiola, and the clergyman Manuel Alcaine. The
latter was a commissioner from Salvador to both bel

ligerents, and his efforts on behalf of peace had been

favorably entertained by Castellon. Estrada listened
to him, but did not accept his proposals. 90 Alcaine
went back to Leon, and reported that the legitimists
were bent upon exterminating the democrats, and his
statements were fully believed. All hope of bring
ing the war to an end by peaceful negotiations was
now abandoned. 91
88
Facundo Goni from Spain, and John H. Wheeler from the U. S.
Wheeler was cordially received in Granada, but afterward was abhorred
by the Nicaraguans.
fc9
Being too limited in its scope, the measure produced no good effect.
90
He had gone direct to Granada, saying nothing to Corral from Muiioz,
which made the former suspect that Muiioz was deceiving him.
91
Ephraim George Squier, whose works I have often quoted, was born in
Bethlehem, in the state of New York, June 17, 1821, and devoted most of
his life to civil engineering, journalism, and the pursuit of science, winning
for himself a distinguished name as an archaeologist and author. His first
distinction was awarded him for his labors on the archaeology of the Missis
sippi Valley and the state of New York. Having been appointed in 1849
charge"
d affaires to the states of Central America, he employed much of his
time in gathering data upon those countries, which he afterward embodied in.
several books. In 1853 he was engaged in the survey of a route across Hou-
262 REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA.

duras, and organized a company for the construction of an interoceanic rail

way. In 1803 and the following year he was employed by the U. S. govt as
a commissioner in Peru for the adjustment of claims against that republic, and
then devoted several months to the exploration of ancient monuments in that
country. In 18G8 he was for a time U. S. consul-gen, to Hond. He visited
Europe several times both for pleasure and business. In addition to the works
that will be herein enumerated, he contributed many papers on antiquities and
other subjects to American and European scientific periodicals. The following
li.it
comprises his principal works, most of which have been translated into
several languages: Monuments of tie Mississippi Valley, being vrl. i. of the
Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge; Aboriginal Monuments of the state of
New York, in vol. ii. of the Smithsonian Contributions; Antiquities of the state,
of New York, with a supplement on the antiquities of the west; The Serpent
Symbol, or Worship of the Reciprocal Principles of Nature in America;
Wail na, or A.drentures on the Mosquito Shore, under the pseudonym of Sam
uel A. Bard; Question Anglo-Ame ricaine; Report of the surrey of the Hoiuluras
interoceanic railway; Monograph on authors who leave written, on the a >oriyi-

nal languages of Central America; Tropical Jihres and their economic, extrac
tion; Is cotton king? Sources of cotton supply; Incidents of Travel and Explo
rations in the land of the Incas. Other works of this author quoted in my
volumes on Central America are: Notes on the states of Honduras and Salva
dor, with maps and illustrations, which gives valuable data on those coun
tries. In treating of diplomatic relations he expatiates on manifest destiny
and British intrigues, his conclusions not being probably palatable to the sub
jects of the British crown, and others disposed to oppose the absorption of
more territory, or the exercise of exclusive influence by the U. S. The maps
drawn by Hitchcock under Squier s directions are the best that to that time
had been published. Travels in Central America, particularly in Nicaragua,
N. Y., 1853, Svo, 2 vol., pp. 424 and 452, maps and cuts, contains a descrip
tion of aboriginal movements and scenery, together with a concise account of
the history, agricultural and other resources, of Nicaragua, the language,
manners, and customs of the people, with illustrations of the principal build
ings, towns, ports, etc. The work also describes at length the proposed canal
route, setting forth its advantages. The author had every facility as U. S.
charge d affaires to obtain the most exact data, and used them conscientiously
and with marked ability. Nicaragua, its people, scenery, monuments, and the
proposed interoceanic canal, Loud., 1852, N. Y., 1850, 2 vol. This work is
similar in all respects to in fact a reprint of Travels in Cent. Am. Another
edition under the aforesaid title appeared in New York, 1800, 1 vol. of pp.
GDI, which with the exception of about 18 pp. in the append., and a few more
illustrations,was similar to Trav. in Cent. Am. The States of Central America,,
N. Y., 1858, Svo, p. 782, maps and illust. The author issued in 1855, with
the title of Notes on Central America, an Svo vol. of 397 pages, with maps and
cuts, intended to serve as a basis for this more extensive one, which treats of
the physical peculiarities, population, productions, commerce, and other
resources, political organization, aborigines, etc., of the country in general,
and of the states separately, and also of Belize, the Bay islands, and
Mosquito shore. Squier was evidently conversant with his subject. The
style is vivid and interesting, as well as instructive, and the statements, as a
rule, worthy of acceptance. In his treatment of diplomatic atiairs between
Great Britain and Cent. Am., in which his own country was interested on
the side of the latter, he espouses the Central American side with so much
warmth as to awaken a suspicion that his judgment may have been warped
by his patriotism. The question of an interoceanic railroad having engrossed
public attention since the publication of this work the author felt justified in
reproducing, under the title of Honduras, Lond., 1870, 12, 278 pp., with a
map, in a more compact and accessible form, a description of this country.
With the exception of a fuller information on the route, and its alleged ad
vantages over all others, and an. appendix relating to immigration, the con-
 BIBLIOGRAPHY. 2G3

tents of the book have been fully treated in the bibliographical notice on the
States of Cent. Am.
Report to the Directors of the Honduras Interoceanlc Railway, Lond., 1858,
fol., 102 pp. and map. Fours years previously a preliminary report was pub
lished on this subject, and in 1857 another containing no additional informa
tion, but in the appendix were given further correspondence and the charter
in full. The present work gives a complete report with all details, present
ing valuable statistics, and evidences of the feasibility of the proposed railway.
Compendia de la Hlstoria Politico, de Centro- America, Paris, 1856, 12, pp. 7-
114, as the title implies, is an outline of the political history of Centrr.l
America from 1821 to 1851, that is to say, a sketch of the revolution and
struggle between republicans on one side and monarchists on the other, by
which Central America was annexed to Mexico, and of the subsequent wars
between the federalists and the oligarchs, which culminated in the destruction
of the federation, and the ultimate rise to unrestricted power of the latter
with Carrcra as their chief as well as tool. Translation with notes of the letter
of Don de Palacio (1570} to the crown of Spain on the provinces of Guate
Dlc</o

mala, San Salvador, etc., N. Y., I860, sq. 8, pp. 132, is a report which in Span
{

ish bears the title of Carta dlrlylda al rey de Enpafia, and was addressed by
Palacio, a member of the royal audiencia of Guatemala, to the king, giving an
account f the ancient provinces of Guazacapaii, Izalco, Cuzcatlan, and Chi-
quimula, together with their languages, customs, and religion of their aborigi
nal inhabitants, and a description of the ruins of Copan. Palacio evidently
collected this information by order of his sovereign, and showed himself an
intelligent as well as a kindly, well-meaning man; somewhat superstitious,
but less so than most men of his time. His narrative is both readable and
instructive, and his description of the ruins of Copan extremely interesting,
its correctness being established in after years by the accounts of Fuentes
and Stephens. Squier added numerous and interesting notes, but his trans
lation is in places open to criticism, partly for erroneous meanings given to
words, and partly for a not strict adherence to the spirit of the original. The
book, though a beautiful specimen of typography, is disfigured with many
misprints. Besides these I have in my library numerous valuable documents
in manuscript relating to Central American history, from the earliest days
after the Spanish conquest, which Mr Squier gathered from various sources
and never published.
A TraversL Amerique Centrale. Le Nicaragua ct le Canal Intcroceanlqne,
Paris, 18U7, 8, 2 vol., maps, 427 and 480 pp., by Felix Belly, who was the
director-general of a French canal company for opening a Nicaragua route.
He was also a chevalier and a well-known writer. To him had been intrusted
the task of obtaining a charter from Nicaragua for this canal, and with this
object he visited Central America in 1858, obtained the charter, and made
the necessary explorations for routes and resources. The delays and uncer
tainty of the undertaking caused Belly to visit the country more than once,
and he thus became well acquainted with its resources, people, government,
and institutions generally. This information he imparts in connection with
the narrative of his journey and in articles, under the respective states, given
in the first volume. The second volume is wholly devoted to the interoceanic
projects, and particularly to a detailed history of his own canal scheme. The
style is attractive, the observations clever, and the information excellent. A
second edition, a reprint, appeared in 1870. Belli/, Carte d etudes, etc., Paris,
1

1858, contains notes on the project of building a canal through Nicaragua, and
the survey made for that purpose. Felix Bdly, Durchbruch der Americanls-
clicn Landenye. Kanal von Nicaragua. Ubersetzt von Karl Schobel. Paris, 1859,
8, 103 pp., one map, is the same as Carte d etudes. .
.by Felix Belly, but
.

enlarged with a few sketches of the country and people of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica.