Mosquito Territory, Nicaragua Documents, 1859 - 1867

COLLECTION GUIDE

Prepared by Ruth Olivera, November 1983.

The collection consists of documents in English relating to the efforts of Commander Bedford Pim of the British Navy to advance the interests of Great Britain in Central America through the construction of a proposed railroad across Nicaragua from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific. This route would greatly shorten the distance from Great Britain to Australia and the Orient. For a detailed account of his endeavors see his book, The Gate of the Pacific, London, 1863. F/1463/.P64/LAL.

Folder 1

Deed issued in Bluefield, Nicaragua, on December 20, 1859, in which George Augustus Frederich, King of Mosquito, upon the receipt of a payment of money and an agreement to an annual Quit Rent, grants to Bedford Clapperton Trevelyn Pim "the lands lying to the Southward and Westward of Monkey Point and included between the said Monkey Point and the point of land marked as Little Monkey Point . . . and to extend inland from low water mark on the beach as far as five hundred English feet . . . the whole being in the Mosquito Territory . . ." M.S. 2 leaves, 13 1/4" x 8 1/4".

Folder 2

Deed issued in Bluefields, Nicaragua, on December 21, 1859, in which George Augustus Frederich, King of Mosquito, upon the receipt of a payment of money and an agreement to an annual Quit Rent, grants to William Cope Devereux "the island as Cay called 'Tree Cay' in latitude about 83 42' 30" North and in longitude about 83 42' 45" West, together with the Island as Cay called 'Rocky Cay' in latitude about 83 42' 45" North and in longitude about 83 42' 30" West . . ." M.S. 2 leaves, 13 1/4" x 8 1/4".

Folder 3

in LAL FLAT FILE. Map drawn to illustrate land referred to in the preceeding two deeds. " . . . Land marked in red ink in the rough map of the coast between Monkey Point and Little Monkey Point is that purchased by Commander Bedford Clapperton Trevelyon Pim . . ." M. 21 1/2" x 37".

Folder 4

Copy of the 1860 concession granted by George Augustus Frederich, King of Mosquito, in Bluefields to Bedford Pim for the construction of a railroad from Monkey Point to Lake Nicargua, subject to the conditions set forth in five articles. M. 16 1/4" x 13 1/4".

Folder 5

Official copy, dated 1864, of the original deed (folder 2) to two islands granted William Cope Devereux, together with an official copy of a Conveyance by which these islands are transferred to Pim. M. 16 1/4" x 13 1/4".

Folder 6Pamphlet by Lieut. S.P. Oliver "Description of Two Routes through Nicaragua," Gasport (England), 1867. Description of an expedition by Oliver, accompanied by Pim and Collinson, Pim's proposed route for a railroad to Lake Nicaragua and also an expedition along an existing non-profitable route via the River San Juan. 26 pages.

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Last updated: August 14, 1998