ABSTRACT
The settlement’s feelings of exultation and relief over the liberation of Belize were naturally shared by its old friends and allies the Indians of the Mosquito Shore. The Indians refused to acknowledge themselves subjects of Spain, continued to assert their invincibility and independence, and still looked to the British as in an almost mystical sense their brethren by all the ties of tradition, gratitude, comradeship in arms, and unity of Faith. The victory of Waterloo had scarcely restored order in Europe before the stability of Central America reeled under the political earthquake of the Mexican rebellion against Imperial Spain. The importance of the Mosquito connection was now being more acutely appreciated than ever, in view of the Nicaraguan Canal project, which might require a right of way across Indian territory. A new feature which had appeared on the Mosquito Coast since the days of Dampier was the large and increasing number of Carib ‘Indians’.
