give them a wild and savage appearance, and strikingly portray the powerful barbarian.
These people now consider themselves under the protection of the British government, and some of their kings have been educated in Jamaica.[1] On the accession of the last king to the throne he expressed a wish to be crowned at Belize, and orders were received by his Britannic majesty's superintendent to gratify his wish, and to defray all attendant expenses.
From a friend I have received some particulars of the ceremony. On the previous evening, cards of invitation were sent to the different merchants, requesting their attendance at the court house early in the morning. At this plane, the king, dressed in a British major's uniform, made his appearance; and his chiefs, similarly clothed, but with sailors' trowsers, were ranged around the room. A more motley group can scarcely be imagined. Here an epaulette decorated a herculean shoulder, tempting its dignified owner to view his less favoured neighbour with triumphant glances. There a wandering button
- ↑ This tract of country is now claimed by the Colombian government, and, by a decree, issued in July, 1824, all foreigners are forbidden to colonize, without the permission of the republic. By a convention, made between Great Britain and Spain, in 1788, his Britannic majesty agrees to evacuate all this coast, but as the Indians still show the same inveterate dislike to the Spaniards, as formerly, they are permitted to consider themselves under the protection of England.
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