Preliminary Treaty of Peace and Commerce

Preliminary Treaty of Peace and Commerce

Letter from the king and leaders of the Miskito people to the governor of Costa Rica
Signed	September 5, 1778
Location	San Juan River, Kingdom of Mosquitia
Effective	August 5, 1779;245 years ago (August 5, 1779)
Languages	English and Spanish

The Preliminary Treaty of Peace and Commerce between the Kingdom of Mosquitia and the Spanish Empire was a diplomatic agreement initiated on 5 September 1778 at the mouth of the San Juan River between the principal leaders of the Miskito Nation and representatives of the Spanish colonial authorities. ^[1] Although never formalized into a definitive treaty, it constituted a significant moment in the diplomatic relations between the independent Miskito Kingdom and the Spanish Crown during the late eighteenth century.

Historical Context

Throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Miskito Kingdom—also known as the Kingdom of Mosquitia—maintained a independent status along the Caribbean coast of Central America. The Miskito leadership engaged in complex relations with European powers, notably aligning with the British Empire against Spanish territorial claims. However, intermittent diplomatic overtures were made between the Miskito and Spanish colonial authorities in an effort to establish peace and regularize commerce.

By the late 1770s, Spanish authorities in Central America sought to consolidate control over their Caribbean frontier and curtail British influence. The Miskito, for their part, expressed willingness to explore peaceful coexistence with their Spanish neighbours while preserving their independence. ^[2]

Provisions of the Treaty

The preliminary treaty was declared by a delegation of Miskito leaders—George Rex, Isaac (Duke and Regent), Governor Briton, Admiral Frederick, General John Smee, and Admiral Dilson—who met at the San Juan River. ^[3] The document affirmed the following principal points:

• Recognition of Jeremiah Terry as a mediator and friend to the Miskito Nation, who facilitated discussions with Spanish authorities. ^[4]
• Agreement to establish a "permanent, firm, and enduring peace" between the Miskito and Spanish nations.
• Communication of the treaty to the Governors of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the Viceroy of New Granada (Santa Fe de Bogotá), and ultimately to the King of Spain, with a proposed date for ratification or response set for 15 August 1779 at a location referred to as Sicuya (likely Sixaola).
• Suspension of any claims or hostilities by the Miskito against Spain pending formal confirmation by the Spanish Crown.
• Intent to establish mutual trade and visitation rights, permitting Spanish subjects to visit Miskito territory and vice versa, fostering commercial exchange.

Spanish Response

A formal Spanish reply was issued nearly a year later, on 5 August 1779, by Josef Perié, Governor of Cartago (Costa Rica), under the authority of the Spanish Crown. Perié affirmed Spain’s readiness to engage in peaceful relations and emphasized that:

• Spain solemnly respected treaties concluded with other nations, including the Miskito, who were acknowledged as neighbours within their own "rightful and legitimate dominions."
• The Spanish authorities did not hold the Miskito leaders responsible for recent naval confrontations involving Jeremiah Terry, citing duress.
• Miskito subjects were invited to frequent Spanish territories—including Matina, northern ports, and coastal inlets—to trade peacefully and freely associate with Spanish vassals.
• A reciprocal observance of peace was expected, with all parties instructed to avoid reprisals or acts of hostility.
• The Miskito leaders were invited to visit the Spanish capital in Cartago, where further discussions could be held under royal safe-conduct to formalize the accord.

Governor Perié emphasized the benevolence of the Spanish Crown, noting the King’s desire for free and contented vassals, regardless of religious differences, and declared that Spain did not seek to enslave or dominate the Miskito, but rather to establish mutual friendship and profitable commerce. ^[5]

Significance

Although the preliminary treaty did not result in a finalized or ratified agreement, it represents one of the most direct and diplomatically significant exchanges between the Kingdom of Mosquitia and the Spanish Empire. The document affirms the de facto and de jure independence of the Miskito rulers, their recognition by Spanish authorities, and their agency in conducting international relations.

It also reflects the evolving geopolitical context of colonial Central America in the late eighteenth century, where indigenous polities like the Miskito played an active role in regional diplomacy amid the competing interests of imperial powers. ^[6]

See also

• List of Treaties
• Kingdom of Mosquitia
• Spanish Empire in Central America

References

1. Fernández, León; Fernández Guardia, Ricardo (1907). Colección de documentos para la historia de Costa-Rica. University of Michigan. San José de Costa-Rica, Imprenta nacional; [etc., etc.]
2. Mendiola, Daniel (2025-04-01). The Mosquito Confederation: A Borderlands History of Colonial Central America. University of Georgia Press. ISBN   978-0-8203-6965-5.
3. Sorsby, W. S. (1969). The British superintendency of Mosquito Shore: 1749-1787 (Doctoral thesis). University of London.
4. Troy S. Floyd (1967). The Anglo spanish struggle for mosquitia. Internet Archive. The University of New Mexico Press.
5. Fernández, León; Fernández Guardia, Ricardo (1907). Colección de documentos para la historia de Costa-Rica. University of Michigan. San José de Costa-Rica, Imprenta nacional; [etc., etc.]
6. Naylor, Robert A. (1989). Penny Ante Imperialism: The Mosquito Shore and the Bay of Honduras, 1600-1914 : a Case Study in British Informal Empire. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. ISBN   978-0-8386-3323-6.