Letter from James R. Starkey.

Mr. Editor—Sir:—I do not propose, nor am I even vain enough to hope to be able to give you anything new or interesting.—For I am not insensible of the fact, that I possess neither the education nor the ability in any sense, to enlighten you or your readers in anything I may attempt to write about.

But to brake the monotony of my evening hours, I will say a word about the Captain of the vessel in which I came from New York.

I left New York on the 3d Jan., in the Bark, Pocahontas, in company with another gentleman and his wife, from Buffalo, to this place. We took passage in this vessel, because we thought (and being assured by the owners,) that accommodations would be much better for us than on one of the Steamers, which are generally so very crowded.

But how mistaken were we, after leaving New York; for the Captain, whom I understand, is a Virginian, would not admit us to the cabin of the vessel, with the other passengers, who were of the very lowest class, although we paid the same fare. The sailors were made to leave their berths, and take our previous secured berths in the cabin, and we to take theirs. He would not admit us to table until the other passengers, and even the sailors, had taken their meals. It is needless for me to say, that this most unjust distinction was made, simply on account of the tincture of the skin.

But at last, we arrived in the port of San Juan, the famous port of Promethean notoriety: and when he learned that we intended [ ] at this place, I at once discovere [illegible] in his manners, towards us.—[illegible] he thought as I did, that I should [illegible] to meet him on equal grounds here.

But even in this, I was mistaken: for this place, a town containing five hundred inhabitants, of which one hundred are white Americans, and the other four hundred, which are composed of Indians and colored persons from the American States, suffer themselves to be ruled at the will and pleasure of the few pale faces who come among them, only to benefit their pockets. Out of the night hotels in this place, five are kept by colored persons

from the states: and among them, are some of the best houses in the town. And imagine my surprise, when I saw, a few days ago, a colored young man, on his way home from California, in company with a number of white companions; they had seen many a hard day together, in the Mountains of California; he was well dressed, and the best looking man, not only in the company, but in the house; when the dinner bell rang, he, of course, seated himself at the table, having previously bought his ticket at the bar, and paid as much for it as anybody. I say, imagine my surprise, when I saw the landlord (colored) walk up to him and take him by the collar, and say to him, in a loud and insulting tone, "I thought, by your appearance, that you had sense enough to know the American character better, than to seat yourself at my first table." For this, he (the landlord) received quite a merited rebuke, not only from the colored young man, but also the "American characters" who were at the table, manifested in their dispprobation at his [illegible]. The young man, and those in company with him, left the house, and went to a hotel kept by a white man, and were entertained alike, without distinction.

It is very strange that our people will suffer themselves to be carried away by this "American character," even here, in a coun-

try like this, whose king is a colored man, and the police officers, colored men. The soldiers, over whose little two-gun wooden fort waives in triump the flag of the misquito government, and though their soldier-like department would remind one that

"He who wears a regimental [suit,]
Oft is poor, as [is] some new recruit."

yet they are colored men! And with this colored government, colored persons from the States, seek to enforce what they call the "American character," but more justly the slaveholding character, on their own color, who come among them.

Is it not time we had begun to open our eyes, and see the folly of our own doings? Is it not time that we had begun to appreciate freedom and real liberty, particularly, in a country like this? The oppressed are sadly in the minority. A few bombs thrown sadly among them here, from the Committee of Thirteen, of the city of New York, would have quite a renovating effect, for their shots generally tell with great effect, whenever thrown int he enemy's camp. That Committee have done much, and are still doing good for people. It was my pleasure to attend one of the sessions of that Committee, by invitation of the Chairman: and never shall I forget the impression made upon me, as member after member entered the Hall with quiet step and thoughtful greeting; as I looked into each face, I could feel that it was no ordinary object, or common occasion, that had drawn them together. It was not the secret session of a political party, or a club for literary debate; or a meeting for old friends to renew broken friendships and severed ties at the festive board. No, none of these. But here were gathered men of stout hearts and lofty purposes: moved by the same mighty motives, and stirred by the same powerful interests.

The subject that brought them together, was of the most profound interest, And tho' hedged about with a wall of almost insurmountable difficulties, yet this little patriotic band, whose intelligent views and friendly zeal to promote the good of their fellow-countrymen, greatly encouraged by their hopes, and fortified at the greatness of the enterprise before them; already—seemed to behold in the far off future, as with prophetic vision, the maturity of their labors. For it was a meeting to discuss measures, and to concert plans for the present relief and future benefits of the colored people. And they confidently looked forward to the time when they will be able to trumpet forth to the world, in the language of the poet:

"Friends of the outcast, view the accomplished plan.
The negro towering to the height of man."

I may, before I leave here, say something more of this country: its products, and customs of the Natives, &c.

Yours respectfully,

James R. StarkeyStarkey, James R.

.

San Juan of Nicaragua, Gray

Town, Feb. 26, 1852.