George Frederic Augustus I | |
---|---|
King of The Miskito | |
Reign | 1801–1824 |
Coronation | 18 January 1816 |
Predecessor | George II Frederic |
Successor | Robert Charles Frederic |
Born | 1798 |
Died | March 1824 |
Father | George II Frederic |
George Frederic Augustus I (1798 – 1824)[1] served from 1801 to 1824 as a mostly titular king of the mixed-race Miskito, as the Spanish called them, a Native people of Honduras.[2] Although the title and office were hereditary, the "kings" held no real power, with all political power held by British superintendents in the region instead.[3]
'Skipper Mudge, who arrived at this port from Honduras last week, in his smack Nancy, reports that he had an interview, before sailing, with his Majesty the King of the Mosquitoes. His Majesty wore a splendid cocked-hat and a red sash, and had very large gilt spurs buckled about his ankles; but I regret to say that the remainder was, as the painters say, without drapery. We must make allowance, however, for difference of customs and climate. His Majesty, who cannot be more than twenty years old, was slightly intoxicated. His suite consisted of a one-eyed drummer-boy, and two gentlemen with fifes, one of whom acted as an interpreter. The King of the Mosquitoes received Skipper Mudge seated on an empty whisky-cask. He motioned to the skipper to take a seat on the ground or wherever he chose.' The writer then goes on to describe the further proceedings of the interview, in the course of which his Majesty's laughter having been excited, the cask rolled from under him, and he fell to the ground.