The West India Islands [pp. 455-500]

area is 43.720 acres, one-half being unfit for cultivation. Sugar is
chiefly raised, and the export of the island in 1838 was 91.765 cwts.;
in 1843,6.851 hhds. The whole exports and imports of 1836, ~244.047.
It was ceded to the English at the treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Capadose remarks: "The inhabitants of St. Christopher may well boast of
their island beauties; and in good truth, if the loveliness of nature
can produce happiness, they are blessed indeed."
St. Lucia.-By the last census it contains 13.448 blacks, and 16.017
inhabitants. The tables of mortality almost prove it the graveyard of the West Indies. The harbor of Carenage is a splendid and
capacious one. The exports in 1835 were, sugar, 50.215 cwt.; rum,
14.051 galls.; molasses, 11.029 cwt.; coffee, 84.000 lbs. It was ceded
to France in 1763, but afterwards retaken by England.
St. Vincent.-Area 85.000 acres; population 27.248 in 1844, of
which 22.997 were blacks. One-third of the surface is in cultivation.
Exports, in 1841, 110.205 cwts. sugar; 88,999 gallons rum, &c. The
island, like others of the West Indies, has several times changed hands
between France and England.
Tobago. -The interior lands have not been brought into cultivation,
but are still forests. The island was colonized, first by the Dutch, and
then by the Courlanders. It then changed hands twice between
France and England. It is productive in every plant that grows in
the Antilles. "Throughout the whole island there is but little social
intercourse, as the inhabitants are scattered, and the roads, the greater
part of the year, in such a state as precludes visiting. But most of
the estates are advantageously situated, and the scenery around them
picturesque and attractive. The variety of its trees, shrubs, flowers
and vegetables, render it interesting to the botanist."
Virgin Isles.-These include the petty islands of Anegada, Tartola
and Virgin Gorda. From Capadose's Travels, we extract the following sketch of Tartola, the most important of the group: "It is different in appearance from any of the other colonies, being an island of
mountains; on the summits of several are large table-lands well cultivated. The people live secluded livcs, cultivating their own fruits and
vegetables; feeding a few sheep and poultry; fishing or catching the
wild ducks, which abound in all the mountain lakes on the island. I
doubt whether this little island will ever rise above its present excellence; it is not adapted for colonization, and can be of but little value
unless for a fortification."
Honduras and Guaiana are included in the British West Indies,
though not islands. Honduras, or Balize, is on the east coast of Central America. The climate is moist but healthy. The forests abound
with the most valuable woods, mahogany, logwood, &c., the main products of the colony. The mahogany is a majestic tree, arriving at
maturity in two hundred years! The trees are rafted down the rivers.
Three logs have been sold as high in London as ~3.000, according to
M'Culloh,; the product of one tree! The logwood grows abundant
in high grounds. In 1836, 28.313 tons shipping arrived and 29.493
tons departed. The only town is Balize, at the~ mouth of the Balize
river, which has about five hundred houses. Great Britain received
possession from Spain in 1670, but there were afterwards several con
480
THE WEST INDIA ISLANDS.