ddle of the
island the harbour is contracted to a narrow channel by two points of
land, not more than a quarter of a mile separate, and at this time a
battery was erecting on the point on the island side to defend this
passage. This seemed, however, a very useless work, as this channel
had only two fathoms water, and is consequently only navigable for
barks and boats, wherefore an enemy could have no inducement to
attempt this passage, more especially as the northern one is so broad
and safe that no squadron can be prevented from coming in by any
fortifications whatever, when the sea-breeze makes. The brigadier Don
Jose Sylva de Paz, who is governor of this settlement, has a different
opinion; for, besides the above-mentioned battery, there were three
other forts carrying on for the defence of the harbour, none of which
were completed when we were there. The first of these, called St Joam,
was building on a point of the island of St Catharines, near Parrot
Island. The second, in form of a half-moon, was on the island of
St Antonio; and the third, which seemed the chief, and had some
appearance of a regular fortification, is on an island near the
continent, where the governor resides. Don Jose Sylva de Paz was
esteemed an expert engineer; and he doubtless understood one branch of
his business very well, which is the advantages which new works bring
to those who have charge of their erection.

[Footnote 4: This account of the matter is very erroneous. The
latitudes are between 28 deg. 5' and 28 deg. 30' both S. and the longitude is
49 deg. 10' W. from Greenwich.--E.]

[Footnote 5: The more elaborate nautical description of this island
is necessarily omitted, as referring to two extensive views, without
which the description would be unintelligible.--E.]

The soil of this island is truly luxuriant, producing many kinds of
fruits spontaneously, and is covered over with one continued forest of
trees, in perpetual verdure, and which, from the exuberant fertility
of the soil, are so entangled with thorns, briars, and underwood,
as to form an absolutely impenetrable thicket, except by some narrow
paths which the inhabitants have opened for their own convenience; and
these, with a few spots cleared for plantations, along that side of
the island which faces the continent, are the only uncovered parts of
the island. The woods are extremely fragrant, from the many aromatic
trees and shrubs with which they abound, and here the fr