sumed.) Hides, horns, sarsaparilla, and balsam, for Europe and the United States, and mahogany, cedar, and sugar, for Chili and Péru. These form the principal articles of export trade; which, in proportion to the imports, is on the increase. Brazil wood, with which this state as well as Costa Rica abounds, formerly afforded employment to a great number of British vessels. The fall of this article in the home markets has for the present caused it to be but little sought after.

In agriculture this state is rapidly improving; in addition to indigo, sugar, cocoa, wheat, rice, &c., coffee and cotton are now better attended to, but more particularly cotton and indigo. The quality of the former, which is much esteemed and known in the European markets green seeded," is an annual plant; the staple is short, which is overbalanced by its superior fine texture, and it is peculiarly adapted to certain manufactures.

as

New arrangements in the tariff are about to take place, but the present state of revolution must suspend any remark upon this question.

The province of Nicaragua has the advantage of diversity of climate, the plains in the vicinity of the large towns of Leon, Granada, and Nicaragua, being tropical, and the heights nearing the lakes from the Pacific, as Chocoyos, Matagalpa, and Segovia, being temperate, whilst, in the region about Honduras it is generally cold, even for an European.

The soil is everywhere fertile, and capable of yielding every species of produce of corresponding temperature. Mines also exist, but are not worked for want of capital and population; particularly as the plains afford abund

VOL. II.

X

ance of nutriment to the limited population, at very trifling labour.

The seasons are periodical, with trifling variation. The summer, or dry season, commences the early part of November, and the winter, or wet season, in the latter end of April, or beginning of May.

The summer is perfectly dry, at which time commercial intercourse is carried on, which, during the winter, particularly the latter end, becomes difficult, on account of the impassability of the roads.

It is during the winter that the agriculturist commences his labours, and during the months of September and October that the rains are excessive.

The climate is considered generally very healthy, although intermittent fever, by neglect, degenerates into typhus there are no epidemical diseases peculiar to it. The health of the natives, as well as that of Europeans, is influenced at the change of the seasons. Any important deviation may be traced to neglect or excess; particularly as regards foreigners.

The temperature in the shade ranges from seventy to ninety in the plains near the sea coast.

The internal commerce of the country is facilitated by good cart roads in the plains, which are practicable (even in their neglected state) from the South Pacific to the town of Granada on the Lake of Nicaragua.

Should rail-roads or steamers be brought into action, the communication with the Atlantic will lead commerce direct into the heart of the State. But of this no estimate can be formed. The government are using every effort to connect these lakes of Nicaragua and Managua with

either ocean; but I think the day of achievement is yet distant. What is to repay the speculators when good navigable access does not succeed? A superfluity only can warrant the undertaking. As to any canal into the Pacific, unless behind Momotombo Telica and Viego range, into the Estero Real, I see little feasibility in the scheme.

The population of Nicaragua does not much exceed one hundred and sixty thousand souls. The inhabitants in general are honest and industrious; of the authorities we will say but little.

Cardon, at the mouth of the port of Realejo, is situated in 12o, 28' N., and about 87° 12′ W. It has two entrances, both of which are safe, under proper precaution, and in all weathers. The depths vary from two to seven fathoms, and good and safe anchorage extends for several miles; the rise and fall of tide is eleven feet, full and change 3h. 6m. Docks or slips therefore may easily be constructed, and timber is readily to be procured of any dimensions. Wood, water, and immediate necessaries and luxuries are plentiful and cheap. The village of Realejo is about nine miles from the sea. Its population is about one thousand souls; the principal occupation of the working males is on the water, loading and unloading vessels. It has a custom-house, and officers under a collector, comptroller, and collector and captain of the port; of him or his guards we will not say too much. The sooner they find one less troublesome the better.

One branch of the river, the Donna Paula, takes a course towards Leon, and is navigable to within three leagues of that city. It has been suggested to carry a

rail-road from Leon to the lake of Managua. This might be effected; but neither the people, government, or consideration of the returns, will at present warrant any such step, unless as the sole act of the government.

No. II.

CONVENTION between His Majesty, and the Emperor of Russia, respecting the free navigation, commerce, and fisheries in the Pacific Ocean, and the limits on the N. W. coast of America. Signed at St. Petersburgh, February 28th, 1825. Presented to both houses of Parliament by His Majesty's command, May 1825.

His Majesty the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, being desirous of drawing still closer the ties of good understanding and friendship which unite them, by means of an agreement which may settle, upon the basis of reciprocal convenience, different points connected with the commerce, navigation, and fisheries of their subjects on the Pacific Ocean, as well as the limits of their respective possessions on the N. W. coast of America, have named plenipotentiaries to conclude a convention for this purpose; that is to say,

His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Right Honourable Stratford Canning, a member of his said Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, &c.; and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, the Sieur Charles Robert, Count de Nesselrode, his Imperial Majesty's Privy Councillor, a member of the Council of the Empire, Secretary of State for the department of Foreign Affairs, &c., and the Sieur Pierre de Politica, his Imperial Majesty's Councillor of State, &c.; who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, and found these in good and due form, have agreed upon and signed the following articles.

ART. I.-It is agreed that the respective subjects of the high contracting parties shall not be troubled or molested in any part of the ocean commonly called the Pacific Ocean, either in navigating the same, in fishing therein, or in landing at such parts of the coast as shall not have been already occupied, in order to trade with the natives, under the restrictions and conditions specified in the following articles.

ART. II.-In order to prevent the right of navigating and fishing exercised upon the ocean by subjects of the high contracting parties from becoming the pretext for an illicit commerce, it is agreed that the subjects of his Britannic Majesty shall not land at any place where there may be a Russian establishment without the permission of the governor or commandant; and on the other hand, that Russian subjects shall not land, without permission, at any British establishment on the N. W. coast.

ART. III. The line of demarcation between the pos