Several missionary stations are established among these tribes, with favourable prospects; and one among those Cherokees, who removed from their former residence to the Arkansaw Territory, a few years since.

Some Indian nations in Mexico have been partially civilized, and are now governed by Catholic priests. Others live in towns by themselves, with an Indian governor appointed by the Spaniards.

The Snake Indians are a mild inoffensive race, living among the Rocky Mountains, who are much oppressed by those around them.

The tribes west of the Rocky Mountains are very little known. Many of them are called Flathead Indians, from the flatness of their skulls, produced by pressing their heads in infancy.

It is supposed that there are 150,000 Indians between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains, and about the same number beyond these mountains; all of which are in a savage state, ignorant of Christianity, and sunk in vice. There are probably 100,000 east of the Mississippi, (making 400,000 in the whole,) most of whom are in the same condition.

The great resemblance of the American Indians to the Asiatics, in features and customs, renders it probable that they came from Asia.

WEST INDIES.

The West India Islands form an extensive curvilinear chain, from the south eastern point of North America, to South America. The large islands are traversed by a range of mountains already described, (T 458) which renders the interior rugged. The Caribbee Islands are generally mere mountains rising from the sea, and present an abrupt, but beautiful appearance. They contain almost a continued range of volcanoes and volcanic summits, some of which are occasionally active.

The soil of the West Indies is usually very fertile on the plains, and luxuriant in most productions of the Torrid Zone. Sugar and coffee are the most impor- [270] tant, and are exported in large quantities. Cacoa, and the common spices, ginger, pepper, pimento, &c. are also raised; and great quantities of oranges and other tropical fruits are among their exports. Maize, yams, and sweet potatoes are raised for food; but these islands are principally dependent on other countries for grain.

The climate is mild and delightful in winter; but is extremely hot, and dangerous to strangers, at other times. It is described particularly, ¶ 637. In some of the elevated tracts, we find the climate and productions of the Temperate Zone. St. Domingo or Hayti contains an independent commonwealth of Africans-the Haytian Republic. The other islands are divided between the Spanish, English, French, Swedes, Danes, and Dutch, under the direction of governors from their respective countries.

The following table exhibits their division, their size, their population in 1823 according to Humboldt, and their exports to the United States in the same year.

[271] INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC OF ST. DOMINGO,

OR HAYTI.

St. Domingo is the second island in size in the American Archipelago. It was formerly divided between the Spaniards in the eastern portion, and the French in the western. The slaves of the French revolted, and after destroying the white inhabitants, established two independent states, which have since been united in the Republic of Hayti. The Spanish portion of the islands has recently become subject to the control of the Haytian government.

The West Indian range of mountains, already alluded to, ¶ 458, passes through this island, some peaks of which are said to be 6,000 feet high. The soil is gene rally fertile and well-watered; and nothing but the indolence of the inhabitants has prevented its being one of the most productive and wealthy of the West In dia Islands. Hides are an important article of export.

The Africans of the Haytian Republic exhibit a commendable degree of indus try and enterprise, and are making considerable advances in arts and knowledge, Free schools and a college have been established; and foreign teachers have been employed at the expense of the government.

Cape Henry is the capital of the Haytian Republic, situated on a fertile plain Its harbour is one of the best in the island. Port au Prince, on the western side of the island, has a good harbour also, but its situation is low, and its climate unhealthy. St. Domingo, the capital of the late Spanish possessions, way the

first city built by Europeans in the New World. It has now become a place of little importance.

SPANISH ISLANDS.

CUBA.

Cuba is the largest and most celebrated island of the West Indies. It is divided by a central ridge of mountains, which furnish numerous streams to the plains. The soil exhibits the highest degree of fertility. Sugar and coffee are raised to a large amount; the tobacco is more valued than that of any other country, and these are important articles of export, as well as spices and other tropical productions, and hides. This island also contains valuable mines of copper and iron.

The commerce of Cuba is extensive and valuable, and it is increasing in population and wealth. It is more deeply engaged in the importation of slaves than any other part of America.

Havannah is the capital, situated on a harbour remarkable for its size, safety, and the strength of its fortifications. It has been the principal seat of trade for the Spanish possessions in the neighbouring seas, and has become a populous and wealthy city. Matanzas is a large town not far from it, which has a flourishing trade, especially with the United States. St. Jago de Cuba, on the south-eastern part of the island, has a good harbour, but is not flourishing.

PORTO RICO.

Porto Rico is the fourth of the West India Islands in size, and resembles the rest in climate, fertility, and valuable productions. We are less acquainted with this than with most of the other islands. The exports in 1803 were stated at 9,000,000 of dollars.

St. Juan, the capital, is situated on a good harbour, on the northern coast.

BRITISH ISLANDS.

JAMAICA.

[272]

Jamaica is the third of the West India Islands in size, and has been rendered perhaps the most important by the industry and enterprise of the English.

The general aspect of the island, as in those before described, is very fine. The grand and lofty ridge of the Blue Mountains intersects it, and descends on each side into fertile plains, adorned with all the beauties of a tropical landscape. The variety of elevation permits the cultivation of European as well as tropical plants. The products of agriculture are very valuable, and are exported to the amount of 10,000,000 of dollars in a year.

Spanish Town, or St. Jago de la Vega, situated near the southern coast, is the capital of the island, and the residence of the governor. Kingston, the commercial capital, is a city of some importance, in a healthy situation, and well built. Port Royal was formerly one of the richest towns in the West Indies; but it was destroyed three times successively, by an earthquake, a fire, and a hurricane, and is now important only as a naval station.

BAHAMA ISLANDS.

The Bahama Isles are a numerous group, extending about 700 miles, from southeast to north-west. A large number are mere rocks or sand-banks, termed keys. Only a few are inhabited. The climate is fine, but the soil is scanty and barren. Many of them, particularly Turk's Island, abound in natural salt-ponds, in which large quantities of excellent salt are formed by the heat of the sun. Cotton and salt are the most important products. New-Providence is the seat of government, and contains half the population.

The navigation among these islands is so dangerous to vessels passing into the Gulf of Mexico, that a large class of the inhabitants are occupied entirely in looking out for wrecks, and bear the name of wreckers,

THE BERMUDAS, OR SOMERS ISLANDS.

These are usually classed among the West India Islands, although at some distance from the rest. The group is supposed to contain 400 islands. Many are very smail, and they are generally mountainous and uncultivated, but abound with fine timber.

St. George is the largest, and contains the capital. The climate is salubrious and delightful, almost resembling a perpetual spring; and they are often resorted to for the recovery of health. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in shipbuilding and navigation.

CARIBBEE ISLES.

BRITISH ISLANDS.

TRINIDAD is the most southern of the West India Islands. Its soil is fertile, and its surface is not so much covered with mountains and rugged tracts. Only a small part of it is cultivated. Port Spain is the capital.

BARBADOES is the most eastern of the West India Islands.

The surface is irregular and broken. The soil is fertile, although somewhat impaired by long cultivation. It is more generally cleared of forests than most of 1273] the other islands; and therefore enjoys a peculiar salubrity and coolness of climate, from the direct influence of the trade winds. Bridgetown, the capital, is a well-built place.

ST. VINCENT, is a small, elevated island, remarkable for its volcano, the Souffrieer Mountain. ST. CHRISTOPHERS, or St. Kitts, has been much frequented by American vessels. The soil of the plains is remarkably productive. The remaining British Islands have no peculiarities which require description.

FRENCH ISLANDS.

MARTINIQUE is one of the largest of the Caribbee Islands, and superior in cultivation and produce to most others. It is also well adapted for trade, by the number and safety of its harbours. St. Pierre, the capital, is built in the style of old European cities, and resembles them in its conveniences and luxuries.

GUADALOUPE is also among the most important of the Caribbee Isles. It is divided into two parts by a shallow arm of the sea. The soil is rich and well watered. Basse Terre, the capital, is a well-built town.

MARIE GALLANTE is a beautiful but unhealthy island, only a small part of which is cultivated.

SWEDISHI, DANISH, AND DUTCH ISL

ANDS.

in the West Indies.

ST. BARTHOLOMEW's is the only possession of Sweden Its shores are rocky, and difficult of approach. Its soil is fertile; but it has no water except that of rains, which is preserved for drinking.

SANTA CRUZ, or St. Croix, is the principal Danish Islandsomest towns in . It is fertile and well cultivated. Christianstadt, the capital, is one of the handST. JOHN's, are the West Indies. The other Danish islands, ST. THOMAS and

of little importance.

STATIUS

The Dutch possess three of the smallest of the Caribbee Isles. ST. Etitute of has but one landing place, and is strongly fortified. CURACOA is destry and springs. ST. MARTIN'S is chiefly valuable for its salt pits. The indus worthenterprise of the Dutch has rendered these islands (in themselves almost goods. less) a valuable source of wealth, as places of deposite and sale for European

T

SOUTH AMERICA.

erti
zest

South America has been already mentioned as possessing unusual grats ande its natural features; and an account has been given of its physical d surface and waters, which renders farther description unnecessary. (See pa

visions,

ge 68

to 72.) It is unrivalled for its richness in mineral treasures. (See page 155 to 158.) Its climates have all the diversity which elevation can give, in a region extending from the equator almost to the polar circles. (See ¶ 730, 733—5 747.) Its vegetable productions are distinguished for their number, value, and beauty; and among them are some of the most important medicinal articles, such as the Peruvian bark.

The population of South America consists chiefly of independent tribes of Indians in the interior, and of Europeans and their descendants on the coast, mingled with the Indians whom they have subdued, and negro slaves. The greater part of the territory was nominally divided between Spain, and Portugal, and was settled from those countries. All these colonies have now established their independence. Brazil was settled by the Portuguese, and is now go- [274] verned as an empire by one of the royal family of Portugal. The remainder of South America, except Guiana, is occupied by the Spanish colonies-La Plata, Chili, Peru, and Colombia, which includes New-Granada and Venezuela. Guiana is still a dependent country, divided between Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands.

The state of Learning, Education, and Literary Institutions, will be found, 934, 1005, 1022-of Agriculture, 1207-of Roads, 1218-of Cities, 1239-of Manufactures, 1242-1247-and of National Power, 1288.

COLOMBIA.

Colombia is a republic recently organized, comprising the former provinces of New-Granada and Caraccas, or Venezuela. Its government resembles that of the United States. The country will be most easily described under its late divisions, which differ much in their character.

NEW-GRANADA.

New Granada is divided into the provinces of Quito on the south, and Cundinamarca on the north. Panama, a province on the isthmus of Darien, has declared itself independent, and proposed to join the confederacy.

New-Granada contains the loftiest peaks of the Andes. The greater part of it is traversed by the three ridges of these mountains, which produce a variety of grand and beautiful scenery, not surpassed in any country. A large part of it consists in elevated, fertile plains, on which most of the inhabitants reside. The eastern part spreads out into the extensive llanos of the Orinoco.

The climate varies according to the elevation, and hence the vegetable productions are numerous and valuable. The lower tracts are excessively hot and unhealthy. The isthmus is peculiarly pestilential. New-Granada is also rich in mines of silver and gold.

Manufactures are in a low state. The commerce is chiefly in the produce of mines, and tropical plants.

Santa Fe de Bogota, the metropolis, is situated on a plain, 8,000 feet above the sea, and thus enjoys perpetual spring. It is a well-built town, containing a university.

Popayan is an old and respectable city, in the vicinity of the mining region, elevated 5,000 feet above the sea. Quito is situated only a few miles south of the equator; but from an elevation of 9,500 feet, it has a temperate and delightful climate. It is on the declivity of the volcano Pichinca, which is so steep that carriages cannot be used in its streets. It is traversed in some parts by deep chasms or crevices, and is peculiarly subject to earthquakes.

Carthagena is one of the principal seaports of New-Granada, and has an extensive trade. Panama and Porto Bello are the seats of an important trade across the isthmus. Panama is noted for its pearl fishery. Guayaquil is also a commercial place, and a very handsome town. All these seaports have a low situation, and a very unhealthy climate.

VENEZUELA, OR CARACCAS.

The northern part of Venezuela is traversed by a branch of the Andes, which extends along the coast to the island of Trinidad, and gives it a great inequality