IS BRITISH SETTLEMENT


relaxation of this spirit, the small depen-
dency of which we speak,. as well as the
islands collectively, would in numberless
instances have been reduced to & condi-
tion little short of famine. Indeed, at
this moment, the most gloomy prospects
may be said'to await the whole of them,
and which a war with the American States
would too sorrowfully demonstrate. Un-
less some amelioration shall suddenly take
place. in this respect, it can scarcely be
doubted, but 'that many persons must be
forced to the unavoidable expedient of
.turning their thoughts from their present
puruits, to the exclusive one of cultivat-
ing articles offood for the sustenance of
their families and slaves.
 Few countries, perhaps, ever possessed
 higher advantages, in an agricultural
 point of view, than the greater partTof
 that which is placed contiguous to th*
 Bay ofHonduras. It is certainly btim-
 .perfdtry known to us, but what has been