BRITISH SETTLEMENT


difficulty to move himself. If an attempt
should he made by the river Balize, an
event that at certain periods has been ex-
pected, innumerable small vessels would
be required for the purpose, and after,
these were obtained, the passage of them
could only be effected during the rains, a
season most disadvantageous for every
kind of hostile operation in tropical
countries. At every other time the navi-
gation of this river would be effectually
impeded.
 The channel is protected by the guns
 of a strong fort lately erected by a comi
 petent engineer; and, in honour of his
 Majesty, this work is named Fort
 icorge. Its situation is singularly com-
 manding, and, in any attempt of a land-
 ing, would be. capable of throwing a most
 destructive fire, An enemy not choosing
 to iace this fort, but inclining to either
 flank of the town of Balize, the only pos-
sible points of gaining the shore, would
 4