A statistical, commercial, and political description of Venezuela, Trinidad, Margarita, and Tobago : containing various anecdotes and observations, illustrative of the past and present state of these interesting countries

Front matter

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CHAP. I. Pare

Historical Sketch of Venezuela.—First Adventurers.—Welsers. —Their Cruelties,—Depopulation amongst the Indians Tribes. —Early Commerce, and Pearl Fishery.—Exclusive Gommercial Companies. — Views of the BritisH Ministers. —PIERNAL, GUAL, and EspaANa.—Don Vincente de Emparan.—Anecdote. —General Miranda.—Geographical Description of the Country. —Ruvers, Lakes, Population, Vallies of Cape de Paria.—Caraccas.—State of Religion and Education.—La Guyra.—Porto Cavello.—Valencia.— Maracay.—Coro. — Barquisimeto. — San Felipe.—Guanare.—Miraculous Madona.—Curious Law Suit. —Nirgoa.—Zamboes.—Conjectures.—4Calabosa.

CHAP. Ti.

CumANA, Historical and Geographical Sketch of the Province.— Privileges granted by Pope Alexander VI.—Conduct of the first Spanish Invaders.—Retaliation of the Indians.—Barthelemy de Las Casas.—Ocampo.—Biographical Sketch of Las Casas.—Extract from his History.—City of Cumana.—Its Prosperity under Emparan.—Its Population.—Public Amusements. — Anecdote of M. de Humboldt.—System of Education.—Price of Provisions —Manners.—Trade.— Defences and Fortifications. —Gulph of Cariaco.--Marine Birds.—Singular Mode of catching them.—Carupana.—Valley of Yaguaraparo.— CuMANACOA.— Grotto of Guacharo.—Indian Superstitions. —Nrw BARCELONA. —Its Productions and Trade.—Conception del Pas.—Remarks Guiana.—Derivations.—San Tome de Angostura.—State of the Indian Tribes.—Mode of recognizing Flocks.—Wild Horses, Mules, &c.—Curious Account of them.—PRrovINCE oF VARInAs.—Account of the Inhabitants—Maracaybo.—Population. —Island of Margarita.—An Original.—Decoration of the Virgin, and Anecdote.—Pompatar.—A Sermon.—Theological Disputation.—Bulls and Indulgences——Faxardo.—Margarita described,-Assoncion,—-Fisheries.—Departure. . .. «+++.

XxXvi CONTENTS.

CHAP. U1.

Page

MANNERS AND CustToms.—Various Casts.— Conquistadores.—

Creoles.—Idea of Nobility.x—Refutation of De Paw’s Doctrines. —Mental Qualifications of the Creoles.—Reflections on Concubinage.—Parental Affection of the Creoles.—Account of the Guahiros.—Quadrupeds.—Traits of Manners.—Dress, &c. at Caraccas. — Singular Fashion at Cumana.—Anecdote of an Indian Female.—Remarks on several Animals.—Paca.—Pecary. —Catalogue of Birds.—Insects.—Trees and Shrubs.—Anecdotes of the Boa Strictor.—Remarks.—VEGETABLE Wor.ip.—M. de la Barrere’s Herbal. —Reflections.—Geological Attributes of Trinidad.—The Sugar Cane.—Introduction and Mode of cultivating the Otaheite Cane.—Fattening Qualities of the Cane — Suggestions. —Proposed Improvements in Sugar Plantations.— The Cocoa TREE.—Nutritious Virtues of Cocoa.—The Tree described.—Epidendrum Vanilla.—Coffee.—Thoughts on its cultivation —Mode of planting Coffee. And various Hints on the subject. — Podocarpus.—A Reflection. —Geological Observations. . ; . 174

Industry and Commerce of the ci-devant Spanish Colonies compared with those of England, France, Holland, &c.—Lord Chatham's opinion of Colonial Manufactures.—Impolicy of encouraging them.—Most adviseable System for Governments to pursue.—Barbarous Policy of the Spanish Cabinet with regard to the Colonies.—Juice of the Agave.—Absurd and oppressive Mode of Taxation.—Reflections.—Guipuscoa Company.—Edict of Free Trade.—Prohibitions of the Spanish Government.— Remarks on the Work of M. Depons.—Contraband Trade of English Merchants.—Facts and Observations relative thereto, — Panegyric on the Custom House, and Revenue Laws of Great Britain.— Remarks on the Colonial System of France, and Consequences of the prohibitory Regulations of Spain.—List of various Duties, Imposts, &c.—Privileges accorded to French Settlers in the Spanish Colonies by the Family Compact.—An naul Amount of Exports from Venezuela.—Concluding Remarks. 234

CONTENTS. % XXXVI

CHAP. V.

Page.

TRINIDAD,—Geograp hical Description of the Island.—Guaraouns. —Their singular Mode of Living, Trade, and Habitations.— Mouths of the Ortnoco.—Guarapiche—Gulph of Paria.— Scenery.—Port Spain.—Rivers of Trinidad.—Its Bays and Harbours.—Natural Canals.—Fish.—Mangrove Trees.—Birds. —THE ASPHALTUM LAKR.—Its Peculiarities.— Volcanic Remains.—MountTains.—Conjectures.—Las Cuevas.—Nature of the Soil.—Excavations at Guadaloupe.— Crater of Erin.—A new Metal. : , ;

CHAP. VI.

CLIMATE,— Seasons. — Winds.—Rain. —Rarity of Storms and Hurricanes.—State of the Thermometer—An Experiment.— Quantity of Rain.—Inundation of the Orinoco.—TipEs.— Effects of increased Cultivation.—Various Degrees of Heat.— Observations on the Effects of Climate, and Precautions recommended.— Spring or fine Season—Remarks.—Dews. :

CHAP... Vil.

Msrorica Sketch of Trinidad.-—Its Discovery.—First Establishment of the Spaniards.—Sir Walter Raleigh’s Visit to the Island.—His Treaty with the Indians, and Attack on San Joseph. —Lulogium on the Soil and Climate of VENEZUELA.—Blind Policy of Spain.—Project of M. de Saint Laurent.—Change in the Island’s Condition.—Rapid Increase of its Population.— Don Joseph Chacon.—His Policy.—Port Spain.—French Refugees.—Inhabitants in 1797,—First Sugar Plantation.—Capture of the Island by Sir RaLpH ABERCROMBIE.—Progressive State of Population, Agriculture, and Commerce between 1783 and 1807.

CHAP. VIit.

TopaGo.—Historical Sketch of the Island—Its Discovery and original Inhabitants.-First Establishment of the Dutch there.

—The Lampsins.—Ceded to the Duke of Courland by James I. —Manifestoes of Cuarirs I. in favour of the Duke.—The Island is attacked by Sir Tobias Bridges, and the French Admiral d’Estrees.—Captain Pointz.—Tobago is ceded to Great Britain.—Treaty of Aix la Chapelle.—State of the Island in

XXXVili CONTENTS.

Page, 1765.—Messrs. Frankiyn and Robley.—Taken by the French in 1781.—Reflections.—Recaptured by General Cuyler in 1793. —Present State of Cultivation.—Mr. Robley’s Plantation and Establishment.—His numerous Improvements and Character.— Scotch Emigrants—Reflections.—Natural Productions of the Island.—Plants.—Birds.—F ish—Quadrupeds.--SCARBOROUGH.

CHAP...1X.

INQuIRIES concerning the Negroes.—Their inteliectual Capabilities. —M. Litet.—Opinion of Camper and BLUMENBACH.— Difference between Negro Tribes.—How they are improved. —BLANCHETIER BELLEVUE.—Cause of Crime and Degeneracy in the Negroes.—Instances of Fortitude and Generosity among them.—Anecdote.—Allusion to the Cruelties exercised at Surinam.—Singular Instance of Resolution in Suffering.— Heroic Speech of a Negro.—Anecdotes.—Pride and Vanity of Negroes.—A ffection for their Children.—Causes of Infanticide amongst them.—Poisoning prevalent.—Mode of punishing the Delinquents.— Objections answered. — Reflections. — Advantages of Freedom.—Effects of the Slave Trade—Sir William Young’s Plantation—Treatment and Management of the Slaves there.—MuLattors.—Their harsh Treatment by Europeans, and Condition in the Colonies. : ° . 366

CHAP...X.

InpIANs.—Classed,into Caribs and Parias.—Opinion of Rochefort, and contradictory Accounts of that Writer.—Analogies.— Religion of the early Tribes.—Sorcery.—Sylvester.—Anecdote. —Curious Dialogue.—First Establishment of Missions.—Comparison.—Reflections.-—Jesuits.—Mission of St. Joseph.—Mass of the Indians.—A Review.—INpI1Ns oF Gurana.—Anecdote. —Degraded State of some Tribes.—Custom of selling their

Wives and Children.—Indians of Trinidad.—Their uncivilized

State.—Nefarious Conduct of some English Proprietors. —The Arrouages.—Their Trade.—Accouchement of the Indian Mothers.—Conjectures.—Account of the Black Caribs of St. Vincent's.—Visit to Grand Sable, and curious Description of a Carib Chief.—Concluding Remarks. A : : 398

CONTENTS.