In regard to the inhabitants of Honduras; the total po pulation of the province, consisting of natives, Americans, Spaniards, and English, with African slaves, is said to have diminished. We are quite ignorant of any calculations as to its amount; but that of the British settlement in the Bay of Honduras is computed at about 3700, or somewhat more, of which there are 200 white inhabitants, rather more than 500 people of colour and free blacks, and 3000 negro slaves. Neither are we acquainted with the precise geographical limits of the settlement, or the number, ex tent, and position of the towns belonging to the Spaniards. Formerly the principal English establishment was at St George's Key,avhich is a healthful and agreeable situation, still containing a number of good houses, but now it is at Balize, a town at the mouth of a river of the same name, called Wallix by the Spaniards. It consists of about 200 houses, many of which are spacious and well finished ; all are built of wood, and for the most part raised 8 or 10 feet from the ground on mahogany pillars. An agreeable and picturesque effect is produced by groups of lofty cocoa trees, and the foliage of the tamarind thickly interspersed, while they afford to the inhabitants a grateful shelter from the fervour of the sun. This town is accessible to an ene my only from the sea; for it is totally environed behind by a morass, extending many miles into the country, which, during the rainy season, is nearly covered with water. A strong fort lately erected in a commanding situation guards the channel of approach ; and the inhabitants have formed a militia as a farther means of defence.
The principal trade of the British settlement consists in the export of mahogany, logwood, and tortoise shell ; while the articles of import are chiefly for the consumption of the settlers, being those of British manufacture, and salted provisions for the slaves. They also obtain cattle from the
Spaniards, who, besides, carry on considerable traffic in cotton bed-covers, which are much esteemed in that pro vince. The Bay of Honduras is reckoned a very favour able situation for trade ; and the preservation of the settle ment occasions no expence to government, as the revenue somewhat exceeds the expenditure.
liming the last and preceding century, the coast and islands of Honduras were a great resort cf pirates, who found sufficient subsistence and concealment to enable them to commit their ravages against defenceless vessels. On the largest island, called Ruatan or Rattan, about 30 miles long, rich and fertile, there is a small Spanish outpost ; but, according to Philip Ashton's Memorial, it was uninhabited in 1723. Previous to the year 1763, English mercantile ad venturers had established themselves on the coast, at which time the court of Spain admitted them to remain, on con dition that their fortifications should be demolished. How ever, all were taken prisoners or dispersed in 1782 ; and having been enabled to return in 1784, under a treaty with the Spanish government, they finally settled at Balize. Here they remained undisturbed until the year 1798, when the Spaniards, having fitted out an armament, made an at tempt to capture the town. They were speedily repulsed, and the colony has never since had to dread any enemy. Sec Alcedo Diccionario ; Uring's Voyages and Travels ; Ashton's ; and Henderson's 4ccount of the Set tlement of Honduras. (c)