B O O K If. C HAP. Vlir. 179 



Mary, and is their principal fliipping-pLice : it is a good road, ex- 

 cept in the time of year when the Norths prevail, to whofe vi- 

 olence it is too much expofcd. The face of the parifli is for the 

 mofl: part very hilly; and the Blue Mountain Ridge, after inter- 

 fering Portland, continues its lofty battlements from Eafl: to Weft 

 through St. George's, engrofllng the whole of its Southern diftrict. 

 The inconveniencies of much wet, and a diftant market, which 

 have retarded the population of Portland, have likewife attended 

 this parifh, and perhaps in a feverer degree ; fo that it is fliU to be 

 confidered in its infmcy. 



The lands adjacent to the coaft are not fettled for more than four 

 miles from the fea, and in fome parts not more than one. The 

 diftridt behind comprizes about fixty-five thoufand acres of wilder- 

 iiefs, whofe foil and natural produftions are at prefent unknown : 

 this vaft tra£l has only one road cut through it, which pafles from 

 Kingflon through Liguanea, and, crofiing the centre near the 

 Negroe-town called New Crawford, terminates at the coafl. The 

 land hitherto fettled in fugar-plantations turns to better account, 

 and is lefs laborious, than what we meet with in Portland ; but as 

 yet no trial has been made with canes above the diftance of two 

 miles from the fea. The mountainous region behind contains, 

 probably, a very great variety of foil ; which, though too rich at 

 firfl: to produce fugar, would yield a large quantity of fine rum, or 

 indigo : this latter is confidered as a great impoverifher of land, and 

 therefore very fit to prepare a rich foil for the fugar-cane. It is 

 pretty evident, on contemplating the face of this parifli, that it is 

 not likely to make much further progrefs until more roads fliall be 

 formed through fo extenfive a wood-land ; for, although many 

 thoufand acres have been patented, they were, for the greater part, 

 forfeited, and the remainder left unfettled by the proprietors on 

 this very account : they found it impraelicable to get at their lands 

 after they had patented, orpurchafed; and of courfe were unable 

 to make any ufe of them. The firft ftep towards further improve- 

 ments here will therefore naturally commence with opening new 

 roads of communication ; which may allure the proprietors of 

 plats on each fide to begin fettlements. It cannot be expefted, that 

 individuals will undertake this talk, or incur fo much expence, on 



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