HONDURAS. 47 



can, by a minimum of labor, provide for himself the comforts 

 and luxuries of both tropical and temperate zones." Here is that 

 land which may well be destined to become the home of that high 

 degree of civilization which " is possible only where the possession 

 of plants that yield abundant food for a moderate outlay of labor, 

 allows, with due toil and foresight, a large degree of leisure and 

 relief from intent anxiety." 



The opening and maintenance of a route from the interior to 

 the ocean will make possible the full development of this cool 

 and healthful country. New mines will be opened and old ones 

 will be worked more extensively than ever before. Food will be 

 needed for their laborers, and intelligent agriculture will be stim- 

 ulated to supply the home demand. The opening of a route over 

 which the products of farms can be cheaply carried to market 

 will further encourage farming. All this will give employment 

 and good wages to thousands who now earn but a scant subsistance 

 in a country where a living need cost but a fraction of the sum 

 required to support a person in the northern States. New enter- 

 prises of various kinds will be called into activity and old ones 

 will be so quickened into new life that Juticalpa will resume the 

 position she long held as the commercial center of all these min- 

 eral districts and fertile valleys. All the suiplus products of the 

 surrounding forests, mines and farms will flow to Juticalpa, for 

 transportation to the markets of the outer world, and in return 

 will be brought comforts and luxuries now beyond the reach of 



the people. 



LABORERS. 



In reply to queries relating to the number and character of 

 laborers to be found in the region of this grant, an ex-governor 

 of Mosquitia whose statements have before been quoted in these 

 pages, says: 



The Province of Mosquitia (now called Colon) contains four kinds of 

 laborers. First, the Caribs, who are without doubt the most hardy, 

 industrious, and reliable. In strength and endurance they will compare 

 favorably with the southern negro or the northern lumberman. They all 

 speak English, and constitute a very important element in the mahog- 

 any works and sugar plantations of British Honduras. 



