SUGGESTIONS FOE IMPROVEMENT. 347 



"be adopted respecting the trade with other countries, more 

 " especially with France and Spain ; a still greater one would be 

 " gained, if the neighbouring republic of Venezuela could be 

 " induced to modify its customs duties. 



" Should the steam communication between P or t-of- Spain and 

 " Maturin, which I have shown every inclination to support, be 

 " established, it will prove very beneficial; but I am more anxious 

 " to see a similar one, only on a larger scale, set on foot between 

 " this and the City of Bolivar. There are many reasons for hoping 

 " that Port-of-Spain may eventually become the receptacle of the 

 " trade of that vast tract of country, from which the Orinoco draws 

 " its waters. A steamer passing "by the Cano Macareo could reach 

 " Bolivar in seventy hours, and return in fifty, whereas, merchant 

 " vessels take from five to twenty days to ascend to that place 

 " from the chief mouth of the river. An American Company has 

 " already entered into contract with the Venezuelan Government, 

 " to navigate the Orinoco, from Bolivar upwards, for a distance of 

 " 700 miles, by steamer ; it only requires, therefore, to connect 

 " Trinidad and Bolivar by similar means only I hope by an 

 " English Company and the interior of the western part of that 

 " vast continent would be opened to enterprise, and an invaluable 

 " impulse given to the commerce of this island." (Lord Harris to 

 Earl Grey, 21st February, 1848.) It is said that this American 

 Company has since made a profit of forty-five per cent upon its 

 capital. 



Unlimited, therefore, are the advantages enjoyed by Trinidad, 

 and offered by the Gulf of Paria ; how long they shall remain 

 sterile, God alone knows ! Great are the obstacles to be overcome : 

 we have to deal with a jealous people, prejudiced against foreigners, 

 with a Government blind to its own interests ; we have to struggle 

 with our own indifferent Government and people ; and yet, 

 " under the fostering care of Great Britain (if she will foster 

 " it) this colony may become, not only prosperous, but may prove 

 " of vast importance in assisting to civilise the fine and extensive 

 " continent in its vicinity." (Lord Harris to Earl Grey.) It does 

 indeed make one's heart bleed to behold so many advantages 

 offered by Providence, left untouched and dormant. It is our 

 duty, nevertheless, to prepare ourselves, by all rational means, for 

 any favourable contingency which may arise ; to propose and adopt 

 such measures as may, not only put a stop to our downward pro- 



