Margarita. 77 



7. The area of Margarita is very considerable. The 

 population was 40,000 at the last census ; it is as dry as 

 you could wish, but for those who don't like too much of 

 a good thing there are many cool bright places with 

 running streams and verdure everywhere, such as El Valle, 

 El Norte, and San Juan. 



From a commercial point of view I am of the opinion 

 that one of our regular line of steamers should call there ; 

 it is not out of their route, and no doubt much of the 

 present export trade which now goes to ports on the 

 Spanish Main would come here, and the exports from 

 Trinidad, already considerable, would increase ; the possi- 

 bility of a large passenger traffic in the future should 

 also be taken into account. 



