DANISH ISLANDS IN AMERICA. 553 



ous and handsome ; the private houses commodious ; and the maga- 

 zines large, convenient, and well filled. All kind of labour is here 

 performed by engines ; some of them so well contrived, that ships 

 are at once lifted into the dock. Though this island is naturally bar- 

 ren, the industry of the Dutch has brought it to produce a considera- 

 ble quantity both of tobacco and sugar : it has, besides, good salt- 

 works, for the produce of which there is a brisk demand from the 

 English islands, and the colonies on the continent. But what renders 

 this island of most advantage to the Dutch is the contraband trade 

 which is carried on between the inhabitants and the Spaniards, and 

 their harbour being the rendezvous to all nations in time of war. 



The other islands, Bonaire and Aruba, are inconsiderable in them- 

 selves, and should be regarded as appendages to Curassou, for which 

 they are chiefly employed in raising cattle and other provisions. 



The small islands of Saba and St. Martin's, situate at no great dis- 

 :ance from St. Eustatia, are of very little importance. 



BANISH ISLANDS IN AMERICA. 



ST. THOMAS. ...An inconsiderable island of the Caribbees, is si- 

 tuate in 64 degrees west longitude, and 18 north latitude, about 15 

 miles in circumference, and has a safe and commodious harbour. 



ST. CROIX, or SANTA CRUZ....Another small and unhealthy 

 island, lying about five leagues east of St. Thomas, ten or twelve 

 leagues in length, and three or four where it is broadest. These 

 islands, so long as they remained in the hands of the Danish West 

 India company, were ill-managed, and of little consequence to the 

 Danes : but that wise and benevolent prince the late king of Den- 

 mark bought up the company's stock, and laid the trade open ; and 

 since that time the island of St. Thomas has been so greatly improv- 

 ed, that it is said to produce upwards of 3000 hogsheads of sugar of 

 3 000 weight each, and others of the West India commodities in tole- 

 rable plenty. In time of war, privateers bring in their prizes here 

 for sale : and a great many vessels trade from hence along the Spa- 

 nish main, and return with money, in specie or bars, and valuable 

 merchandise. As for Santa Cruz, from a perfect desert a few years 

 since, it is beginning to thrive very fast; several persons from the 

 English islands, some of them of very great wealth, have gone to 

 settle there, and have received very great encouragement. These 

 islands were taken by the English in 1801, during the short warbe™ 

 tween England and Denmark on account of the convention of neutra- 

 lity, but restored a few months afterwards when that dispute was ad- 

 justed. 



