JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA. 



37 



three packets run regularly between the place and Lon- 

 don. The situation of Balize could not be more unfa- 

 vourable ; it is in the midst of a swamp, partially convert- 

 ed into firm ground by means of drains and causeways. 

 It is one of the most unhealthy places in the world. Fe- 

 vers are very prevalent, and make great havoc among 

 strangers. The water, too, in most families, supplied by 

 the rains, is extremely bad, and tinged with a light yellow 

 colour, by passing over the shingle roofs of the houses 

 before being received into the cisterns. 



Balize, now a place of some importance, was original- 

 ly — as I have been informed — the resort of a famous buc- 

 caneer, or pirate, called Wallace, from whom it derives its 

 name ; the word Wallace being pronounced Valiz by the 

 Spaniards, and, by an easy transition, converted by the 

 English into its present denomination. On the expulsion 

 of the pirate, the English were allowed by the Court of 

 Spain, about the middle of the last century, to form a set- 

 tlement there for the purpose of cutting mahogany and 

 logwood. The extent of territory granted them was 

 eighteen leagues, or fifty-four miles, along the coast. 

 This grant was to be for forty years only, and the erec- 

 tion of any fortifications or permanent buildings, or the 

 introduction of any garrison or military force whatever, 

 were prohibited. These restrictions, however, were not 

 much regarded. The place increased in wealth and pop- 

 ulation ; and when the Spaniards, at the expiration of the 

 stipulated period, attempted to dislodge the inhabitants, 

 and take possession of the settlement, they found the un- 

 dertaking superior to their strength, and were obliged to 

 desist. Subsequently, when the colonies of South Ameri- 

 ca declared themselves independent, the territory was 

 claimed by the State of Guatemala, within whose limits 

 it is situated ; but the claim was of course disallowed, and 

 the argument alleged was, that the territory had been 

 granted to Great Britain by the King of Spain. This ter- 

 ritory, instead of eighteen leagues, has attained to more 



