T I E R R A F I R M A. 



on^ fifth to the king. The little fair at Carthagena occafions a great num- 

 ber of fliops' to be opened, and filled with all kinds of merchandize, the 

 profit partly refulting to Spaniards (who come in the galleons, and are either 

 recommended to, or are in partnerfhip with the cargadores or traders, who 

 bring European goods) and partly to thofe already fettled in the city. The 

 cargadores furnifli the former with goods, though to no great value, in order 

 to gain their cuftom : and the latter, as perfons whom they have already 

 experienced to be good and honeft dealers, and both in proportion to the 

 quicknefs of their fale. This is a time of univerfal profit; to fome from letting 

 lodgings and (liops, to fome from the increafe of their refpeilive trades, and 

 to others from the labour of their negroes and flaves, whofe pay alfo is pro- 

 portionally increafed, as they do more work in this bufy time ; nor is it un- 

 common for thefe laft, from this brilknefs of trade, to purchafe their freedoms 

 and fet up for themfelves. By the increafe of Grangers, fometimes to one 

 half of the ufual number of people, the confumption, and confequently the 

 price of provifions and other articles advance ; from which thofe who bring 

 them to market laak^ gi^n advantages. 



This commercial tumult lafi:s only while the galleons continue in the bay, 

 to which hurry the tiempo miierto, or dead time, fucceeds. The fmall trade 

 carried on during this calm feafon, confifts of a few billanders from La Tri- 

 n'ldady the Havanay and St. 'Domingo^ bringing leaf tobacco^ fnuff", fugars, 

 and returning with Magdalena cacao or chocolate, earthen ware, rice, and 

 other goods wanted in thofe ifiands, and even of thefe fmall vefilsls one is 

 fcarcely feen for two or three months together. The fame may be faid of 

 thofe which go from Carthagena to Nicaragua, Vera Cruz, Hojiduras, and 

 other parts ; but the moil frequent trips are made to Puerto Vela, Chagre, 

 or Santa Martha. And the reafon why this commerce is not carried on 

 more brifl<ly is, becaufe that moll of thofe places are naturally furnifhed 

 with the fame kind of provifions, and are under no neceffity of trafficking 

 with each other. Another branch of the commerce of this place during the 

 tiempo inuerto is carried on with the towns and villages of its own jurifdidlion ; 

 from whence are brought all kinds of necefiaries, mofily in canoes, and 

 champanas, a fort of boats very proper for rivers : their returns confift moftly 



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