292 STEAM NAVIGATION ON THE 



No scheme can possibly be devised so effec- 

 tually to correct these evils, and to bring about 

 a better order of things, as the establishment of 

 a close and constant communication by steam ; 

 which is the more essential from the almost 

 total absence of locomotive means by land, and 

 the long and tedious navigation by sea. By 

 such an establishment the executive autho- 

 rities of these states will become invigorated, 

 and acquire an impetus and moral strength to 

 which they have hitherto been strangers ; the 

 seeds of revolution will not have time to take 

 root ; their mineral and agricultural wealth will 

 be developed, and their revenues increased ; the 

 spirit of social and commercial intercourse, so in- 

 timately connected with the moral and political 

 advancement of nations, will be infused; the in- 

 terests of society wall be better understood and 

 strengthened by the interchange which willbe pro- 

 duced, and their prostrate credit soon be restored. 



In connexion with this highly interesting 

 subject, there are other most important interests 

 to be advanced and promoted. The British 

 trade on those coasts has already assumed a 



New Granada . . 1,600,000 

 Venezuela . . . 800,000 

 Ecuador . . . 800,000 



The population embraced within the limits of the proposed 



steam communication exceeds 4 000,000, 



