SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 381 



trade, is snapped up by these sharks with a most teasing and 

 ruinous voracity. The black sailors are mostly sold for slaves, 

 and the produce on board finds its way through Tortola, into 

 the English, or, through some American ship-broker, into 

 the European continental market. 



A conquest of the province of New Cumana is the only fun- 

 damental remedy. This fine district up to Ciudad-real might 

 surely have been attained, without any greater expenditure of 

 life and effort than was lately lent to general Miranda. But 

 the enterprize should have been definite in its purpose and ob- 

 ject, avowedly directed to the mere purpose of British con- 

 quest, and restricted to the eastern bank of the Orinoko. The 

 assertion of independence is a far greater hazard to run than a 

 ready submission to a British army. Subjects, who should 

 take part in a rebellious change, would have to apprehend 

 sudden severities from the governors of all those places, which 

 might persevere in allegiance ; would have to apprehend 

 the consequences of being shortly repressed by troops from 

 Mexico, or from Cuba; and would have to apprehend the 

 eventual vengeance of the Spanish court, if Great Britain had 

 to abandon their interests at a peace. But the worst that can 

 happen, after a British conquest, is to be ceded back, to the 

 parent-country, when war ceases in Europe, after tasting the 

 profits of a freer trade, and forming some acquaintances in an 

 heretical garrison. 



