27 



the sun proved clearly, that the high land in the 

 horizon was not Trinidad, but Tobago, the cap- 

 tain continued to steer N. N. W., in search of this 

 latter island, which, even in Borda's chart, is 

 placed 5' too far south. We can scarcely be- 

 lieve, that on coasts frequented by every trading 

 nation, such enormous errors in latitude should 

 be thus perpetuated for ages. Having discussed 

 this matter in another place *, it is sufficient here 

 to observe, that even in the last chart of the 

 West Indies, published by Mr. Arrowsmith, in 

 1803, consequently a long time after the la- 

 bours of Churruca, the latitudes of the different 

 capes of Tobago and Trinidad, are still from six 

 to eleven minutes erroneous. 



An observation of the meridian altitude of the 

 Sun fully confirmed the latitude obtained by 

 Douwes's method. No more doubt remained 

 respecting the position of the vessel, with respect 

 to the island, and we resolved to double Cape 

 North in Tobago, to pass between this island and 

 Grenada, and steer toward a port in Margaretta. 

 In these latitudes we ran at every moment the 

 risk of being taken by privateers ; but happily 

 for us the sea was very rough, and a small Eng- 

 lish cutter passed without hailing us. As to 

 Mr. Bonpland and myself, we were less afraid 

 of this, since, as we were so near the continent 



* Obs. Ast. p. 35 to 39, and Introduction, p. 38. (Chart 

 of the Atlantic Ocean. Sixth edition.) 



