712 



in their cargoes in the harbour nearest the Pun- 

 ta Barima, where in time of peace the magazines, 

 ropewalks, and dock- yards, would be found. 

 To protect the country between the capital and 

 the harbour, or Puerto de la Boca grande, from 

 a hostile invasion, the banks of the Oroonoko 

 might be fortified according to a system of 

 defence adapted to the nature of the ground ; for 

 instance, at Imataca or at Zacupana, at Baran- 

 cas or at San Rafael (where the Cano Manamo 

 separates from the principal trunk), at Vieja 

 Guayana, at the island of Faxardo (opposite the 

 mouth of the Rio Carony), and at the confluence 

 of the Mamo. The little forts, constructed at 

 a small expense, would serve at the same time as 

 a refuge for the gun-boats stationed at the points? 

 which the enemy's vessels must approach on 

 tacking, to sail up against the current. I dwell 

 so much the more on these means of defence, as 

 they have been too long neglected*. 



The northern coasts of South America are 

 defended for the most part by a chain of moun- 

 tains, that extends from west to east, and sepa- 

 rates the shore from the Llanos of New-Anda- 



* It is almost difficult to believe, that the whole defence of 

 the province, during my stay at. Angostura, depended on 7 

 lanchas canoneras, and six hundred soldiers of all complex- 

 ions and descriptions, including what are called the garrisons 

 of four frontier forts, the destacamentos of Nueva Guayana, 

 San Carlos del Rio Negro, Guirior and Cuyuni. 



