8 



Porter''s Voyage 



is situated on that point of the island nearest the continent, and 

 may contain about 10,000 inhabitants ; here the captain-general 

 resides. It appears to be a place of considerable business : several 

 brigs and schooners were lying before the town, and the stores 

 were numerous, and well supplied with dry goods, which were 

 sold cheap. The town is pleasantly situated ; the bay before it 

 apparently commodious ; and the people industrious. It is de- 

 fended by two small forts, one opposite the middle of the town on 

 a small island, joined to it by a causeway ; the other on a point 

 projecting towards the continent. The houses are generally 

 neatly built, and the country at the back of the town is in a state 

 of considerable improvement. But nothing can exceed the beauty 

 of the great bay to the north, formed by the island of St. Catha^ 

 rines and the continent. There is every variety to give beauty to 

 the scene; handsome villages and houses built around, shores 

 which gradually ascend in mountains, covered to their summit with 

 trees which remain in constant verdure ; a climate always tempe- 

 rate and healthy ; small islands scattered here and there, equally 

 covered with verdure ; the soil extremely productive ; all com- 

 bine to render it, in appearance, the most delightful country in 

 the world. We arrived, unfortunately, in the worst season for 

 fruit ; there were no oranges to be had now ; but in the proper 

 season for them, I was informed, they were to be had in the 

 greatest abundance, and for a mere trifle. 



The people of this place appear to be the most happy of those 

 who live under the Portuguese government, probably because 

 the more they are distant from it, the less they are subject to its 

 impositions and oppressions ; still, however, they complain. 

 'There are two regiments of troops at St. Catharines : if pro- 

 visions are wanted for them, an officer goes to the houses of the 

 peasantry, seizes on their cattle or grain, and gives them a bill on 

 the government, for v/hich they never receive payment. 



The peasantry are well clad, and comfortable and cheerful in 

 their appearance ; the women are handsome and graceful in their 

 manners ; the men have the character of being extremely jealous 

 of them, and I believe they have some reason to be so. 



Our anchorage, latitude 27« 26' 10" south ; longitude 48« 2' 20" 

 west. 



The fort at Ponite Groce, latitude Tl" 24' 46" south; longi- 

 tude 47« 55' 30" west. 



The north-east point of St. Catharines, Ponte de Bottle, latitude 

 27" 46' 49" south ; longitude 47« 42' 48' west. 



Variation of the compass 6^ 27' east. 



Vessels should always moor here, as the irregularity of the 

 currents will otherwise soon occasion them to foul their anchors. 

 The tide enters to the north and south, and rises about four and 



