ft 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[Cnnaries. 



shipping ; the mark to find it is the E. point of Lobos N. E., and anchor 

 about half-way between it and Fucrtaventura. Although apparently exposed, 

 the road is very safe with the trade-wind ; the water is smooth, and the 

 ground clean, being a fine sandy bottom. Right ashore from the road, on 

 Fucrtaventura, is a well of good water, easy to come at. 



On the E. side is the port of Cala de Fustes, fit only for small barks. 

 Four leagues further to the S, is Point de Negro, on the other side of which is 

 a spacious bay, called Las Playas. The best anchoring place is on the N. side, 

 in 14- fathoms, at a convenient distance from the shore, a clean sandy bottom. 



The principal town on the island is situated about 2 leagues inland 

 from the road of Lobos, and consists of about 100 houses neatly built. 

 Several other small towns are scattered in the island, but the inhabitants 

 are not numerous. They receive Spanish dollars, and a few articles of 

 European and West India produce, for their corn, orcliilla-wecd, and 

 cattle. 



GRAND CAN ARIA is the healthiest and pleasantest of the group. 

 Its N. E. point is about 18 leagues from Fuertaventura, in latitude 28° 13' 

 N., longitude 15° 38 W. On the N. E. of this island is a peninsula, 2 

 leagues round, connected by an isthmus, 2 miles long, and about a quarter 

 of a mile broad. On each side of this isthmus is a bay, exposed on the 

 N. W. side to the swell of the sea. Small barks, however, lay here 

 securely. On the other side is a spacious sandy bay, called Porto de Luz, 

 having some steep rocks at its entrance totvards the N. E. This is a good 

 road for shipping of any burthen, with all winds, except S. E. ; but that wind 

 seldom blows so hard as to endanger shipping. The landing-place is at the 

 bottom of the bay, where the water is generally so smooth, that a boat 

 may lay broadside to the shore without risk. Along shore to the E. is 

 Palmas, the capital, between which and a castle at the landing-place, arc 

 two forts. At the other end of the City is another castle, called St. Pedro : 

 none of these forts are strong. The City is large, and the houses, built of 

 stone, are generally good. A small stream of water divides it into two 

 parts. The inhabitants of Palmas are estimated at 6000. 



Shipping that discharge at Palmas, anchor in good weather within half 

 a mile of the town, for dispatch ; but the road is not good there. 



Trade. — The exports to TenerifFe consist of provisions, coarse wool- 

 len blankets, raw and wrought silk, orchilla-weed, &c. The returns are 

 chiefly silver. The wine is good, but not of such body as Tenerifte ; yet 

 a considerable quantity was sent to the West Indies. 



Provisions and Refreshments are plentiful, consisting of cattle, 

 goats, rabbits, poultry, &c. Peaches, apricots, apples, pears, cherries. 



