ii 
 
 A REPORT 
 
 ON THE 
 
 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS. 
 
 COL. E. P. W ATKINS, 
 
 A COMMISSIONER APPOINTED AT A PUBLIC MEET- 
 ING COMPOSED OF A LARGE NUMBER OF 
 THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTA, TO 
 VISIT THAT PLACE. 
 
 PRICE FIFTY CENTS. 
 
 ATLANTA, GA : 
 
 INTELLIGENCER BOOK AND JOB OFFICE. 
 1867. 
 
THE REPORT 
 
 OF 
 ON THE 
 
 REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS. 
 
 On the evening of the 25th of March last, at a public meeting 
 of some of the citizens of Atlanta, Georgia, held at the City Hall, 
 I was appointed a commissioner to go to the Republic of Hon- 
 duras, Central America, for the purpose of examining the country, 
 with a view to emigration. In obedience to my commission, I left 
 the city of Atlanta on the morning of the first of April, in com- 
 pany with Major G. Malcolm and his colony, destined for the port 
 of Omoa, Honduras. We arrived at New Orleans on the 3d inst., 
 and at once repaired to the wharf, where we found the Tradewind, 
 a propellor of 420 tons, lying in wait for us. We immediately 
 went on board, paid passages of fifty-five dollars in currency, and 
 registered for Omoa. At 5 o'clock P. M., Tuesday, the 4th, our 
 craft drew out from her moorings, and steamed down the great 
 Mississippi, freighted with more than sixty souls, who, for rea- 
 sons satisfactory to themselves, had gone to seek a new home in a 
 strange land. Early the next morning we crossed the bar : then 
 commenced the rocking of the old ship ; and very soon followed 
 pale faces and languid brows. The sturdy boys, who the day be- 
 fore were eager for the table, no longer rushed to meal calls ; and 
 their stomachs revolted at the very idea of roast beef. Thus we 
 had it, naught to be seen but the whirling waters, white crested 
 waves, and now and then schools of flying-fish, fleeing from the 
 path of our ship, until 11 o'clock A. M./Wednesday, the 10th, 
 when we cast anchor in front of the old fort at Omoa, under a 
 frowning old twenty-four pounder, which stands on the ramparts 
 of that venerable structure, which, for more than a century, has 
 withstood the throes of political convulsions of the land she was 
 bade defend. Very soon the Commandant and the Collector 
 of Customs, in full uniform, approached our vessel, came aboard, 
 and upon ascertaining the object of our mission, expressed them- 
 selves highly pleased, and in company with Major Malcolm, (who 
 speaks Spanish very well) and Captain Champion, of the boat, soon 
 returned to the shore, to arrange for the disembarkation. These 
 were the first Honduranians we had met, and finding them so very 
 
polite and genteel, we were very much gratified. After an absence 
 of an hour, the Major returned, and informed us that both officers 
 and people extended to us a most cordial welcome. 
 
 A large Bungo, manned by natives, was soon along-side the 
 Trade Wind, and after an hour's work all were ashore. [This 
 Bungo was made solid of a bungo tree. Dr. Watkins, Mr. Tip- 
 pens, and myself measured it — length 56 feet, width T in the centre 6 
 feet, at the stern 4 feet, and at the bow 3 feet.] Each person was 
 required to open his trunk, which was inspected by the Collector 
 of Customs, and nothing contraband being found, all passed off 
 well, and we were soon at our quarters in town. 
 
 Arrangements were made for board with the Judge of the 
 Peace, a Mr. Benjamin Belisle, a native of Belize, British Hondu- 
 ras, at seventy-five cents per day. 
 
 The hours for meals are different in this country from the States. 
 The first meal is coffee, taken with bread and butter, or cheese, 
 usually at six o'clock, breakfast at from nine to eleven, and dinner 
 at four. The Judge sits a good table, consisting of baker's bread, 
 tortilleros, (this article of food is much used throughout all Hon- 
 duras ; indeed, it is the only bread made of corn, except in a few 
 places where hand-mills are used) fritters of flour, yams, sweet- 
 potatoes, imported Irish potatoes, beef, pork, chicken, fish, with 
 occasional dishes of very nice pastry, pickles, onions, fruit, and 
 wine. This may not all be set at the same me d, but constitutes 
 the main materials out of which they were prepared, and, but for a 
 superabundance of garlic on his meats, were very well cooked. This 
 evil was, however, remedied by calling the attention of his Honor 
 to the fact that it did not suit our tastes. His Honor was very 
 polite and accommodating, waiting on us himself at the table, fre- 
 quently declaring that it was no disgrace for a Judge to see that 
 his guests were well attended to, and as he was thoroughly expe- 
 rienced in the business of hotel-keeping, he felt confident that he 
 could serve us better, and give more satisfaction than half a dozen 
 servants could. This was the first judicial officer we had met. 
 My curiosity was somewhat excited as to his geneology, and upon 
 inquiry found that he claimed to be an Englishman ; but a physio- 
 logist would not be likely to class him Anglo-Saxon. But be he 
 whom he may, he is a stern and rigid executioner of the law. 
 
 The town of Omoa is situated in a small valley, at the foot of 
 the Omoa mountains, near the confluence of the river Omoa, with 
 the Bay of Honduras. The population of this place is variously 
 estimated at from one to three thousand souls. I do not believe it 
 exceeds one thousand, if indeed, it reaches thab point. 
 
 This place is, like all others that I have seen, very compactly 
 built, and with but little regard to exact order. You find here 
 several very nice houses, built of short boards nailed on shingle 
 fashion, and covered with slate, neither of which was manufac- 
 tured in the country. Some w T ere built of adobe and brick, cov- 
 ered with tile ; others are built of sticks and mud, with thatched 
 
roofs. The mud houses are almost exclusively used, except in the 
 principal cities. These houses are constructed of upright posts, 
 six feet apart, upon which is a plate to rest the rafters. The walls 
 are made of lattice, work of bamboo or cane fastened on the in and 
 out side to these upright posts, and filled with mud, and smoothed 
 down so as to give it a solid appearance. They are covered with 
 thatch made of palm, tied on to the rafters with rawhide, vine, 
 &c. The rafters are secured with rawhide thongs and vines, &c. 
 These roofs will last from six to ten years ; the walls from thirty 
 to forty years ; the wood work as long, when made of timber, 
 not subject to the ravages of the wood louse and the sawyer. 
 These destructive insects are very numerous, and attack all 
 kinds of soft and sap timber, and in a few years eat them to a 
 mere shell. It is therefore highly important that timber for all 
 purposes, be selected with care, and from the firmest wood. Most 
 of the houses in this place are floored with plank. But such as 
 are not able to have plank, live upon dirt floors, some of which are 
 cemented. 
 
 I saw several very nice gardens, in which were growing cab- 
 bage, tomatoes, onions, squash, and beautiful trees of pomegran- 
 ates. 
 
 It is said that every variety of vegetables common in our coun- 
 try may be produced here with perfect success, as also, melons of 
 all descriptions. I saw no fine melons in the Republic : we ate some 
 very sweet water-melons, and were told that they grew, when, cul- 
 tivated, to great size, which I am disposed to credit. 
 
 The population is very much mixed. Indeed I think the term 
 heterogeneous may be appropriately applied to the inhabitants of 
 this place, as respects origin ; but business and everything else 
 is moved and directed by the superior race. 
 
 In commercial importance, Omoa is the second post in the Re- 
 public. A considerable trade is carried on with parts of western 
 and central Honduras. The principal articles of trade are hides, 
 sarsaparilla, India rubber, dye woods, cattle, sugar, coffee, rice, 
 and fruits, which are bought by the merchants at their own prices, 
 or goods given in exchange for them. 
 
 The export^ from this point are chiefly confined to the first five 
 named articles. Rouitan is famous for its fruits, and a considera- 
 ble trade done in that line. Truxillo is the best, hide and cattle 
 market, and enters considerably into the fruit trade. Sarsaparilla, 
 India rubber, vernilk, and dye wood, are also a trade of this place. 
 Fixed prices exist at Omoa upon no given articles of commerce. 
 This place is difficult of access from the interior, shut in by a 
 range of high mountains, and when once the produce of the inte- 
 rior is there, the merchant is not slow in perceiving his advantage, 
 and is ever ready to avail himself of it. Upon articles of prime 
 necessity, prices are very well regulated throughout the entire Re- 
 public, though they vary considerably in different localities. In giv- 
 ing prices of articles of export, Ihave to rely upon data furnished me 
 
by those engaged in the trade. Sarsaparilla is gathered in the 
 mountains, arranged in bales of one hundred pounds each, two of 
 which make a cargo for one mule. Pack saddles are placed upon 
 the mules, and made perfectly secure by cruppers and straps. Upon 
 either side of the saddle these packages are placed, and secured 
 with ropes and raw-hide thongs. One muleteer will manage from 
 five to ten mules. As soon as the mules are packed, their halters 
 are tied up, and they seem to know exactly what they are to do. 
 These mules will carry a cargo of two hundred pounds in safety, 
 anywhere, and when once your freight is in the hands of the car- 
 rier, you need not give yourself further concern. In this manner 
 all articles are transported to and from the trading points. In 
 this stage sarsaparilla is said to be worth from fifteen to twenty- 
 two cents per pound. 
 
 Dry hides, of most superior quality, folded in neat packages, 
 are worth from four to six cents per pound, biit never sold by 
 weight : the trader examines the hides, and submits his offer per 
 hide. I noticed some of these sales, and reckoning the average 
 weights, set down the above figures as approximations of the 
 prices current for this article. 
 
 Rubber is taken from the tree by cutting through the bark in 
 horizontal lines, out of which oozes a thick milky substance. — 
 This is caught on the blade of a knife or paddle, and trans- 
 ferred to buckets. One bucket-full is a day's work for a hand — 
 say three gallons. This milk is emptied into a square box, cover- 
 ing the box the thickness desired for the sheets of rubber. Upon 
 tiiis is poured a small quantity of alum water, and set aside for a 
 few hours, and when sufficiently congealed, it is then removed and 
 packed, for transportation. For each bucket-full of milk the la- 
 borer receives fifty cents. When the rubber is congealed and 
 packed it is worth from twenty to thirty cents per pound. It is 
 said that three gallons of the milk will make sixteen pounds of 
 rubber, which, at the low figures of 20 cents per pound, will give 
 to the manufacturer a net profit of $2.70 to the hand. I offer 
 this statement upon the authority of a gentleman who has had 
 some experience, and by reference to the American Encyclopedia 
 I find that the per cent is not too great. 
 
 The beef cattle exported are driven from the interior. The 
 prices paid depend upon the localities where they are bought. 
 These prices I will give you in detail as I pass along through the 
 country. 
 
 Small lots of cotton were exported from Onioa this year, but so 
 inconsiderable that it need be mentioned only to show that 
 the attention of tne people is being directed to the production of 
 that great staple. Coffee is also becoming an article of export ; 
 but I think I may say with safety, that not more than a sufficiency 
 is produced in the Republic for home consumption, at this time. 
 Coffee is bought at Omoa at sixteen cents, and sold by retail at 
 twenty-five cents per pound. 
 
I found it exceedingly difficult to ascertain the aggregate amount 
 of exports or imports. So indefinite is my information on that 
 subject, that I must content myself by referring those interested to 
 the consular reports on that subject. We find in this harbor two 
 schooners, each of about eighty tons burthen, which ply between 
 this port and Belize. Also, one of one hundred and fifty tons, 
 running regularly to Boston, in the United States. This line has 
 been kept up by one house over thirty years. 
 
 The harbor of Omoa is small, but very beautiful, and safe to the 
 extent of its anchorage. It is generally said that Omoa is sickly, 
 and many precautions for health are offered to all persons visiting 
 that place. I found the sun very warm while there, and did not 
 feel safe in exposing myself to it at noon. But I must say that I 
 found it at all times pleasant in the shade. I saw the mercury at 
 this place as high as ninety-six, for two hours ; the lowest points 
 at seventy four : this was said to be unusual hot weather, and when 
 exposed to the sun, the heat was very oppressive. 
 
 Neither yellow fever nor cholera has existed here as an epidemic ; 
 and the occasional cases which have occurred, are said to have been 
 importations from the West Indias. I am informed that yellow 
 fever has prevailed as an epidemic on the Bay Islands and at Trux- 
 illo. The prevailing diseases on the coast of the Caribean are 
 billious and intermittent fevers. The first sometimes assumes a 
 very malignant type : both of which, if taken in time, and if pro- 
 perly treated, are easily controlled. The per cent of mortality at 
 Omoa is not greater than any of the coast towns of Georgia. 
 
 Immediately in this vicinity, farming lands are in small bodies, — 
 along the coast and behind the first spurs of the mountains. The 
 soil is a sandy loam, producing in great abundance the best quality 
 of all the tropical fruits. Coffee, Sugar-cane, and rice grow to per- 
 fection. Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Yams, Cocoa, yield abundantly. 
 The experiment of cotton-growing has not resulted satisfactorily, 
 immediately on the coast. The reason assigned does not apply to 
 the more interior valleys- 
 
 Along this belt the seasons are not so regular as in the interior 
 districts, consequently the producer of cotton cannot calculate with 
 any degree of certainty for the time of gathering, and those who 
 have attempted the experiment have met with disasters from heavy 
 Northers, which are common on the whole coast. Cotton goods 
 command about the same price in Omoa as in our markets. Silks 
 and linens ten per cent cheaper. Shoes and boots range about as 
 they do in Atlanta. Hats ten per cent cheaper, including all kinds. 
 Cutlery twenty per cent higher. Flour imported from the United 
 States, ten to twenty per cent higher. All the flour used on the 
 coast and for fifty miles in the interior is imported. Sugar retails at 
 six cents per pound, best quality. No sugar is manufactured in the 
 Republic abovethe grade of ordinary brownDulcy, alow grade of su- 
 gar, made into balls of one pound each, retails at three and a half cents 
 per pound ; fresh beef at four cents per pound ; pork at five 
 
cents ; lard at six cents ; hens twenty five cents each ; eggs twelve 
 and a half cents per dozen ; turkeys fifty cents ; mileh cows at 
 from ten to fifteen dollars ; saddle mules at from forty to one 
 » hundred dollars ; horses, best, from forty to seventy-five dollars, 
 (none fine) ; pack mules from twenty to thirty dollars ; board, 
 transient, seventy five cents per day ; cigars from two fifty to four 
 dollars per thousand. Fruits — prices nominal. 
 
 This is the prices current of the above named articles at Omoa. 
 _ I will not leave Omoa without saying that her people are en- 
 titled to praise for their quiet and orderly deportment. Here you 
 find a number of gentlemen and ladies of fine intelligence and 
 highly educated. I was invited by the judge to witness the trial 
 of a forger on a small scale. The witnesses were all brought into 
 court, sworn and examined, and the testimony taken down by the 
 clerk. Questions were asked the witnesses by the court and by 
 any judicial officer present who wished to interrogate. When the 
 case was made out, the court then turned over a list of the witness- 
 es who testified, and asked the prisoner if he had any defense : in 
 this case he had none, and not appealing to the next higher court, 
 he was immediately placed across a barrel, and forty stripes were 
 well laid on. The next case was the trial of a young moke for in- 
 sult offered to a lady : this trial consumed 2* day, and the court 
 found him guilty of disorderly conduct, and at once administered 
 to him in broken doses one hundred stripes. 
 
 I found in operation here one school, in which was taught the 
 Spanish and English language, Mathematics, &c. Omoa has but 
 one house of worship, which has evidently .been very much neglect- 
 ed. Yet her people are strict in the observance of their fiestas, 
 rights and ceremonies. While here I witnessed a funeral and the 
 observance of their customs on such occasions. Burials usually 
 take place at night ; the corpse is neatly wrapped in white sheets 
 over which is folded a mantling ; the body is then placed on a litter 
 and followed by friends and people with hghted candles and torches 
 to the grave, where the body is deposited with many signs and 
 marked demonstrations of sorrow. The graves are dug without 
 regard to order, as respects the compass, and the body laid as it 
 may happen to arrive. After the ceremonies were all over at the 
 grave, they returned to the house of the bereaved to drown their 
 sorrow in a bottle of rum. 
 
 On the morning of the 16th of April, in company with a mule- 
 teer I started for San Pedro, said to be eighteen leagues 'from 
 Omoa by the traveled route. 
 
 Mounted on a white pony just forty inches high, with speed fully 
 equal to an American goat, I confess I did not feel very strongly 
 impressed with my appearance as a cavillier ; but from the expe- 
 rience of my pony in climbing mountains, I felt safe. The path led 
 down the coast four miles to a point where the mountains shoot 
 into the sea. This range of mountains is said to be ten leagues 
 across, which I think an over estimate. The general phase of 
 
these mountains were so very different from any I had ever seen, 
 that I traveled for miles almost unconscious of the rugged way 
 over which I was passing. 
 
 Along this road you are climhing and descending steep moun- 
 tains, passing narrow defiles, just wide enough for one mule, and 
 now and then on the verge of an almost perpendicular precipice, 
 where the roots of trees upon your path reach out their tendrils 
 to clasp the very topmost boughs of those that lift their tops from 
 the deep ravines. 
 
 These mountains, from summit to base, are covered with timber, 
 shrubs, and vines of most luxurient growth, and although you 
 stand upon the precipices and look down on the very tops of the 
 trees, you have no feelings of awe ; for instead of jagged cliffs and 
 bai'ren wastes, you look upon the luxurient foliage of the tropics, 
 which hang in rich profusion on their sides, and peer up from the 
 very centre of the chasm. While it is true that this robs these 
 mountains of all frightful mien, and that sublimity upon which ro- 
 mance delights to linger, nevertheless they are beautiful ; and, 
 when once you ascend to the top and look out upon the broad 
 savannas of the great Sula Valley, your heart, despite weariness, 
 swells with emotions of delight. Very often you pass through 
 tall and beautiful groves of palmetto, which, like Samaritans, stand 
 on either side, reaching forth their long and graceful limbs in per- 
 fect arch, to give you shade even at mid-day. I experienced no 
 inconvenience from heat in traveling through these mountains, al- 
 thoiigh occasionally exposed to the sun in passing the openings 
 made by the settlers. The roads are paved in places with stone. 
 I remember one place where the stone was so polished by the 
 hoofs of animals that it seemed quite difficult for them to ascend, 
 and upon examination found it to be coarse marble. jSTc t far dis- 
 tant I saw blocks of marble in a most beautiful stream, which, at 
 a short distance, impressed me with the idea of the chisel. This 
 I' examined as critically as I could, and believe it susceptible of 
 the highest polish. Indeed, I feel authorized in saying that marble 
 and lime are abundant in these mountains. These mountain lands 
 are generally rich — more or less rocky. 
 
 I saw nothing growing on this rout except corn, coffee, cocoa, 
 rice, sugar cane, plaintain, bananas, sweet potatoes, yams, and 
 melons, all of which seemed to flourish, and promised abundant 
 yields. As I passed into the interior, on the 16th of April, the 
 farmers were planting corn, and some of it was ten inches high ; 
 on our return we found it hard, in full roasting-ear, and in the 
 silk. It was planted in the style common in this country, and 
 without work, (except to cut down the weeds with the machet, or 
 long knife) will yield thirty bushels per acre. Others who, proba- 
 bly, are better judges than myself, set down the yield at much 
 larger figures ; but Mr. Goldsmith and myself concluded to put it 
 at the figures named. On the evening of the first day's travel, I 
 
reached Rancho Grande, the stopping place for travelers and mule- 
 teers. This place belongs to Joseph Renaud, a native, of German 
 descent^ educated in the United States and France, now a resident 
 of San Pedro, and of whom I shall hereafter speak. Here, in this 
 small valley, I found a beautiful little coffee and cocoa estate, of 
 about four thousand trees each : the cocoa not yet bearing ; the 
 coffee trees, except a few, are six years old, and give from four to 
 six pounds of good coffee. On this farm is a small cluster of cof- 
 fee trees- over forty years old, yielding from six to eight pounds of 
 excellent coffee, and seem to be as luxurient and fresh as the trees 
 of six years' growth. At this place fine melons of every descrip- 
 tion, and white head cabbage weighing ten pounds, have been 
 raised. 
 
 Here, going and returning, we suffered much from musquitoes 
 and gnats. Going up, I met at this place about twenty muleteers, 
 all natives, and not one able to speak a word of English. They 
 seemed to understand my feelings, and showed by every sign that 
 they were disposed to render me easy and comfortable. After the 
 rauies were unpacked, and their backs examined, and doctored, if 
 necessary, they were hobbled, or tied together, and turned on the 
 pasture to feed for the night. The cargoes were all carefully piled 
 under the public shed, which has been provided by the govern- 
 ment on all public highways, at intervals of a day's travel, for car- 
 riers. Everything arranged, all gathered around their fires to pre- 
 pare their meals — Americana among the rest, made himself as 
 easy as possible, and conformed, with as much grace as one could 
 expect, to the new order of things. About eight o'clock the su- 
 perintendent of the hacienda invited me to a room in the house, 
 whereT found a nice bed well provided with musquito bars, and 
 left my new companions to hang in their hammocks, or loll upon 
 their cow-skins, and fight musquitoes the balance of the night. 
 Next morning I called for my bill, which was one madio, or six 
 and one-fourth cents, which I paid. Upon enquiring, I learned 
 that I had yet one league to go, before I reached the savannas. 
 After a few hours travel I was over the mountains, and winding 
 my way along the valleys. Some of these savannas are rich and 
 well watered ; others are comparatively poor, and water scarce : 
 but these plains become more fertile and water more abundant as 
 you proceed east or south. It may be proper here to remark, that 
 these savannas are small, and constitute a mere speck on the 
 great plains. I passed over these plains without an umbrella 
 from ten to two o'clock. They said the days were very hot for the 
 season, which was mid-summer. It was to me very warm, but I 
 did not suffer more heat than I have in the States from the 
 same exposure. The advantages in favor of this country arise from 
 the constant and refreshing breezes that sweep from sea to sea. 
 When in about six leagues of San Pedro, I hailed, with pleasure, 
 the re-appearance of the palmetto, and its pleasant shades. Be- 
 tween this and San Pedro some very nice streams and rich lands 
 
are passed, some of which, I think, rather low, and liable to inun- 
 dations during the rainy season, but gradually rising for several 
 miles before reaching that place. This little town is situated in 
 the Sula Valley, about thirty miles on a direct line from Porta 
 Cabalos, on the Caribian coast, two miles from the foot of the 
 Cordillera mountains, six miles from the Rio Chamilicon, and three 
 miles from the head of navigation, on the Tacomicho, which is a 
 narrow and deep stream, said to be navigable at all seasons of the 
 year for small steamers. The lands in this vicinity are watered by 
 a number of very beautiful little streams, which flow out from 
 the mountains, some of which disappear soon after entering the 
 valley : but water, by means of small aqueducts, may be carried to 
 any given point of the valley near this place. 
 
 This town is supplied with water by a small dyke, cut from the 
 foot of the mountains, into which a sufficiency of water from one 
 of those little mountain streams is turned. Before reaching the 
 town it is turned into four channels, which pass in parallel lines 
 through it. Early in the morning, or late in the evening, the in- 
 habitants fill their vessels (which are made of clay, not glazed and 
 neatly wrought) with water sufficient for drinking purposes during 
 the day. This water is pure, clear as crystal, and as pleasant as 
 water of the same temperature can be, but by no means as cold 
 as the well or spring water of Middle or Upper Georgia : per- 
 sons unaccustomed to it, invariably, when they drink it, wish it 
 cooler. The inhabitants are mostly mixed blood of Spanish 
 and Indian, Spanish and negro, one American family, two or three 
 French families, and one or two full Jamaica negroes. We were 
 received by the people with many demonstrations of kindness, and 
 in some instances, manifested a willingness to sacrifice their comfort 
 for ours. In this connection, I feel it due to express many thanks 
 to Messrs. Renaud, De Bellou, Don Parblo and many others whom 
 I could mention, if there names were remembered. To Mr. Buck- 
 ma I will not omit to mention my thanks for the many species^ of 
 timber he furnished me. Messrs. Renaud and De Bellou threw 
 open their doors, and said, " come, you are welcome." The peo- 
 ple are generally accommodating, polite, docile, and unobtrusive. 
 The laboring class, or as they are called, moses, understand their 
 sphere, and move strictly in it : they are ready, at all times, to serve 
 you at thirty seven and a half cents per day, and feed themselves. 
 The masses are an ignorant, unlettered people, with rude customs 
 and habits, many times bordering on indecency. The dress of the 
 females, of the lower class, does not fully meet the idea of Ameri- 
 can modesty : it consists chiefly of a thin skirt, fastened around 
 the waist, and a low-necked chemise. The better class have 
 adopted English fashions, and are neat and tasty in their dress : 
 they are, as a general thing, indolent and uninventive ; and the 
 lower class had much rather work for their patrons than to culti- 
 vate on their own account. 
 
 This little town stands near the ruins of the ancient city of the 
 
10 
 
 same name, which was destroyed by Commodore Blake, acting 
 under the auspices of the English Government. At the time of 
 its destruction, it was one of the largest and most flourishing towns 
 in Central America. Traces may yet be seen, such as stone walls 
 and pieces of brick ; but the laspe of one hundred and forty years 
 has leveled everything to the earth, and so wrapped it in jun- 
 g e, that the stranger would pass on without noticing it. The 
 foundation of the present town dates back one hundred years, and 
 yet stands a few houses of stick and mud, with thatched roofs and 
 dirt floors, with a population of not exceeding five hundered. 
 
 This is said to be a very healthy place, and is considerably re- 
 sorted to for health. The natives inform me that they have an oc- 
 casional case of fever, billious or intermittent. 
 
 Among them I saw a few cases of goiter, which prevails here to 
 about the same extent that it does in some places in Virginia and 
 Tennessee. Up to the 25th of May, the day of our departure 
 from San Pedro, several cases of billious and intermittent fever 
 had occurred among the colonist, and one, a Dr. Hurt, from Vir- 
 ginia, had died. That everything may be attributed to the proper 
 causes, it is well that facts should be submitted. When we left 
 Atlanta, shawls and overcoats were necessary for our comfort : in 
 ten days we were in the tropics, in mid-summer. Our young men 
 were indifferent to the sun — even at home, not being accustomed 
 to it — and very imprudent in the use of fruit. Being impatient to 
 penetrate the country, several walked frojm Omoa to San Pedro, and 
 soon after arriving at the latter place, with resolutions undaunted, 
 and entirely unaccustomed to the field, they laid off their coats and 
 pitched into the forest, clearing their land : the result was as before 
 stated. But upon leaving San Pedro for the States, all were well 
 but one, who was still complaining. But the question may be 
 asked : Do you believe this to be a healthy locality ? My an- 
 swer is positively affirmative. The lands are rich, of a dark-stall 
 color, and look to be inexhaustible ; the soil is in many places six 
 feet deep, and rarely under two. The lands are covered with 
 many timbers, valuable tor building and manufacturing purposes. 
 Where the land is not heavily timbered, it is an impenetrable jun- 
 gle of bush, vine, and thorn ; indeed, I may say that the whole 
 country, between the mountains and the Chamilicon, a few sa- 
 vannas excepted, is covered with a thick undergrowth. Small 
 pineries are seen in the mountains, from San Pedro ; and both on 
 the mountains and in the valley, promiscuously scattered, are nia- 
 hogony and rubber trees, and a tree which gives an abundance of 
 tan bark, of the best quality ; besides many others valuable for 
 dyes and medicines. 
 
 Besides the timbers already named, we find in this valley the fre- 
 cola, mother of cocoa, cedar, fustic, royal palm,jaqua, macualise, 
 black laurel, jalan, canano, nespero, guayvea, muntico, and several 
 other species, valuable for furniture and building purposes, if the 
 saw could only be applied to them. Corn, coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, 
 
11 
 
 rice, tobacco, indigo, sweet potatoes, yams, eucre, musk and water 
 melons, and pumpkins, grow well in this valley. All kinds of 
 tropical Iruits flourish, when planted and cared for ; but very few 
 of any are found in the vicinity of San Pedro — the inhabitants 
 contenting themselves with the fruits of the forest. Vegetables, 
 common to Gorgia, are said to flourish anywhere in Hondu- 
 ras, and may be taken fresh with proper care and culture every 
 month in the year. Wild grapes, resembling our winter and sum- 
 mer species, and the grape known with us as the fox, are abun- 
 dant everywhere. The experiment of cotton planting (and truly 
 it is but an experiment, and in that light I desire my friends to 
 view it) has, at San Pedro and further South, as far as tried, proved 
 a success. Near Yojoa the short staple has been tried several 
 years, giving about two bales, of five hundred pounds each, to the 
 acre. The bolls of this cotton are small, staple short, fibre equal 
 to Georgia productions. At San Pedro I saw a cotton tree eight 
 years old, resembling in size a plum tree of equal age. This tree 
 had not been cultivated, or any care taken of it. I found several 
 bolls open ; the cotton was very coarse and harsh, the seed as 
 large as that of the mogul plum, and quite as hard, and only three 
 to the boll. It is evident, to my mind, that this is a different spe- 
 cies of cotton to that now grown there. Near this, is a small field 
 of one hundred and forty-eight yards square, on the outside of the 
 fence, which was cut down and planted in cotton last September, 
 and cultivated with a hoe, from which Mr. De Balon, a gentleman 
 from New Orleans, claims to have taken fifteen thousand pounds 
 of seed cotton, '.which has yielded 33|- per cent of lint. This is 
 sea island cotton ; the staple and. fibre of which is superior to the 
 short staple of Georgia, but probably not equal to that of Florida. 
 This is the largest weed, for a year's growth, I ever saw, and well 
 filled with bolls. The fruit is not as large as that of the short sta- 
 ple of Georgia. It is planted in hills, six feet distance, with three 
 seed in a hill, and average seven feet high, well limbed ; and so in- 
 terlocked are the branches, that it is difficult to pass through it. 
 It is said, by those who have experimented, that one planting will 
 last six years or more without decrease in yield or quality by cutting- 
 down the stock or pruning it every year at the usual time of plan- 
 ting, in such away as to force out new branches for the crop. The 
 best time for planting is from the first of August to the tenth of 
 September. One crop of cotton annually i»all that need be ex- 
 pected. When you plant in August or September, you have the 
 rainy season for growth ; at the close of which the fruit is ready 
 for maturity, and you have fair weather for gathering, commen- 
 cing about the first of January, at the beginning of the dry season. 
 I have been frequently asked if the result of those experiments is not 
 a mere chance, happening from a combination of propitious circum- 
 stances, which sometimes occur in Georgia. I can only answer 
 that question by giving the data furnished me on that point by 
 Mr. Jack, an American, who kept a table of seasons tor eight 
 
12 
 
 • 
 
 years. This table shows a very great uniformity of seasons ; and 
 he assures me that these years of experiment were not more fa- 
 vored than usual v Cotton, in Honduras, is said to be entirely free 
 from insects, except a large species of ant, which sometimes as- 
 sail it. These ants are very numerous : they build their houses in 
 the ground, frequently ten feet in diameter. You see many paths, 
 several inches wide, made by them, as they pass from point to 
 point, in quest of food. I was reminded by them of an army 
 moving by the flank : each ant carries in his mouth a piece of green 
 leaf, taken from some plant, or tree, which they have chosen for 
 food. They are not at all dreaded in any way whatever. 
 
 Showers usually commence about the 15th of May, and continue 
 until the middle of September, when the rainy season properly 
 sets in, and usually lasts until the middle of December, and some- 
 times longer. It is not to be understood that the rainy season is 
 one continuous fall of rain, or general deluge, for, it I am not mis- 
 informed, it frequently happens that scarcely a day passes that the 
 sun does not shine ; and the laborer pursues his avocation, in the 
 field, part of the day for the whole season. That there are excep- 
 tions to the uniformity of these seasons, I have not a doubt, and 
 shall look for many dark, stormy days, repeated torrents of rain, 
 and frightful peals of thunder. The valley of Sula does not rank 
 as a first class stock raising country ; yet there are many cattle, 
 horses, mules, goats, and sheep, throughout the plains ; the for- 
 mer of which keep fat and sleek the entire jear. Fine hogs are 
 raised, which are generally kept about the house, and fed on corn. 
 For poultry, of every kind, it is not to be surpassed. Horses are 
 small and ordinary ; mules small, but fleet and well formed ; goats, 
 in size and appearance, are very much like the breeds common in 
 the States ; sheep are not fine — wool generally coarse ; no atten- 
 tion has been given to the improvement of breeds. Game plenty ; 
 fish in abundance, in the larger streams, of superior quality. On 
 the sides of the mountains, near water, are to be found the danta, 
 or taper, known among the natives as the mountain cow, or Ameri- 
 can elephant. The puna and tiger are found in the moun- 
 tains. The peccary and wild cat are not confined to any lo- 
 cality. Monkeys and babboons colonize the fig trees ; and the 
 rabbit, guinapig, armadillo, prairie wolf, opossum, racoon, and 
 squirrel, are common. 
 
 Deer and antelope Jre found both on the mountains and in the 
 plains. Three species of turkey — one resembling the wild breeds 
 of the States — are numerous in some places. The crown turkey is 
 a most beautiful foul, wearing upon the head . a frill of gorgeous 
 down. Ducks and geese are seen in all the rivers. A species of 
 pheasant, larks, partridges, doves, and pigeons, are in abundance 
 in some places. I found birds of almost every kind, from the 
 humming bird to the eagle, the hawk, owl, crow, buzzard, jay, 
 whippoorwill, rain-crow, blue-bird, jack-daw, cat-bird, and many 
 others common in Georgia, mingling with the songsters of the tropics. 
 
13 
 
 The most prominent of the tropical birds seen were the blue and 
 red macaw, parrots, paroquetes, oropendula, toucon, bell-bird, 
 coclico, chulpilco, and the who-you. Macaws go in pairs ; parrots 
 in droves ; oropendulas swing their long nests by hundreds in the 
 same tree ; the bell-bird takes his name from his bell-like note. 
 
 The mercury, at noon, one day, at San Pedro, during the hottest 
 season, reached 92 degrees. In the morning of that day it stood at 
 li : at siin-set 18 degrees, Fahrenheit. At this point, the mercury, 
 during the summer months, rarely ever goes below 66 degrees. 
 The sun is very warm lor about three hours in the day, but plea- 
 sant at all times in the shade. Mornings and evenings delightful : 
 nights so cool as generally to require a blanket before day. I do 
 not remember a night, while at San Pedro, that I did not find it 
 comfortable to use a blanket before day ; and several of the colo- 
 nists told me that they invariably found the use of one necessary 
 to comfort during the night. To me, the climate was not in the 
 least enervating. However fatigued during the day, I was always 
 refreshed at night, and rose vigorous in the morning. Yet I am 
 not prepared to say that laziness is not an epidemic in the country, 
 and, probably, to some extent, superinduced from the climate. But 
 it is not at all strange that people should become lazy in a country 
 where nature holds the bosom of exuberance to their very lips. 
 This great valley, Sula, extends from the coast inland seventy 
 miles, and extending east and south quite as far. It is a magnifi- 
 cent plain, capable of accommodating many thousands, watered 
 by the great river Ulua, the Chamilicon, and many others of less 
 importance. Besides this great plain, are the valleys of Olaucheto, 
 Camayagua, Wattopecca, the table lands, and the high lands of 
 Humua, that offer hundreds of thousands of choicest lands along 
 the line of the railroad survey, (except the Olancheto, which lies 
 in the department of Yoro.) The Rio Ulua is famous for its ma- 
 hogany and lignunivitoe. The principal cuttings are on this river. 
 One of the sources of revenue to the government arises from the 
 cuttings on the public domain. A fee of five dollars is charged 
 by the government for every sound tree. Cutters are shrewd, and 
 manage to find many rotten trees, and loop-holes to avoid the 
 duty. Mahogany cutting is a hard and difficult work, requiring 
 large capital to conduct the business. The gathering of rubber, 
 vanilla, and sarsaparilla, requires but little capital, and those expe- 
 rienced in the business make it pay. But the business upon which 
 our people must rely is the culture" of the ground, stock raising, 
 etc., until other interests can be developed by capital. Many fields 
 for employment are open to capitalists, and I have no doubt might 
 be made to pay fine interest on investments. The opening of sil- 
 ver, copper, and gold mines, and mines of precious stones ; the 
 gathering of dyewoods ; the manufacture of balsams and oils ; the 
 manufacture of cotton ; the establishment of saw and grist mills ; 
 shingle cutters, tin factories, and machinery of all kinds, and the 
 navigation of rivers, are all open to our people. But as it requires 
 
14 
 
 time and money to develop these interests, and open the channels 
 of trade, it follows as a necessary consequence, that planting, stock 
 raising, etc., must he the chief reliance of settlers for awhile. If 
 cotton growing is a success — and I verily believe it is — with the 
 abundance of labor that can be obtained in the country, it can cer- 
 tainly be made profitable ; and, in addition to that product, there 
 are others which could be made profitable, of which there can be 
 no doubt, and which are staple products of the country. Coffee, 
 sugar-cane, cocoa, rice, tobacco, and should communication be 
 opened between this and other countries, fruits of many varieties 
 may be added. The great variety of products, and the abundant 
 yields, make this an easy country to live in. Were the people of 
 Georgia not to labor more than the people of Honduras do, starva- 
 tion would be the inevitable consequence. 
 
 But I^nust stop here to answer the questions so frequently asked : 
 What are the evils ? Have you any annoyauces ? What are the 
 conveniences ? In answer to the first inquiry, I say, that to my 
 mind, many evils exist here ; but it is probable that what I might 
 consider an evil another might think a good. Church and state 
 ought to be separate and distinct. In Honduras, religion is estab- 
 lished by law. I regard that an evil. The great power which the 
 priests have over the common people, I regard as an evil ; as, also, 
 the superstition and ignorance that exists, to a very great extent, 
 among the lower classes. The non-observance of the Sabbath day 
 is an evil. The silent sanction of adultery, by tolerating persons 
 living together as man and wife unmarried, I regard an evil. 
 Others of less import might be named. Annoyances are many. 
 On the timbered mountains and valleys musquitoes and black gnats 
 are troublesome. On open lands you see but few musquitoes, 
 though I am told they annoy, even at the houses, for a short time 
 during August. «Gnats may be expected wherever cattle are al- 
 lowed to congregate. Fleas, in some places, — I saw none at San 
 Pedro, — but ,was informed that they were never troublesome. 
 The gigger, a pernicious little insect, resembling a small flea, some- 
 times burrows under the skin : it is, however, scarce, and not 
 dreaded among the natives. Ticks are in abundance. To this 
 list of annoyances, I will add the centepede, a large stinging worm, 
 resembling the thousand legs ; the tarentula, an overgrown spider ; 
 stinging scorpion, such as is common in Georgia ; and the vam- 
 pire bat, none of which are at all dreaded. I saw no house flies : 
 was told that they never troubled ; no red-bugs, or chiggers, and 
 fewer poisonous snakes than I ever saw anywhere in the States, in 
 the same travel. The absence of these I think a fair off-set to the 
 others, and other things. 
 
 I saw many insects besides those named, none of which are par- 
 ticularly annoying, except the ant and wevil, both of which are 
 troublesome. I frequently examined the corn, but did not see 
 greater signs upon it than I do in this country. I found there the 
 fire-fly, resembling the beetle or jack-snapper of the States: three 
 
15 
 
 4 
 
 of these bugs will give light sufficient to read by in a dark room, 
 if held close to the object. As to conveniences, the country has 
 none, — not a railroad, a wagon-road, or even a wagon, buggy or 
 carriage in the Republic; not a telegraph wire; no mills or ma- 
 chinery of any kind, except 4 two flour mills, — one at Camayagua, 
 the other at Tegucigalpa; no way of traveling but on horseback ; 
 no transportation but by the pack-mule ; and without anything 
 like regular postal arrangements. Public highways for wagon- 
 travel could not be constructed over the mountains on the lines 
 now traveled without immense cost; but by disregarding dis- 
 tance, I do not consider it impossible to build roads generally over 
 the country. Society among the natives you need not expect, and 
 must be carried, unless you settle in the large cities. 
 
 This country is more than a century behind the age in all that 
 constitutes greatness. Every obstacle has been thrown in the way 
 of progress: her destiny, so far, has been written in blood, devas- 
 tation, and ruin. While under the dominion of Spain, foreigners 
 were excluded from the country, and the inhabitants burthened by 
 taxation, and in every other conceivable way. The silver mines 
 were worked under such exactions as to enrich the mother country 
 upon the labor of her subjects. Even under these burdens, Hondu- 
 ras bade fair to become the rival of Spain in the growth of grape. 
 Spain became jealous of her as a rival in that interest, and, by 
 military force, destroyed every vineyard in the country. In fact, 
 every obstacle possible was thrown in the way of the prosperity 
 of Central America. Oppression became intolerable. War en- 
 sued, and Central America won her independence. Each province 
 then formed its own government. Since that time internal feuds 
 and civil wars have kept every interest prostrated; and not until 
 recently have the people been allowed to enjoy peace. But all 
 classes now express the hope that a better day has dawned, and 
 they contemplate, with extreme delight, the pleasures of peace. 
 Thus you find the country almost as it came from the hands of the 
 Creator, with its tall mountains, broad and fertile valleys untouch- 
 ed by the hand of industry. The timbered lands of these valleys 
 are hard to clear. The trees ai'e sometimes very large, but do not 
 stand thick. Savannas only require a fence in many places. The 
 lands of the timbered valleys I consider best. The cost of putting 
 timbered land in cultivation is about $6 per acre. Although tim- 
 ber is in abundance, but little can be found that can be split into 
 rails, consequently fencing for immediate use must be made in 
 some other way. All that is necessary is, for a fence to last two 
 years. Nature has provided a species of cactus called matartu, 
 which, when attended to, gives a fence in two years that is per" 
 fectly impregnable. It grows in bunches — one root shooting up 
 half dozen thorny spires six or eight feet high. One of these 
 fences will cost in five years, for repairs, about as much as a rail 
 fence. The plants cost one dollar per thousand, and set eighteen 
 inches apart in zigzag lines. None of these lands on the west of 
 
16 
 
 the Chamilicon are subject to overflow, except at a few points 
 where it extends into the valley, about three miles: this, however, 
 is of rare occurrence, and so rapid is the stream, and so great the 
 drainage of the country, that these floods stand but a short time. 
 
 I have been somewhat particular in details in my notice of this 
 valley, because the lands of the Georgia Colony are located in it. 
 This, I regard, for the present, the most commanding point in 
 Honduras, and best adapted to colonization. The City of Medina, 
 located by the colony, near San Pedro, is on the great thorough- 
 fare from all Central and Western Honduras to the coast. The 
 Camayagua, Santa Barbara, and Gracius roads pass through it. 
 At this point trade from the interior, by pack mules, will meet 
 transportation by water, and cut off the long travel over the 
 mountains to Omoa. This place also has the advantage of fine 
 water power, and plenty of timber for building purposes, furniture, 
 &c, &c. 
 
 Provisions at San Pedro are cheaper than at Omoa. Corn 
 seventy cents per bushel ; rice three cents per pound ; sugar five ; 
 dulcy two ; fresh beef two ; pork three ; coffee, by the cargo, six- 
 teen cents ; mules thirty to forty dollars ; best saddle mules, price 
 as high as one hundred dollars ; pack mules, twenty to thirty ; and 
 milch cows, eight to fifteen dollars. 
 
 Having examined this valley to my satisfaction, I started, in 
 company with Maj's. Malcolm and Goldsmith, further to the inte- 
 rior. After passing the Rio Chamilicon, the country is divided 
 for about twenty miles into savannas and woodlands, some of 
 which are rich, well watered, and inviting. Here we encountered 
 a very rough and rocky road, over a poor and rocky elevation, for 
 ten or more miles to Santiago, a small indian town near the San- 
 tiago river. The lands in this vicinity are rich, but more or less 
 liable to overflows. Near this is the junction of the Santiago, or 
 Ulua, with the Blanco and Humua, which make the Ulua proper. 
 The lands on all these rivers are rich, but, to some extent, subject 
 to inundations, except the Blanco. From this point to Yojoa, the 
 country presents many different phases, alternating between rocky 
 hill sides and smooth fertile valleys : while to the left are spread 
 out the rich and beautiful lands of the Humua, to our right frown 
 the white rocks of an intruding off-shoot of the Conchea Mountains. 
 The lands here are evidently impregnated with lime, though the 
 water, neither in appearance or taste, indicates it. Experiments of 
 raising short staple cotton are being made here with satisfactory 
 results, as to yield. The quality of this cotton I pronounced infe- 
 rior, which may be accounted for by the use of bad seed. This 
 town is located- on a small river of the same name, which affords 
 water power sxifficient to turn, within a distance of five miles, one 
 hundred thousand spindles. 
 
 The country now commences more perceptibly to rise ; and in 
 a few miles you are at the foot of a mountain which lifts itself 
 from the valley near two thousand feet : at its base a little 
 
17 
 
 creek of pure limpid water murmurs along. When upon the top, 
 you are fifteen hundred or two thousand feet above the sea level. 
 You turn and look back upon the broad plains of Sula ; — east- 
 ward, you catch a glimpse of the sparkling waters of the Humua ; 
 westward, lofty mountains loom up in the distance, and you stand 
 amazed at the magnificent scene spread before you. But, again 
 you turn to pursue your journey, and find yourself in a new sphere. 
 Nature wears a different garb. So sudden the change that you 
 can hardly realize it, though admonished by the cool and balmy 
 air that altituded has tempered the winds over four degrees. 
 The table lands are now spread before you. 
 
 The jungle of the wood lands, the thorn and cactus of the sa- 
 vannas of the valley, no longer obstruct your view. You are on 
 a prairie broken into beautiful sloping hills, with flat tops and 
 superb intervening little valleys, skirted with orchards of small 
 pine, species of oak, and a great variety of tropical trees. Herds 
 of large fat cattle, ponies, mules, sheep, and goats feed lazily upon 
 the nice green grass. Deer and other game hide in the thick woods 
 that curtain the creeks and branches, birds of rare and beautiful 
 plumage sport among the trees, and turkeys, quails, and lark 
 quietly slip through the grass. Thus you gaze upon the picture, and 
 upheavings of grateful inspiration swell your bosom, and your lips, 
 unbidden, proclaim the goodness of God. I did not ascertain, defi- 
 nitely, the area of this table, but from the information received, it 
 extended from the Humua River on the east to the Rio Blanco 
 on the west, with a general width of fourteen or fifteen miles. 
 The soil is a dark chocolate, from one to four feet deep, with a 
 deep red clay foundation, and has the appearance of being very rich. 
 These lands are very little cultivated, and up to the present, used 
 exclusively for stock. 
 
 At Santa Cruz, a small village situated near tne southern limit, 
 we saw growing, coffee, sugar-cane, plaintains, and freehol- 
 ers, or beans, all of which looked fine. We were told by the in- 
 habitants that corn and vegetables grew and yielded abundantly. 
 Throughout this elevation, but little change in the character of 
 the soil is discovered. Upon the greatest elevation, it is not un- 
 frequent to see fifty or a hundred acres of smooth, level land. The 
 slopes are generally gradual, and, in exceptional cases, where the 
 hills are more precipitous, nature has spread wider the valleys, 
 and given a slightly deeper tint to the soil. The only objectionable 
 feauture I saw in the whole plat of land, are the fields of rock, 
 which rise up like potato hills, and sometimes cover many acres ; 
 but the proportion covered by rock is not large. I am, how- 
 ever, of the opinion that more or less rock would be found on 
 these lands anywhere within the limits of one section. Among 
 these rocks you see no change in the color or fertility of the soil, 
 nor in the luxuriance of the grass. I am informed by travelers, 
 that many of the finest lands in Mexico are covered in the same 
 manner, with rock of similar appearance. It is evident that these 
 2 
 
18 
 
 lands cannot be cultivated with ease ; and should they prove valu- 
 less for that purpose, they furnish beautiful and perpetual pas- 
 tures. It was the opinion of our party, that the supply of water 
 was abundant, and pure free-stone. We wero riding over these 
 lands from four in the morning until sunset. 
 
 At four, A. M., thick ooats, well buttoned, were pleasant ; as 
 the day advanced, the warmth gradually increased, and at twelve, 
 M., the suu was warm ; but so cool and braoing was the breeze, 
 that the heat of the sun did not oppress us. As the day waned, 
 and the sun cast long shadows to the east, the mercury sank, until, 
 at nightfall, it was as cool as the hottest blood would wish. In 
 the shade, at noon, it was delightful — constantly fanned by the 
 winds that are ever there, to cool and refresh. Greon fields of 
 waving grass greet your eye, whithersoever turned, and long 
 serpentine lines of darker green index the course of some bab- 
 bling brook, that merrily murmurs on its way to its chief, the Rio 
 Humua, or Rio Blanoo, which sweeps along on either side, on 
 their way to the Caribbean. Suddenly you find yourself ascen- 
 ding a gradual slope, covered with pine, and a species of scrub 
 oak, up which a wagon road may be cut with ease. Ere you are 
 aware, six or eight hundred feet altitude may be added to that 
 already gained, whioh gives you an elevation of near three thousand 
 feet above the level of the sea. Here bursts upon your view a 
 scene still more grand, if possible, than the one just described. 
 
 The surface of the country is broken into higher hills, but fur- 
 nishing, as the other, many level elevations and gently sloping 
 ridges. Here bald mountains lift their summits above, as if to 
 keep watch while nature revels in the luxuriance around them. 
 These, like the others, present their clusters of timber and cooling 
 brooks, and have their cattle of a thousand hills. The soil is dark 
 mulatto, and free of rock. This also extends from the Rio Humua 
 on the east, to Lake Yojoa on the west, and south, to the Monte- 
 cello mountains. We saw several inland pools of clear, fresh wa- 
 ter, said to be constant and pure, which nature had provided for 
 this chosen spot. These pools have capacity of water for thou- 
 sands of cattle. In these pools we saw a beautiful species of wild 
 duck, and other fowls. We had already seen enough to delight 
 and gladden the heart. A bountiful Providence had here be- 
 stowed his gifts in richest profusion, nevertheless Goldsmith and 
 myself were curious to see the renowned Lake Yojoa. We turned 
 our course from Santa Cruz, and after a travel of over two and a 
 half leagues, passing a country fully equal to any seen, we reached 
 a skirt of pines, watered by several creeks with deep banks, water 
 clear and pure, shut in b\ short steep hills — the banks and nar- 
 row valleys thickly wooded, with tropical trees — while on the hill 
 sides nestled a great variety of succulent plants, shaded by pines 
 and undergrowth, of a species of dogwood, papaw, &c. We now 
 entered a pine forest, set with tall bodied pines — none so large as 
 you frequently see in the States — carpeted with grass about a foot 
 high, and sufficiently undulating for necessary drainage. 
 
Soil deep mulatto, fine and mixed but little with rock or gravel, 
 eighteen inches deep, with red clay foundation. Here Goldsmith 
 went into exstacies, declaring that the handiwork of God had 
 planted and arranged in this wilderness a park so richly embel- 
 lished by nature, that naught remained but a few graveled walks 
 and lounging benches, to make it the loveliest spot on earth. The 
 pinery extends several miles — the exact erea we could not learn ; 
 but from our knowledge of the country, suppose it to be small — 
 not more than four or five miles square. : it then breaks into bald 
 and pine hills, which extend to the lake, at its northern limit. 
 These pine lands, as also the table lands, are kept burned by the 
 herdsmen, so as to have grass in every stage for the cattle. The 
 grass in one year will grow two or three feet high, and become 
 sufficiently dry at the top to burn off. In places where the grass 
 has not been burned for several years, it is so high that horsemen 
 experience difficulty in getting through it — frequently reaching the 
 animal's back. Leaving the pinery just mentioned, we pass along 
 the foot of some hills, unconscious, from the appearance of the 
 country, of our near approach to the deep blue waters of Lake 
 Yojoa. 
 
 Turning these hills, thick wooded mountains hung with foliage 
 of many hues, spring up before you: along their green sides 
 seem to hang a wide curtain of clouds. You are surprised to know 
 that this is the waters of the great inland sea, bathing the feet of 
 the mountains, instead of clouds, lying half up on their sides. This 
 scenery is grand and inspiring. Here the lover of romance finds 
 a field for his imagination, the poet a theme for his songs, and 
 the artist material worthy his skill. You think, while gazing 
 upon this delightful scene, how pleasant it would be to sail on 
 these waters, to sport with your double-barrel gun, or while away 
 an hour with your angling rod. On the bosom of these waters 
 are sporting fowls of many kinds, and droves of wild ducks. Fish 
 of choice varieties are taken. We had the pleasure of eating a 
 piece of a large scale fish taken from this lake, which was deli- 
 cious. 
 
 The general direction of the lake north and south is about 
 twenty-five miles in extent, with a width of from two to four 
 miles. We saw large herds of cattle feeding on the margin, and 
 droves, sleek as moles, panting with fatness, quietly lying in the 
 mid-day's sun, in three minutes walk of pleasant shades. It was 
 just meridian when we reached the lake : the sun shone hot, but 
 not oppressive. This lake is twenty-five hundred feet above the 
 level of the sea. We were told that near the southern terminus 
 is a spring of blue water, called the Blue Spring, said to be fath- 
 omless, and twenty feet in diameter, which rushes its blue floods 
 into the great basin. The Rio Blanco is the only outlet. This 
 beautiful stream flows out from the lake, soon disappears, rises 
 again in a few miles, plunges over a succession of falls, and then, 
 within its narrow banks, swiftly glides on to its union with the 
 
20 
 
 Humua, carrying, at all seasons of the year, from three to four 
 feet of water. On the west of this lake, mountains shut it, for 
 its entire length to the water ; on the east, sloping ridges, covered 
 only with grass, pine groves, and level valleys, border it from 
 north to south. 
 
 It is generally believed that these table lands will produce good 
 wheat. Such conclusions are not at all strange, for any person 
 who has seen the mulatto lands of the States, is naturally led, by 
 analogy of soils, to that conclusion. If a cold climate, frosts, and 
 snows, are not absolute requisites to the production of that grain, 
 this is certainly a chosen spot *, and such does not seem to be the 
 fact, from the trials made in the departments of Comayagua, Te- 
 gucegalpa, and Gracius. In the elevations in these departments, a 
 very good article of wheat is grown, giving a yield of fifteen bush- 
 els to ha|f peck seed sown ; and I see no reason why it sheuld not 
 be produced on these lands in quantities and quality equal to Cama- 
 yagua, the elevation being equally as great, and the climate as 
 oold. If wheat-growing should pro>e successful on these tables, 
 it can find ready markets and remunerative prices in all northern 
 Honduras. Water power, sufficient for every accommodation, can 
 be had within ten miles of any given point. 
 
 Having reached the southern limit of these table lands, you de- 
 scend a winding mule path, to a small valley of rich land, very 
 rocky, watered by a magnificent stream, which fitfully plunges its 
 limpid waters over shoal and cataract, until it joins the Rio Hu- 
 mua. This is the dividing line between the departments of Santa 
 Barbara and Comayagua. Our path now lay across a range of 
 mountains, for fifty miles, to the plains of the Rio Humua. The 
 roads are very rough and rugged — in many places so steep that 
 mules ascend and descend with much difficulty. It is not unlre- 
 quent that you see holes cut in the sand-stones ten inches deep, by 
 the long and constant tread of mules. These mountains rise up 
 like huge cones, three or four thousand feet, with many narrow 
 valleys intervening, traversed by innumerable streams of purest 
 water. These valleys are not of sufficient capacity to be sought 
 for, and even were they large, their inaccessibility would render 
 them comparatively valueless. The scenery is grand beyond de- 
 scription. Here, every variety of mountain scenery is presented : 
 to your right, you see a mountain covered with trees of many 
 kinds, the rays of the sun rarely penetrating its vine-clad sides ; 
 to your left, a tall peak, covered only with green grass, while yon 
 are tugging among pines, rocks, and scrub oaks, to reach the sum- 
 mit of the one in your way. Along this route, we saw some very 
 beautiful pine ridges, covered with fine grass, soil apparently rich, 
 and would be desirable for settlement, if not so inaccessible. 
 Many of these mountains are very poor, and covered with rock of 
 every formation, in many places indicating rich deposits of silver, 
 iron, copper, and gold. In ascending and descending these moun- 
 tains, you give rein to your mule, and in hia meanderings to the 
 
21 
 
 top or bottom, will frequently face you to every point of the oom- 
 pass. All along this line we found settlers and small towns, 
 where was found shelter, and people willing to share their stock 
 of provisions with us. The fare was sometimes coarse, and the 
 service rude and primitive, but with keen appetites, which our 
 crowd always had, we did not hesitate to finger from the same 
 dish, or sip from the same gourd. These mountain settlers are a 
 rude, hardy people, ignorant of the improvements of the age in 
 which they live, following in the footsteps of their fathers in many 
 of their habits and customs. They are honest, kind, and peacea- 
 ble, but lazy and ignorant. We saw many fine cattle feeding on 
 these mountains, some excellent hogs, and numbers of ponies. We 
 passed ofi° these mountains into the plains of Humua, ten leagues 
 north of the capital. It was a relief, now, to get upon the level 
 plains and look upon the broad fields of grass. The greater part 
 of these lands are very rich — some of it liable to overflow. In thirty 
 miles travel over these lands, may be seen almost every variety of 
 soil. We passed up this valley for several miles, and after passing 
 over a short range of mountains, entered the valley of Coma- 
 yagua. 
 
 We remained in the city of Comayagua two days, and started 
 for Tegucegalpa, the largest and most flourishing city in the Re- 
 public. The road passes through the heart of Comayagua Valley 
 for thirty miles, and strikes the mountains at the point where the 
 railroad survey enters, and follows that line up the gap to the sum- 
 mit of the dividing ridge between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, 
 and to the head springs of the Goascoran and the Humua, which, 
 for a short distance, run in parallel lines in opposite directions — the 
 one to the Pacific, the other to the Atlantic. This is the highest 
 point and the heaviest grade on that survey. Not being a practical 
 engineer, my opinion is worth but little; but I will venture to say, 
 that if this is the most difficult point, the construction of the road 
 is perfectly feasible. Being in search of the President, and hear- 
 ing at this romantic spot, that he would be at Floris that night, a 
 small town in the valley we had just left, we t'urned our course, 
 and on reaching that place, found the President, with his Cabinet 
 and escort of soldiers. After refreshments, we were invited to an 
 interview with the President and Cabinet. 
 
 We were received with marked courtesy, and invited to the 
 Capital, with the assurance that all we asked "for would be granted. 
 The President, Jose Maria Medina, is a Castillian, probably quarter 
 Indian, a fine looking gentleman, polished manners, and fine prac- 
 tical sense: he was visiting the Capital at that time, with the view 
 of depositing the Government for three months with Gen. Lopez, 
 the gentleman chosen by Congress for that purpose. It is pro- 
 vided by the Constitution, that the President may, if he chooses, 
 relieve himself for three months in each year from all business re- 
 lations with the Government, by depositing it with one of three 
 persons who are designated by Congress for that purpoe9. We 
 
22 
 
 returned to the Capital next day, filed application through Maj. 
 Malcolm for a grant of land, which the town of San Pedro had 
 agreed to relinquish to us, if the Government would endorse her 
 action. The President at once made a deed in fee to Maj. Greene 
 Malcolm and the colony there, with the condition, that if the 
 colony at the end of three years did not have five hundred souls, 
 all the lands not occupied should revert back to the Government, 
 and the title only vest in such as are occupied at that time. 
 
 The colony, with a spirit of great liberality, determined to take 
 for themselves of the valley lands granted to them, one hundred 
 and fifty acres, and give the same number of acres to any of their 
 friends who may join them. In behalf of those who sent me, I 
 arranged for each head of a family to get one hundred and fifty 
 acres ; each single man one hundred, with all the rights, privileges, 
 and immunities of the original members of the colony. To this 
 colony has been granted the exclusive right of the manufacture of 
 cotton, wool, and other fibres, into fabrics of all kinds, for the pe- 
 riod of ten years ; the exclusive navigation of the rivers Ulua, 
 Chamilicon, and their tributaries, for the term of eight years ; the 
 exclusive right of the introduction and establishment of saw-mills, 
 shingle-mills^ tin-factories, &c, for eight years ; the exclusive pri- 
 vilege of the introduction of wagons, carriages, and buggies, for the 
 period of eight years; the exclusive right for the refining of su- 
 gars for eight years ; a free port at Porto Cabalos, and the right 
 of free export from any port in the Republic for the term of three 
 years ; and exemption fiom all taxes two years ; and from all mili- 
 tary duty four years. These are the special favors that are ex- 
 tended to this colony. The total number of acres of land granted 
 to this colony, is generally estimated at one hundred and fifty 
 thousand,— of valley lands about forty thousand. The valley lands 
 only, are prized at this time ; and of these this colony has enough 
 for many of their friends. We were assured by the President and 
 many of the leading men of the Republic, that we should have as 
 many lands as we wanted ; that they wanted our people to have 
 those rich and beautiful valleys which, for centuries, had been lying 
 m waste ; and that every nerve of the government would be ex- 
 erted for our protection. The President voluntarily inserted in 
 the grant, the right of this colony to elect their own Governor, as 
 soon as they number five hundred souls ; and the privilege, at pre- 
 sent, to elect their own municipal officers for their own govern- 
 ment. While at the capital, we received many attentions, and 
 were treated with the most profound respect by all classes. Co- 
 mayaugua is an old looking place — much dilapidated : it has one 
 cathedral, five churches, government house, and public market. 
 Ihe cathedral, within, is peculiarly constructed with numerous 
 well-turned arches, handsomely wrought columns, gilded altars, gra- 
 ven images, and paintings representing the crucifixion of Christ 
 and the martyrs ; walls of bronz, filled with emblems and nitches 
 containing the saints and virgins. 
 
23 
 
 One picture attracted my attention — a martyr, suspended upon 
 a cross, his enemies around with grim and blood thirsty counte- 
 nances, witnessing the executioner cutting in flakes the flesh from 
 his arms : amidst all, he shouts triumph to his God, and welcomes 
 his life's blood as it flows from his gastly wounds. Near by wa3 
 a woman, kneeling, with eyes fixed upon the cross, (behind which 
 was a blazing star) repeating her prayers. I could but think what 
 a commentary upon the civilization of this day, when boasted wis- 
 dom and boasted privileges, alike abused, to frequent sacrifice at 
 the altar of licentiousness, or bow to the god of mammon. The 
 houses are generally built of adobe, plastered in and out with lime, 
 floored with brick eight inches square — some of them neatly paint- 
 ed . The population is estimated at six thousand. The proportion 
 of Castillians is much larger here than in the country villages ; 
 though you find every class represented any where you go. Con- 
 siderable taste, both among gentlemen and ladies, in dress, is here 
 displayed. An acquaintance with the Spanish language, would give 
 pleasant society here, or at Tegucegalpa, or Gracius. The contem- 
 plated railroad passes near this city, and would rejuvinate it, if 
 built. It is located near the Rio Humua, from which the city is 
 supplied with water, carried by servants, in large earthern jars. 
 This is a very quiet place ; the people sober and well behaved ; 
 and the merchants seem to be' doing some trade. We found a mil- 
 liner and taylor shop, which had the appearance of a fine business. 
 Nothing in the mechanical line, except by one man, a French gen- 
 tleman, who is a jack at all trades, and always busy ; and but for 
 his princely liberality, would soon amass a fortune. This city is 
 near the west limit of the valley, near the mountains west and north. 
 The mercury runs higher at this place than at many of the neigh- 
 boring villages. This is a beautiful valley of fine lands, producing 
 all the articles before named ; and in addition to them, I saw cochi- 
 neal and wheat grown not far distant. The wheat, a very good 
 article, makes nice flour and fair yields. All the flour used in the 
 departments of Comayaugua, Tegucegalpa, and Gracius, is made 
 from wheat produced in the country. Near the capital, we visited 
 the hot springs. The water is so hot that you can only bear your 
 finger in it three seconds : several frogs were in it cooked dun ; and 
 it is said to possess great healing properties. 
 
 I saw corn growing in this valley, equal, if not superior to any I 
 ever saw in the States. Also, several stalks of cotton, two years 
 old, well loaded with old bolls, but did not have the opportunity 
 of examining the cotton. While at the capitol, I saw several 
 pianos. The Spanish are all passionately fond of music and dan- 
 cing. Some of them perform well upon tho violin and guitar, and 
 other instruments. They are a great people for the celebration and 
 observance of their fiestas and holidays. These days are too often to 
 suit American industry, and will interfere, to some extent, with the 
 native labor — for it is impossible to get them to work on these 
 days. Marriage occasions are great times with them — they usually 
 
24 
 
 fiddle and dance for several days : in fact, they never quit, as 
 long as wine and provisions are furnished. They move in the 
 dance with an elegance and grace unsurpassed. Upon examination 
 of the market here, I found that prices, in every article of trade, 
 had changed. Dry goods of every description, and hardware, are 
 fifty per cent, higher than in Omoa. Groceries cheaper. Best 
 sugar retails at four, and dulcy at two cents per pound ; coffee at 
 sixteen, and chocolate at twenty-five cents per pound ; fresh beef 
 at two cents per pound ; pork at three cents per pound ; milch 
 cows six dollars ; stock cattle four dollars per head ; corn at sev- 
 enty-five cents per bushel; wheat one dollar per bushel, etc., etc. 
 
 I was not in the department of Olancho, but from the best in- 
 formation I could obtain, I consider that a delightful section. This 
 is the great gold district, of which Mr. Squires and others speak. 
 I met several gentlemen of experience and intelligence, who have 
 recently visited that section, and seen tests made on the Guagupe 
 and Padooka, and some of the small tributaries of these streams. 
 These gentlemen are of opinion that gold exists in abundance in 
 these rivers ; and that rich srrface diggings maybe found through- 
 out a large portion of country, along the course of these streams. 
 The tests reported by these gentlemen,, one of whom is the vice 
 American Consul at Truxillo, sound almost incredible ; yet I 
 must accredit it. The river test, to each pan of gravel lifted from 
 the bottom, gave from six grains to a penniweight. On the sur- 
 face, the return is not so great, but sufficient to justify working 
 with the pan only. He also stated that the waters in these rivers 
 are so swift, and the bottoms so exceedingly rough that they can- 
 not be successfully worked, only by turning the streams, or by 
 the use of flumes. 
 
 Besides gold, Olancho is celebrated as a stock raising country. 
 I have seen droves of cattle from there, for beauty and size, equal 
 to any cattle I ever saw. The hair of these cattle is much finer 
 than our stock, or those of Texas. They are not as tall as the 
 Texas stock, but have more length and body. Olancho drives 
 large numbers of cattle annually to the market of Honduras and 
 the adjoining governments. The table lands and glades of Santa 
 Barbara supply the markets north of them, and sometimes drive to 
 Salvador. Cattle, mules, and horses, are bought cheaper in Olan- 
 cho than at any other place in Central America. Prices range for 
 mules and horses, from fifteen to forty dollars ; stock cattle, three 
 dollars per head ; while on the table lands they range from twenty 
 to sixty dollars, and four dollars per head for cattle ; milch cows 
 are bought anywhere south of the Rio Santiago, at six dollars ; 
 stock hogs are scarce, but when found for sale are bought for two 
 cents per pound gross. The great attractions of Olancho are gold 
 and stock ; but her geographical position renders her undesirable, 
 except for those objects. Tegucegalpo and Gracilis owe their pros- 
 perity to their rich silver mines. These are the only mines worked 
 in the Republic; although many valuable mines are known to 
 
25 
 
 exist. The silver mines of Honduras are said to yield a large per 
 cent., equal to any in the world. This small Republic abounds in 
 minerals of almost every kind. No country on the face of the 
 globe, to the same extent, possesses greater resources ; not only 
 has she gold and silver, but she has copper mines of unsurpassed 
 richness. Iron in the greatest abundance ; platina, tin, and many 
 other minerals. Also, many precious stones, of exquisite bril- 
 liancy and beauty : such as topaz, opal, and jasper. I secured 
 some small specimens of opal and jasper. These stones are valua- 
 ble, and always ready sale in the European markets. Dye-woods 
 of most choice colors, are found on the mountains and in the val- 
 leys, in the greatest abundance. Of their number, I will only 
 mention the fustic, bassillette, logwood, and dragons : blood ; while 
 cochinela and indigd flourish with but little care. These dye stuffs 
 command high prices in the United States and European markets. 
 Gums, resinous substances, balsoms, turpentine, and oils, may be 
 gathered and manufactured in any quantity, with but little cost 
 for the material. Many of the balsom trees are said to yield as 
 much as one hundred gallons per tree. I am satisfied that the am- 
 bre tree will give that quantity of balsom annually. Its medicinal 
 properties are not fully known ; but it is thought to possess great 
 virtues. Palmachrystal grows to the size of plum trees, without 
 care or culture. An excellent quality of burning oil is made of 
 the cahoon nut, which is abundant. It is sometimes used for 
 cooking purposes, and said to be a good substitute for lard : I have 
 but little doubt of its being a fine lubricating oil ; and if so, it will 
 give profitable employment to any persons who may engage in it. 
 The tallow and soap trees are sometimes resorted to for these arti- 
 cles. I have a sample of the products of the tallow tree. Nature has, 
 indeed been lavish in her gifts to that heretofere ill-fated land ; but 
 I trust her star has risen. In fact there is no lack of anything that 
 nature can bestow, to sustain, to satisfy, and to delight. So abundant 
 are the necessaries of life that none need want them : so profuse 
 are the beauties of nature that they are suffered to decay through 
 neglect. Nothing is wanted but the energy and skill ©f our peo- 
 ple to make it a happy and prosperous country. It is frankly ad- 
 mitted, by the government and the people, that they will never 
 be able to develop the resources of the country ; hence, they open 
 wide their arms to receive our people, believing that they are fully 
 adequate to the task. The course pursued by the Honduranian 
 government, in relation to the contemplated Railroad from Parta 
 Cabalos, on the Caribbean, to Fonsica, on tbe Pacific ocean, shows 
 her policy in relation to the improvement of the country, If that 
 road should be built, the lands from sea to sea along the line, would 
 be invaluable. At either end of the road the harbors are large and 
 commodious — perfectly safe, and water sufficient for the largest 
 vessels. This road once built, and it becomes the great thorough- 
 fare from Europe to China, and the line of travel between the 
 United States and California, shortening the Panama route twelve 
 
26 
 
 hundred miles, and over a road safe for health at all seasons of the 
 year. At this time all the goods brought into Honduras, on the 
 Pacific slope, passes over the Panama line and up the Pacific to La 
 Union and San Magil, in Salvador. But should this road not be 
 built, and of course cannot be for years, the navigation of theUlua 
 or Chamilicon would turn that trade into the lap of the Georgia 
 colony, and at once establish for them a large and lucrative busi- 
 ness. It will be observed that this colony has located the city of 
 Medina eighteen leagues south of Omoa, and directly on the only 
 line of communication between that place and the interior. Com- 
 munications established, either by rail or water between the city of 
 Medina and Porta Cabalos, a distance of thirty miles, would turn 
 the trade of Omoa to the colony. In view of opening this trade at 
 once, the colony have unanimously agreed to vest all the special 
 grants, made to them by the Government of Honduras, in a joint 
 stock company, and have appointed agents to open books and grant 
 certificates of stock, under the rules prescribed by a temporary 
 board, copies of which will be hereto appended. It will be observed 
 that residence in Honduras is not a requisite to obtain or hold 
 stock. These special grants to the colony is the highest evi- 
 dence I can offer to show the disposition of the government to- 
 wards our people. If they want homes they can get them in the 
 Republic of Honduras. As to lands, none can be found richer : 
 I have seen the soil in many places twelve feet deep, with cane or 
 bamboo six inohes in diameter, and sixty feet long. Every variety 
 of soil is found ; from chalky knobb and pipe clay plains to lands 
 rich as r the delta of the Nile, wj>h almost every product of the 
 temporate and torid zones. As to climate, none can be more salu- 
 brious than is here offered. On the coast it is almost a perpetual 
 summer ; but as you go inland and ascend the high lands, the cli- 
 mate becomes more temperate until you reach the point of per- 
 petual spring. These highest elevations are not adapted to the 
 culture of cotton, or the growth of the banana, or plantain, but 
 wheat and the peach flourishes finely. I saw no peaches or apples 
 myself; was informed that both thrived in the departments of 
 Gracius and Tegucegalpa. This information was obtained from 
 gentlemen whose viracity cannot be doubted. The health of the 
 country is good ; the diseases generally mild and easily controlled. 
 Typhus forms of fever and phneumonia are scarcely known among 
 the people : consumption, rheumatism, and indigestion, are rarely 
 seen. The diseases, as already stated — billious and intermittent 
 fevers — are -the prevailing complaints of the country. I saw but 
 little sickness of any kind, and, taking everything into considera- 
 tion, I consider it as healthy a country as I was ever in. In- 
 stances of great age are frequent, and several who had seen a cen- 
 tury pass were pointed out to me. Foreigners going into the 
 country are liable to be sick in acclimating : children generally 
 appear to enjoy fine health, and wear but little clothing, and may 
 go entirely naked. Bathing is a daily habit with the natives ; they 
 
27 
 
 consider it a great luxury to bathe in the streams, and both sex 
 are said sometimes to bathe in the same stream together. This I 
 did not see, but frequently saw them near each other — the women 
 wearing a habit. This is a custom of the country, and not thought 
 at all indelicate. 
 
 The better class appear to be moral and virtuous, which is evi- 
 denced by the great pains they take with their children, daily im- 
 pressing upon their minds the* importance of a good and virtuous 
 life. I have never seen anywhere greater exhibitions of affection 
 between parent and child, or more obedience and respect paid to 
 parents than in Honduras. But while all this is true, it is also true, 
 that a dissolute class may be found ; but candor compels me to 
 say that I never saw or heard of a woman exposing herself pub- 
 licly in debauch. Carousing, rioting, and fighting is not often 
 seen or heard of. Murder, robbery, and larceny are rare occur- 
 rences. Atlanta and environs has been the scene of more murder, 
 robbery, and theft in twelve months, with her population of 
 20,000 than all Honduras, in four years, with a population of 
 400,000. No such thing as a banditti in the Republic. Although 
 the people are fond of rum, they are not often seen drunk and 
 boisterous. I found them universally kind, and moderate in their 
 charges — in all the interior — meals averaging about 12^ cents. I 
 found, all through the country, plantains, fresh and dried beef, 
 bread, or tortillas, coffee, milk, fresh pork, cheese, dried beans, 
 flour, poultry, yams, and eggs. Those who make any pretensions 
 to living, will generally set you a variety of these articles ; but 
 the moses, or laborers, are satisfied with plantains, dried beef, or 
 pork, w ith such fruits and natural products as they draw from the 
 forest. No attempt has ever been made to bacon pork ; but it is 
 saved for weeks by cutting into small strips, dried in the sun, and 
 hung in a house. Beef is saved in the same way. The process of 
 saving pork in pickle has proven a success in Guatemala, and there 
 can be no reason why it should not be as successful in Honduras. 
 The inhabitants generally live in towns, and cultivate small patches 
 in the vicinity ; though haciendas are found scattered all over the 
 country. The men do the outdoor work — the women the duties 
 of the housewife. The women wash and iron well, and are sure 
 to take out every speck of dirt, even if the filling has to go with 
 it. The laboring class can be hired at from two dollars to four 
 dollars per month ; but they are generally slow, and being unac- 
 quainted with our mode of cooking, are not highly appreciated by 
 our women as servants. 
 
 These people have many strange ideas and customs, never at- 
 tempting to change anything established by custom ; yet, they 
 are imitative, and not so tenacious as to refuse the use of modern 
 inventions, and the adoption of modern improvements. In Hon- 
 duras we find the same idea in relation to plowing that prevailed 
 with the early Spaniards of Louisiana. They held that plowing 
 the rioh lands of Mississippi would force everything to stalk, and 
 
2® 
 
 prevent yield ; and such are the notions of the Honduranians. 
 They seldom cultivate the same piece of ground more than three 
 years in anything that requires annual planting. The only plausible 
 reason given was, that the grass become so thick in that time that it 
 choked out anything they planted. For planting corn, and such 
 products as are liable to be trouble with stock, those who are not 
 willing to make good fences seek the mountains, where fencing is 
 a mere trifle. Alter the timber and undergrowth is all cut down, 
 it is burned off, and planted before the w T eeds spring up ; and 
 whatever is planted, is generally put in so thick that when once 
 fairly up, but little trouble is expected in the cultivation. Corn 
 is planted at all seasons of the year, but has its best time. If 
 planted from the tenth of April to the mid die of June, it is certain 
 to give an average return of thirty bushelis per acre- Two crops 
 can be produced annually upon the same ground. Corn is usually 
 planted in rows three feet apart, by means of a long stick sharp- 
 ened, or spiked with iron. Three grains are usually dropped in 
 the rows, about ten or fifteen inches apart, and covered with the 
 foot. Nothing more is done, only to cut the weeds down with 
 the machet, should they get the start of the corn. The planter 
 then hangs up in his hammock forty or fifty days to await his new 
 crop. When ripe, he takes his pack mule, gathers it, neatly slip- 
 shucked, and carefully packs it away in his house ; or, if he has 
 no pack mule, he substitutes his own shoulders for that purpose. 
 Sugar-eane is planted in rows five to six feet wide, by laying down 
 the stalks and covering them with dirt. From each joint springs 
 up several young stalks of cane, and nothing more is done to it, 
 but to keep down the weeds and bush with the machet. One 
 planting will last eight or ten years, at least, without deterioration. 
 The usual time for planting, is at the beginning or during the 
 rainy season. Cane grows to perfection, gives two crops a year, 
 and is never hurt by cold or frost. I put down the annual yield 
 at two tons, though much larger figures are claimed for it. Crops 
 can be so arranged as to give ripe cane every month in the year. 
 Sugar manufactories are on the style of the Georgia sorgham mills. 
 The syrup used by the natives, is made from the dulcy, a low grade 
 of sugar, when desired ; but they generally eat the dulcy in pre- 
 ference. Our people prefer the syrup, and make it themselves, at 
 a cost of sixteen cents per gallon, and, to my taste, preferable to 
 any I ever eat. 
 
 The coffee tree is set out during the rainy season, from twelve 
 to sixteen feet apart, shaded with plantains, or some other quick 
 growth. The weeds and bush are kept down, and the tree pruned, 
 so as to force out limbs, where needed ; and the limbs trained so 
 as to bend over to wards* the ground, so that the coffee can be easily 
 gathered. Coffee gives one crop a yea.r, and in the few cases where 
 tests have been made with six year old trees, pays about one hun- 
 dred dollars per acre. It is gathered by stripping off the pods 
 (each pod contains two grains) into a "bag, and cleaned by running 
 
• 29 
 
 it through a mill, or machine, which takes off the hull ; or, after 
 the old style, by soaking it in water and washing off the hull with 
 the hand. It is then dried in the shade, and ready for use. The 
 coffee tree pays no profit until the tree is four years old. Tho 
 coffee tree is rarely ever attacked by insects, and is considered a 
 certain crop; and, as to its durability, I hare already stated that 
 I saw vigorous trees forty years old. 
 
 Cocoa or chocolate is planted in. the same way, and cultivated 
 lik,e the coffee, except pruning and training the limbs. This tree 
 is shaded by the mother of cocoa, which is said to be a fine wood, 
 and imperishable. One planting of the cocoa will last thirty or 
 forty years. The fruit grows in broaches which come out from 
 the body of the tree and the limbs six or eight inches long, each 
 broach containing a number of beans the size of a pecan nut. 
 I have seen as many as thirty beans in one broach. When the 
 fruit turns yellow it is gathered, the beans taken out, washed and 
 dried, and is then ready for market/unless it is preferred to make 
 them into cakes ready for use. When prepared in that way, the 
 article is worth thirty-one and a quarter cents per pound in Ba- 
 lize. 
 
 Plantains, or as they might well be termed, lazy bread, grow to 
 perfection everywhere in Honduras, except on some of the eleva- 
 tions of Gracius and Tegucegalpa. This tree is planted without 
 order, and yields its fruit in eight months after it is planted. It 
 grows sometimes fifteen or twenty feet high, with leaves eight 
 feet long and two feet in width. The Iruit all hangs from one 
 stem, which is frequently three or four feet long with a hundred 
 plantains on it. It is said to possess more nutriment than flour ; 
 and when once planted all trouble is over except to keep the tree 
 thinned. It is prepared in many ways, and good any way pre- 
 pared ; I eat it fried, baked, boiled and made into custard. It 
 resembles in taste when fried the sweet potatoe or yam of Geor- 
 gia. One acre well set in plantains will feed an ordinary family. 
 In the land of plantains there can be no starvation or beggars for 
 bread ; and here I will remark that I did not see or hear of a beg- 
 gar in Honduras. The old plantain tree dies after yielding its 
 fruit, and is replaced by a new one which springs up from the 
 same root. 
 
 Bananas flourish about as the plantain, and grows in the same 
 way, and cultivated on the same plan. It yields an abundance of 
 fruit, and is esteemed highly among the natives. In flavor it ap- 
 proximates nearer the cantelope than anything I can compare it 
 to. 
 
 Rice is planted about as it is in the States, and cultivated after 
 the style mentioned. It yields forty or fifty bushels per acre of 
 superior quality. 
 
 These statements are all based upon the best evidence I could 
 obtain, and if they are not true I am deceived, 
 
, 30 
 
 I have already noticed the growth of wheat, tobacco, and vege- 
 tables of all kinds, and deem it unnecessary to recapitulate on that 
 subject. I have also noticed, incidentally, the fruits common to 
 the country, and shall trouble but little further on that subjeet. It 
 may be proper to state that the pine apple and cocoanut are best 
 adapted to the coast range, though I have seen them nourishing 
 in the interior valleys. I was informed by several intelligent gen- 
 tlemen, that over sixty varieties of fruit are common to Honduras. 
 Besides those already named that rank high among the people, the 
 marma apple, which grows to great size upon a large and beautiful 
 tree, frequently measuring eighteen inches in diameter, and fur- 
 nishing shade equal to our largest yard oaks. The sweet lime is a 
 fine fruit growing on trees similar to the orange and lemon. The 
 mango is a fruit much relished by some persons — the size of a 
 June apple — and grows on a beautiful shade tree, which attains 
 the size of the largest apple trees of the States. The zoportse is 
 a very large fruit, fine for eating and preserving — growing on a 
 tree resembling the marma. A guava orchard resembles a peach 
 orchard, only the trees are somewhat larger. The grape we are 
 all acquainted with ; also the common fig. The plum is about as 
 large as the mogul, but the tree is much larger. The alligator 
 pear is a delicious fruit, but I disremember the tree. The citron, 
 tamoran and guava are unsurpassed for preserving ; spice, ginger, 
 and pepper are products of the country ; but I only saw the 
 ginger. *i 
 
 I saw and ate the common sweet potato, which resembles our 
 yams in appearance and flavor. I was told they grew large, but 
 was at a loss to know how it could be so. They are planted gen- 
 erally on the mountain slopes by dropping the potato in small 
 holes and then covered : in that condition they are left to grow, 
 and dug when wanted. It is claimed that one planting is only 
 necessary for years. Those that I saw was nice size and sweet, 
 though they had been dried two or three days in the sun. The 
 yam grows in the same way to enormous size : I saw one that 
 weighed thirty-seven pounds, which was a curiosity to me, but not 
 so regarded by those who had seen them much larger. The yam, 
 in taste and appearance, is very much, when cooked, like the irish 
 potato, but to my taste not quite so palatable. Euchre is very 
 much like the yam in appearance, not so large, and still more in- 
 sipid. The natives make an excellent starch and a most delicious 
 pastry out of it. The irish potato does not do well ; they are 
 small, but very well tasted. If they were properly planted and 
 cultivated a different result might be seen. 
 
 Here I must be pardoned for the re-introduction of snakes, lizzards, 
 volcanoes, thunder, lightning, and dogs, as my attention has been 
 especially called to that matter. I have already stated that poison- 
 ous snakes are few in Honduras. While in the country I saw but 
 two snakes, neither of which was poisonous or larger than my 
 finger. I heard of no anacondas or boa constrictors, or rattle- 
 
31 
 
 snakes ; and although I inquired everywhere I went, for snakes 
 and the number of persons bit by them, I never heard of but ono 
 snake bite — which occurred five years ago — and was invariably 
 told that snakes were not at all numerous. I saw and measured 
 one lizzard 'thirty-six inches long, and well proportioned for a liz- 
 zard. They are ashy gray and sooty brown color, with a kind of 
 top-knot on the head. They are eaten by some of the natives and 
 prized as a great delicacy ; they are also considered valuable for 
 their eggs : in the laying season they are caught and tied up until 
 they are done laying, and frequently giving from three to four 
 dozen eggs, resembling those of the hen. When she ceases to lay 
 is killed, and she and her eggs fill the same pot. This mammoth 
 lizzard is shy, harmless, and no more to be dreaded than the 
 little black lizzard of the States. 
 
 As some persons are curious on the dog subject, I must not for- 
 get to post them on that point. Nearly every family has more or 
 less dogs of the poorest, most despicable, sharp nosed, fox-eared 
 things that ever disgraced the canine family. Earthquakes are 
 more frequent in Central America than in the States. Honduras 
 is not the seat of an active volcano, but her neighbor, Salvador, 
 has one — the effects of which are occasionally felt in Honduras. 
 A slight shock was felt while I was in the Republic, but did not 
 arouse me from my slumber. I was told by the natives that severe 
 shocks had been felt. From all I could learn, storms are not more 
 common in Honduras than in Georgia, but the thunder and light- 
 ning is said to be more terrific. During my stay, I saw it lighten 
 and heard it thunder, in which I saw nothing the least appalling. 
 
 I desire to again state that Medina is located near San Pedro — 
 directly south, and near the head of the Tocomecho, which flows 
 into ,the Chamilicon, and that the Chamilicon empties into the 
 Caribbean, near Porto Cobalos. With but little cost, boats can 
 run from Porto Cobalos to Medina, a distance of about thirty 
 miles, at all seasons of the year. In addition to this, the colony 
 has the exclusive right of the navigation of the Ulua and tributa- 
 ries. This river is navigable at all seasons of the year to the 
 union of the Santiago and Blanco with the Humua, a distance of 
 fifty miles. The Blanco carries at all times to within four miles of 
 Lake Yojou three feet of water, a distance of twenty or thirty 
 miles. 
 
 The Santiago is navigable half the year with a steamer drawing 
 eighteen inches or two feet water, to its junction with the Rio 
 Santa Barbara, and within a few miles of the city of Santa Bar- 
 bara the Capitol of the Department, located in a fine section of 
 country. 
 
 The Humua is also navigable for several months in the year to 
 its junction with the Rio Saluco, which traverses a section of 
 country said to be rich in gold and other minerals. 
 
32 
 
 All these rivers flow through a beautiful country of rich val- 
 leys abounding with the finest timbers, and along the range of 
 magnificent mountains rich in soil, timber, lime, marble, iron, and 
 copper, and well adapted to the growth of coffee and grapes. 
 Also along these rivers, in the valleys and on the mountains, sar- 
 saparilla, vanilla, india rubber, mahogany, rosewood, dye woods, 
 and balsam trees are found in the greatest abundance. Rich in 
 natural productions, healthy and susceptible of a high state of 
 cultivation, nothing more remains but the hand of industry to 
 make Honduras a rich and happy country. 
 
 It is my intention to go 'to Honduras sometime this fall, and 
 carry my family. When I determine on the time I will start, the 
 public ,will be advised ; and persons desiring to go will conform to 
 the rules and regulations of the emigration agent, resident in 
 Honduras. 
 
 If any person should desire to go at once, if they will call on 
 me, I will be pleased to put them in possession of any information 
 I have. 
 
 With the view of protecting the colony and the government of 
 Honduras from bad men, was this emigration agent appointed 
 by the President of Honduras. The colony wants none but good 
 men, and such only am I authorized to receive. At this time the 
 fare from Atlanta to Omoa is $78.50 cents in currency. I hope to 
 be able to reduce the fare considerably ; indeed, I feel confident of 
 it if we can have concert of action. 
 
 On my return to the States I passed into British Honduras. I 
 saw but little of the country, and therefore can say nothing ; but 
 in exercising the right of choosing for myself, for many reasons, 
 I prefer the Republic of Honduras. 
 
 For the purpose of facilitating any who may desire to emigrate 
 to Honduras, I herewith submit the report of Maj. G. Malcolm, 
 endorsed by a number of the colonists, and I may say every one 
 present at the time of its adoption. 
 
 Up to the present, the male members of the colony are well 
 satisfied ; some of the females are satisfied and others are not. It 
 is no child's play to encounter the trials of a new country, and I 
 hope none will go to Honduras upon a tour of pleasure, or with 
 the idea of sunlight aiways upon their path, or with the expecta- 
 tion of filling their pockets with glittering gold without effort. I 
 hope no chicken-hearted man or women will undertake the trip. 
 The colony wants men and women of nerve 
 
 The Republic of Honduras contains thirty-six thousand square 
 miles, situated in the centre of the Central American Governments, 
 bounded east, south-east, and south by the Republic of Nicaragua ; 
 east, north-east, and north by the Caribbean sea ; west by Gaute- 
 mala; south and south-west by Salvador, the bay Conshaquna, 
 and adjacent islands of the Pacific ocean. The government is Re- 
 publican in form, — all political power eminating from the people, 
 based upon a written Constitution, and exercised by three separ- 
 
33 
 
 ate departments — the Legislature, Executive and Judicial . The 
 Chief Executive officer is the President, who is commander-in- 
 chief of the army, who holds his term of office four years, ineligi- 
 ble to a second term, elected by the qualified voters of the Re- 
 public, and vested with such powers as are delegated by the Con- 
 stitution — among which are the veto, and power to respite and 
 reprieve in certain cases. The Constitution prescribes cer- 
 tain qualifications for office. The President must be the head of 
 a family, thirty years old, a native of Central America, and pos- 
 sessed in his own right of five thousand dollars' worth of property. 
 The Republic is divided into seven political divisions, viz : Co- 
 mayaugua, Santa Barbara, Yoro, Olancho, Tegucegalpa, Choluc- 
 tica, and Gracius. Each of these departments are presided over 
 by a Governor, elected for two years, by the people of the depart- 
 ment. The Governor must be a citizen of the State, thirty years 
 old, and possessed of property in his own right to the value of one 
 thousand dollars. The law making powers for the whole Repub- 
 lic resides in a Congress composed of deputies elected from each 
 department, apportioned according to population. They must be . 
 thirty years old, and possessed of propety of the value of one thou- 
 sand dollars. The Judiciary consists of a Supreme Court, com- 
 posed of three Judges, for the correction of errors. Judges of 
 the first instance, one for each department, and Judges of the 
 Peace, one for each municipality. The Supreme Judges are elec- 
 ted by Congress, and commissioned by the President ; Judges of 
 the first instance are nominated by the Supreme Court and con- 
 firmed by Congress ; Judges of the Peace are appointed by the 
 Governors. The President, Judges of the Supreme Court, Judges 
 of the first instance, and Governors, may be impeached and re- 
 moved for incompetency or malpractice in office, Judges of the 
 Peace may be removed by the Governors. A Judge of the Su- 
 preme Court must be the head of a family, thirty years old, and 
 possess in his own right one thousand dollars' worth of property. 
 Judges of the first instance, the same qualifications, except that 
 they may be appointed at twenty-five years of age. A Judge of 
 the Peace must have the qualifications of a voter. All citizens who 
 have attained twenty years of age, free from convictions or indict- 
 ments for felony, and possess in their own right two hundred dol- 
 lars' worth of property, are entitled to vote. After 1870 no per- 
 son will be allowed to vote who cannot read and write. Young 
 men eighteen years old, who bear certificates of honor from the 
 superintendents of institutes of learning, for good moral character 
 and proficiency, are entitled to the rights of franchise and to hold 
 office. 
 
 The Constitution limits the powers of all public officers, and 
 points out the mode of enlarging or contracting their privileges ; 
 prescribes the manner for filling all vacancies in office ; provides 
 for convening Congress in extra session, the call of conventions, 
 raising revenues, &. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus 
 3 
 
a4 
 
 cannot be denied. All questions of law and fact are determined 
 by the courts. Appeals may be made, in all cases, in a lower court 
 to the next higher; so all cases may gradually arise to the Supreme 
 Court, whose dicision is final. 
 
 The religion of the Republio is the Christian Catholic, Apostolic 
 Roman, with the exclusion of the public exercise of all others ; but 
 does not prevent worship in any other way privately. 
 
 The foregoing is an extract from the Constitution, chapter 3d, 
 article 8th. " In your own houses you may worship according to 
 your own mode and faith." Time only can heal this defect in the or- 
 ganic law. Those willing to go to Honduras must abide a time with 
 patience, for I have reason to believe that a remedy will come. 
 Each pueblo eleots its owns municipal officers — the alcalde and 
 council. The laws regulating trade, and for the enforcement of 
 contracts, are well defined and speedy. 
 
 A man becomes indebted to-day, to-morrow he may be called to 
 answer why judgment should not be entered against him. A 
 crime committed one day is punished the next. The law gives 
 Mill and ample protection to person and property, and as the Gov- 
 ernment is at present administered, the citizens of Honduras can 
 have no fear on that subjeot. The laws in relation to real estate 
 are well settled, plain, and easily understood. There are two modes 
 of aoquiring titles — one by purchase, the other by occupancy. Any 
 vacant Government lands may be occupied by any person who de- 
 sire it. 
 
 Occupancy gives titles to the extent of enclosures, and as long 
 as kept enclosed: whenever enclosures fail, titles cease. This pro- 
 priety title may be transferred indefinitely. Titles by purchase 
 vest an absolute fee in the lands. In all cases of grant or sale 
 by the Government, the purchaser is required to extinguish pro- 
 priety titles, should any exist. The title in fee conveys every in- 
 terest. 
 
 The laws against crime, such as murder, rape, arson, laroeny, 
 and breaches of the peace, are rigidly enforced ; the three first 
 punishable with death by shooting, but may be commuted by 
 Congress. Miner grades of offences are punishable with the lash, 
 confinement in the stocks, or labor on the publio roads. 
 
 In all cases you have the right of defence and appeal, and, for 
 satisfactory causes, a continuance for such time as the Judge may 
 set. A small standing army is kept up for common defence, and 
 stationed at the several garrisons in the Republic. The armament 
 is very common, and the soldiery unskilled in tactics. Revenue 
 for the support of the Government is raised from duties on exports 
 and imports, tonage dues, mahogany cuttings, liquor license, 
 stamped paper, and, I believe, a small poll tax. It is deemed ad- 
 visable by the Government to raise revenue for its support from 
 such sources as will not burden the people. At present, they have 
 no land tax, 'no tax on cattle, stock, produce, or income. At this 
 time the Government of Honduras has not enough money in the 
 
35 
 
 treasury to pay the public officers. The cabinet officers are the 
 ministers of the Hacienda, or Secretary of State, Minister of War, 
 and Secretary of the Treasuary. 
 
 The laws regulating labor are strictly enforced : in the absence 
 of an express agreement between the parties of the number of 
 hours to work, the law fixes the time at eight hours per day. If 
 a special contract is made to work any given number of hours, it 
 will be enforced by the courts. But it is the safest plan to make 
 labor contracts before the alcalde ; for when so made, he forces 
 the performance of the labor, if need be, by summary punishment. 
 
 The United States is represented in Honduras by a minister, 
 consul, and deputy consuls. The minister, Mr. Rusoe, resides at 
 Tegucegalpa ; the consul, Don Carlos Fallin, (and to whom I am 
 indebted for many acts of kindness) resides at Omoa, and is now 
 improving property at Medina. 
 
 The aggregate population of Honduras is about 400,000. I 
 am not prepared to classify and give the relative proportion of 
 races. The Spanish and Indian are strongly represented; but 
 I am of the opinion that the mixed bloods, of Spaniard and In- 
 dian, prevail. 
 
 The negro race is much in the minority ; indeed, outside of a small 
 carib settlement, on the coast and a few coast towns, negroes are 
 scarce. In this, the Republic of Honduras is unlike its neighbor, 
 British Honduras, where nine-tenths of the population are cariba 
 of pure ebony. 
 
 The relation of Honduras with all governments are of the most 
 amicable character. In common with the five Central American 
 Governments, Honduras is represented by a minister in the United 
 States and the European governments. 
 
 The currency of Honduras is gold, silver, and copper — much of 
 the copper contains a considerable per cent, of silver. The gold 
 and silver of the country is generally sold in bullion, or coined at 
 foreign mints. The greater part of the silver currency is denomi- 
 nated cut coin, and passes in any shape. Copper is found by the 
 natives, and by means of a rude crucible, run into pig, and made 
 into rough coin, at Comayagua. Although against the law, the 
 natives sometimes make it into coin themselves, which passes as cur- 
 rent as any, if the impress of a mountain and the rising sun can 
 be seen upon it. It is said by the natives and travelers that native 
 copper and iron is found in the country. 
 
 The visible wealth of Honduras consists in lands and stock — 
 one man sometimes owning two or three hundred thousand acres 
 and several thousand head of cattle. Wealth is not generally dif- 
 fused among the people. 
 
 No person can be held in durance vile longer than forty-eight 
 hours without a trial, if required, unless public justioe imperatively 
 demand postponement, which fact is decided by the court. 
 
 All professional men, whether of law, medicine, or mechanics, 
 by reason of their profession, are esteemed honorables, and classed 
 with the literati of the oountry. 
 
36 
 
 One physician will do the practice within an area of seventy- 
 five or a hundred miles. Lawyers reside only in the large cities, 
 and practice almost entirely in the Supreme Court. 
 
 But few of any professions are found in the Republic, and it is 
 said that when they get a job they never forget to charge. 
 
 I have been forced to throw these ideas together under very 
 embarrassing circumstances, but I trust they will be understood. 
 Nothing here set down in malice or with hope of fee or reward, 
 other than as reward comes by the development of a coimtry which 
 I expect to make my home in the future. 
 
 The following is Major Malcolm's letter to General Henderson : 
 
 Medina, Honduras, May 25th, 1867. 
 
 General Henderson. 
 
 Gen'l, — Your favor of April the 10th has been received, asking 
 information in regard to the country, or the laws controlling emi- 
 gration, and as I find it impossible to answer the numerous inqui- 
 ries of the same character, I deem it proper to answer all in the 
 form of a circular, which I have taken the liberty of addressing 
 to you. Your question in relation to climate, form of government, 
 water, character of soil, products, mineral wealth, and means of 
 transportation, I will answer categorically. First, the climate is 
 generally delightful. The average temperature at Comayagua, 
 Tegucegalpa, and Ju Tecalpa, being about 74°. 
 
 MEAN RANGE OF TEMPERATURE AT COMAYAGUA. 
 
 Month. 6 a. m. 
 
 April ,.75° r 
 
 May 75° 5' 
 
 June 74° 4' 
 
 That is to say, that during the above months, the temperature 
 from 6 a. m. until the same hour p. m. was 75°. The highest, or 
 maximum point touched by the thermometer during those months 
 was 88°; the lowest, or minimum 68° — an extreme range of 20°. 
 
 In its physical aspect and configuration of surface, it has very 
 justly been observed that it is an epitome of all other countries 
 and climates of the globe. High mountain ranges, isolated volca- 
 nic peaks, elevated table lands, deep valleys, broad and fertile 
 plains, and extensive alluvials are here found grouped together, re- 
 lieved by large and beautiful lakes and majestic rivers, teeming 
 with animal and vegetable life, and possessing every variety of 
 climate, from torrid heat to the cool and bracing temperature of 
 eternal spring. It is proper here to state that the above named 
 months are the summer months of Honduras. 
 
 2. The form of government is republican — the Constitution being 
 modeled after that of the United States, with some improvements 
 
 12 m. 
 
 6 p. m. 
 
 81° 9' 
 
 80° »' 
 
 81° 2' 
 
 78° 5' 
 
 78° 5' 
 
 79° 5' 
 
37 
 
 on that instrument. For instance, the President is ineligible to 
 a second term; and several other improvements on the Constitution 
 of the United States. • 
 
 The government and people are in favor of emigration — offering 
 greater inducements to emigrants than were ever offered before — 
 having established a Bureau of Emigration , and appointed a Secretary, 
 whose duty it is to receive and place in possession of lands, such emi- 
 grants as can and do comply with the regulations of the bureau. 
 The Secretary has power to appoint local agents in other coun- 
 tries, whose duty it shall be to give certificates of grants of lands 
 and exemption for limited time from taxes, military duty, etc. 
 The applicants, to insure attention, must satisfy the agents beyond 
 doubt, that they are men of good moral character, and by so doing, 
 will be granted homes under the following regulations and condi- 
 tions ; but, in all cases, where the agents may have been imposed 
 upon by misrepresentation, the office reserves the right to withhold 
 patents. 
 
 REGULATIONS AND CONDITIONS UPON WHICH GRANTS AND PRIVILEGES 
 HEREIN ENUMERATED WILL BE GRANTED. 
 
 1st. Requisite of applicant — Good moral character. 
 
 2d. Avowed intentions of becoming citizens of the Republic. 
 
 These requisites being complied with, the following rights and 
 privileges will be granted : 
 
 1st. 150 acres of land to each head of family for actual settle- 
 ment, and 100 acres to single men. 
 
 2d. The right of citizenship accompanies each grant. 
 
 3d. Exemption, for two years from date of arrival, from all 
 taxes. 
 
 4th. Exemption from military duty for four years. 
 
 5th. The right to bring into the country all articles for their 
 own use, free of duty. 
 
 6th. The right to bring in free of duty, for eight years, all kinds 
 of machinery for manufacturing purposes, merchandise, etc. 
 
 1th. The exclusive privilege of introducing and using any ma- 
 chinery not already in use in the country, for eight years, unless 
 the privilege has been granted. 
 
 8th. Right to export any article free of export duty, from any 
 port in the Republic for eight years. 
 
 9th. The right to use from the public domain, timber necessary 
 for ordinary purposes, etc., etc. 
 
 10th. Reasonable additional amounts of land will be made to 
 persons of large families. 
 
 11th. The right to purchase of the public domain 250 acres addi- 
 tional at 25 cents per acre. 
 
 12th. All heads of families will be required to pay, on receiving 
 their patents, the sum of $5, and single men $2 50, to defray ex- 
 penses of printing and translating, surveying, etc 
 
38 
 
 The following is the form of application to be presented at this 
 office, or to Col. E. P. Watkins, Judge T>t P. Ferguson, Atlanta, 
 Ga., or J. W. Goldsmith, Stone Mountain : 
 
 , Agent Bureau of Emigration, 
 
 Republic Honduras : 
 
 Sir, — In conformity with the laws of Honduras, and your pub- 
 lished instructions, dated Medina, Honduras, May 25th, 1867, I 
 here file my application, wishing to become a citizen of Honduras, 
 and sharing the benefits conferred upon emigrants. 
 
 Name of applicant. 
 
 No, of family. 
 
 No. of males over 12 years of age. 
 
 No. of acres wanted. 
 
 Where located. 
 
 For what purpose. 
 
 Place of nativity. 
 
 (Place and date.) (Signature.) 
 
 The construction placed by the bureau on articles granting lands 
 for actual settlement, is that it does not require the actual resi- 
 dence on the land ; if the parties reside in the Republic, and are 
 engaged in business, that is sufficient to hold the land. 
 
 3. The water is not so cold as the springs or well water of 
 North Georgia, but is exceedingly pure, free-stone in character, 
 and very abundant. As a general thing, you cannot travel but 
 few miles in any direction without crossing sparkling streams, 
 flowing over pebbly bottoms. Sites for mills and manufactories 
 are very numerous. 
 
 4. The character of the soil I am unable to give you in scienti- 
 fic phraseology, as I have not as yet had it analysed. In appear- 
 ance it is a dark loam, from four to twelve feet deep, on a dark 
 clay foundation, and is exceedingly productive. I will give you 
 an example : a Mr. DeBalain, from New Orleans, planted nine 
 months ago 4£ acres of sea island cotton, and has picked out 6,000 
 pounds of clean lint cotton, which is worth in Liverpool 60 cents 
 per pound, which makes the nice sum of $3,600. He tells me his 
 expenses of living, price of land, with a large family, was not over 
 $600, which leaves $3,000 net. 
 
 5. The products are as varied as the products of the world are 
 numerous. Cotton, both sea island and short staple, grow to 
 great perfection, side by side, yielding without the use of the 
 plow, from two to three bales of 500 pounds each. The fibre of 
 both being exceedingly fine. Col. Watkins counted on one stalk 
 in Mr. DeBalain's patch 600 bowls. This was the first crop. I am 
 told by citizens that 2d, 3d and 4th crops are better than the first. 
 Sugar Cane grows to great perfection, yielding from 4,000 to 
 6,000 pounds of sugar per acre, and does not require replanting 
 in ten or fifteen years. Corn grows finely, and yields well, but I 
 have no certain data upon which to base a statement of two orops. 
 
39 
 
 Wheat has not been tried in this valley, but in other districts 
 where it is cultivated, yields fifteen bushels to baftPpeck seed 
 sown. Vegetables of all description grow to perfection. Coffee, 
 equal to Moco, grows with little care. Of the numerous 
 fruits I shall only mention the orange, lemon, lime, pine apple, 
 cocoanut, mango, wild plum, melons of all kinds. There are sixty 
 different kinds of fruits — many of them very delicious. The nat- 
 ural products of the forest are numerous, and will soon become 
 items of wealth, both tooitizeus and country. Mahogany, rosewood 
 and liquid amber, (the last named article almost unknown in the 
 United States, is one of the finest medicines for many diseases, 
 ever yet discovered,) vanillo, sarsaparilla, and india rubber abound 
 within the limits of the valley. 
 
 6. The health of the country is extremely good ; apart from a 
 light billiou8 attack, which yields promptly to medicine, there are 
 few other diseases. And the average length of life here is, I 
 think, from 11 to 20 years longer than in the United States. 
 
 7. The mineral resources of Honduras are not equaled, by the 
 same extent of country, on the face of the globe. Iron, pure and 
 in great quantities ; coal, silver, copper, gold, opal, platina, amber, 
 and tin exist. 
 
 8. The means of transportation are poor — none other as yet but 
 the patient pack mule. We will soon have steamers on the rivers, 
 and wagon roads opened. In this connection, I will say that this 
 country only lacks people to make it the Eden of the world. That 
 the emigration will meet with some privations the first year none 
 will doubt ; yet those privations, in my estimation, are over-bal- 
 anced by the immediate benefits derived. 
 
 I am unable to give you a more extensive description of the 
 country, but for a more general outline, I refer you to the follow- 
 ing description of this State by Mr. Squirs : 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF SANTA BARBARA. 
 
 Districts. — Omoa, Santa Barbara, Yojoa, San Pedro. 
 
 Principal Towns. — Santa Barbara, Yojoa, Omoa, San Pedro, 
 Sula Quimestan, Trinidad, Fluma, Sacapa. 
 
 This department lies to the northward of Gracius and Comay- 
 agua, and intervenes between those departments and the Bay of 
 Hoduras. It is traversed by several large streams ; the Ulua 
 runs through it from south to north, and the Blanco, Santiago, 
 Santa Barbara, Chamilicon also flow through it in other directions. 
 The valleys of these rivers afford large tracts of fine and fertile 
 lands ; well wooded and capable of vast productions. The great 
 plain of Sula, which may be said to commence at Yojoa, is a dis- 
 tinguishing feature of this department. It is not only of great ex- 
 tent, but of unbounded capacity. The early accounts of the 
 country represent it to have been densely populated by the abori- 
 gines. It is now mostly covered by heavy forest, relieved only by 
 
40 
 
 a few narrow patches cultivated in the vicinity of the towns, 
 which are scattered on the camine real. This forest abounds with 
 invaluable wood, and from it a greater part of the mahogany ex- 
 ported from Honduras has been derived. The Chamilicon and 
 Ulua are the natural eharmels through which the mahogany has 
 been, and still is, carried to the sea side. That portion of the 
 plain of Sula, lying to the eastward of the river Ulua, is inclu- 
 ded in the department of Yoro. Taking it as a whole, it may 
 be estimated as having a base sixty or seventy miles on the sea 
 shore, reaching inland in the form of a triangle to Yojoa, a dis- 
 tance of upwards of TO miles, and comprising an area of not less 
 than fifteen hundred square miles. In the future development of 
 the country, this plain will attract the attention, not less on ac- 
 count of its natural products than its easy access through good 
 ports, its navigable rivers, and rich and easy cultivated soil, 
 adapted to the production of cotton, rice, sugar, cocoa, and the 
 other great staples of the tropics. 
 
 " A variety of the cocoa, called cocoa mico, and said to be 
 equal, if not superior to the celebrated cocoa of Nicaragua and 
 Soconusco, is indigenous here, and the inhabitants draw their sup- 
 ply from the wild trees in the forest. The vanilla and sarsaparilla 
 are also abundant. Leopal trees, India rubber, rosewood, dragons 
 blood, and other useful trees and precious woods, are found in 
 profusion, and will ultimately contribute to swell the exports, and 
 augment the wealth of the State. 
 
 " Vast numbers of palms of every variety, relieve the monotony 
 of the forest with their graceful forms. At one point on the banks 
 of the Wena, a few leagues above its mouth, is a natural park of 
 the cocoa nut palm, which extends along the river for several 
 miles. 
 
 " In the neighborhood of Yojoa, the country rises by a series 
 of magnificent terraces, which open out in broad, undulating sa- 
 vannas. Their soil, apart from their natural adaptation for grazing 
 purposes, admits of profitable cultivation. These terraces are 
 represented as constituting a distinguishing feature of the country 
 around the city of Santa Barbara, where the principal part of the 
 population of the department is concentrated. 
 
 " The great dependent mountain chain of Merendon, elsewhere 
 alluded to as dividing the valleys of the Chamilicon and Montague, 
 and terminating abruptly on the sea at Omoa, affords on its slopes 
 favorable conditions, both of soil and climate, for the cultivation 
 of the grains and fruits of sugar latitudes. 
 
 " It, moreover, seems to be rich in gold, which is found more or 
 less abundantly, in all the streams which flow down its southern 
 declivity. 
 
 " In the neighborhood of Quinristau, there are washings which 
 have long been celebrated for their productiveness. 
 
 " In that portion of this chain, back of Omoa, and overlooking 
 the plains of Sula, are vast beds of white marble, of spotless 
 
41 
 
 purity, fine, compact, and susceptible of excpiisite finish. It more 
 closely resembles the marble of Carrara, in Italy, than any of those 
 found in the United States. It is easy of access, and may be ob- 
 tained in any desired quantity. 
 
 " The fine, capacious harbor of Peurto Cabalos, and the small, 
 but secure port of Omoa, both fall in this department. They are 
 fully described under the sub-division of ' Ports of Honduras.' 
 
 " The inhabitants are chiefly devoted to raising cattle, of which 
 large numbers are exported to Belize, Yucatan, and driven into 
 Guatemala, where they commaud prices ranging from five dollars 
 to ten dollars per head. A large portion of the people in the 
 towns, in the plain of Sula, or bordering upon it, are employed in 
 the mahogany cuttings ; while a few, chiefly Indians, collect sarsa- 
 parilla, or occupy themselves at intervals in washing gold. Alto- 
 gether, the department is healthy, and possessed of vast resources, 
 the value of which is enhanced by the natural facilities which it 
 possesses, both in respect to geographical position and the means 
 of interior 'communication." 
 
 P. S. We were ten days in traveling from Atlanta to San Pedro, 
 via New Orleans and Omoa. San Pedro is 54 miles from Omoa, 
 and half the distance is over the mountains. When we open 
 Peurto Cabalos, the trip, via Mobile, can be made easily in seven 
 days. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 G. Malcolm. 
 
 Medina, Honduras, May 20th, 1867. 
 We have this day heard read the foregoing circular of Maj. G. 
 Malcolm, addressed to Gen. R. J. Henderson, of the State of Geor- 
 gia, and from personal observation, and information which we con- 
 sider perfectly reliable, we have no hesitation in giving the same 
 our unqualified endorsement. 
 
 C. A. Thrower, 
 
 E. DuBaker, 
 
 J. M. Perkerson, 
 
 W. J. Walters, 
 
 Henry II. Briers, 
 
 B. 0. Queen, 
 
 J. T. Williford, 
 
 John W. Trammel, 
 
 H. C. Hill, 
 
 P. T. Goldsmith, 
 
 A. J. Haralson, 
 
 B. E, Maddox, 
 
 James L. Watkins, 
 
 W. T. Jones, 
 
 A. J. Hill, 
 
 J. M. Davidson, 
 
 P. H. Wade, 
 
 L. B. Watkins, 
 
 L. Watkins, 
 
 T. M. Henderson, 
 
 E. M. Burford, 
 
 J. B. Jett, (by Henderson) 
 
 J. M. Tippen, 
 
 C. G. Pirkle. 
 
 The following is a copy of the proposed corporation for the ob- 
 jects herein specified : 
 
 Whereas, the Government of the Republic of Honduras, by 
 virtue of official power under the constitution, has issued a decree 
 
42 
 
 under the signature of the President, countersigned by the Minis- 
 ter of the Hacienda, and stamped with the great seal of the Re- 
 public, granting to Green Malcolm, Esq., and his associates, the 
 exclusive right and privilege for the period of ten years, for the 
 manufacture of cotton, wool or other fibres, into fabrics of any 
 and all descriptions, within the entire Republic; the exclusive navi- 
 gation of the rivers Ulua, Chamilicon and their tributaries, for 
 the term of eight years ; the exclusive right of the introduction 
 and establishment of saw mills, shingle machines, tin factories, &c; 
 the exclusive privilege of the introduction of wagons, carriages, 
 and buggies, for the period of eight years ; the exclusive right of 
 the manufacture of spirituous liquor, by the use of the log still, 
 for the period of three years ; the exclusive right for the refining 
 of sugar, for eight years ; and a free port for all imports at the port 
 of Porto Cabalos, and the right of free exports of all articles from 
 any part of the Republic for the term of three years. 
 
 Now for the better carrying into effect the objects aforesaid, 
 the following named persons, to-wit : Green Malcolm, Henry H. 
 Briers, George W. Walters, Dr. L. Watkins, T. M. Henderson, and 
 others, do hereby covenant and agree to form a joint stock com- 
 pany, for the manufacture of cotton, wool, and such other fibres 
 as may be deemed advisable ; and for the establishment of a line 
 of boats between the Republic of Honduras and the United 
 States, or such other governments as said company may hereafter 
 designate ; also for the navigation of the rivers aforesaid, and 
 the establishment of such other enterprises as authorized by the 
 charter, and agreed to by the company. 
 
 1. The company shall be known and styled the Honduras Man- 
 ufacturing and Navigation Company, to be located at the city cjf 
 Medina, in the department of Santa Barbara, in the Republic of 
 Honduras, with branches and offices at such points as may be de- 
 signated by said company, and shall do and perform all business of 
 the company under the title aforesaid, and the seal of the com- 
 pany. 
 
 2. The capital stock of said company shall be two hundred 
 thousand dollars, and divided into one thousand shares of two 
 hundred dollars each. 
 
 3. Books of subscription shall be opened by such agents as may 
 be designated by any two or more stockholders, for such places 
 either in Honduras or the United States, or any other govern- 
 ment as by them may be prescribed, with power to grant certifi- 
 cates of stock, and such other powers as they may deem proper 
 to confer. Said books of subscription shall be kept open until 
 the 1st of October, 1867, unless all the stock is taken prior to 
 that time. 
 
 4. When twenty-five per cent of the capital stock is paid in, said 
 company may elect permanent officers and proceed to business. The 
 officers shall consist of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Board 
 of Directors. The President shall be elected every two years by 
 
43 
 
 the Board of Directors; and the Directors shall be elected every 
 by the Stockholders. In all elections one share shall be 
 entitled to a vote, and any Stockholder in any election may be 
 represented by proxy ; provided, that, in all cases, said proxy be 
 authorized by power of attorney, and reside in the Republic of 
 Honduras. 
 
 5. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at the meet- 
 ings of the Stockholders, exercise a general supervision over the 
 affairs of the company, and see to the faithful enforcement of all 
 rules and regulations of the company. 
 
 6. The President and Directors shall have the power to make 
 such by-laws, rules and reg illations for the government and man- 
 agement of the company, as may be deemed expedient. 
 
 7. The Directors shall give a general direction to all the busi- 
 ness of said company, and, in conjunction with the President, may 
 change, alter, or revise any rule or regulation of the company, 
 or break, alter, or change the seal of the company at pleasure. 
 
 8. Two-thirds of the Stockholders shall constitute a quorum 
 for the transaction of all business ; shall have the power to call in 
 the unpaid stock in such installments as may be prescribed by 
 said Board ; and should any stockholder refuse or neglect to pay 
 any installment demanded, the twenty-five per cent of stock paid 
 in may be forfeited, or suit may be instituted against such delin- 
 quent and recovered out of any property he may possess, as by 
 the laws in such cases made and provided. 
 
 9. No calls shall be made for installments upon the stock of 
 the colonist prior to the first day of January, 1S6S ; but this re- 
 servation shall not hinder or prevent the organization of said com- 
 pany at an earlier day, nor from proceeding with the business of 
 the company ; and upon failure to pay such assessments as the di- 
 rectors may require, not to exceed fifty per cent., at the time sj>e- 
 cified, the same shall be forfeited. 
 
 10. The agents appointed shall in no case grant certificates of 
 stock until twenty-five per cent upon the stock subscribed for has 
 been paid in, under such rules and regulations as the temporary 
 Board this day appointed may prescribe. 
 
 11. Five shares of stock in this company i3 hereby certified and 
 set apart to G. Malcolm, Esq., to cover expenses incurred in pro- 
 curing the charter for said company, and as a tribute to the un- 
 tiring energies of a faithful pioneer. 
 
 12. As soon as ten persons have subscribed for stock in said 
 company, the stockholders may elect a temporary Board of Direc- 
 tors, to consist of three persons, who shall have power to enact 
 rules and regulations for the general direction and management of 
 said company, and to exercise the power conferred in the third ar- 
 ticle of this covenant. 
 
 13. All the property of the stockholders shall be bound for the 
 payment of the debts of the company, to the extent of his stock. 
 
44 
 
 The following points are subjoined, which I omitted in the body 
 of my report : 
 
 The Constitution of Honduras excludes all priests from office, 
 and legitimatises their issue. 
 
 I saw no wells of water in the country : the only reason assigned 
 is that the water from the streams can be obtained with less trouble, 
 and is as good as they want. I saw but three springs in the val- 
 leys, neither of which were flush, and from my own observations, 
 concluded that water for all purposes must be supplied by the 
 streams, though the natives told me that springs could be found 
 in many places in the valleys. 
 
 It is thought by the natives that water can be supplied by com- 
 mon wells : my opinion is to the reverse, except by artesian wells, 
 for which I think many of the valleys are peculiarly adapted. 
 
 Butter, such as is made in the States, is not manufactured in 
 Honduras by the natives, and was a matter of much interest to 
 them when they saw it made by our people. 
 
 The butter used by them is nothing more than thick cream sea- 
 soned with salt, which I was very fond of. 
 
 Cheese is made by pressing clabbered cream. When fresh it is 
 very good, but soon becomes soured. 
 
 Churns, such as used in the States, are unknown among natives. 
 They have no chimneys or fire-places to their houses. They cook 
 upon a range built in one corner of the house, or a kitchen con- 
 tiguous. The saddle mules move with great ease„ and perfectly 
 safe.