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Appendix No. 9. gerent unless they happen to be the next door neighbours of the adversary, when the case becomes
merely a variation of the first proposition.
UNITED STATES.
The harbours of the whole Pacific coast, from Chilean territory northward to the States, may at present be included in this class. Acapulco, in Mexico, being an example of the next door neighbour's harbour-it is plainly to the interest of England to maintain the independence of these minor States, and especially to prevent the land pressure of the United States, through the extension of the Union southward, replacing the naval influence of England.
In the Atlantic, England has only to secure the splendid positions she already enjoys. In the Pacific, by the exercise of the most ordinary watchfulness, she may have the ultimate use of all that she requires.
L. M. CARMICHAEL, Major,
DANISH WEST INDIES.
October 23, 1882.
Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General.
DANISH POSSESSIONS IN THE WEST INDIES.
St. Thomas.
St. Thomas is the largest and westernmost of the Virgin Islands, which are situated on a shallow submarine bank which has rarely more than 25 fathoms of water over it, and joins on to the eastern end of the island of Porto Rico. The island is about 12 miles long, and from 2 to 5 miles broad, with an area of 23 square miles. Its shore is lined by small islands and “cays,” and is in general bold and steep-to, with few hidden dangers.
The island is of volcanic formation, and its surface is rugged and elevated, with a range of hills in the centre running through its entire length. The most remarkable summits are Signal Hill, in the centre of the island, 1,500 feet high, and West Mountain, 1,500 feet high, whence large spurs branch off north and south, terminating abruptly at the shore. There are no extensive woods, and on the south side cultivation is seen only on a few small tracts of alluvial soil; but on the north side there are numerous sugar-cane plantations and gardens, groups of fruit trees and grazing pastures.
Water is deficient, and springs and brooks rare, especially in the bare rocky easterly portion of the island. Drinking water has often towards the end of the dry season to be brought from Santa Cruz.
A number of cattle, bred in the island, are fed on the Guinea grass grown there. Vegetables, fruit, &c., are mostly imported from the neighbouring Islands of Porto Rico and Santa Cruz, as enough is not grown locally to supply the wants of the population.
The population of the island is 14,000, of which number 12,000 inhabit the capital town, Charlotte Amalia, or Port St. Thomas.
In the absence of epidemics, such as yellow fever, which formerly occasionally prevailed, the climate is, with ordinary care, very healthy. The hot season is dry, and generally free from disease, The cool and the tropical heat is tempered by cool nights and the sea breeze (there is no land breeze).
wet weather of October, November, and December is, however, trying to Europeans, and during this period the island is often visited by terrific hurricanes, as it lies in the region of cyclones.
The thermometer ranges from 75 to 82 degrees, and the annual rainfall is 48 inches; the prevailing winds are from the north and east.
There is a Governor of the island and its dependencies, St. John and Santa Cruz.
Owing to its general position among the West Indian Islands, St. Thomas has gradually become the "entrepôt" for the products of Porto Rico, San Domingo, the Windward Islands, and the north coast of South America.
Its port is naturally adapted for commercial purposes; it has been made the head-quarters of the Royal Steam-ship Company and other great European Steam-ship Companies, and is the centre from which ramify the branch lines communicating with the other islands of the archipelago and the main
coast.
In spite of yellow fever, hurricanes, and earthquakes, this favourably-situated post has remained the general rendezvous, although the island itself, since the slave emancipation of 1848, has almost ceased to be cultivated, and is now largely covered with a rank tropical bush, where formerly a large quantity of sugar was grown.
St. Thomas is, however, gradually but steadily exchanging its former character as a general com- mercial depôt for that of a port of call; the mercantile houses are being reduced, in spite of the increase of shipping, a large proportion of which now only call, but do not unload at the port; but, on the other hand, the telegraphic and postal departments have grown greatly in importance.
The Royal Mail Steam-ship Company, the direct line, White's Steamers, the Anglo-French Line, the West India and Pacific Company, thie Harrison Line, the Spanish Line, the Ariel Line, the Hamburgh packets, the French Line, all call at St. Thomas', and the greater number coal there, while steamers run regularly thence to the North and South American ports, and schooners carry the mails to the Turk's and Caicos Islands, St. John, Santa Cruz: Tortola, &c. The West India and Panamá Telegraph Com- pany have a station at the island.
The harbour of St. Thomas is near the middle of the south shore, and, being a free port, has a larger commerce than any other in this part of the West Indies. It is annually visited by 3,000 vessels.
The entrance at the narrowest point is 300 yards wide, from whence the harbour spreads out on
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