The Sun.
London, England, 1826-07-24 00:00:00

TRADE WITH COLOMBIA.

BOGOTA, APRIL 29, 1826.
Sir,--I beg to transmit to you the copy-of a decree,
conceding to the port of Esmeraldas and the bay of Carac-
ens, on the Pacific Ocean, an exemption for fifteen years
of half the duties payable on imports and exports; and I
beg likewise to state, for the guidance of British commer-
cial interests, that the advantages held out by the decree
cannot, for the present, be encompassed but at the ex-
pence of great, although not insurmountable difficulties.
The small village of Esmeraldas is about eight miles
above the mouth of its river, and is little more than ac-
cessible to canoes, and as there is no port at the mouth of
the river, vessels can find no shelter, and are besides ex-
poosed to the inconvenience of having their anchors choked
by the sand which the river, in its general course of four
miles an hour, brings with it. Indeed, the tide never en-
ters it, for the volume of its waters, extending over a mile
and a half at its mouth, drives back the sea, at every ebb,
to the distance of half a league.
The port of Atacames, about five leagues to the south-
west of the Vigia, or " Look-out-house,' at the mouth of
the Esmeraldas, is sheltered to the South, from whence,
with slight deviations to East or West, the wind blows on
the whole of the coast for 10 months in the year. Large
vessels may anchor in five, six, and seven fathoms, within
300 yards of Point Sua, to the westward of the village of
Atacames; and small vessels can enter, if necessary, within
the Point, and anchor in three fathoms.
Atacames is separated by a thick and unexplored forest
of only about 12 miles from Esmeraldas, and although it
enjoys the advantages described, and its climate is tem-
pered by the sea breeze—the air of Esmeraldas being close
and stagnant—yet it is necessary that British merchants
should be informed, that goods imported at Atacames will
not, for the present, enjoy the'exemptions of the decree.
The advantages of a commercial inlet by Esmeraldas to
the department of the Equator, and particUlarly to the
province of Pichincha, on the conditions of the decree,
would be the demand on foreign trade by a population of
nearly 300,000 persons, Quito (having 60,000) and its
surrounding towns of tabalo, Ibarra, Latacurga Ambato,
and other smaller places, alone possessing nearly the half
of the number.
The access from Esmeraldas, to Quito, which would be-
come the principal commercial depot, is by four days of
water conveyance to the port of Canigue (one day and a
half being only necessary to descend), the hire of a canoe
and three men for the distance, not much more than 70
miles, being about 51.
From the port of Canigue to Quito, a distance of 85
miles, in the main part through almost impervious forests,
inaccessible to beasts of burden, goods are conveyed by
Indians at the charge of six dollars for a cargo of 1001 b.
weight.
The Bay of Caraccas, in the province of Manabi, and
situated in half a degree of south latitude, affords safe an-
chorage, but is surrounded by deep forests, for the present
less practicable as a communication with the more popu-
lated districts of the department of Guayaquil than by
Esmeraldas.
Amidst the rich vegetation of the uncleared fertile dis-
tricts of the Esmeraldian coast, are the commercial pro-
ductions of tobacco, cotton, cocoa, and rice, besides tim-
ber,._ tortoiseshell, and hides.
It may not be unimportant to observe, that the pri-
soners taken during the disaffections in Pasto are em-
ployed in slowly opening a road from Quito towards
Esmeraldas.
I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
JAMES HENDERSON,
llis Britannic Majesty's Consul-General.
John Bennett, Esq., Lloyd's.

LAW GRANTING EXEMPTIONS IN FAVOUR OF Tint OPINING 01'
Tilt ROAD FROM ISMERALDAS TO QUITO.
The Senate and House of Representatives, &c.
Considering, That the province of Pichincha is in want
of a port by which it may import the articles of its eon-
inamptiou, a►ul import its produce and manufactures., 'mid
without which it cannot nourish, and that.tho roads which
may be opened from Quito to the port of Diluent Was, in I
one direction, and to the bay of Caraccas, in the province
of Manabi, in another, offer desirable advantages for those
districts, decree—
Art. 1. The Executive Power shall facilitate the open-
ing of the roads from Quito to Esmeraldas in one direc-
tion, and to the bay of Caraccas by another, either by
inviting speculators through the medium of the press, in
and out of the Republic; or by giving an impulse to
the undertaking with the natural influence of the Go-
vernment.
Art.. 2. An absolute exemption from all direct or indi-
rect taxes paid to the. State, and from tithes and first
fruits, is granted to all , the inhabitants of the ports of
Esmeraldas and Bay of Caraccas, and of the neighbour-
hood of their roads, and to those who may settle there,
provided they build houses or settle near the said roads
and towns.
Art. 3. All sorts of merchandise imported, and produce
exported, through the port of Esmeraldas, and the Bay of
Caraccas, shall only pay half the import and export du.;
ties paid in the other ports of the Republic conformably
to law.
Spirituous liquors are excepted, which shall pay on im-
portation the duties assigned by law.
Art. 4. The favours and exemptions granted by the pre-
ceding articles shall last for the term of 15 years, reckon-
ing from the day of the publication of this law.
Given in Bogota, March 10, 1826, by the Congress, &c.
Approved by the Executive Power, March 18, 1826.
Published in the Govetnment Gazette, April 2,•1826.