Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-05-08

would he suiTcient-thc latter parsonage having
received the passports from the diercnt passengers
made the call accordingly, which was received
by the Governors secretary. This is customary,
the call OF course, being a mere matter OF form.
Our worthy consul at this place-Mr. B., and
one or two Others, to whom several had letters in
terestcd themselves in our behalf in getting per-
nit from the Governor to examine the foriications
OF the cty-comprising the Moro or Castle and
Fort St. Chrlstophcrs and the city walls. St. Juan
is bml, on the end ola small peninsula, which put
ting o t from the shore for short distance IN
north westerly direction, bends suddenly to the west
and terminates in an elpsis, leaving between itself
and the main, body ofwa,er that forms its harbor.
The Moro built upon the extreme point of the PEN
insula-has entire command ofits enlrance-while
Fort ST. Christopher, located in the corner OF the
bend, serves as strong protection 10 the city on
its North side, and perfect guard over the narrow
belt, over which passes the highway leading from
the town to the main, and allordng communication
between the city and the country in the interior,
which, and the walls joining ii, are capable ofrak-
ing at every point in its whole breadth. The harbor
enclosed between the city and the main, is
subject in every part TO the guns from the walls
and the castle. Walls or Notifications stretch
around the whole line Of the city, beng about three
miles in extent and thirty feet in height and of the
same strength with the walls Of the two Forts
each having thickness of twenty feet, breadth
capable Of admitting two carts abreast without in
convenience The town has two gates, one on
the South leading to the sea, the other on its South
East side opening on the highway towards the
country. ST. Juan, funded in the beginning Of the
18th century, by the companions of Christopher
Columbus, has about %, 00,nhabitants, consist
ing ofSpanards, Negroes and colored people. The
residence Of Juan Poncede Leon, first governor Of
the island, built at place which he named Ca
PARA, is said to be still standing. What is called
the Oldest house in the city, was pointed out TO us
as having been the residence of Diogo, the younger
Columbus. 1t is good looking two story store
building, Of antique architecture, but has acquired
thro' modern exertions what to us seemed an outrs
appearance, having been stucct ell and washed
over with white and dashed oil with a few stripes
ofyellow which gives TO quite dashy appear
having been one ofhe first churches erected in the
New World. 1t was founded by the same Column
bus, and is said TO have been erected in 1917. 1t
is Of three sores built Of stone and succeed. The
house part of it is runous and has long since gone
out Of use. Its tower or Cupola having six open
enings a"i coniaing many bells, still seevos its
original purpose as befry. 1t is 4 remarkable
looking edilice and its black messy walls stamp
1t with an appearance Of great antiquity. The
town is regularly laid ont into squares. Its streets
which meet at right angles are roomy, well paved
and have excellent side walks. All of them are de.
pressed to the centre, through which longitudnally
is stretched single line Of tagging, 10 convey Off
the water. The houses, Of one and two stories
principally, have flat promenade roofs and balco-
MES Jettlng out in front after the fashion of the
Spanish; the materials Of the buildings are brick
and stone, as no wooden constructions are allowed
within the walls Of the city.
The military strength Of the whole island consists
Of 5000 soldiers Of which 5000 garrison this place.
The remainder are distributed among the cities Of
Ponce, Mazaguez and to other places Of impor-
lance in the island. The population Of all Porto
Rico is about 100000. Bordering the sea it is
rugged and mounanous-in the interior there is
good deal Of level land which is mostly cut up into
Coffee and Sugar estaes-much of it is covered
with woods and is still wilderness. The soil is
represented indispensable in its fertility, being
| covered with rich loan offrom one to three and
| in some parts even four feet in thickness.