The New York herald., 1850-01-17

| him, depart without feeling amellorated by the
cool, even temperature Of the place. Ii quite
dry climate, the rainy season never being very Sc
vere-a few passing showers once or twice during
the Ahours constituting this season, aud this onl,
lasts three or four months during the year.
The agriculture of the island consists IN the
raising OF corn, various kinds Of vegetables and
fruits such as are common to all tropical climates,
and the cochlneal insect This latter article was
introduced some eight years since by Governor Won
RAIDERS, who, at that time. was chief officer oer-,
and 10 his untrlng zeal and energy the inhabitants
are indebted for this important addition 10 rn-u
means OF prosperity. Governor Won r. demon
strsted practically the value of this crop and TIE
capabillty of the island produce and the govern
me mt plantations on the neighborlng islam OF Bon
Awe and Aruba are now In successful opersriou
Though such comparatively short space of time
has elapsed since the commencement of the expert
ments, the government plantations now p,1 All
their own expenses, and last year some $4,000
worth Of cochineal over and above. Private in
dividuals are following the example of the govern
ment, and no doubt, ere many years, the cochineal
crop from the islands of Caracoa, Bon Ayre and
Aiubs,, viii he very large and profitable. AT pre-
sent ! believe, the principal supplies OF this valu-
able dyestufi are received from Mexico.
The trade and commerce of the island is mainly
In the hands OF Hebrews. 1t is free port in every
respectLlno customhouse, no duties, port.charges,
or anything 10 impede commerce. Being situated
wiihin day or two's sail from the Spanish NAM
1t thus forms a very convenient depot for goods
destined for those markets, as well as for olnrr
islands. The greater part of the cargoes of pro-
visions, &c., that are brought here from the
United States, are reshpped again. either to We
neZuela, New Granada, or some of the other
islands; the rest is consumed here. Returns are
made IN goat-skins, salt, mahogany, dyewoods,
&c. The salt is made here and at Bon Ayre in
both places there are extensive salt-pans. The
other articles are mostly brought up from the Span.
ish Nam, whence they are sent, | presume, in
payment for goods purchased here. Besides this
trade, there Is direct intercourse earned on with
Holland, and European ports generally, from
whence manufactured goods are received
In consequence OF trading with so many different
flags, il is necessary tor merchant here TO UNDER
stand three or four languages at least. The Hol-
land Dutch is the official language besides which,
French, English, and Spanish, are continually
in use and the usual "household' language is
the ''papamento," which can only describe by
saying. that II you take an equal quantity of Eng
llsh. Dutch, French, and Spanish, put them all
together IN handmi, and grind them out,
without reference to grammar, meod, or tense.
the resulting compound would be slight approxi-
nation 10 the "papiamento"
BY the way, may as well mention about the
placers which In existence on the island of Aru-
ba, close by here. 1t Is absolute fact that vast
deal of gold has been found on 1t, and occasion
ally, even nowadays, quite szeable Jumps are
found, aye, Jumps that would not disgrace Califor-
MA itself. Here is chance for gold hunters who
fear going round the Horn or across the Isthmus
Some years ago, lump OF gold, weighing thuty
pounds, was picked up on Aruba, and quite lately.
understand, a good deal was washed out
News from the Main we have none, ,now-a. days
Our accounts from Laguayra and Puerto Cabello,
some six or seven days since, represent everything
very quiet there. Monagas and Paez are easy
The latter has been exed, 1t is said, though have
not heard from reliable sources what has been done
with him. We have some two hundred Venezue-
han refugees here at present. None OF them are
men of great note. They are quite enough and,
as far can be Judged here, Venezuela seems to
be returning to its wonted peaceful condition -
From New Granada, we have no news either
After the LIST of January the communication be-
tween this port and the English West India Islands
will be much more frequent than 1t is now, in con
sequence of the new navigation laws going into
various ports of the Caribbean shores than we do
now.
In my next letter, shall give you few more
items regarding Curacao. For the present, think
mains to be said on general subjects.