The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-20
The leland or Rontan.

As the public attention has again been called 10
the British aggression the coast Of Central Ame
RIGA, by the seizure of the island of Roantan, we
think the following account and description OF the
sland WILDE found interesing,-
The soil of the island is Of the first quality; there
Is little waste land on il, and the whole might be
advantageously cultivated. In approaching tne
island II has singularly beautiful appearance.
The mountains rise gradually in height TO sum
init OF goo feet, which seem successfully TO follow
each other, iRtersected by valleys, and the whole
thickly and most luxuriantly wooded. Palm and
cocoa nu trees encIrcle the shores. and other trees
cover the hills. These furnish an abundance Of
good and useful timber, such the Santa Mara
wood, extensively useful for ship building, those
varieties OF oak, cedar, Spanish elm, aud lance
wood. AT present, the island produces in album
dance, cocoa nuts, plantains, ysma, bananas, pine
apples, &c, Nc; and Captain Michel expresses
his conviction that bread fruit, European yepela.
bes and indeed, many OF the fruits and productions
OF more temperate regions, would grow there IL
Is admirably adapted TO produce all the tropic A
stsples-sugar, cotton, coffee, and tobacco-which
soon become extensive articles Of export The
greatest abundance OF game is found there includ-
ing fowls, wild hogs, &c and quantities OF
oomesc animals are raised. great deal Of
rain tails during the winter months. from Septem-
Der TO February, which has the effect Of making
the air cooler than in the West Indian islands pene
rally, and constant breeze tempers the influence
OF the isun. The dry months are warmer but
not oppressive, and during Captain .Michell's stay
me thermometer averaged 20 deg. Fahrenheit.
tie thinks the climate is not only healthy 10 those
born IN warm ATTITUDES, but that Europeans, with
proper precautions, might here enjoy good health
and long lives The population is now about 2 900.
and RAPIDLY increasing the proportion OF births 10
deaths being as three 10 one. Ii Is confined almost
exclutvey TO the coast, for purpo3es Of conye-
nence The people here erect their dwellings in
the midst OF their palm and plantaiu groves, hav-
ng their little vessels and fishing boats in quiet and
sheltered hooks, add conveying their produce, and
supplying their wants, by water. The greatest
number are located at a place called Coxen Hole
This is a safe and sheltered harbor, but Caotain Nj.
che thinks "they were directed here by chance.
and hot by the superior advantages OF the place y
The mass OF the people are liberated slaves feom
the Grand Caymsn, who have also been followed
by many OF their former masters. who mad Roaian
better position. There is another portion Of the
population made up Of Spanish, settlers from the
adjacent coasts; besides which are few Europeans
and Ameucsns. Captain Michel says that the
macs OF the population is 6ne race-strcng, &C.
i've. athletic temperate, and quiet in their habits.
and not gwen 10 excess Crimes are rare. They
are familiar with the rude mechanical arts, of
whioh they stand IN reed some are carpenters,
others ropemnkers, and they have a kno Wedge N
boat end chip building, the makisg Of lime, etc.
Iter uade y their piantain cocoa nuts, pine az
PIES, etc which they cary to The ports Of Hondu-
res on the man land, to the Belize and New Or
leans"