New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-26
THE BAHAMAS.
The N. Y. Tii,une,

Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tri,une
NASSAU, n. F., Monday, Nov. 90, 1884.
Thinking ihst a brief account of the present con-
dion of the Bahama Islands nigh, prove interesting,
upon my fret visit TO this Island, the capitol Of the
Colony have collected as much information az my
brief stay here would allow. The appearance Of
Nassau, as seen from the entrance to the harbor is
highly picturesque: built on hill OF great elevation,
nearly every house is visible, while the beautiful
foliage of Cocoanut and Orange-trees interpreted
through its avenues, and swelling in the background
TO groves and woods fragrant with tropical fruits, all
JON TO make il of tue most beautiful of tropical
sites for a city.
Tie Bahama Islands are some hundreds in number
but the far greater part ere uncomfortable. They
situated between the 22d and 23d degrees north
!, titude. AL The Islands vary in their extent-some
exceeding hundred miles in length. The principal
Abaco, Harbour Island Eleuthers, St Salvador,
E,uma, Yumeta Tor Long I-land,) Apdros, the Bimi-
MES and Providence, which lies near the center of
the whole, in lat $50 north, with fine hlrbor which
has fifteen feet It's bar at low water aud is formed
by Hog Island, which is three miles long. Fort Mas
ssu commands the west entrance, and Fort Montagu
the east. TDe forts built in l7i2, under the su-
peryison OF John Tinker, the Colonial Governor
tie Bahama l-lsnd having been in the possession of
the British since 1913, although, up to l742 it was
lot much better than buccsneering depot for pi-
rates, who committed depredatons on the coat of
Cuba, and subsis.ed by piracy AMI the frequent
wrecks which still occur on the Bahama Banks. Ii
was not until l742 that the British held undisputed
possession Of these Islands, as they constantly
annoyed by the Spaniards and CLARK, the Governor,
10 1925 was carried ID in chains and tortured 10
ceath-the Spanards burning every housa in the
place. Upon the building OF Fort Nassau these dep.
relations ceaed.
The value OF the various Salinas, in ths hamss,
s0sp,d for making salt, was not kuosn TO the Sosn
isr's The wealth Of the Islands consists primarily
in salt ponds, admitted naturally and artifcially
sec ndly, 10 fruit thirdly, ia sponge and turtle for
export What the Spsniards were in search of WAS
gold, which they partially found in 81. Domingo.
They Quilted the Bahamas in search Of more aurifer
Gus lards.
The population of N4ssau, in 1851 was. male, $40
fmslss $40 to,>l ,l5e. Tt present Governor. Sir
Alexander Bannaman, was appointed il October is5i,
ard expresses great desire for more intimate co n
neroial iD;ercoure with TIE United States. The q.
:. Nail sifauer Jewess," which arrived here on
tle 2lst October, was the fret mail steamer that
visited tie Island; and the ony mails for the States
ave conveyed rita St. Thomas, which renders comuu.
nicai!on with us inccnyenicnt The Goyerumsn Mt
have Standing of of - 900 to the fret IN il steam
tr from the L. 5 sia Havana. The exports from the
bahamas IN 1853, amounted to sl5l, 3l go, priuci-
paliy OF salf, sponge tortoise she'll and fruit With
more facilities for con tho amount, las stated
BY yro + Bacon Esq, U. s. Consul at Nassau
could easily be doub ed