s or in any other
station_, would meet the central point at Fayal equally well, as to
dates; but such a detention would not only occasion so much loss (p. 018)
of time to the course of correspondence, but give letters a chance of
reaching Europe sooner from New York direct. Two sailing packets would
perform this work in the unavoidably extended time mentioned, giving
two mails each month; first cost 9,500_l._ = 19,000_l._; yearly
charges 4200_l._ each = 8400_l._

III.

_North America and West Indies._

The intercourse between these quarters of the world, and also of each
of these with the United States, is already of great importance, and
will daily become more and more important, while there is, at present,
no mail communication between them. A regular, and frequent mail
communication in that quarter has become indispensably necessary.
While this fact must be admitted, it is of great importance to have as
many of the points of combination under the British flag as possible.
Keeping this desirable point in view, it is necessary to observe, that
this must be done, taking Havannah into the line; because, if it is
not included in the British line, it will be forthwith occupied by
parties from the United States, and letters, passengers, &c. both for
all North America and for Europe, from the West Indies, will go by
these States, New York for example. The arrivals and departures of the
steam packets on this line must also be calculated, and fixed so as to
agree with the arrivals and departures of the outward and
homeward-bound mails by Fayal, for North America, and also for all the
West Indies, southwards to Havannah and Mexico.

The desirable object of bringing the most important central and
trans-shipping points under the British flag, can only be gained by
making in this case the run of the steamers to be from Halifax, by New
York, to the Havannah; or from New York, by Havannah, to Jamaica.
While the various ways by which this latter could be effected are (p. 019)
here stated, still the former will be found to be the most economical,
certainly not the most inconvenient, and, on many accounts, the
preferable mode. At Havannah the North American steamer would meet in
the most regular manner, and to a day, the steamers from Havannah to
Vera Cruz; and from Havannah to Jamaica, Barbadoes, &c. &c. The route
and time of these boats would be as follows:--

Geo. Miles. Days.

Halif