quarter,
such as it is believed can be opened, the commerce
and communications between North America and
Europe, and New South Wales, China, and all Eastern
Asia, would most certainly, as it could most
advantageously and expeditiously, be carried on by
it.]

Two powerful steamers would be sufficient for both stations, in order
to carry two mails each month. That steamer to run between Cuba and
Vera Cruz, would always be in time with the return mails for the
following packet from Europe; while that boat which runs between
Jamaica and Chagres would, by returning immediately by the route
afterwards pointed out, always be in time for the same packet at
Jamaica. To stop at Chagres for the mails from the Pacific would not
be advisable or proper, because the arrival of these mails at Chagres
could not be calculated upon with any certainty. If at Chagres when
the outward mail arrives, good and well, they would be immediately
taken up and carried forward; but if not, then they would be brought
forward by it on the next voyage, and in time for the following
European packet.

The mails for Honduras will be most conveniently forwarded from
Montego Bay, Jamaica. With the mails for the western parts of that
island they could be landed at Savannah la Mar, and thence carried by
land with the others, about twenty-five miles, to Montego Bay. From
thence a good schooner would proceed with those for Honduras and (p. 031)
Trinidad de Cuba; and having readied Honduras, return to Montego Bay
by Trinidad de Cuba. By this arrangement, Honduras rather gains more
than by the plan first proposed, to go from Batavano; and the letters
from thence will still and always be in excellent time for the
following packet, making every allowance for casualties during the
voyage. The steamer could then proceed direct from Jamaica to
Havannah, which would save one day each voyage, besides avoiding the
difficult navigation about Batavano. The coals saved yearly would be
1100 tons, 1475_l._, which would do more than pay the expenses for an
additional schooner for the Honduras communication; for, by this
arrangement, two schooners, instead of one, will be necessary. Their
route and time would be--Montego Bay to Trinidad de Cuba, 172 miles,
1-1/2 day; Trinidad de Cuba to Honduras, 520 miles, 3-1/2 days; back
to Montego Bay by Trinidad de Cuba, 692