miles, 10 days; stop at
Honduras 3 days; in all 18 days.

Bermuda being a great naval depot, a ready communication between it
and every part of the West Indies becomes an object of the greatest
importance. Under the general arrangement proposed, this communication
can be best effected from and with Cape Nichola Mole, Hayti; because
the downward steamer from Barbadoes, with the European and other
mails, will have passed St. Thomas before the steamer returning from
Jamaica, &c., comes up; by which means all the letters from Jamaica,
and every other place to the westward, would, were St. Thomas made the
starting point, be obliged to remain at that island till the arrival
of a following packet; whereas, starting from Cape Nichola Mole, the
mails, both from the eastward and the westward, and also those brought
from Europe, would go forward to a day. Moreover, owing to the winds
which prevail in those seas, vessels running between Cape Nichola Mole
and Bermuda would make passages equally quick, if not quicker, than
vessels running between St. Thomas and Bermuda could generally do. The
courses and distances stand thus:--
(p. 032)
Geo. Miles. Days.
St. Thomas to Bermuda. Nearly due N. 840 9
Cape Nichola Mole to do. N. 32 deg. E. 890 10
Nassau to Bermuda N. 57 deg. E. 800 7
Crooked Island to Bermuda 740 7
Ditto to Cape Nichola Mole S. 19 deg. W. 146 1
Ditto to Nassau 270 1-1/2
Cape Nichola Mole to do. N. 56 deg. W. 380 2-1/2

The communication might still, however, be from St. Thomas, the boat
destined for Bermuda stopping at that island, when this was necessary,
one day, until the boat from Jamaica came up; taking particular care
always to be back at St. Thomas, from Bermuda, before the steamers
with the outward mails from Europe came down from Barbadoes, in order
that the letters from Bermuda for Jamaica, and all places to the
westward of St. Thomas, may go forward by the steamer in question.
This department, however, for Bermuda may, it is conceived, be best
amalgamated and interwoven with the Cape Nichola Mole, Nassau, and
Crooked Island (_the Bermuda mail vessels going and returning by
Crooked Island_) department; as the practical working of the whole
scheme may poi