United States Imports Do. Exports $997,800 589,775 POSSESSIONS OF FRANCE IN THE WEST INDIES. The French islands are Guadaloupe, Deseada, Mariegalante, in the Leeward Islands, and Martinico in the Windward Islands. The whole islands are fertile, producing sugar, cotton, coffee, tobacco, and indigo. The whole islands contain 1160 square miles, and 224,437 inhabitants, of whom 24,191 are whites. The chief commercial towns are Basse Terre in Guadaloupe, and St. Pierre in Martinico. In 1824 the commerce with the United States was as follows: United States Imports $883,084 770,515 MEXICO. This country, in its widest extent, embraces the whole region lying between the boundary recently agreed upon by the United States and Spain, and the Pacific Ocean; and it extends eastward to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Its extreme length from the eastern part of Yucatan to the north-western extremity is 2400 miles, and its breadth from the south-west boundary of the United States to the Pacific Ocean is 1000; the area of the whole territory being 1,662,700 square miles. Under the Spanish government it was divided into three distinct territories, viz. Old and New California, the Internal Provinces, and the Vice Royalty; and as these subdivisions admit of the most convenient description, we shall take a view of each in its order, beginning at the north-west. OLD AND NEW CALIFORNIA. This country is situated in the north-west part of the Mexican dominions, and is bounded by the United States north and north-east; east by the Internal Provinces and Gulf of California; and west and south-west by the Pacific Ocean. As there is a large portion of unsettled country between California and the Internal Provinces, we may assume, as its limits, from the Rio Colorada to the Pacific Ocean, and thus bounded it will extend from 230 to 42° north latitude; and from 34° to 47° 30′ west longitude; its greatest length, including the peninsula, being 1335 miles, and breadth 580; the area being estimated at 400,000 square miles. The face of the country is extremely variegated. The western part is a bold coast on the Pacific Ocean, indented with numerous bays, and terminating in the south by the long peninsula of California, which is separated from the Internal Provinces by the Gulf of California, an immense bay, 700 miles long. Along the middle of this peninsula runs a ridge of lofty mountains, which continue their course to the north-west part of the territory, and the country rises by gradual steppes to the Rocky Moun tains, similar to the Western Territory of the United States, with which it is contiguous. The principal rivers are the Los Mongos, Timpanogos, Buenaventura, and Colorado. The three former are very little known. The Los Mongos falls into the Pacific Ocean a little above the northern boundary. Timpanogos falls into the Bay of St. Francisco, and Buenaventura falls into the ocean below Point Pinos. The Colorado rises in the mountains, near the sources of the Arkansas and Rio del Norte, and runs a south-west course of more than 600 miles, when it falls into the Gulf of California. The interior of the country is very little known, the whole of the settlements being confined to the coast, and they extend from the southern point of the peninsula to St. Francisco, the distance being 1200 miles. The upper part is called New California, and has good soil and a pleasant climate, in which both the vine and the olive are cultivated successfully. The principal settlements in New California are St. Francisco, Monterry, St. Antonio, St. Miguel, St. Louis, St. Gabriel, St. Diego, and St. Thomas. Old California occupies the peninsula, and has a most delightful climate, but a barren soil, in consequence of which the population is very thin. The area and population was given by Humboldt as follows: The principal settlements in Old California are St. Ann and St. Joseph. The Russians have recently formed a settlement near Point Bodega, above St. Francisco. INTERNAL PROVINCES. The Internal Provinces of Mexico are situated between 22° 45′ and 420 N. lat. and 16° 18′ and 36° 30′ W. long. They are bounded on the north-west by California, east, north-east, and south-east by the United States and Gulf of Mexico; south by the Vice-Royalty, and south-west by the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California. The extent from north-east to south-west is about 960 miles, and from north-west to south-east is about 1000; and the area is estimated at 959,780 square miles. The face of the country is very variegated. On the south-east, bordering upon the Gulf of Mexico, and southwest, bordering upon the Gulf of California, it is low, level, and sandy; but it rises towards the middle, on which is the Table Land of Mexico; and extends to a great elevation in the north among the Rocky Mountains. The principal rivers are the Arkansas, Red River, Sabine, Trinidad Brasses, Colorado, Guadaloupe, St. Antonio, Nueces, Rio del Norte, and Fernando, falling into the Gulf of Mexico; and the Rio Gila and Hiaqui falling into the Gulf of California. The Arkansas, Red River, and Sabine, have been described in the account of the United States. The Arkansas is the boundary from its source to the 23d degree of west longitude. The Red River is the boundary from the 23d to 170 of west longitude; and the Sabine is the east ern boundary. The Rivers Trinidad Bassos, Colorado, St. Antonio, and Nueces, all rise between the Red River and Rio del Norte, and fall into the Gulf of Mexico near the north-west angle. The Rio del Norte is the great leading river in this district. It rises in the northern part of he district, near the lat. of 40, about 300 miles north-west from Santa Fe, and passing that place, it runs a south by east course, about 550 miles, and makes a large bend to the northward of more than 100 miles; and from the extremity of the bend it runs nearly a south-east course of about 400 miles, and falls into the Gulf of Mexico. Its whole length is about 1350 miles. This river has fewer tributary branches than any other of equal length on the continent of North America. It is almost an independent river. Its principal tributaries are the Rio Conchos on the west, and Rio Puerco east. It is so interrupted by sand bars in the low country, and rapids in the upper part, that it is not navigable except for short distances. The River Gila rises in the western part of this territory, among the mountains, and runs westward above 350 miles. The Hiaqui falls into the Gulf of California near the central part. In such a great extent of country the soil must be very unequal. Along the Gulf of Mexico it is sandy, but improves toward the interior. The north-east part bordering upon the United States, is almost a barren wilderness. The general character of the soil throughout the whole country is dry and sandy, but there are many fertile valleys, and the country is capable of sustaining a considerable population. The objects of the greatest importance in this country are the mines, which are numerous, and many of them exceedingly rich. Gold and silver mines extend nearly |