b'i/TOf \n\n\n\nsasmosaH uo!}baj3Suo3 \n\n\n\n.U4 N5 * \n\nCopy 1 \n\nTHE \n\nNEW YORK AND HONDURAS \n\nC O ]VI I* ^ jST Y. \nIncorporated Under the Laws of Connecticut. \n\nCapital, $100,000. 4,000 Shares at $25 each. \n\n\n\nOEGANIZATION: \n\n\n\nPresident- RODERICO TOLEDO. \n\nRecorder and General Manager\xe2\x80\x94 - - "WILLIAM B. SIPES. \nSecretary- - HOBART L. HOTCHKLSS. \n\n\n\nOFFICE: -Eo. 71 BEOADWAY, (EOOM 128,) \nNEW YORK. \n\n\n\nNkw Yohk: \n\nJBKADLE &. BKOUN, STATIONERS, 55 EXCHANGE PLACE. \n\n1879. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n58247 \n\n\n\n\n^^^Tofcois^ \n\n\n\n\nINTRODUCTORY. \n\n\n\nIn presenting" to public attention \' \' The New York and Honduras \nCompany, " it is proper tliat some explanations be offered of tlie char- \nacter and advantages of the Concession gi-anted it by the Eepublic of \nHonduras, as well as of the business ready for immediate, and, it is \nbelieved, profitable prosecution. \n\nThe territory embraced in the Concession to the company has a \nfrontage on the Carribean Sea of about 50 miles, and extends inland, \nas stated, 45 miles, making an area of some 2,250 square miles, or \n1,440,000 acres. In extent it is something larger than the State of \nDelaware. Very little of this territory is valueless, much the larger \nproportion of it being covered by primeval forests; and all authorities \nagree in stating thait these forests of Northern Honduras are among \nthe most valuable in the world. Other portions of it are alluvial \nplains, among which may particularly be specified the great Plain of \nSula, lying at the mouth of the Ulua River. Three centuries ago, \nunder the Spanish dominion, this plain was celebrated for its fertil- \nity, and was then, and for many years later, the seat of vast estates, \ncovered with herds of cattle; but the inroads of buccaneers and the \nravages of foreign and internecine wars relegated it to a condition of \nnature, and it thus remains, awaiting only the touch of industry and \nenterprise to bloom again among the gardens of the earth. \n\nThe timber growth of the region conceded to the company consists \nof m-ahogany, rosewood, logwood, cedar, fustic, Brazilwood, lignum- \nvitse, and other varieties comparatively unknown in the markets of the \n\n\n\nNorth, but which in time must become marketable. All the varieties \nnamed are in constant demaad in the United States and in Europe. \nIt may safely be asserted that the present supply of these woods is \nby no means equal to the requirements of trade, and that all that \ncan be procured from the forests of Honduras will meet with ready \nsale. In the article of mahogany alone the demand in Europe is in- \nsatiable, and the day is by no means remote when the same will prob- \nably be the case in the United States. \n\nThis region also produces sarsaparilla, India-rubber, vanilla,, rhu- \nbarb, calisaya bark, and tropical fruits, such as bananas, cocoanuts, \npalm nuts, oranges, lemons, etc. Sarsaparilla is extremely abundant \nand of the finest quality; while the production of the other articles \nenumerated may be increased to any extent at comparatively small \ncost. Bananas can be grown in the region under consideration to \ngreater advantage, probably, than anywhere else on the Western Hemi- \nsphere, and there is no fruit, tropical or temperate, that yields bet- \nter returns.* The cultivation of tobacco and sugar has also been \nsuccessfully introduced. \n\nHonduras is the great cattle-growing country of Central ximerica. \nFor many years its herds have been a chief source of supply for the \nadjacent Republics, and thousands of head are annually exported to \nthe West India Islands. The breed of cattle is good, and both soil \nand climate are pronounced perfect for herding. \n\nHonduras cattle are preferred to all others in the Island of Cuba, \n(which imports over 50,000 head a year from all sources), because the \nsimilarity of grasses and climate makes them easily fatted, while stock \nimported from the United States pine and sicken when turned out \n\n*Duriug the year ending June 30th, 1866, there were entered for consumption in \nthe United States 88.3,590 pounds of sarsaparilla; logwood valued at $1,166,847; \nfustic valued at $176,989; India-rubber valued at $4, 043, 067 ; rosewood valued at \n$161,826; mahogany valued at $94,738; cedar valued at $146,870, and cinchona \nbarks valued at $1,102,203. The total importations of foreign fruits and nuts for \nthe same period amounted to $11,912,240. These values have since increased, \nbut later figures are not immediately accessible. With a revival of manufactures, \nthe consumption of most of the articles enumerated will necessarily be largely \nincreased. \n\n\n\nupon the Island. As the company will be prepared to offer very su- \nperior inducements for the establishment of cattle ranches, as well as \nadvantages for shipment, it is confidently anticipated that this indus- \ntry will assume prominence and importance on its territory. \n\nThe river navigation privileges of the company are so plainly set \nforth in the Concession itself, that but little in addition need be said. \nThe Ulua River is one of the largest in Central America, and is nav- \nigable for boats of hght draft \xe2\x80\x94 say 4 to 6 feet \xe2\x80\x94 for a hundred miles \nfrom its mouth. The Tinto and Blanco are navigable branches of the \nUlua, and this system of rivers spreads over an immense area, excep- \ntionally rich in the natural products of this richest of all American \nsemi-tropical lands. The control of these rivers presents a field for \nan internal trade of vast extent and value, all of which can be devel- \noped with a small outlay of capital. \n\nThe obligations imposed upon the company, and the privileges \ngranted it for ocea,n commerce, are also fully set forth in the Decree \nof Concession. The development of business on the North coast of \nCentral America requires regular steam communication, and steam- \ners of the proper kind engaged in this trade cannot fail to prove \nprofitable. Honduras now imports about a million dollars\' worth of \ngoods a year, and it is scarcely hazarding too much to say that, un- \nder the commercial privileges decreed " The New York and Hondu- \nras Company," a large, if not the larger, proportion of this import \ntrade can soon be done through the ports of the North and the \nrivers flowing into them. The time by steamer between New Orleans \nand these ports of Honduras is about three days, and bananas can \nbe (have been, in fact) delivered in St. Louis and Chicago in seven \ndays from the Bay Islands, while it requires nine days for the same \nfruit to reach New York, by steamer, from the nearest source of sup- \nply. The possibilities of a business possessing such advantages, and \nwhich can, under the provisions of the Concession, be virtually con- \ntrolled by this company, need only be suggested to be appreciated \nby intelligent Americans. \n\nThe climate of Honduras is not unhealthy. Yellow fever and \n\n\n\n6 \n\ncholera have never been known to prevail there. Ordinary precau- \ntions as to night exposure and diet are sufficient to guard the north- \nern immigrant from the malarial diseases common to all warm climates. \nThe mountains, as a rule, tend toward the sea, terminating in some \nplaces very near the coast, and opening well-watered valleys inland, \nthus increasing not only the salubrity but the picturesqueness of the \nregion, and rendering it the more inviting. In brief, it may be sum- \nmarized as the judgment of all famUiar with the Republic, that \nfor wealth of natural products, richness of soil, equabihty and health- \nfulness of climate, and capacity to produce, under cultivation, most of \nthe requirements of modern civilized life, Honduras has but few ri- \nvals among the nations of the earth. In addition to these natural \nbenefits, the Government of the Republic is liberal, stable and thor- \noughly devoted to a pohcy of national development, which embraces \nthe advancement of all branches of industry, the establishment of en- \nlightened institutions, and the encouragement of worthy and indus- \ntrious settlers. A country presenting such advantages certainly af- \nfords an inviting field for properly directed enterprise and capital. \nIn this connection, particular attention is invited to the letter herein \nof Mr. "VVetzlar, one of the most prominent merchants of Philadelphia, \nwho visited Honduras, during the last two months of 1878, for the \npurpose of investigating the property, privileges and prospects of this \nCompany. \n\nA limited number of the shares of the capital stock of " The New \nYork and Honduras Company" are offered for sale; and the officers \nof the company will be pleased to confer with persons who may de- \nsire to embark in any of the branches of business embraced within \nthe scope of its operations. \n\n\n\nARTICLES OP ASSOCIATION \n\n\n\nNEW YORK AND HONDURAS COMPANY. \n\n\n\nBe it known that we, the subscribers, do hereby associate our- \nselves as a body politic and corporate, pursuant to the provisions of \nthe statute laws of the State of Connecticut regulating the formation \nand organization of joint stock corporations; and the following are \nthe Articles of our Association and Agreement : \n\nAETICLE I. \n\nThe name of said corporation shall be The New York and Hondu- \n\nBAS Company. \n\nAETICLE II. \n\nThe capital stock of said corporation shall be one hundred thousand \ndollars, and the said capital stock shall be divided into four thous- \nand shares of twenty-five dollars each share. \n\nAETICLE III. \n\nThe said corporation is formed and established for the purpose of \npurchasing and acquiring by deed, lease, grant, concession or other- \nwise, lands and real estate situated in the Eepublic of Honduras, to \nwit: the public free lands belonging to the national government, \nlying between the ports of Puerto Cortes and Puerto Tela, extending \ninland by measurement forty-five (45) miles from the coast, as \ndesignated in a certain concession from said Eepublic, dated at \nTegucigalpa, March 31st, 1878,* and any other lands found neces- \nsary, in said Eepublic, and all other rights, franchises and privileges \n* Decree subsequently amended and redated November 25th, 1878. \n\n\n\nspecified in said coBcession; and holding, settling, cultivating, im- \nproving, leasing, selling, conveying and transferring the same; and \nestablishing thereon agricultural and industrial enterprises, planta- \ntions, settlements, roads, bridges and cattle farms; and acquiring by \ngrant or concession from the government of said Repiiblic, or by \npurchase, or otherwise, rights, franchises or privileges in respect of \nthe navigation of the waters, lakes and rivers of said Republic; and \nin respect of the building of bridges, wharves, piers, quays and light- \nhouses, and receiving tolls therefor; and for exporting and disposing \nof the natural, agricultural and industrial products of said Republic \nof Honduras; and importing for use and sale therein agricultural \nand industrial tools and implements and general merchandise; and \nfor the purpose of building for the use of said corporation, equipping, \nfurnishing, fitting, \' navigating, owning and chartering steam, sail \nor other boats, ships or vessels to be used in lawful commerce, \ntrade or navigation upon the ocean and seas and upon the lakes \nand rivers of said Republic, and for the carriage, transportation and \nstoring of lading, freight, mails, property or passengers upon the \nocean and seas and on such lakes and rivers; and in general to carry \non the business of exporting and importing merchandise and other \nproperty between the Republic of Honduras and the United States \nof America and other countries; and to buy, sell, own and deal in \nany real or personal property necessary or convenient for the pro- \nmotion of said business, and generally to do all things incidental to \nsaid business and to the proper management thereof. \n\nARTICLE IV. \n\nThe statute laws of the State of Connecticut relating to joint stock \ncorporations are hereby particularly referred to and made part of \nthese articles; and the corporation hereby organized and established, \nunder and pursuant to said statute laws, shall have the powers and \nproceed according to the regulations prescribed and specified \ntherein. \n\nARTICLE V. \n\nEach subscriber to these articles agrees to take the number of \nshares annexed to his name of the capital stock of said corpora- \ntion; each share to be twenty-five dollars, as aforesaid, and to be paid \nfor by installments, as the Directors shall call in the same. \n\nDated at New Haven, this 29th day of October, 1878. \n\n\n\nDECREE OF CONCESSION \n\n\n\nJ \n\n\n\nGeneral Department of the Constitutional) \n\nGovernment of the RejDublic, >- \n\nTegucigalpa, November 25th, 1878. ) \n\nThe memorial which E-oderico Toledo has forwarded for the con- \nsideration of the Government having been presented to me, with the \nobject of making- known that the company entitled, " The New York \nand Honduras Co.," is disposed to undertake agricultural works on \na tract of land on the nortern coast of this Republic; to develop its \nnatural wealth: to establish a line of steamers, which, calling at all \nthe ports bordering the said tract, may do, on an extensive scale, the \ncommerce of exportation of the natural and agricultural products of \nthe country, and also the commerce of importation of foreign mer- \nchandise: to make effective, with its vessels, the navigation of the \nprincipal rivers which empty into the Northern Sea; and to bring \nimmigrants, who, by their laborious and industrious habits, may con- \ntribute efficaciously to the beneficial development of the natural \nwealth so abundant on the northern coast, and to the progress of the \nindustry and agriculture of the Republic. \n\nConsidering that the admission of the several principal offers which \nthe said memorial contains, and that the agreement of some of the \nasked for concessions, made in terms of mutual reciprocity, so far as \nthe interests of the country and of the company are concerned, must \nall be admitted as acceptable to the development of the commercial \nresources of the country, to establish river and maritime commimica- \ntion, and to make way for the many fountains of wealth which are \nnot now made use of, and are untouched for want of working enter- \nprise, of capital, of population, and of means of conveyance; and \nconsidering, that to procure, in the country, through just and \n\n\n\n10 \n\nprompt concessions, the establishment and development of those ele- \nments of vital importance v^^hich will jDut a stop to all drawbacks, and \nconsequently open a bright future, is one of the principal duties of \nthe Government; the President, in virtue of such, decrees: \n\nARTICLE I. \n\nIn all the lands belonging to the Government, lying between the \nports of Pto. Cortez and Pto. de Tela, and which actually may not be \noccupied in virtue of a contract or of especial concession, and in \nextent measuring from the coast to the interior forty-five miles, it is \ngranted to "The New York and Honduras Co.," for the period of \ntwenty-five years, commencing to run from this date, the right to es- \ntablish plantations, pasturages, and, in general, any agricultural or \nindustrial enterprises. The fields of the national lands, which at the \nexpiration of the time granted by this concession may be formally \ncultivated, or may be the seat of an industrial enterprise, vrill become \nthe property of the company; but this is only to be understood in the \ntract of land occupied by the enterprise. \n\nARTICLE n. \n\nThe company will have the right to work in the designated land, \nand during the stated time, industriously, or for export, any of the \nprime products which said lands contain. \n\nARTICLE in. \n\nThe company will paj\' to the State for the natural products, as \nwell as for the agricultural or industrial ones which they may exjDort, \nthe duties now existing, or that may hereafter be decreed by fiscal \nlaws. \n\nARTICLE IV. \n\nThe company is exempted fi\'om all duties on material imported to \nbe employed in the construction of wooden houses, wharves, bridges \nand canals, and also on machinery, tools and provisions to be exclu- \nsively employed in the service or sustenance of the agi\'icultural or \nindustrial enterprises which may be established. \n\n\n\n11 \n\nARTICLE V. \n\nThe company is bound to establish, within the period of one year, \ncommencing to run from the 1st of January next, 1879, a steamer of \nat least four hundred tons, having for its object a regular service be- \ntween New Orleans or New York and the ports of Truxillo, Pto, \nCortez, and the Bay Islands, or any other ports of the northern coast \nwhich the company may deem convenient. \n\nARTICLE VI. \n\nThe arrival, as well as the departure of the steamer, at and from \nthe said ports, will be determined by an itinerary, fixed by the com- \npaaiy and approved by the Government. \n\nARTICLE VIT. \n\nThe steamer of the company will convey gratis the mails. \n\nARTICLE VIII. \n\nThe steamer is bound to convey gratis the agents or employees \nof the State bringing or conveying official commission. \n\nARTICLE IX. \n\nThe steamer is bound to convey every year, and for half the rate of \npassage established, one hundred immigrants\' families, in the steerage, \nwhose migration to the country may be promoted, arranged or con- \ntracted for by the Government. \n\nARTICLE X. \n\nThe steamer must also transport, for half the current rate of \nfreight, the foreign objects destined for the use of the Government, \nor those which the same may desire to ship to the foreign fports at \nwhich the steamer calls. \n\n\n\n12 \nAKTICLE XI. \n\nAll steamers wliicli the company may add, to increase its com- \nmerce, will be under the same regulations, established by the com- \npany with the approval of the Government, for the service of the \nfirst steamer, and will have the same obligations with respect to the \nState. \n\nAETICLE XII. \n\nThe products of the country which may be exported in the \nsteamers and sailing vessels of the company will pay j^//!y per cen^. \nless than the duties now existing, or which may hereafter be estab- \nlished, for the exportation of said products. In the same manner, \nthere is granted to all sailing vessels and steamers of the said com- \npany a rebate of ten i^er cent, on all merchandise which they may \nbring to the country by the ports of the North.* \n\nARTICLE Xin. \n\nFor the same time of six years it is granted to all steamers or \nsailing vessels of the company an exemption from the port duties \nnow established, or which may be hereafter established, \n\nAETICLE XrV. \n\nThe free use of the port of Tela, or any other port which, in its \nplace, may be designated by the company, within the limits of the tract \nof land designated in Article I, is granted to the company for the \npurpose of carrying on the exportation of fruits and natural products, \nand the importation of foreign merchandise. \n\nARTICLE XV. \n\nThe Government will establish a Custom House office at port of \nTela, or whatever port may be selected in its place, to keep an ac- \ncount of the duties of importation and exportation that may be due \nby the company to the Government, said duties to be paid at Tegu- \ncigalpa into the public treasury. \n\n* These rebates on duties are granted for a term of six (6) years. \n\n\n\n13 \n\nARTICLE XVI. \n\nThe company will have the right to charge wharfage, light-house \ndues, storage and river navigation freight, which they may establish. \nThe payment of these dues and charges will be according to tariffs, \nwhich, to be valid, must be approved by the Government. \n\nARTICLE XVII. \n\nDuring a period of ten years, which will commence to run from \nthe 1st of January, 1879, the right is granted to the company of nav- \nigating, by all crafts, steamers or vessels, the rivers "Ulua," "Tinto," \n"Blanco," and Lake Yojoa, the company not having to pay any tax \nor duty whatever for said navigation. After one year\'s establish- \nment of the navigation of the mentioned river or rivers to the satis- \nfaction of the public and the Grovernment, the company will enjoy \nthe exclusive privilege and right of navigation of the said waters. \n\nARTICLE XVIII. \n\nThe company binds itself to estabhsh at port of Tela, or any other \nwhich may be designated by the company as a centre of its opera- \ntions, a small village or colony, to which effect the company guaran- \ntees the immediate building of at least fifty habitations for workmen \nand their families. These workmen will be instructed, according to \nthe modern system, in the different labors which may be undertaken, \nand will have at their head a body of intelligent Americans. \n\nARTICLE XIX. \n\nThe company will estabhsh at the port of Tela, or any other desig- \nnated port, a post-office, with all its necessary utensils. This office \nto be conducted by an employe of the Government. \n\nARTICLE XX. \n\nThe company will grant to the Government the free passage of its \nofficial telegrams over all the telegrapliic lines which they may erect, \nand at the expiration of the twenty-five years these fines will become \nthe property of the Government. \n\n\n\n14 \n\nARTICLE XXI. \n\n" The New York and Honduras Company " having been duly \norganized in the United St.ites of America, the place of its residence, \nthe Government of Honduras officially recognizes the lawful exist- \nence of the said compan}^ \n\nARTICLE XXII. \n\nThe Government will protect the companj^, and in order that this \nmay be effective, the same will give all possible facilities within the \nlimit of its administrative powers. \n\nARTICLE XXIII. \n\nAll the grants made to the company will be annulled, if, within the \nterm of one year, commencing to run from the 1st of January next, \n1879, the said company may not have begun to comply with its obli- \ngations, undertaken its .works, and placed on pubhc service the \nsteamer between New Orleans or New York and the ports of the \nnorthern coast. \n\nLet this be known and registered. \n\nSigned by the President, ROSA. \n\n\n\n15 \n\n\n\nLETTER OF MR. EDWARD P. WETZLAR. \n\n\n\nPhiladelphia, Feb. lltli, 1879. \nDeae Sir : \n\nYour communication- requesting me to favor you with an account \nof the result of my visit to Honduras, and particularly as regards the \nresources and probable results of improving and opening a certain \ntract of land situated on the northern coast, I have received, and my \ndelay in answering same has been caused by business matters which \nengrossed my immediate- attention. \n\nAs you know, I entered Honduras by Amapala, and from that \npoint started on my journey to the Port of Cortez via Tegucigalpa. \n\nThe roads until we reached the mountain districts were in the most \nvile condition and hardly passable; after striking the mountain regions \nthe traveling was novel and of a kind that I had never indulged in \nbefore, still it was not by half so arduous or disagreeable as when we \nwere on what was called the Plain, and which, as far as my judg- \nment goes, was little better than marshes. As this is the route by \nwhich nearly all the imports are carried for distribution to the inte- \nrior, I paid considerable attention to it, as I desired to compare it \nwith a probable route to the interior from the northern coast, and to \nfind out which side of the country it would be to the advantage of \nthe merchants to receive their supplies from Europe and the United \nStates; and later on in my letter I will give you the conclusion I ar- \nrived at, and- the reasons therefor. \n\nThe natives that I met on my way toward the Capital I found to \nbe honest and docile, but ignorant and inclined to laziness, both of \nwhich defects I think time and the future development of the coun- \ntry will cure. The past unsettled and revolutionary condition of the \ncountry has to a great extent prevented the present population from \nbeing industrious and ambitious to gain comforts by labor ; but with \na stable and popular government, (which I am assured Honduras \nnow has), it is my impression that within the next decade a marked \nimprovement will be found in the condition and habits of the native \npopulation, and, indeed, already many have begun to give their at- \ntention to cultivating indigo, etc., to sell for exportation, as also \ncoffee. Samples that I saw showed the articles, even raised as they \n\n\n\n16 \n\nwere, and under their own crude implements for curing, etc., to be of \nthe finest quality. I have enlarged on this subject, as it ajjplies to the \ncountry from coast to coast, as the habits and conditions of the in- \nhabitants are the same. \n\nDuring my stay at Tegucigalpa I had numerous interviews with \nthe President, Senor Soto, and found him to be a gentleman of ad- \nvanced ideas, and most willing and wishful to do everything within \nthe limits of his power (which is almost unlimited) to aid and as- \nsist any enterprise, that might either be under way or in prospect, for \nthe purpose of improving or developing the country ; and he seems \nto be especially indulgent in his grants, etc., to foreigners, as he evi- \ndently sees that it must be by their capital and enterprise that the \nlands and natural resources of the country will be most speedily \nand surely developed, and I feel certain that any individual or cor- \nporation that might have operations there would have the fuU moral \nand civil (and even, if necessary, the armed) support of the Grovern- \nment. \n\nAfter sojourning at Tegucigalpa for ten days, I continued my jour- \nney, and arrived at San Pedro del Sula on the ninth day, and from \nwhich place I took the railroad to Cortez. \n\nI will now endeavor to inform you, as far as I am able, of the dif- \nferent articles that abound on the north coast, and particularly on \nthe tract of land you mention (between Cortez and Tela). On said \nlands there are large quantities of fine quality cedar, as also mahog- \nany, sarsaparilla, fustic, the India-rubber tree, etc., besides other \nwoods suitable for cabinet manufacture, some of them most beauti- \nful and I think valuable. \n\nThe person who had been instructed to pilot me through the woods, \nand also to place at my service all the information that he could af- \nford, and whom I found most truthful and reliable in all his statements, \ninformed me that a short time before meeting me, his foreman (he \nhimself having in chai\'ge the cutting of timber, etc. , for sundry par- \nties) had told him that he had discovered a forest which contained \nconsiderable quantities of lima wood (which, as you are aware, is one \nof the most valuable dye woods extant), but unfortunately I was not \nable to examine it myself, as it was the rainy season, and the spot \nthe wood was in was at that time almost an impossibility to be got \nat; but he informed me that in about a couple of months\' time there \nwould not be the slightest difticulty in examining or in cutting the \nwood. From his description this forest was about 10 miles from the \n\n\n\n17 \n\ncoast, close to a river, and transportation to a shipping point could be \neasily effected. \n\nIf his foreman\'s discovery is a fact, it would prove a most valuable \nworking to any one who undertakes the cutting. The fustic is of very \nfine quality, in abundance, and comparatively easy to get at and be \nmoved. The mahogany of Honduras is so well known that it would \nbe useless for me to express any opinion about it. The same applies \nto the sarsaparilla and rubber. Also growing there is the Quina \n(quinine) tree in two or three different classes, but whether it is of \ntine quahty or not I cannot say, not being acquainted with the arti- \ncle, and unfortunately some samples of the bark that I was bringing \nhome to be tested were lost on the homeward trip. Should this bark \nprove to be the required article, I think it would be one of the most \nvaluable growths of Honduras. \n\nThe country abounds in natural pasturage lands, and the cattle are \nlarge and fine, and considerable has been made out of their export. \nWith proper ranches and conveniences for shipment, a large and I \nthink profitable business could be carried on in shipping to the adja- \ncent West India Islands, where good cattle always find a ready market \n\nAfter leaving the main land, I chartered a small schooner and went \nalong the coast towards the Bay Islands. From thence I took pas- \nsage on the steamer Ward, which trades between- New Orleans \nand Honduras, and, from what I could learn, with much profit. \nWhilst visiting the islands, and the various points along the \ncoast at which the steamer stopped, I had a most happy opportu- \nnity of finding out all particulars in relation to the fruit trade. The \nislands of Ruatan and Utilla, the two principal ones of the group, \nare situated a few hours\' sail from the main land, and from their con- \nstant intercourse with foreign traders after the fruits, show more \nsigns of advancement than any other portions of Honduras that I \nvisited. The fruits raised are the plantain, banana and cocoanut, and, \nalthough of good quality, cannot compare with the like fruits raised \nall along the main land, which is studded with small colonies of fruit- \nraisers, who, if they were sure of always finding a purchaser for their \nproducts, could easily be induced to sell to but that party or par- \nties or trade their fruit for supj)lies that they might need. At present \nthe figures paid are 25 to 37 cents per bunch for plantains and bananas, \nand |17 to $20 per thousand for cocoanuts. The manner of collect- \ning the fruit for shipment might be much improved upon at a con- \nsiderable saving of labor and expense. The amount of fruit \n\n\n\n18 \n\npurchased for shipping purposes, as far as I could learn, was about \n$300,000 per annum. This trade could, with proper management, \nbe increased 50 per cent, in a year, without doubt. \n\nThe soil of Honduras, without exception, is the richest that I ever saw, \nand the major part of it is virgin. All through the country one can see \nsmall plantings of coffee, sugar, rice, corn and beans, but through \nthe want of enterprise and capital not more than sufficient to supply \nthe actual home wants are raised. The soil and climate, for the pur- \npose of growing the above articles, compare more than favorably with \nany of the Southern or West Indian islands I have visited. The cli- \nmate and soil, within a short distance of the coast, is well adapted for \nthe raising of cotton. Tobacco is raised in considerable quantities \nin the interior, and some of it is of excellent quality. \n\nTransportation in the country is entirely carried on by mules, \nwhich, to say the least, is tedious and most expensive. \n\nIn regard to the most advantageous side of the country to import sup - \nplies for the interior \xe2\x80\x94 taking the city of Comayagua as a base: Mer- \nchandise imported via Aspinwall and Amapala from New York, the \nfreight would stand the importer $5 to $6 per 100 pounds ; and the time \noccupied, saying that the transportation was continuous, would be \nabout twenty-four days ; whilst by the northern coast I do not think it \nwould be over $3.50 to $4 at the highest. The most favorable route, \nI think, would be, say, from New York to Puerto Cortez ; from there \nby rail to Pementa (72 miles), up the Elvers Ulua and Blanco (12 \nmiles) to Imprenta, and from there\' by mules ; and the time occupied \nin the entire journey should not be over thirteen days. From this \nreasoning I came to the conclusion that on the northern coast viust \neventually be the great supply ports for Honduras. Two matters would \nhave to be attended to before this route could be carried on: \nthe railroad would have to be in good running order, and crafts \nsuitable for navigating the river placed there. From conversations \nthat I held with the merchants of Tegucigalpa and Comayagua, the two \nprincipal interior cities, they would not only like to see the northern \ncoast made a basis of supplies, but would give their immediate aid to \nthe enterprise to whoever might undertake it. \n\nI think I have now touched upon all the points that your letters \nasked information about. Should there be anything else upon which \nI can afford you information, on the same matter, I shall be \npleased to do so, and shall now close this rather long letter by re- \n\n\n\n19 \n\nmarking that, with a fair outlay of capital and good management, I \nknow of nowhere else that shows a more magnificent prospect for \nprofitable returns \xe2\x80\x94 as Honduras is a country abounding in every- \nthing that nature can svipply, and is almost in an entire undevel- \noped condition. \n\nI remain respectfully yours, \n\nEDWAED P. WETZLAR. \nWm. B. Sipes, Esq., New York. \n\n\n\n^0 \n\n\n\nLETTER OF DR. F. C. VALENTINE. \n\n\n\nDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, ) \n\nArmy of the Republic of Honduras, V \n\nTeguciCxAlpa, Dec. 24th, 1878. ) \n\nMr. W. B. Sipes, Ne.ir York, U. S. A. \n\nMy Dear Sir : In answer to your esteemed favor of the 1st I would \nstate: That during- the past year I have had careful observations \nmade pertaining to everything which would serve to demonstrate the \nactual climatic influences to which the immigrant into this country \nwould be exposed, and as a result can unhesitatingly testify to its \nsalubrity and enjoyableness by persons who immigrate here from \nmore northerly latitudes. Of course this does not apply to the almost \nuninhabited southeastern coast (thejiiost southern fifth of what we \ncall the "north coast"), which from its marshy character naturally is \ndecidedly malarious ; still, tio one thinks of condemning the United \nStates entirely because of the malarial Mississippi Valley, which rel- \natively occupies a larger district in the United States than does the \nabove-mentioned territory in Honduras. Furthermore, I have found \nthe malarial impregnation from the latter to be far more amenable to \nproper treatment than those which have fallen under my observation \nduring eight years\' residence in the Mississippi Valley. \n\nThe geographical position of Honduras, associated with the fact \nthat it is made up of a series of immense table-lands, which rise from \na level of the sea to an average height of about 4, 200 feet, make it an \neasy matter for the resident here to select the character of climate in \n\n\n\n21 \n\nwliicli he would live, except that the utmost extremes of temperature \nare unknown. The lowest thermometric observation made by myself \nwas 55i\xc2\xb0 F., the highest 101\xc2\xb0 F., while the information I have ex- \nceeds both of these slightly. The changes from one temperature to \nthe other are very gradual; to obtain the two above extremes, obser- \nvations extending over an entire year are necessary. The diurnal \nfluctuation never approaches one-third of that which is common even \nin the city of New York, United States. It would be fair to assume \nan average temperature of 73\xc2\xb0 F. as prevailing. \n\nAs to contagious and infectious diseases, the history of the country \ndoes not show an epidemic of cholera nor yellow fever, nor any of \nthe other affections which exercise such devastating influences in other \nregions. Still, with the now increasing trade with all parts of the \nworld, and consequent immigration, this Department is about to es- \ntablish such sanitary measures as will, when rigidly enforced, coupled \nwith the naturally favorable situation of the country in this regard, \nbe more efficacious than in other parts. \n\nThe vegetable products of the country are those of the tropical, \ninter-tropical and temperate zones; those of the latter vieing in di- \nmensions and flavor with the fruits of California. The majority of \nthose products classed as " garden fruits" can, Avith proper care, be \ncaused to bear twice annually. It is impossible to state to what ex- \ntent the soil could be made productive by modern agricultural appli- \nances and skill. An observation of the indigenous uncultivated \nfruits which present themselves nearly everywhere, evidences that \nsuch terrors as we now are informed of from Brazil can never occur \nin Honduras ; granting even an improbable sudden immigration of \nunproductive thousands, a plentiful suppl}^ of food would be always \nattainable. \n\nIn mineral wealth the Republic of Honduras is unsurpassed, and \nnowhere else can greater or surer returns be secured by the judicious \nutilization of labor and capital. The statements of disinterested par- \nties, such as mineralogists, geologists, mining engineers and practi- \ncal miners, bear me out in this, with the additional fact that the \nmines with which I am acquainted are admirably situated for the \nutilization of building material and motor power. The import- \nance of these elements for the utilization of rich ores cannot be over- \nestimated. Undeniable evidence of these facts will shortly be pre- \n\n\n\n22 \n\nsented to the public of the United States by Mr. J. J. Valentine, who \nis now on his way to your city. \n\nThe natives are kindly disposed, and willing to learn when \nproperly instructed and directed. They see in the for- \neigner\'s skilled labor and investment not only a benefit to the \ncountry, in the utilization of the now almost wasted wealth, \nbut as well an improvement in the condition of each indi- \nvidual. They are peculiarly apt, and wiU form a valuable sub- \nstratum for all kinds of industrial enterprises. The government \nhas, by kind and just treatment, by ever advancing liberal and pro- \ngressive ideas, so secured the complete sympathy and confidence of \nthe foreigners as well as natives, that there remains no doubt as to \nits permanency and the continuance of a policy which is already bear- \ning its fruit. \n\nThere would have been no occasion for this letter if you could have \nwitnessed the First Annual Honduranian Exposition, which took \nplace two months ago, and an attempt to make more than a mere \nmention of it would prove futile. The collections of precious woods, \nsent from all departments, showed an incalculable wealth, which only \nawaits gathering. Aside of aU the known kinds of hard, soft, light and \nheavy woods, there were numberless specimens of woods as yet un- \nknown to trade and art, which for their usefulness and beauty cannot \nbe excelled. The medicinal plants were richly represented, as were \nalso the alimentary ones. A volume could be written upon the \nlatter classes alone, and then give but little more than their indigen- \nous names ; but it suffices to say that here they are, waiting to be util- \nized. \n\nA serious error prevails as to the security of person and property \nin Central America. The history of even the worst governments here \nfails to produce even a sohtary case wherein a foreigner has suffered \nthe slightest inconvenience by the severest turmoils, when he did not \nimplicate himself in the politics of the countries. Immaterial who \nwere the contesting parties, the property and person of the foreigner \nwho devoted himself to his own affairs, and who did not force him- \nself into the political questions which agitated the country, were ever \ndeemed sacred aiid inviolable. This may be deemed to hold good \nespecially now in Honduras, which is too busy building roads, estab- \nlishing schools, constructing telegraph lines, to allow political ques- \n\n\n\n23 \n\ntions to disturb it \xe2\x80\x94 fully bearing out the motto upon its banner: "Paz, \nLiber tad, Proteccion y Progreso." \n\nHoping that this \\evy rough sketch will be useful to you, although \nit does not even do the subject approximate justice, I am, sir, \' \n\nYours very respectfully, \n\nFERD. C. VALENTINE, M.D., \n\nSurgeon-Genei\'al, Army of the Republic of Honduras, C. A. \n\n\n\nLIBRARY OF CONGRESS \n\n\n\n015 843 938 4 \n\n\n\n^ \n\n\n\n'