Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/207

1838.] "It is only an increase of population and consequent increase of agricultural industry, that in time may raise the port of Acapulco to any consequence for maritime speculation."

The population of Acapulco in 1836 was computed as follows:

The diseases of the country are intermittent fever, ague, yellow fever, jaundice, and dropsy; measles and hooping-cough were prevalent during our visit.

The fort will not bear much scrutiny. Although constructed by the best engineers of the day, San Carlos, the third fortification of Western Spain (viz. Callao 1st, Ulloa 2nd, and Carlos 3rd) is commanded by every easily accessible height in its neighbourhood. It is capable of mounting sixty guns; twenty-five of various calibre are mounted; ten good brass thirty-two pounders show their muzzles very conspicuously, and these we may reckon their main force. Five hundred is stated as the garrison, and this includes militia, (when armed;) one hundred and fifty can be