Montevideo, which will be carried forward by sailing vessels to the former place (distance 1060 geographical miles), and return from Buenos Ayres, by Montevideo, to Rio de Janeiro, the same distance, say in seventeen days, and in time to catch the following homeward-bound packet. One sailing vessel would be sufficient for the Pernambuco and Maranham station, and two of a superior class as at present for the Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Ayres department; for, at the outset, steam would be too expensive on the latter station, while it would take the homeward-bound packet too far out of her way to make her call at Maranham.

From Rio de Janeiro the steamer will proceed for Fayal, calling at Bahia and Pernambuco (distant from Rio 1000 miles), taking in the Maranham mail at the latter place, stopping one day there for a supply of coals, and then proceeding, reach Fayal in twenty days—including stoppages, forty-five days forwards and backwards—and which, accordingly, would bring the Brazil mails to Fayal to correspond with the arrival there of the steamers from both the West Indies and Halifax. The mails from the Brazils would, in this way, reach Fayal on the 10th and 25th of the month. The route and time of these steamers would be as follows:—

Three steamers would perform this work in the time specified, giving two mails each month. Each boat would be actively employed, or at sea, 39 days each voyage = 78 monthly = 936 yearly; coals, at 25 tons daily = 23,400 tons yearly—which, at 25s. per ton, will amount to 29,250l. Other charges, 18,600l.

The mails on this station might also be carried by sailing packets, and at much less expense, but the time occupied would be considerably lengthened. Such sailing packets from Fayal to Rio de Janeiro would, both in going and returning, pursue the same course that the present packets do. The distance each way would be the same, and not materially different from the course which the steamers would take. The time occupied would be, twenty-seven days out, twenty-nine days back, and four days to stop at Rio, &c.; in all sixty days. Four packets would perform this service, giving two mails each month. The cost of these packets would be 38,000l., and their annual charges at 4200l. each = 16,800l. In the event of accidents, however, either on this or on the West Indian station, one spare packet would be necessary, and require to be stationed at Fayal: this would increase the capital laid out to 47,500l., and the yearly charge to 21,000l. Four packets on this station would, in fact, under this arrangement, give two mails each month; whereas, under the existing arrangements, it requires five or six to give one mail each month. In a few days, after leaving Fayal, it is well known that both the Brazil and West Indian packets would be into the trade winds when outward-bound; after which, the voyage is certain and secure. In like manner in returning, after getting clear of the trade winds, the Brazil, in about long. 38°, and the West Indian, from Cape Nichola Mole, in about long. 70° W., each could steer to the eastward for Fayal, with almost certainly southerly winds, and at all seasons of the year, in weather comparatively mild to that which is met with in more northern parallels.

By steam-boats the course of communication between Great Britain and Rio de Janeiro would be reduced to sixty days, and by sailing vessels, from Fayal to that place, to seventy-five days, making fifteen days more by the latter than by the former; but it may, however, here be observed, that arriving so much later at Fayal, would still equally correspond with the arrival of the West Indian and North American sailing packets at that place.