Taking route No. 3 as the lines of communication between Jamaica (p. 022) and North America, then the arrivals at Jamaica would be on the 5th and the 20th of each month; and, allowing two days to stop at Havannah outwards instead of _one_ day, and _three_ days at Jamaica instead of two, the return steamers would leave Jamaica on the 8th and 23d of each month, and reach Cape Nichola Mole on the 25th and 10th, which place the steamer from Barbadoes reaches on the 11th and 27th, and the Havannah and Chagres steamers return to Jamaica on the 7th and 22d of each month; thus combining every movement requisite in a very clear and satisfactory manner. The steamers on this route or station would be each 22 and 22 = 44 days each month = 528 days yearly at sea; coals, at 25 tons daily = 13,200 tons, at 25_s._ per ton = 16,500_l._; which is 1500_l._ more than the other. Moreover, the steamers (two) would be so closely pressed for time as not to have the necessary rest for examination and repairs, and consequently a third would be requisite, which would increase the capital 24,000_l._, and yearly charges 6200_l._ above the other plan. The mails on this station may, moreover, be carried by sailing packets. By this mode of conveyance, however, the mails would be longer on their voyages; those to and from Halifax, &c., being always thrown behind one return mail for the steamer to and from Fayal with the mail for Great Britain, and consequently be obliged to wait at Halifax or New York for a succeeding one--but for which, however, they would always be in ample time. The course and time by sailing packets would be-- Geo. Miles. Days. Halifax to New York 520 5-1/2 New York to Havannah 1140 10 Stop at Havannah, say 2 Havannah to Halifax, by New York 1660 15-1/2 ---- ------ Totals 3320 33 ---- ------ which will allow abundance of time to stop at New York, going and returning, and for meeting every possible contingency which may occur in the voyage; as, if within forty-five days, it would be in time (p. 023) to meet the corresponding packets to and from Europe. Two sailing packets would be sufficient to perform this work, giving two mails each month; prime cost, 9500_l._ each = 19,000_l._ and yearly charges 4200_l._ each, or 8400_l._ It may here be observed, that if all the mails were carried by sailing packets on the four great lines, that the times of their arrivals and departures would still connect and combine properly, but, as has already been remarked, be always fifteen days later in the course of the mails between the places mentioned than if these were carried wholly and everywhere by steam. IV. _Fayal and Brazil Department._