XII. Departing from Cape Nichola Mole, instead of St. Thomas, for Falmouth, does not increase the distance in the voyage to England above 310 miles,--about two days' sail; moreover, it may be remarked, the packet at present scarcely ever leaves St. Thomas for England earlier than on the nineteenth day, and sometimes even longer. Thus,--Steam-boat to Jamaica, eight days, four days there, and seven to St. Thomas even in favourable voyages. XIII. Great Britain, by thus possessing all the channels of communication in the Western Archipelago, would thereby secure the principal political influence therein; but which will otherwise, and in a very short period hence, go into the hands of the United States, now earnestly looking about and proceeding to acquire and to (p. 044) extend the same in that quarter of the world. XIV. The expenses as regards this plan, would, for the West Indies, not be greater than for the present establishment in that quarter, the Mexican packets included; while the communications with several places would be doubled. XV. The whole correspondence of the United States, with every quarter of America, to the south of these States, would be brought by the General Plan within the range of the Post Office of Great Britain. There would, moreover, be two mails each month between Great Britain and the eastern coast of South America. XVI. A great and useful commercial correspondence, between the United States, British North America, and all the West Indies, would be opened up, but which at present does not exist. RECAPITULATION. In order to obtain a view of the Plan, brought into the narrowest possible compass, without wading through the minute and multifarious details, it is necessary to particularize the different stations and departments, to which the numbers affixed immediately and only relate, thus:-- No. 1. Falmouth to Terceira or Fayal. 2. Fayal to Halifax. 3. Halifax by New York to Havannah. 4. Fayal to Rio de Janeiro by Pernambuco, &c. 5. Fayal to Madeira and Teneriffe. 6. Fayal to Barbadoes. 7. West India Department, from Demerara to Vera Cruz, including Chagres, &c. 8. Expenses, depots for coals, and repair boats. _Cost of Plan by Steam._ (p. 045)