barley, straw, maize, and wood, are not only dear, but the supply is uncertain[1]; while in the districts immediately beyond this circle, but which, from their distance, are excluded from the market, the same articles are a mere drug, and may be purchased at a fraction of the price.
The same effect is produced in the vicinity of each of the great towns of the interior, and more particularly of the mining districts, where, from the number of animals employed, the demand is very great. But for the mass of the produce of the country there is no home-market, and therefore no encouragement for industry, beyond the production of the mere necessaries of life.
On the Table-land, there is no doubt that this disadvantage may, to a certain extent, be removed, and distant points be brought more into contact, by the establishment of lines of road, traversing the country from North to South, or even of canals, as soon as the civilization and population of the Republic are sufficiently advanced for the attempt. The nature of the ground would rather favour than oppose the project; but to the East, and West, the obstacles to be overcome are very serious. On the Eastern side, particularly, the descent from the Table-land is so precipitous, that it appears to me very questionable whether it be
- ↑ Wheat sells for fourteen and sixteen dollars the carga (300 lbs.); barley for four or five dollars, according to the season; charcoal for one dollar, and, in the rainy season, for one and a-half dollar per arroba (of 25 lbs.)
