tained between the Portuguese government and the Junta; but, on the other hand, information had reached Buenos Ayres that all the Peruvian mines, and the mint at Potosti, were in the power of the army of Lima. The punishment of the conspirators had revived the animosity of the government and inhabitants of Monte Video, against the Junta of Buenos Ayres; and active preparations were making for the recommencement of hostilities.

Whilst such continued to be the state of affairs in the colonies, the Cortes were at length proceeding at home to adopt some measures, with a view to conciliation. The following are extracts from the Cadiz papers, of Oct. 22.

"CORTES, 21ST DAY.

"In consequence of an official dispatch from the secretary of marine having been read, and various other documents, stating that general Monteverde had pacified all the province of Caracas, and taken the rebel Miranda, and all the other insurgent chiefs prisoners. Senor Calatrava proposed, that the regency should be instructed to inform Don Domingo Monteverde, that the Cortes had seen with great satisfaction the happy results of his operations, as likewise the important services which he, and the troops under his command, had performed in the pacification and reconquest of the Caracas. This proposition was approved, with the suppression of the word 'reconquest,' on the proposal of Senor Mendiola.

"The Cortes then proceeded to the consideration of the ultramarine commission (see the sitting of the 12th August 1812) relative to the abolition of the Mitas, (1) and the other propositions of Senor Castello. This senor made a long and learned discourse, in which, with the most solid reasons he proved the inhumanity, injustice, and barbarity of such an establishment. Having concluded, he begged of Senor Conde de Toreno that they should immediately proceed to vote, as the point did not require greater illustration, and all the deputies being convinced (ex-cept, perhaps, Senor Astolza, who had made a proposition in favour of the Las Mitas) of the necessity of abolishing an establishment which opposed the principles of equality established between the ultramarine Spaniards and those of the peninsula. After some discussion, in which senors Astolaza and Larrazabel took a part, the report of the commission was put to the vote and unanimously approved.

"1st. That Las Mitas should be for ever abolished." lished." (The Mitas are a certain contribution of men which the people are obliged to give for the cultivation of the land, working of the mines, &c.)

"2d. That the Indians should be exempted from the personal service they gave the clergy, or any other public functionary whatever; oblig ing them, however, to satisfy the parochial rights the same as the other classes.

"3d. That the public charges, such as the building churches, making roads, &c. should be equally borne by all the inhabitants indiscriminately.

"4th. That divisions of land should be made to the Indians, leaving to the provincial deputies the care of assigning the quotas, &c. &c.

"5th. That in all the territories of America some of the dignitaries should necessarily remain with the Indians."

By advices from Buenos Ayres, up to the 15th of the same month, in which the above decree was passed, it appeared that an extraordinary courier had arrived in that town from Chile, with the intelligence that the European and American Spaniards had come to an amicable understanding, and that great rejoicings were going on; but we do not consider this reconciliation as likely to be of any long standing. It was also observed, that the British navigation would probably be much molested by the Lima cruizers on the coast of Chile.

By the same post, it was asserted that the town of Buenos Ayres had been in a ferment ever since the commencement of the month, in consequence of the struggles of the different parties for power, which had ended in the overthrow of the persons in office, and that a new set was brought forward for the three ensuing months, until the next general assembly met. This is the fourth attempt at an elective body for a popular representation, and the next will probably share the fate of their predecessors, of being interrupted in their debates, and turned out of doors by the military. The new executive body consists of Dr. Juan Jose de Pasos, Dr. Nicolas de la Pana, and Dr. Antonio Alvarez de Jonte. The public appeared to be reconciled to the change.

It is, we should suspect, needless for us to observe, after the various changes of fortune exhibited in the jurisdiction of La Plata, within the last three years, that no idea of the final issue of the revolution can be formed from the events last]

Fenumerated, any farther than as they tend to shew, and, as we believe, most justly, that the soil should perish ere the tree of freedom that has been planted in it should be rooted up; or, in other words, that those who have pledged themselves to the cause of emancipation, would leave no stratagem, no hardiness untried, to effect the object of their wishes. See the General Preface.]

PLATA, another, a large river of the province and government of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in Peru. It rises from some lakes, runs in a very abundant stream, forming a curve; inclining to n. n. w. and enters the Piray in the province and government of Moxos. It is also called Guapaix and Grinde; and to the n. of the capital of Santa Cruz it has a good port, called Pailas.

PLATA, another, a small river, of the province and government of Popayán in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada. It runs from the e. to w. and a little from its source enters the Patu

mayo.

PLATA, a small island of the S. Sea, near the cape or promontory of San Lorenzo, in the province and government of Guayaquil. It is the gulf of this name, and belongs to the jurisdiction of the district of Puerto Viejo. Francisco Pizarro called it thus, as having seen here the first silver of Peru amongst the Indians. It is two leagues long and one and an half wide, surrounded with very lofty and pointed rocks, desert and covered with trees, and filled with snakes and vipers. A little more than three leagues from the continent, in lat. 1° 12′ s.

PLATA, some very large shoals or sand banks, to the s. of St. Domingo. They are two, the one round, the other long.

PLATANAR, a settlement of the province of Barcelona, and government of Cumana. Although it is situate in Guayana, it is one of the settlements founded by the religious observers of San Francisco del Pirítú.

PLATANAR, another settlement, in this province, on the shore of a river, and near its entrance into the Orinoco.

PLATANOS, SAN JUAN DE LOS, a settlement of the head settlement of the district and alcaldía mayor of Tanzitaro in Nueva España. It is of an hot temperature, inhabited by 40 families of Indians, produces in abundance fruits and palms of cocos, much esteemed in the other jurisdictions; and is 10 leagues n. of its head

settlement.

PLATANOS, a river of the island of Cuba,

VOL. IV.

which rises in the Sierras, which it has to the e. runs n. n. e. and enters the sea between the point of Las Mulas and the bay of Nipes.

PLATE, a small isle of the N. Sea, near the road of Nova Scotia, in the Gulph of St. Lawrence, between the island of Buenaventura and Cape Gaspe..

PLATE, another, a small island on the w. coast of Newfoundland.

PLATE, another, near the e. coast of Cape Britain, between the bay of Miray and the Piedra

de Fusil.

PLATE, a point of land or cape, on the same e. coast of Cape Britain, between Port Delphin and the Bay of Naganiche.

[PLATE, MONTE DE, a mountainous settlement near the centre of the island of St. Domingo, towards its eastern extremity, 15 leagues n. of the mouth of Macoriz river, and 16 to the n. e. of the city of St.Domingo. It was formerly a flourishing place, and called a city; but the whole parish does not now contain above 600 souls. Two leagues to the n. e. of it is the wretched settlement of Boya, to which the cacique Henri retired, with the small remnant of Indians, when the cruelties of the Spaniards, in the reign of Charles V. had driven him to a revolt. There does not now exist one pure descendant of their race.]

[PLATE, POINT, the n. point of the entrance into Port Dauphin, on the e. coast of the island of Cape Breton, or Sydney; and three leagues s. w. by s. of Cape Fumi, which is the s. w. boundary of the harbour of Achepe.]

[PLATE, PORT DE, on the n. coast of the island of St. Domingo, is overlooked by a white mountain, and lies 22 leagues w. of Old Cape Francois. It has three fathoms water at its entrance, but diminishes within; and is but an indifferent harbour. The bottom is in some parts sharp rocks, capable of cutting the cables. A vessel must, on entering, keep very close to the point of the breaker, near the eastern fort; when in, she anchors in the middle of the port. The canton of Port de Plate greatly abounds in mines of gold, silver and copper. There are also mines of plaster. It is unhealthy, from the custom which the inhabitants have of drinking the water of a ravine. It has a handsome church, and about 2,500 inhabitants.]

[PLATE FORME, LA, a town on the s. side of the n. peninsula of St. Domingo, three leagues w. of Point du Paradis, which is opposite the settlement of that name, a league from the sea;

eight miles s. by e. of Bombarde, and 21 s. e. by s. of the Mole. Lat. 19° 35' n. Long. 73° 15' w.]

PLATEROS, an ancient and barbarous nation of Indians, of the province and corregimiento of Cuenca in the kingdom of Quito. They occupied the country which lies to the e. of the river Paute, and were excellent artificers of silver, from whence they had this name given to them. They are now entirely extinguished.

[PLATFORM, a bay on the n. coast of the island of Jamaica, eastward of Dunklin's Cliff.] PLATO, a settlement of the province and government of Santa Marta in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada, on the shore of the river Grande de la Magdalena, and s. of the town of Tenerife. PLÅTRIERE, a bay or large and convenient port of Cape Britain, in N. America.

[PLATTE, LA, a small river of Vermont, which falls into Lake Champlain at Shelburne.] PLATTSBURG, a town near the n. shore of Lake George in the state of New York. Five miles w. of Ticonderoga, and 187 n. of New York city.

PLATTSBURGH, is an extensive township in Clinton County, New York; situate on the w. margin of Lake Champlain, lying n. of Wills borough, about 240 miles n. of New York city, and 146 s. s. w. of Quebec in Canada. From the s. part of the town the mountains recede wide away from the lake, and leave a charming tract of excellent land, of a rich loam, well watered; and about an equal proportion suitable for meadow and for tillage. The land rises in a gentle ascent for several miles from the lake, of which every farm will have a delightful view. Several years ago this township, and the whole county indeed, which at present contains several thousand inhabitants, was a wilderness; now they have a house for public worship, a court-house and gaol, the courts of common pleas and general sessions of the peace sit here twice in a year; they have artizans of almost every kind among them, and furnish among themselves all the materials for building, glass excepted. Polite circles may here be found, and the genteel traveller be entertained with the luxuries of a sea-port, a tune on the harpsichord, and a philosophical conversation. In 1790, it contained 458 inhabitants, including 13 slaves. In 1796 there were 123 of the inhabitants qualified electors.]

PLAY-GREEN, or PUSCACOGAN, a lake in N. America, in the territory belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company; lies near the n. shore of Lake Winnipy.

PLAYA, LA, a part of the coast of Peru, in the province and corregimiento of Truxillo; between the port of Guañape and the settlement of Moche.

PLAYA, another, with the addition of Parda, which is a port on the Strait of Magellan, at the entrance of the narrow pass called Del Pa sage.

PLAYA, another, with the addition of Blanca, and the dedicatory title of San Agustin, a settlement of the province and government of Cartagena in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada; situate on the shore of the river Grande de la Magdalena. It is one of the new towns founded in 1776 by the governor Don Francisco Pimienta.

PLAYA, another, with the addition of Grande, in the same province and government as the former. It lies upon a large strand at the entrance of the city of Cartagena.

PLAZA, a settlement and asiento of gold mines of the province and corregimiento of Quillota in the kingdom of Chile; in a fertile and beautiful valley.

PLAZA, a river of the province and government of Popayan in the Nuevo Reyno de Granada, which rises in the valley of Los Paces, and enters the Cauca.

PLAZILLA, a settlement and asiento of gold mines of the province and corregimiento of Quillota in the kingdom of Chile.

[PLEASANT Point, a n. e. head-land in Merry Meeting Bay, district of Maine, and in Lincoln County. See MERRY MEETING Bay.]

[PLEASANT Point, the e. boundary of the mouth of Hawk's or Sandwich River, in the harbour of Chebucto, on the s. coast of Nova Scotia.]

[PLEASANT River, a small village, where is a post-office on the sea-coast of Washington County, district of Maine, and at the head of Narraguagus Bay; 16 miles n. e. of Goldsbo rough, and 24 w. by s. of Machias.]

[PLEIN River, the n. head-water of Illinois River. It interlocks with Chicago River, a water of Lake Michigan. Forty miles from its source is the place called Hid Island; 26 miles farther it passes through Dupage Lake; and five miles below the lake, and s. of Mount Juliet, it joins Theakiki River, which comes from the e. Thence the united stream assumes the name of Illinois. The land between these branches is rich, and intermixed with swamps and ponds.]

PLESIS, a river of the island Guadalupe, one of the Antilles. It rises in the mountains

of the s. e. runs w. and enters the sea between those of Vieux Habitans and Bailif.

[PLUCKEMIN, a town or village of some trade in Somerset County, New Jersey; 28 miles n. of Princeton, and about 18 s. w. of Brunswick. It derived its singular name from an old Irishman noted for his address in taking in people.] [PLUE, LAC LA, or RAINY Lake, lies w. by n. of Lake Superior, and e. by s. of the Lake of the Woods, in Upper Canada.

The Narrows are in n. lat.
Fort Lac la Plue
Island Portage
At the Barrier
W. long.

49° 3′ 2′′ 48 35 49 50 7 31 50 7 51 95 8 30 [PLUMB Island, on the coast of Massachusetts, is about seven miles long, and about half a mile broad, extending from the entrance of Ipswich River on the s., nearly a n. course to the mouth of Merrimack River, and is separated from the main land by a narrow sound, called Plum Island River, which is fordable in several places at low water. It consists for the most part of sand, blown into curious heaps, and crowned with bushes bearing the beach-plum. There is however, a valuable property of salt-marsh, and at the s. end of the island are two or three good farms. On the n. end stands the light-houses, and the remains of a wooden fort, built during the war, for the defence of the harbour. On the sea-shore of this island, and on Salisbury Beach, the Marine Society, and other gentlemen of Newbury Port, have humanely erected several small houses, furnished with fuel and other conveniences, for the relief of mariners who may be shipwrecked on this coast. The n. end lies in lat. 42° 47' n. and long. 70° 50′ w. See NEWBURY Port.]

[PLUMB Island, on the n. e. coast of Long Island, in the state of New York, is annexed to Southhold in Suffolk County. It contains about 800 acres, and supports seven families. It is fertile, and produces wheat, corn, butter, cheese, and wool. It is three-fourths of a mile from the e. point of Southhold. This island, with the sandy point of Gardner's Island, form the entrance of Gardner's Bay.

[PLUMB Point, GREAT, on the s. coast of the island of Jamaica, forms the s. e. limit of the peninsula of Port Royal, which shelters the harbour of Kingston. Little Plumb Point lies w. of the former, towards the town of Port Royal, on the s. side of the peninsula.]

[PLUMSTEAD, a post-town of Pennsylvania; situate on the w. side of Delaware River, 28

miles n. of Philadelphia, and 14 s. by w. of Alexandria in New Jersey.]

[PLYMOUTH, a maritime county in the e. part of the state of Massachusetts, having Massachusetts Bay to the n. e., Bristol County s. w., Barnstaple County s.e., and Norfolk County n.w. It is subdivided into 15 townships, of which Plymouth is the chief; and contains 4240 houses and 29,535 inhabitants. Within the counties of Plymouth and Bristol, there are now in operation, 14 blast, and six air furnaces, 20 forges, seven slitting and rolling mills, besides a number of trip-hammer shops, and an almost incredible number of nail-shops, and others for common smithery. These furnaces, supplied from the neighbouring mines, produce annually from 1500 to 1800 tons of iron ware. The forges, on an average, manufacture more than 1000 tons annually, and the slitting and rolling mills, at least 1500 tons. The various manufactures of these mills, have given rise to many other branches in iron and steel, viz. cut and hammered nails, spades and shovels, card-teeth, saws, scythes, metal buttons, cannon balls, bells, fire arms, &c. In these counties are also manufactured handbellows, combs, sheet-iron for the tin manufacture, wire, linseed-oil, snuff, stone and earthen ware. The iron-works, called the Federal Furnace, are seven miles from Plymouth Harbour.]

[PLYMOUTH, a sea-port town in Massachusetts, shire town of the county of Plymouth, 26 miles s. s. e. from Boston; a post-town and port of entry; bounded n. by Kingston, and a line extending across the harbour to the Gurnet, w. by Carver, s. by Wareham and Sandwich, and e. by the sea. The township is extensive, containing more than 80 square miles. It is about 16 miles in length, and more than five in breadth. The number of inhabitants, by the census of 1791, was 2995. The Town, or prin cipal settlement, which contains more than twothirds of the inhabitants, is on the n. e. part of the township, near a stream called the Town Brook, which flows from a large pond, bearing the name of Billington Sea. One main street crosses the stream, and is intersected by three cross streets, extending to the shore: another street runs w. on the n. side of the brook. town is compactly built, and contains about 200 dwelling houses, (the greater part of which are on the n. side of the Town Brook), a handsome meeting-house, court-house, and gaol. are two precincts; one includes the town, and the districts of Hobbs' Hole, and Eel River; the other is at Monument Ponds, a village lying]

The

There

[about seven miles s. from the town, beyond the high lands of Monument.

The soil near the coast is generally good; the residue of the township is barren, and notwithstanding the antiquity of the settlement, is yet a forest. The wood is principally pine, though there are many tracts covered with oak.

The harbour is capacious, but shallow, and is formed by a long and narrow neck of land, called Salt-house Beach, extending s. from Marshfield, and terminating at the Gurnet Head, and by a smaller beach within, running in an opposite direction, and connected with the main land near Eel River, about three miles from the town. There is a light-house on the Gurnet, and on Salthouse Beach is placed one of the huts erected and maintained by the Humane Society of Massachusetts, for the reception and relief of shipwrecked mariners. There is a beach in the inner beach, which exposes the shipping, even at the wharfs, during an e. storm.

The principal business of the town is the codfishery, in which are employed 2000 tons of shipping, and about 300 men annually. There are a few coasting vessels belonging to the place, and two brigs; and 10 or 12 schooners, employed in foreign trade. Many of the fishing vessels make voyages to the s. states in the winter season. The exports, which, at the commencement of the present federal government, were very inconsiderable, not exceeding 8000 or 9000 dollars annually, are now respectable. In 1795, they exceeded 70,000 dollars, and in 1796, they amounted to near 130,000 dollars. Formerly the produce of the fishery was sold at Boston or Salem; it is now almost wholly exported from the town, and considerable quantities of fish have lately been purchased at Boston, and exported from Plymouth. The proceeds of the foreign voyages, are generally conveyed to Boston for a market.

The losses and sufferings of the inhabitants of Plymouth, during the war for independence, were extreme. Their vessels were almost all captured or lost. The men who used to be employed in them, were dispersed in the sea and land service, in which many of them lost their lives a great number of widows and orphans were left destitute; business languished, houses, stores, and wharfs went to decay, and a general appearance of poverty and oppression prevailed. A few years of peace and good government have reversed this melancholly state of things. A young, industrious, and enterprising race of seamen has succeeded to those who are gone: business has

revived; the navigation and commerce of the place are more respectable than at any former period; the houses are in good repair, many new ones are erected, and a spirit of enterprize and improvement is apparent. An academy is contemplated: a valuable slitting-mill, and other works are erected on the Town Brook. A stage, which goes twice a week to Boston, is well supported; and an aqueduct for bringing fresh water to the houses of the inhabitants is more than half completed.

The township abounds with ponds and streams. More than 100 ponds appear on the map lately taken by a committee of the town, and transmitted to the secretary's office. Billington Sea is about two miles from the town, and covers near 300 acres. From the stream flowing from this pond the aqueduct will be supplied. South Pond is much larger. Further s. is Halfway Pond, and Long Pond. Near Sandwich Line is the Great Herring Pond. To Billington Sea, Halfway Pond, and the Great Herring Pond, alewives resort in their season in great abundance. The Great Herring Pond has been contemplated as a reservoir for the projected canal across the isthmus, between Buzzard and Barnstable Bays. Many of the ponds abound with white and red perch, pike, and other fresh water fish; and in the numerous brooks which run into the sea in different parts of the township, are found excellent trout. These ponds and streams are often the scenes of amusement for parties of both sexes in the summer season.

At the village of Monument Ponds and Eel River, and in some other parts of the township, many of the inhabitants are farmers. In the town the gardens are numerous and well cultivated, and when aided by the aqueduct will be productive equal to the wants of the inhabi

tants.

The situation of the town is pleasant and healthful. The e. winds of the spring, however, are distressing to persons of tender habits, and are uncomfortable even to the robust. The market is not regularly supplied. Fuel, fish, poultry, and wild fowl are plentiful and cheaper, perhaps, than in any other sea-port of the size. The people are sober, friendly, and industrious. It is the first settlement in New England, and is peopled, principally, by the descendants of the ancient stock. But few foreigners are among them. The rock on which their forefathers first landed, was conveyed, in 1774, from the shore to a square in the centre of the town. The sentimental traveller will not fail to view it; and if]