hour, suddenly obtained soundings in eight fathoms; the next cast of the lead gave seven fathoms; the third six; and although all hands were turned up to put the ship about, it she had not obeyed the helm instantly, we should none of us, in all probability, ever have seen land again. There was a good deal of sea running, and the Egeria was an old vessel, so that if she had struck, she must have gone to pieces. It has been since ascertained that there is only one fathom of water upon the centre of this dangerous shoal, with which the Spaniards themselves were long unacquainted. I was told at Veracruz that its discovery was supposed to account for the disappearance of a number of small vessels engaged in the Campeche Trade, which had been lost, without any thing being ever heard of them afterwards. It lies in Latitude 19.35, Longitude 92.32, Las Arcas, (as laid down in our charts,) bearing North 36.15, East 40 miles.
On the 11th of March we reached Veracruz without any farther interruption. The news of the projected Treaty had been received two days before, by the Jamaica Mail, and nothing, certainly, could exceed the enthusiasm excited in every part of the country by the intelligence of a resolution on the part of His Majesty's Government, which was naturally regarded as the definitive recognition of Mexican Independence. From Veracruz to the Capital, but one feeling was displayed; and in every village through which we passed, we received proofs of its
