proved an insuperable obstacle to its acquisition, and the Mediterranean would no longer be literally a “ European lake.”

LARNIKA, February 12, 1861. To the Consul of France, at Cyprus :

I have the honor to inform you that the port of Famagusta, mentioned in Mr. Baudin's “Partutan of the Mediterranean" as being entirely closed, is in reality accessible to ships of a certain capacity. The bar, or sand bank, situated 80 metres from the entrance, is the spot where there is the least water on entering the port. On this bank, at low water, there are 2 me. 90, and at high tide 3 m. 20. It is seldom that a commercial vessel of four to five hundred tons draws more than 3 m. when entirely empty. This port is accordingly an excellent shelter to careen a vessel. The harbor is sheltered by a chain of rocks, on which are the ruins of an old pier. The anchorage there is very good, and only exposed to the north and northeast winds, which cause but a slight swell. Anchorage may be obtained at 14, 10, 8, or 6 metres, according to necessity. The nearer to the entrance of the port the greater the shelter. On looking for anchorage care should be taken of the reefs, which extend about three miles. At a little expense the pier now destroyed by age might be reconstructed ; neither would it be expensive to dredge the harbor, and make it a very fine and safe one.

Even in its present state this port could be of great service to damaged vessels, for it is the only one on the Syrian sea, except Alexandria, where a vessel could careen. Vessels of larger dimensions, on entering this harbor, must be heedful of the bank, which is 80 metres from the entrance, and on which there are but •three metres of water at low tide; and on account of a strong current in the channel, which is very narrow and partially obstructed by the pier, which has slid down.

Notwithstanding this, there is in the middle a space of ten to twelve metres in which there is three metres of water at low tide. In the space between the entrance and the city gate there is three metres to three metres and sixty centimetres of water at low tide.

The Stella, in which I entered, is sixty metres in length, and drew then three metres, and she did not touch either in entering or leaving the harbor. A dozen large vessels could easily be harbored in the port of Famagusta.

I entered the port of Famagusta on the 1st of February ; shortly afterwards an easterly squall occurred, during which the English brig Isabella Dorothea struck on the reefs which protect the harbor, at 111 p. m. I picked up the whole crew, which, fortunately, saved itself in a life-boat, which was in such a bad state that it immediately swamped on their arrival on board.

On February 4 the Arabian hermaphrodite brig called the endeavoring to enter, struck the pier and sprung a leak. I immediately sent out a cable and went aboard with all my crew, but our efforts only succeeded in bringing them into the channel, where she went aground, thus permitting us to save her cargo, which, without this, would have been lost. After having accomplished this, the vessel then being entirely empty, I brought my steamer close to her, and by means of powerful tackling I raised the hull

, towed it into port to repair and set it afloat, but she was stove both at the bow and stern, and I did not have the necessary apparatus and mechanics aboard to repair her.

The fortifications of Famagusta are well preserved. The city could easily be reconstructed, for the stones, already cut, are on the spot. The stones for the pier would be found in the ruins of ancient Sal, which is only distant one league by sea.

I would be very happy, Mr. Consul, if the information I give you could be of some use. I guarantee its correctness, and I beg you to accept the assurance of my respectful sentiment.

ED. RÉGNIER, Captain of the Stella.

, on

H. Ex. Doc. 6338

80,000
80,000 40,000

2,000
299, 500
1,463,000
1,916,500

ENTRY OF VESSELS UNDER THE FLAG.

CLEARANCES OF VESSELS UNDER THE FLAG,

LATAKIA.—Speridien Vitale, Vice-Consul.

OCTOBER 3, 1862. Statement showing the description, quantity, and value of the exports from the

port of Latakia, Syria, during the year ending October 3, 1862, together with the description, nationality, and destination.

Statement showing the description and value of the imports at the port of La

takia to October 3, 1862, together with the description and nationality of vessels employed and the ports whence they sailed.

Articles imported.

Whence,

Value.

By sailing vessels and

steamers.

Sngar...

French sailing vessels .. Marseilles and Beirut Coffee.

..do...

..do.... ..do. Rice..

Arab sailing vessels. Egypt.. Buff leather......

...do...

..do... Euglish nuanufactures .. French steamers. Beirut.....

Francs. 20,000

6,000 200,000

50,000 100,000

Total.....

376,000

Sc10.-E. J. Smithers, Consul.

NOVEMBER 1, 1862. I have the honor to transmit herewith my annual report of the resources and commerce of the island of Scio for the year ending September 30, 1862. As far as possible I have endeavored to inform myself on the different subjects required by the general instructions to consular officers; but the fact that there are scarcely any official records kept by the authorities of the island of commercial transactions, renders the acquisition of correct information difficult, especially in the short time in which I have been in charge of the duties of this consulate.

POPULATION. This island has not yet recovered from the terrible destruction of 1822, when the Turks massacred and drove away three-fourths of the entire population.