the great number of materials which I possessed into a work, of which the first sketch drew the attention of the viceroy of Mexico in a manner which redounded to his honour. I should be happy if I could flatter myself that my feeble efforts, under a new form, and more carefully digested, are not unworthy of being presented to your Majesty. They breathe the sentiments of gratitude which I owe to the government who protected me, and to the noble and loyal nation who received me, not as a traveller, but as a fellow-citizen. How can we displease a good king, when we speak to him of the national interest, of the improvement of social institutions, and the eternal principles on which the prosperity of nations is founded? I am, with the greatest respect, SIRE, your Catholic Majesty's very humble and very obedient servant, THE BARON DE HUMBOLDT. CONTENTS. General considerations on the extent and physical aspect of the kingdom of New Spain. Influence of the inequalities of the soil on the climate, agriculture, commerce, and military de- Extent of the Spanish possessions in America. Comparison of these possessions with the English colonies, and with the Asiatic part of the Russian empire. Denominations of New Configuration of the coast.-Points where the two seas are least distant from one another.-General considerations on the possibility of uniting the South Sea and Atlantic ocean. -Rivers of Peace and Tacoutche-Tesse.-Sources of the Rio-Bravo and Rio-Colorado.-Isthmus of Tehuantepec.→→ Lake of Nicaragua.-Isthmus of Panama.-Bay of Cupica. General enumeration in 1793.-Progress of the population in Maladies which periodically arrest the progress of population. -Small-pox, natural and inoculated.-Cow-pox.-Matla- zahuatl.-Famine.-Health of miners.--Vol. i. p. 111. Diversity of casts.-Indians or indigenous Americans.-Their number and their migrations.-Diversity of languages.-- Degree of civilization of the Indians.--Vol. i. p. 130. Whites, Creoles, and Europeans.-Their civilization.-In- equality of their fortunes.-Negros.-Mixed casts.-Pro- Particular statistical account of the intendancies of which the Of the political division of the Mexican territory, and the pro- GEOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION. In publishing maps of New Spain, differing in many respects from any which have hitherto been published, it is incumbent on me to give some account to astronomers and naturalists of the materials which I have employed. When an author makes nothing more than a compilation; when he draws from sources not generally known, and merely collects what is scattered in printed works or engraved maps, a simple nomenclature of the articles employed may serve for analysis. It is otherwise when a map is founded on the astronomical observations or measurements of an author himself; when he has had recourse to plans and manuscript notes preserved in archives or buried in convents. In the latter case, which is mine, the geographer has a right to demand a satisfactory exposition of the means employed for verifying the position of the most important points. In offering this exposition to the public, I shall carefully distinguish the results of simple combinations, from what has been immediately deduced |