or Curassow, one of the larger Antilles islands, subject to the Dutch; situated in W. Long. 68° 30' N. Lat. 12° 30'. This island is little else than a bare rock, about ten leagues long and five broad; lying three leagues off the coast of Venezuela. It has an excellent harbour, but the entrance is difficult. The haven is extremely large, and convenient in every respect; and is defended by a fort skillfully constructed, and always kept in repair. The reason of forming a settlement upon this barren spot was to carry on a contraband trade with the Spanish colonies on the continent; but after some time the method of managing this trade was changed. Curacao itself became an immense magazine, to which the Spaniards resorted in their boats to exchange gold, silver, vanilla, cocoa, cochineal, bark, skins, and mules, for negroes, linen, silks, India stuffs, spices, laces, ribands, quick-silver, steel, and iron-ware. These voyages, though continual, did not prevent a number of Dutch sloops from passing from Curacao to the continent. But the modern substitution of register-ships instead of galleons, has made this communication less frequent; but it will be revived whenever, by the intervention of war, the communication with the Spanish main shall be cut off. The disputes between the courts of London and Versailles also prove favourable to the trade of Curacao. At these times it furnishes provisions to the southern parts of St Domingo, and takes off all its produce. Even the French privateers, from the windward islands, repair in great numbers to Curacao, notwithstanding the distance. The reason is, that they find there all kinds of necessary stores for their vessels; and frequently Spanish, but always European goods, which are universally used. English privateers seldom cruise in these parts. Every commodity without exception, that is landed at Curacao, pays one per cent. port-duty. Dutch goods are never taxed higher; but those that are shipped from other European ports pay nine per cent. more. Foreign coffee is subject to the same tax, in order to promote the sale of that of Surinam. Every other production of America is subject only to a payment of three per cent.; but with an express stipulation that they are to be conveyed directly to some port belonging to the republic.