The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-07 00:00:00

THE RIVER PLATE.

NEW FIELD FOR EMIGRANTS.
(From the Live)Tool Albion.)
Taking a wise advantage of the hopeless dissensions of
their Argentine neighbours, and leaving Urquiza and
Buenos Ayres to settle their embroilments as they best
may, the authorities at Monte Video, rejoicing in the en-
joyment of peace now secured to Uruguay, are zealously
continuing the exertions we lately recorded with a view
to the attraction of emigrants from Europe. The suc-
cess promises to be commensurate with the exertion. A
novel and somewhat singular trade seems to be springing
up between the Plate and the golden regions of Austra-
lia ; but in some instances the allurements of the former
prove more potent even than the latter among those who
have had the opportunities of appreciating both. Mules
are being imported in considerable numbers from Monte
Video to the diggings, where, even after a voyage round
the Horn, they prove of the utmost value from their ca-
pacity to endure the rough usage they are subjected to,
and under which the hardiest horses are found rapidly
to deteriorate. Not unfrequently a digger, fortunate or
unfortunate, as the case may be, quits the auriferous
shores of the new El Dorado in one of these ships, and
settles on the banks of some one or other of the affluents
of that stream whose fabled wealth (hence called the
Plata—the River of Silver), first lured Cabot, three cen-
turies ago, in the hope of rivalling the metalliferous dis-
coveries made by Pizzaro in the north. Some of the
reasons for preferring the Uruguay to Australia will be
found in the annexed interesting letter, under date,
Monte Video, 15th December, 1852 :--
"Since my arrival here on the 11th August I have
been assiduously engaged in gleaning information with
reference to the suitability of the Republic of the Uru-
guay for colonisation, and the attractions it holds forth
to emigrants. In fertility of soil, undisturbed possession
of property, wealth, both agricultural and mineral, to be
explored, mildness of climate, and last, and not least, a
liberal and protective government, all circumstances
highly favourable to the settler, it is surpassed by none.
The gold of Australia may prove seductive to adven-
turers, who, led away by an idea that they will be en-
riched in a few days, heed neither the means nor the
mode of obtaining that wealth, the danger attending it,
and the probability of success ; but for him who prefers
an industrious and tranquil life, aspires to live quietly
and happily, and even seeks a slow but sure mode of
making his fortune, the Uruguay is the place.
"Amongst the considerations by which the emigrant
is influenced when he quits his country, that of the cli-
mate in which he is to live is not the least important.
Now, the Uruguay, extending as it does between the 30
deg. and 35 deg. of south latitude, enjoys a climate fully
equal to that of the south of Europe ; one to which all
constitutions accommodate themselves. This is a climate
which appears to be most adapted to man, placed be-
tween the sun of the tropics and the ices of the poles,
partaking equally of cold and heat, both of a moderate
degree, the inhabitants of the temperate zone acquire
greater vigour than those of any other, and generally
reach to an age rarely attained in other countries. The
sky is clear and pure ; its sun does not produce fevers,
nor its dew diseases. In the air there is no dampness,
nor in the atmosphere putrid miasmata. Both pesti-
lences and epidemics are unknown. The soil is dry, but
innumerable rivulets, limpid and clear as crystal, tra-
verse it, flowing into numerous and deep rivers. The
hills are covered with verdure, and the mountains are
picturesque ; the plains fertile, and the meadows ever
green. In so many natural beauties beings to enjoy
them alone are wanting. Men there are not to avail
themselves of a soil which God has created so rich—a
country so bountifully endowed.
"But the climate is not the sole object of the intended
emigrant's inquiries. The merchant, the mechanic, the
agriculturist, and even the miner, will find in this rich
territory a vast field for the exercise of their industry.
To commerce Monte Video offers a superb emporium.
The port is secure and commodious, and promises to be
made much better still by the industry of man. Steam
navigation, which is about to be commenced in the river
Uruguay, will considerably facilitate the conveyance of
merchandise and communication with the interior, which
offers a vast market for foreign goods and manufactures ;1
and, when the projected railways (the construction of
which appears to be assured by the general peace now
reigning, and the resources of the country), are carried
into effect, the increase which will accrue to commerce
through the activity and rapidity of its circulation will
be incalculable.
"The miner will likewise be enabled to exercise 'his
art here. Rich mines of various metals exist ; of many
there are indubitable symptoms, and of others some of
the produce has already been extracted. Of silver prin-
cipally there appears to be an abundance, which will
probably exceed all the calculations which can be formed;
and, if the gold is in smaller quantity, it cannot be doubted
that it will amply compensate the labour of extracting it.
These mines, however, have not as yet been properly ex-
plored, Various causes have contributed to this ; but,
above all, the scarcity of labour and the riches which the
soil presents at its surface. Thus, then, the inhabitants
of the -Uruguay have not hitherto felt the necessity of
searching for hidden riches. The produce of the surface,
very far from being exhausted, are still in a great mea-
sure lost through there being no one to profit by it, and
consequently search is not made in the centre of the
earth for that, the want of which is not felt. The exist-
ence of these mines is more than ascertained ; and, from
what is already known of their richness, it may be with
certainty inferred that the metallic veins are not very
deep, and that the extraction of the ore does not presen
obstacles to overcome which will not give ample remu
neration. Their exploration will, at all events, be lucra•
tive, and may well tempt industrious spirits.
"Above all, however, the farmer who establishes him-
self on this most fertile soil will reap more abundant
fruits with less labour. He will require to do little more
than scatter the seeds on the ground, and see them spring
up and bear fruit. The products of the Uruguay are the
same as those of the south of Europe. Here the same
most luscious fruits are found. There the same rich
golden crops are seen to wave in the breeze. All that
is produced in the temperate climate of Europe grows
here to perfection : maize, rye, wheat, every description
of grain the cultivation of which is familiar to Europeans,
and even•tobacco, can be cultivated there with advan-
tage. The settlers have applied themselves especially to
the cultivation of wheat, and most abundant harvests
have rewarded their labours. The climate and soil ap-
pear expressly adapted to this description of cultivation,
and the yield is prodigious. The success obtained in
this cultivation has already attracted, as could not but
happen, a great number of strangers, and in the depart-
ment of Canelones alone 4,400 alqueires (about 2,200
quarters) of wheat were sown in this year. Such flatter-
ing results have crowned the experiments lately made,
that the Uruguay will soon supply foreign markets with
grain, instead of importing it from Chili and the United
States, as it has hitherto done, for want of labourers to
till the fields.
" It is not sufficient, however, for the foreign settler
to know that the soil is fertile ; he must also be assured
that the soil will be granted to him, that he shall have
lands to cultivate ; on this point he will also be satisfied
according to his wishes. There are in the country most
extensive plains which only require to have seeds thrown
on them in order to yield crops ; and others which, if
would be
then,convertedhasnot
itnhteo beautifulground werea bsllieghlatnlydst.urnmede up,
settler,
only the certainty of finding land as much as he can cul-
tivate, but he can even choose that which appears most
fertile and most adapted to the species of cultivation to
which he intends to devote himself. All this land will be
granted to him on the sole condition that he cultivates
it, and compels it to yield crops.
not an exorbitant one.
"Besides the cultivation of
grain, This
the price is surely
Uruguay is
likewise excellently adapted for a grazing country. Ever-
green pastures of almost unlimited extent provide con-
Uruq
stant and nutritive food for cattle, and in rivers and
feel.
brooks they can at every moment slake the thirst they

" The abundance of the pasturage is such that it dis-
penses with the greater part of the care which this article
requires in other countries. The cattle are bred wild in
the plains ; are almost entirely under their own control,
and multiply to an extraordinary extent with scarcely
any human supervision. This is the easiest branch of
industry, and therefore that which pleases the Oriental
citizen best, so that prodigious herds are met with which
form the principal wealth of the landed proprietor. Thus
hides and dry flesh are the articles exported in the
largest quantities, and with which all the markets in the
world are supplied from hence. Cattle and horses are
the most numerous, and their breeding the most general ;
but there are likewise flocks of sheep, and the merinoes ,
principally begin to deserve special care.
" The settler, then, by thus uniting the cultivation of
his land with the breeding of his cattle, can assure his
welfare in a manner of which in his own country he
would not hay, dared to dream.
" In saying that any one can obtain for himself gra:-
tuitously a title to the land which he chooses to culti-
vate, it appears that I have said all. In truth an offer
of this nature involves the greatest protection which canbe given. The Government knows very well the ccir-
cumstances or the country--it knows that the productive
powers of the soil are great, but that it requires labour
to bring them out ; it knows that agriculture is the
primary fount of all wealth, but that it requires men to
dedicate themselves to it ; it knows that its territory com-
prises a considerable extent, but that entire regions are
unpeopled ; finally, the Government knows, then, that
it is its duty to attract emigration to the state, and that
the sole way of doing so is to encourage settlers, and
bestow on. them all possible advantages."

Axon:rem DExsz FOG.—Yesterday morning the me-
tropolis and suburbs were enveloped in a dense yellow
fog, the wind at the time blowing south-east. The fog
was so thick during the morning on the river that the
steamers were prevented from running, and near the
bridges the drivers ,of vehicles were compelled to lead
their horses. It wa 3 also so dark in the City, and for
some miles round, thr bt the places of public worship were
obliged to be lighted up. At three o'clock in the after-
noon the fog cleared (
[AnvEnnsEmzNT.]- —The Earl of Aldborough and
Holloway's Pills. —A: a astounding cure by this miracu-
lous medicine, after e• very other means had failed. —See
extract from his lordsl lip's letter, dated " Messina, •
Leghorn, Feb. 21, 18 45. -To Professor Holloway.—Sir
—I beg
cure of a disorder in . my liver and stomach, which allthe
to acquaint you that your pills have effected a
most eminent of thi faculty at home and all over the
Continent had not' aeen able to effect—nay, not even the
waters of Carlsb: 1d or Marienbad. (Si ALD-
BOROUGH." Thes e wonderful pills will cure any dis-
orders of the liver or stomach. Sold (also Uolloway's
ointment) at Prof( ,sor Holloway's Establishment, 244,
Strand, London, r k-nd by all medicine vendor!
out r! thr
out the world.