Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-11-28
I'll. DOR ADO

Since the earliest Spanish discoveries of the precious
metals IN America imaginary REGION with gold
ana gems has always existed in this country in
unprecedented part, and in another. The name itself
OF III Dorado he gilded goden) descriptive of this
realm OF Fancy, where the sands all grains of gold
and the pebbles nothing less than rubes and emerals-
For time, Cortcz and Pzaro found this land of Pluus in
Mexico and Peru. In Sir Walter Racigh's time il was
supposed 10 lie IN Guiana. Florida afterwards sup
posed TO contain it, and possess with it, that famous
Fountain OF Youth which, in the time of Herodotus capt.
waited the imasinatons of the Greeks and Egyptians us
sparkling forth III the deserts of Ethiopia among the most
bameess fair. strong, brave, and ongved of the human
OF the Metallic part of the story voairc has made very
pretty use in his tale Of Canddc whom he makes visit n
nation OF Central America fenced in by lofty mountains
from European intrusion, and furnishing it with death
brave polished just and preserving in those last retreats
inc CIVILIZATION OF the ancient conquerors OF Continent
Of this Legendary people, saw, Stcphens's Travels
that the ignorant but amusing had got hold when
nc repeats after good monk, the story unknown
but powerful nation, existing somewhere borders of
Yucatan and hiding its civilization amidst forests and
mountains, which it is death for any European to pass
Mr. Norman too, we perceive, (the other traveller Of
whom have lately spoken has got hold of the same old
fable; OF which he gives, in his book, the following ve
sion
"rhere is district Of country situated between Guata-
naa Yucatan, and Chnpas iat has yet been sub
duod This section IL surrounded by mountains and is
shd 10 &c inaccessible, except by and that
generally known No one yet, who has had the bodness
to follow the inhabitants their wild retreat has ever re-
turned TO render an account of his journey. The nhab
tants ARE represented speaking the Maya and Tohole
languages, and many of them cOnvcrsng well in Span
isl From the latter circumstances they arc enabled to
VISIT te nearest cities, sell their tobacco, the principal
ticle they cultivate, and afterwards return To their re-
treats They constituted of the Lacandrons and other
savage tribes; ore warriors remarkably athletic and
very cruel They worshippers Of idols and their re
gous ceremonies are said to have undergone little
change.
"Paenque is in the neighbofhood Of this setilemen
and Waldcck, who be has conyersed with some of
these people, understood That they had white persons
among thenbut whether they stay voluntarily or are de-
'aincd as prisoners he has mentioned The mn.
ton il spoken Of by Mr. Stephens Their number is esu
mated at thirty thousand; their secluded life makes
II alnoat impossible 10 arrive thing like correct inn
preS'ions respecting them Tho Indians of Yucatan snd
TIE ntsiburing provinces have been conversation
with persons from ibis distrc they, however, appear 90
know little Of the people OF whom speak OILERS
Could friendly intercourse by possibility he establish
ed with this surprising country, there IL scarcely doubt
that complete knowledge OF tho former inhabitants of tho
immense ruins scattered throughout the provinces would be
revealed That their temples and records remain in safety
and are capable Of speaking to prosperity, there
ly bc question.
81 doubt II the above be true estimate Of heirnumbers
since they have been enable to sustain themselves for ages
Ono one knows how long, against enemies and intestine
wars and dissolution IL would be more reasonable to
suppose that they the Pcasp Of some invading
nnton and the remnants Of power that once defended
those wasted towns that lie huge mnss of scattered
runs The gathered fragments Of Puenque, and other
conqueredpac Of equal importance, may have
ted their broken strength within The boundaries of these
la and under esirong impulse Of desperation they may
have preserved their nationality IN defiance II oil the force
that surrounded them IL may well excite universal as
constituent, when the fact becomes known that there &C
hay exists, within territory II five hundred miles dis
tnci people, That have governed themselves for ages and
"i ey continue to do 20 without assistance orpotecton
u would be lesson 70 mankind ascertain how they
have managed their sclfgovcming principles, and how
they have preserved the national individuality Three
centuries have iranspired since the conquest and II ne
hor Yankee lshan have found his way among these
locndronos before thi- deserves the careful considera
ton both Of tho psychologist and the statesman"