The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-06-20
From the New Orleans Tropic.
IMPORTANT ENTERPRISE

AMERICAN STEAMERS ON THE ORONOCO
| We have just conversed with gentleman Of
this city. who has recently received letter from
Col. j. Z. Adams, United States Consul at Ia
guayra, Venezuela, giving an account of an en-.
terprlse OF great importance, about to he entered
into IN that country, and of which we are permit
ted to give the following particulars
| IL seems that, during the last year, the gov
eminent of that Republic advertised in the M ners
at Caracas. proposing TO grant The exclusive priv
lege of navigating the River Oronuco. with
steamers, to such persons or company, as would
stipulate to put steamers in operation there within
| given time.
lhls notice attracted the attention of Vespasian
| Ellis, ESQ., then Charge d'Affairs of the JTni,ed
States at Caracas, and he Investigated the sinh
ject, and became convinced that such a grant
would he immensely valuable, and Immediately
communicated his willingness to engage in the
enterprise, 1t liberal terms should be conceded
| in the proposed grant. He was a, once given r.
understand, that the grant would be made to him.
and on such terms should be fixed on bv
himself and commissioners appointed by the nov
eminent. Commissioners have been recently
empowered In due form tn make the contract
with Mr.. Ellis, who through his agent in Cara
cas-, has obtained the grant, since his return tn the
United States.
1t Is stated that the grant is erclusipe fur the
period OF fDcnty too gears to Mr. Ellis, and his
assigns and he has the privilege of firewood and
Timber from the government lands BORDERING on
the river, during the whole term. The bo,,e
machinery, and other property engaged in the
navigation, are to be free from all taxes or con
| trlbutlons to the government and an annie suar-
AMY Is given tor the protection of said nroner,y
Eighteen months are allowed Mr. Ellis 10 fnI6l
his stpuatOns
HE OronOco Is one of the largest rivers IN
South American, and is navigable 1900 mr. o0n0
miles, and It's border contains the richest lands
on The South American continent Ii is the main
raj outlet tor the productions of three 1urrbs NJ
venezuela, a large port of western Brazil, and O:
the eastern part of New Grenada, it's head wafer,
reaching TO point within 100 miles of Bouo,a
! The Oronoco is TO Venezuela, what the Mis
sissiPPi river is 10 the United States. Il has
never yet been navigated with steamers. but il is
| Tree from distinctions. Vessels of laroe class
ascend IL 10 Angosura, port of entry, about 200
miles from It's mouth, and keel boats ara now
used ABOVE Angosura. rs in time past, thew were
used IN our own majestic Mississippi. AnGus
'ura is The third town in size in Venezuela and
contains several thousand inhabitants Large
quantities OF coffee, cotton, cocoa indigo hides
&C., are annually shipped from Anpostnra IN diff
ferentS parts of the world, and all these come
down the Ofonoco at present, in keel boats =
Angostnra has increased, we observe from sta
tistlcai reports nearly three fold in her exnor,e
IN the past ten years, while her imports have moi
increased during that period. owing. as i, is sta
led, TO the fact. that it is exceedingly dificnl,
to ascend the river above Anpostura. with keoI
oeats' the current being very strong, and of course
lew goods can now be carried up the river to the
interior. '''
1t Is also said that goods consumed on tho
Oronoco, from 500 to 1000 miles above Anqos
tura' are now imported at Laguayra and Port
Caoello, and carried some 400 miles across the
country by land, instead of ascending the river -
Steamboat navigation will produce wonderful
change IN this respect, and also cause the immense
resources OF that fertile region to be mos, speedv
developed.
From an inspection of the map of Venezuela.
we presume that Angostura occupies similar
position To that OF New Orleans, it being the
great depot for the produce of the river Oronoco
and It's tributaries, and it must with the aid of
sIearn navigation become place of great mpor-
lance In commercial point of view.