The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-14
DEMARARA, Aug. 10, 1873.

Tie Penal Settlement-Brttih Guyana.
This is very fine and interesting country,
with climate at this season of the year, far sur
passing my expectations; and, indeed, If 1t would
always continue as it is now, at the commence
ment of the dry season, with occasionally
shower of rain, would be, perhaps, the finest in the
world; but, with regard to Its soil, am some
what disappointed; the soil, more especially upon
the hill tops, is light with mixture of sand and
clay; but the richness and majesty of the vegetable
creation far exceeds anything which had anti
cipated. The wild fruit trees of the forest, many
of them not OF low growth like those of the United
States, but very lofty and majestic, so much so,
that the shot from my gun would scarcely have
anv effect upon the wild fowls feeding upon their
truit their leaves, well all other forest trees
in this country, are not shed periodically, and
have never met with a leaflless tree during my
long stay IN this province. This settlement is
situated near the junction OF the Massarani and
Cayuni rivers, with the Esslqulbo about one hun
dred miles from the mouth of the latter, which is
from ID to Is miles in width at Its mouth, and the
two former from one to two miles. This settle
ment is the only one upon those rivers, with the
exception of missionary settlement on the OPP
posite bank Of the river, or occasionally wood
cutting establishment. The wood In this region,
is in great abundance, and OF the noblest descnp-
ton, and many kinds of fancy wood are entirely
unk nown TO our cabinet makers In the United
States. This place has been established here by
the colonial government, for the reception of cu-
prlts who commit offences against the laws OF the
colony. The prison built and conducted on a
similar plan and system to our State prisons. The
number OF convics confined IN this prison ave-
rage something oyer two hundred, some of which
are employed at breaking stone, others In the saw
pit and few in agricultural purposes; the largest
proportion of them are blacks, with few POrtu.
guese and Coolies. There are no families residing
within the limits of the settlement, except those
connected with the establis bment, and no per-
sons are allowed TO land here without a
written permission from his Excellency, the
Governor; and il would be next to impos-
slbe for any of the convicts TO make
their escape; and, should any one of them succeed
IN passing the guards, they have a country before
them oveIspread with an lmpenetrable forest; the
trees closely interviewer with brushwood and
shrubs, covered with creeping plants with here and
there an Indian path and they would be sure to
be,either shot or arrested by the Indians who re-
ceive five dollars reward for each convict arrested;
and the Indians occupy by far the largest proper.
ton of this region, from the mouths OF the Essi-
qulbo, MassaTani and Cayunl rivers, to their
sources and, indeed, all the immense tract be-
tween the sources of these rivers and that OF the
Amazon, are inhabited by nations OF savages.
When ] left Demarara, il was my intention to
have followed the Essiqulbo rver up far as Pr.
rara, IN the interior OF Brazil but, on my arrival
here, found the stream Of the strong against
me, II beng rather early the season for trip
lar Up. shall endeavor 10 keep you informed up
on the progress OF my searches-my great desire
beng 10 collect specimens IN natural history more
especially land and fresh water shells