The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-06
The Island OF .yuan Ferna,a,x

this city.
The Island OF Jua, Fernandez.
ITS bESuUECEs. POSITION, AMI PRODUCTS.
A correspondent OF the New Orleans Picay,sae of
the 18th nit, speaking ofhe l., ana OF Juaa Fernan-
dtz, says:-Ths island, which belongs To Chih, is
situated in 80 degrees II minutes south latitude
and ~ west longitude, and ~ little more than
three hundred miles due east from Val pardiso. IL
is about ihirlte miles long six wide, and is
composed OF ii mass of tail but very broken aud
croggy mountains, with many inaccessib. peaks.
There Is very httle--pvihaps not over one hundred
ecreso OF level land on the island; but the valleys
between the mountains, though narrow, and the
sides steep, are exceedingly fertile, well wooded,
and ahound IN hne streams of most excellent Wa
ter. The principal kinds of timber are myrtle,
species OF lockwood, sandalwood, and pmento. Its
geological features had not the time facilities
for examining
noticed, however, large quantities of iron ore
in several places, and The prevailing rock was graz
Diie The only animals seen were horses, mules,
asses, and goa,s The latter Were numerous, but
exceedingly wlld-ibr Others were likewise wild,
but evidently had not been long so, several Of
tbt m that we got near TO, We nouced, were brand
ed There ale great numbers OF pigeons, which,
In size and color, exactly resemble the wild pigeon
OF The Slaes-bu, except these, there few other
birds, and none remarkable for beauty or any pecu.
harry. We noticed rats and mice about the bay,
but no snakes, frogs, or reptiles of any kind. The
principal iruiIs are peaches. ounces figs, cherries,
grapes and Strawberries. The hgs, though plenty,
we did not get taste Of, the birds them as fast
as they npened-the cherries, grapes and strawber-
ries were not in season-the ounces were in great
plenty, large and well favored. All these fruits are
scattered 10 considerable distance through the
woods round the bay; but The peach surpasses all the
Oibers-we found II growing over the island, far
as our ranbes extended, and larger, richer, finer
Favored, or more plentiful crop of that delicious
fruit, II was unanimously agreed, had never been
seen or tasted by any of US; and there were among
us some pretty sold inhabitants - from down about
Jersey and that way, well as from Ohio. Tur-
DiPs. radishes, mustard, mint, watercresses pars-
N Ins r. w klse md
growing in all directions. The bay abounds in ex-
cellent hsh, of which we caught great number in
short space, with hooks and lines--smong these
were cod, sbeephead, r0ckfsh, cray fish, aud what
was pronounced by several OrleaniAns, as the gem
Uine pompanO Having authentic source 3 to re-
ter to, cannot ascertain exactly when, or by whom
this island was hrst discovered; but il was first
settled in the early part of the sixteenth century,
by Juan fernandez, Spaniard-whence its name.
He, however, soon after removed with his colony
to Chill, that country presenting superior ad-
vantages and facilities for agricultural pursuits II
afterwards became general and favorite rendez-
vous for the swarm OF buccaneers, freebooers, and
other adventurers whom the immense wealth Of
Peru, Mexico, aud Chill, attracted into these seas,
and who Il ind II \ very convenient place to re-
pair Clean and rett their vessels, and recruit the
health of their crews. Spain, in her endeavors to
rid herself Of these marauding vsiters, planted an-
other colony on the island about $780, and fortified
the harbor.
After the times of the buccaneers, it was again
deserted, until about 1884, when the Chilian
government made il a convict station, which it
continued 10 be until within few years past,
when il was finally abandoned, and is at the pre-
sent time uninhabited. The question will naturally
occur, why, it II is desirable place, has been
abandoned! The answer, imagine, is to be found
partly in its isolated condition, and small ex-
tent; but principally in the character of the to
whom it belongs; whose want of energy and enter
prise have failed to develop its resources and rem
der II source of profit TO the government or
worth its protecton-without which it could not,
of course, be safely occupied. There is no appear-
sscc Of there ever having been any good buildings
public or private-Bor any improvements of much
consequence. The fragments of the walls of two
or three small houses, built Of dried bricks be-
tween posts set in the ground-some ruined breast
works round the bay, and kinL Of re ioubt on the
brow OF M, near the landing, together with a
halfhnished breakwater, and some caves in the
sides OF the mountains, used places of conine-
ment for criminals, are the only monuments that
survive 70 perpt uate the memory of Spanish civil
izahon and greatness in this Eden of the Pacitc.s
The harbor Is the north part Of the island
and though SMALL il very safe Asthe shores are bold
and there are rocks, other obsfru ton there 10
no difncnlfy or danger in entering 1.-THE only pre-
caution necessary he, not TO approach ne ar the
promontory which forms the northeast point of the
harbor, as current, at times, aga,nsl aud around
that point, 10 the nouhward. The best berth is at the
head, and west side Of the bay, close in shore
where good anchorage is found in twenty five to
thirtyhve iathoms, one TO two ,bles' length from
the beach The facilities for watering are very
eood-the water being brought dc by )oden
ofu'ohc', w 'ht oichhWdtels Whele tneTe Is a safe
and convenient landing for boats. In short. for
vessels bound 10 any part of the OF North
America, and which are in want Of nothing but
wood, water green vegetables, and such things
are found on the island it is a much more CON
venien, and less expensive place TO touch al than
any OF The ports OF South America, and will shorten
the passage materially.
ON large stone In the centre OF the front wall or
rather bank, Of the redoubt Is sculptured a shield
with what appears to be the legend Of the Golden
fleece, and an inscription underneath. but so much
oblterat,d hat nothing could he made oct but the
name Carlos and few words referring the great
ness and glory a Spain. etc