The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-01
Our South American Correspondence.
CCiDAD BOLIVAR, Aug. 3, 1855
Steam Nari gafio~ in South Ar1ica-Hinfs q
american Coyttalisfs.

Steam Nari gafto~ in South Arroica-Hinfs 10
american Capitalists.
TO TIE EDITOR TIE NEW YORK HERAI.D.
take the liberty 10 write you the following lines,
which--if they can find any room in your valuable
psper-wil be very useful 10 the directors of steam
navigation upon the river Oronoco.
do not know the directors of this enterprise but
rely on you to make known to them the opinion
have formed on the connexion which exists be-
tween the gold mines recently discovered in this
country, with the interests Of these directors.
A commercial house Of one Of the English An
tiles has asked here for a sample Of the gold which
il found in the river fumsr, with vie to send IL
to England, and by this means encourage an ex-
rorns expedition in the interior Of Opata and then
TO found an establishment on a large scale. The
sending out Of the above mentioned sample, how
ever has been delay ed for some time back in order
that the United States might have tse start in this
undertaking; for the clutches OF John Bull are OBJ.
ects Of no small fear here ii Is by means un-
certain that he would not, before long, seek to be-
come master Of both rivers and country. II would,
moreover, be matter of considerable inconveni-
ence 10 the North Americans, m asters as they al
ready of the navigation Of the 0fonoco, 10 have
such unpleasant fellow WORKINGS ~ the English,
whose earnest desire has long since been to get
tiles having, for . long time back, yielded then.
nothing. They see, too, the immense tract Of
county Of which they would become masters in
South Ameriss, were they oriy In possession Of
this river, which, by mesns Of hs branch hes, holds
lmr,s diate communication VITA two Of the greatest
and most industrious repuhics, viz: Venezuela and
New Granada. They would have, moreover, a
water communication which would enable them
to invade even Brazil by the saisn Of the Casqusire
with the Oronoco and the Amazon, by means OF the
Rio Negro.
steamers on the Orenoco, should not lose sight Of
the above facts, which, in the course Of time, will
be fruitful Of the oct important results,
Through c., who has arrived from New
GRANADA, have been aporlsed that Mr.. Bealer and
others are sbou seeking TO obtain from the pro-
vince of Caszmsne the privilege Of navigating the
river Meta, as<, that they will even lay this petition
before the CrS gress Of New Granada. II this pri-
vilsae Of nav gazing the Meta be granted TO per-
sous uncorne ctcd with the company Of the Oronoco
steamers, nre INF, rests OF the latter company VIII
suffer great VI tor Il is fact im ortani to be Known
that the PcJvinccS Of New Granada that will pa
tronize tfw Meta enterprise, are almost as imPor-
tsnt Venezuela itself, white many OF the traders
with the products they have for sale. whe are now
unayc,ds bly, obliged TO make Of the Magdslena,
will employ In preferences the navigation OF the
| Meta. by. means Of THE, they will convey their
prodwss and fruits 10 Oroncco with less risk, IN less
Tine, and at lesser cost, than by the Msgdalena
| 20 Jarthagcna and Santa Martha, the old route 10
the greater Antilles and to Europe.
Were we TO take into account solely the mules
| that wculd be sent down the Meta, we would mud
/ that the sums paid for these would amount to no
lees than four thousand dollars annually--say SO
at e. each. Besides thcse, there IN the leather,
the cotton, the wool, the wood; in fine numberless
sricIes which at preeent 60 out either through the
| hsSdslens or Lake Maraoaibo-cattle, too, woul g.
| W, ond doub, soon be conveyed by this route, q
| rtiult the more important from the fact that from
\ the Orcnocs to New Granada, these are an Object
| of universal speculation. The overland route
which is now pursued, is one of extreme difficulty
sud 10. >, from the great number Of rivers and
mountains that have TO be crossed. N instead q
turuing course 80 mspifestly disndvantaeeous
hose engaged in this trsiic could send their csti,
to the plains Of san Martin, by means OF the Metz
steamers, they would do II with Joy. Remittance
would be less uncertain and more expeditions, ia,
expenses Of conveyance would be less and the " ho
trede would be bcpeiicially influenced. What i
beyond doubt, however, ", that the trade OF th,
MsRdaiena would be transferred, by means Of tn,
Meta, to the Oronoco, a thing which, II IL wei
| known, was done some niaety years sge, by thu
former inhabitants Of New Granada The foun
dstion &C Car;hegere being Of a more remote on
gin, aud tie inhshi'ants more numerous, the com
munics'itp with Guiana, hy means Of the Met.
end the Oronoco, was prohibited BY the Spanish
| goyerrmtDt. Guiana, moreover, was, al TIM
TINE, but little def,nded against The iprosds Of Va