The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-09
Our venes uela Correspondence.
LAoUAyRA, July Z, 1851

Tbs Gold Mines Of Venssueia.
Ipromised to give you some account of the gold
mines lately discovered in the large province Of
Upata; but the accounts from the mines are much
similar TO those received in the United States, in
the beginning of the excitement occasoned by Ca.
lifornia. On making inquiries in Caracas, the sto-
res told me all corroborated the fact Of the exist
ence of the mine; but my experience in the Cali
fornia question, at home, led me to doubt many of
the brilliant expectations founded this new dis
covery.
This much you may rely on mplicitly-the mines
are there; and judging from the quantity and spe-
cimens of ore which have been gathered there,
during the last season, there is no doubt, when
companies become properly org anized, and the work
goes on in some systematic mode, tina, the results
will be immense. The more particular locality
where searches have been made, is in the river
Yuruary, near the Pueblo or village of Tusserquen.
The gold is found among the sand in the washngs Of
the river; and as yet, few attempts at any other dis
cOveres of the mineral among the quartz rock OF the
neighbofhood have been made. have little doubt
that these will prove emnently productive. The
grains in the river are, some of them, quite large.
Indeed, such is the eagerness with which those
who visited the mines made search for the gold in
the sands OF the river, that the waters were sson
so muddy as to prevent them from distinguishing
the grains of the mineral from the sediment of
sand. A gentleman from the province of Birquisi-
yet, we will not dignity with the name of dig
gings," with quite large quantity of gold, gather
ed in an exceeding short time. Those who pretend
to be wise in these matters, value the gold at
twenty -four caras; if il reach this estimate, there
is none, If mistake not, in California, or indeed
elsewhere, of superior quality Much OF II was
bought ap, both in pure grain and ia dust, for
twenty-five pesos. The value OF peso is eighty
cents of our currency. In the Republican,, of May
y, publ shed in Caracas, the writer speaks Of gold
having been known TO exist there many years back,
and the value of il was 20 little known that cit
was used by the Indians TO make balls with which
to shoot their venison" Take that for what il 10
worth, as you must all reports from gold mines.
All will vouch for is, that there is an immense
quantity Of gold in the province Of Upata, which
only awaits the skill of such as have eauehed
themselves in our own country, TO make the fame
OF this new California worldwide as the elder
one. One advantage, too, IL will have. and has
over the other, 10, that there could not well any
where be found more healthy locality, the tenn.
perature being delightfully."- cool and pleasant, and
abounds in cattle, which are very cheap, bringing
scarcely one-feurth the price they wolli ia the
United States,) 10 say nothing OF the Immense
number of deer, and other valuable animals OF the
chase. Almost any grain or vegetable De
raised in upata; and. altogether, know no place
in South America which, independent OF the mines
OF gold with which il is said 10 abound, holds out
more attractions to the emgran than does this one
of the Oronoco valley. ,f
The distance from Cuidad Bolivar, formerly
ADgosurs, TO the mines and washings, is about
four days rde Besides all this, the last Congress-
OF Venezuela have gwen grant 10 New York
company for the exclusive navigation Of the Oro-
noco, and they will have steamers running there in
the course Of the year. The distance from the
might go on and give you further details OF inte-
rect 10 YOU but must give you facts, and not Idle
rumors. MY next letter will be more minute in its
details; for | will, by that time, have conversed
with many who, from their wn experience at the
mines, can give reliable information. Truly We
are living in golden age. FEsrUs.