The republic., 1851-03-13

THE GOLD REGION OF New wGRANApA.-W have
several times published extracts from the Panama
papers relative to the existence Of gold in large
quantities in New Granada. The editor of the Buf-
alo Commercial Adp0tiser, who has lately returned
from official residence in the country, copies
one Of those accounts. and appends the following
commentary:
When in South America we endcavored to obtain
reliable information respecting the auriferous
gion Of New Granada, which may be said TO en-
brace the whole tract lying between the Pacific and
the Magdalena rivers In portions of this district,
especially in the province Of Antioquia, which is
the Catholic faith, gold. mining is prosecuted with
much zeal and success. We mover heard of masses
of gold being found there rivalling in value some
cious metal seems to be more universally difused,
and the search for it, we think, would be more
certain business than in California. To illustrate
this general diffusion Of gold we will mention few
faets
In the city of Medellin, some time last year. the
owner Of an old house wishing to replace il by q
better structure, undertook the demolition Of his
old tenement. II was built of adobe or brick dried
in the sun Before the work was done . heavy
rain fell, washing away the clay and disclosing
glittering particles Of gold. The hint was taken.
The old adobe was broken up and washed, and
enough gold was obtained in that way to defray
the cost Of tearing down the old house and build
ing new one In many Of the towns of Antioquia,
and adjoining provinces, gold can be found in the
stroete oItcI y ncaVy ram W g nave seen " mixed
with the sand in the streets of Honda. We stopped
one night at . village on the Magdalena, called
Buena Vista, eight or ten leagues below Honda.
The appearance of thrift and comfort the villagers
exhibited excited our surprise, and we inquired of
them what they did for q living. They said they
did nothing, but, when further pressed to tell how
they obtained means to purchase the many articles
money they went TO a little river that came into
the Magdalena half league below and washed the
sands for an hour or 20, until they had gathered
much gold as was necessary TO supply their wants
at the neighboring townaof Marc or Honda. Tho
re- rest 2, of the time they spent in idlsaess; "Nhy
we make slaves Of ourselves3 The gold il there,
and when we want it we go and get it." There
was SO much Of practical philosophy in this that
we had no reply to make The region about Buena
Vista is by no means considered remarkably rich
in gold -
Antioquia, but it il, in many parts, exceedingly
unhealthy, and the inhabitants are more indolent
than those of Antioquia. Consequently the placers
arc but little worked The gold is OF tho purest
quality, rivalling the best African, and excellng
that Of California. Some intelligent New Grana-
dians, who wished to verify by their own observa-
tions the stories they had heard Of California went
On their return they said New Granada would
prove equally productive if its mines were worked
with like energy and judgment.
The government Of New Granada IL enlightened
and liberal, and foreigners, especially North
Americans, who may go there, will be treated
try their fortune in Choco, the best route they
take is from Panama, by steamer two days, TO Bu-
cnaventura, and thence up the San Juan do Char
ambira, six eight days journey TO Novita, town
Of few thousand inhabitants, where supplies of
most kinds can be obtained.