New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-11-13
NICARAGUA.
Jenna

IGNORANCE AND ExrRAvAGANr OPINIONS.
To the Editors q the N Y Tribune;
The general attention drawn upon Nlca-
ragua by the Canal questlon-the favorable
opinions of that country expressed by some tra'-
eIers and entertained by foreign residents-the
competition and rivalry of foreign speculatlons
in that quarter, and the immigration OF nun
dred Europeans and North Americans settling
or proposing to settle there, have produced the
most ridiculous ideas of the Importance and the
natural advantages of that little spot among It's
native inhabitants ideas, the extravaganza OF
which is only to be compared to their entire ig-
norance of the extent the resources and the
state of civilization of the rest OF the world.
have been asked several times not only whether
| had ever seen before so large city as Leon,
or so large and beautiful houses as those OF the
Nicaraguan capital bur even whether | had
ever seen a COW before. When was asked
whether we had bananas In our countries, they
found In Inv negative answer the explanation of
the fact OF so many foreigners coming to MICA
ragua, who, IN their opinion, had nothing TO eat
at bome-one or two hundred North Americans
and Europeans appearing TO them an Immense
Proridencia"-the country Divine Providence Is
particularly fond of-has been standing e1-
preston in the proclamations OF the Government
No wonder, after this, If the conviction that
metallic treasures, even richer than those OF
California. are hidden in the soil of Nicaragua
is generally spread among the inhabitants.
INDICATIONS AND ORIGIN OF GOLD AND SILVER.
When was on the island of Omotepe, sltna
ted on the Lake of Nicaragua and formed by two
high mountains Of volcanic origin, an Old man
told me that these mountains were full OF gold,
and to nv question whether gold had ever been
found there, he replied that it had not, but that
It's existence was certain, and could be seen from
certain lights moving in the air above the gold
veins at night.
During my stay at Granada took an interest
in visiting certain spot on the isthmus between
the lake and the Pacific, to examine an extern
sive vein of antimony which expected TO ma
rich in silver The indication which had been
gwen me of the place was vague 1t appeared,
however. that must first repair to Tinotepe,
where would easily acquire fuller information.
This is a large Indian village, its inhabitants be
ing of Aztec origin and much distinguished by
their industry III the cultivation OF sugar, for
which Tinotepe is the chief place IN Nicaragua.
The alcade Of this village, to whom was re-
commended, appeared 70 know perfectly the spot
desired TO see, and kindly providing me with
fresh horse and guide, ordered the latter to
conduct me TO the Mira del Saito" and the
" Nina de iaConquistO, two places about IL or Is
miles from Tinotepe.
Ell Sake and La CongttiSta are the names OF
two farms, or rather tracts Of land, not far from
each other each of which was said TO contain a
mine in the compass of its territory The road,
passing the luxurant sugar plantations 'he
neighborhood ofthe village, at length contacted
into wild and picturesque country Between
thickly wooded hills, and under large ana oeauti'
full trees. were clear little streams OF water fail'
inc in cascades over rocks, fastening TO reachthe
Pacific a short distance down at the loot oi tle
hills At neither of the two places, however
where nv guide exclaimed, Aqui, es'd Ia
inn - did find what | expected. There was
chino 10 be seen but the chlolitic rock, IN
terspersed with little cubes OF IRON pyntes'
which. from their yellow color, no doubt had
been taken for pure gold. some h'S oI SIX
men and BOYS from the neighborhood, having &C
companied me to observe what would do, were
greatly disappointed on hearing me declare that
this was a mistake. But when they saw me
take some samples Of the rock, they became con-
WINGED that It was my intention to keep them ig-
norant of the treasures deposited there, and they
filled their pockets with stones similar TO the
samples had taken.
returned to Tinotepe, and scarcely had |
arrived IL the house where | was to pass the
night, when crowd of people gathered around
ne, the acalde and the curate among them, all
lnquisl,ive and anxious to ges some information
Of my discoveries They, too, were greatly dis
appointed by ny statements, and no explana'
IONS would make them believe me when they
saw the samples had brought anc the treasures