The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-13


vALrARAIso, CHni Aug IL, lSCS
Rnral Life IN Oaai-7Se Gssillota and Lassardaa
VdDeys-TAe Sslver Misses of Copiapo asd thar
Esssse~se WsuAh-Afr TEasaicrtgM and lstsrwdl
improvements - Political 7ya~qui,ty -Four
Maslaet-dyyt.al of the Brother Jo~athGS-Loss
of French Sieam@--f2ores' Dsfeat-Pcrr4,
Eqpcaor and Nao Granada.
Since my last dates to you from this point, hSye
enjoyed the opportunity Of journeying somewhat
into tie interior Of Chilli an6 looking Spanish
life in ito rural and almost primitive simplicity.
My first adventure was to the famous Quiucta
valley. After leaving this city of narrow dirty
streets, ard high barren hii,c, and winding yorr
way some twenty Eve miles along the coast, you
enter the mouth of this charming valley, which
takes its name from beautiful little stream formed
from the crystal springs and melting SHOWS Of the
Andes, whose ever cool and Empid waters cone
first leaping and bounding, tIen gliding gently
down through the entire valley, until they mingle
with the brry waves of the vast Pacific.
This valley, one hundred miles in length, and SIX
miles in width, is said to contain hundred
thousand inhabitants. Its three towns, QuillotR,
San Filippi and Santa Rosa, numbering about four
teen thousand each The latter situated the base
Of the majestic Andes is place of great attraction
to the traveller accoLnt of its scenery and de-
lightful climate. In order to guard against the
often disastrous effects of earthquakes the houses
are all built with very thick mud walls, matched
roofs and one sory high, presenting an odd but not
very interesting appearance
The peasantry, or poems, as they are called, "a
bad mixture Of the Indian end Spanish races), are
stD and will probably long remain in a half civili-
zed condition, living mostly in the open air, or un-
der the luxurious foliage Of the grape vine, the
greater portion of them being appendages in some
way to the soil, transferred from father to son
apparently content with their partial bondage, but
\ few Of them having wandered beyond the hills which
encircle their sunny and fertile valley.
The Limarcha valley, separated only by high
range of barren hills and table land is almost half
moist and inviting, is much resorted TO by denzens
of the city during the long dry summer, The pro-
ductons Of their two valleys considering thei- rude
mode Of cultivation, and the absolute necessity of
irrigation for nine months in the year. surpasses any
| thing that have ever seen in the United St&tes,
| yielding immense quantities of wheat and barley
with every variety Of fruit and vegetables, all of
which find their way to this market on the backs
of innumerabe doDkeys-but the most profitable
estates the Portreros, where large numbers
of horses and cattle are annually sent for
grazing and fattening, often giving the
twenty to thirty thousand dollars per year. Under
the old Spanish laws, many Of which still recog-
nized in Chill, most of these estates are entailed,
and have thus been in possession Of few wealthy
families since the early Castiian conquests. Under
different system of agriculture, and in the hands of
more enlightened and enterprisng race these val
legs, and, in fact many other parts of Chilli would
soon bud and blossom into Edens-for here almost !.
perpetual spring holds its genial sway. No blight
ing frosts come to nip the brightest and tenderest
flower, and mother Earth is ever ready to yield
even more than parents blessing to her IMPROVE
dent children.
The silver mines of Copapo are now being worked
with greater success than az any former PERIOD and
in proportion to the number of men and capital en-
ployed in them, they far excesd the products of the
gold mines of California About five thousand ope-
rators are now employed in the various mines, and
from official returns, it is ESTIMATED that ten to twelve
millions OF dollars will be produced this year Sieve.
raj mines have recently been opened which excel in
richness the famous hill of Pososi, one of which has
yielded in the past three months nine hundred thou
sand dollars, and another since the let Of January
more than million and a half Of the precious !
metal.
This silver mostly finds its way into the Bank of
England. The completion of the railroad from the
sea coast to the city of Copspo has greatly facl-
tated the copper aid silver mining interests Of Chilli
and Mr.. Wheelwright, the great American pioneer
of all Improvements in this country, has recently |
contIa acted tO1 the sum of five hundred thousand /
dollars to extend this road twenty miles further
into the interior. The Copapo road is now paying
two per cent per month on its cost. and when COM
pleted to the mines, it is thought it will be the
most productive railroad in the world These mines
are located In dreary, sterile desert, where not
only the common necessaries of life, but water
itself have to be transported on the backs of dom
keys for thirty to forty miles
While the political affairs Of Chill are at present in
tranquil state, yet murmurs of dscontent are fire.
quently heard among President Months former friends
and supporters, on account of his iiberal policy and
disposition to yield too much to Jesuit influence,
which, it IS feared, will soon usurp tho control Of
his administration. Congress has been in session
for some time, but tDeir deliberations are all
under closed doors, the masses of the people seem
to care little and know less, what their law makers
are doing.
The crop of wheat having fallen far short Of the
quantity estimated the price of flour continues to
rule n m rket Wit M innm 1iata
pect Of a decline The best Conception brands are
now worth 81 70 to IS, at which figures thirty to
forty thousand bags have recently been taken for \
California. These shipments have been predicated
heavy advances in that market; for afier paying
duties, freights ard commissions they must realize
at least $3 per barrel to COST which will en-
able American shippers of this great staple to COM
pete successfully with spectators on this side.
The American steamer Brother Jonathan arrived
here on the Sth, and after taking in coal aud sup
plies, will proceed on her way to San Francisco
A new French steamer. the Messenger. was wreck
ed a few days ago near the port of Talcahuana.
norther coming on the next day. she went to I
pieces, and proved total loss. This is the third
European steamer which has been lost on this part
of the coast within the past twelve or eighteen
months The number of American shi ps n port at
this time does not exceed three or four The winter
has been remarkably pleasant one, with neither
northers earthquakes so much dreaded here.
Gen Flores expedition against Ecuador has
proved entire failure, his own troops haviog
recently revolted, and deserted his stani lard.
Auo OeneIdl us stdu pareiY oscapeu
with their lives Flores fatal mistake has
been in not making his attack upon Guayaquil soon
after his arrival on the river HIS appearance ..
that time caused great panic, and he would then
doubtless have succeeded in taking the city and
country without much formidable resistance; bat
he determined to wait for acquisition to his strength
which daily grew weaker; and being without funds
or means to satisfy the demands Of his "netley
crew. the whole affair has ended in grand row
and dispersion among the invaders.
The next revolutionary scenes anticipated in these
parts is a passage at arms between the combined
forces of New Granada and Ecuador against Peru, \
in which Chilli may eventually be compelled to take
band A large amount of arms and ammunition
have already been shipped from this port to Callao
and the Peruvians seem to be preparing in good
earnest for the threatened contest the progress aud
result OF which your readers shall be kept ad.
ysed of