Washington sentinel., 1853-12-22
California SnteIIiqente.
New Gold Excitement ~ San Franc,sco

New Gold Excitement In San Francisco
The principal news is the excitement incident 10
the reported discoveries of gold in the valleys OF
the Amazon The fever, says the Herald, prevails
TO great extent in San Francisco, and extends
throughout all portions of the State Two expe-
dltons, having their heads in San Francisco, are
now fitting out in the State; the destination of one
OF which is Peru, and the other Ecuador
The Peruvian company is organizing under the
auspices of the consul ofthat country and with the
sanction of that government. The sailing of the
expedition has not yet been fixed at any definite
period, but when il does leave, its movements will
be regarded with interest the pioneer OF the en-
terprise Ofthe Ecuadorian company much less
Is known. Its proceedings have been, in a great
measure, secret, and its designs are said to be any
thing but friendly towards the existing govern
ment OF that country. II is rumored that the move
ment is simply branch of another Flores expedi-
on; that the agents Of that general are now in the
city of San Francisco, aud have held out the most
brilliant inducements to adventurous young men
to JOIN the expedition The design of Flores is
said to be TO obtain an auxiliary force Of two thou
sand, thoroughly armed and equipped, with which,
IN addition TO the forces he may be enabled to raise
in South America, his success against the exist
ing government is regarded as certain.
The Calaveras Caye.-The Echo DIT Pacifgne
contains communication, from Mr. Albine, on
the Cal laveras cave, which he, in company with
several others, discovered a short time since. We
condense the communication:
There have been many discussions about this
country and its inhabitants. We will exhibit, for
examination ffty-three broken and entire human
heads, petrfed 10 various degrees, from simple
deposit of calcareous matter to the hardest stone
To Judge by the peculiar formation and great size
of these heads, they must have belonged to race
which exists no longer, for they have nothing in
common with the heads of Indians found in Other
parts Of America. The different deposits which
cover the bones indicate that they existed anterior
to the deluge
These objects were found short time since in
grotto among mountains which, by their aridity
and abrupt character appear TO defy the curiosity
OF the most intrepid explorers. Nevertheless, the
writer Of this article with several of his friends,
resolved upon a trip over the rugged peaks and
through the deep gues. In recompense, they
found cave. AT first, repclled by the unpromis-
ing appearance Of the yawning gull, the prospect
ors We're about TO retire, but their curiosity was
excited, and soon after one of the party descended
into the hole by means of rope The descent
was perpendicular for about thirty feet then there
was an oblque descent of forty feet, and then an
other descent nearly perpendicular Atthe bottom
was a small opening sideways, after creeping
through which, on his belly the adventurer found
himself in large cave, completely invisible in the
darkness at first, and filled with thick air which
appeared 10 forbid the soourn Of man. The first
adventurer, after discovering this much, was fol-
reigned in the cave; the only tenants were some
bats, which were frightened from their resting
places and futtered around, and occasionally the
wind would cause a dull sound among the rocks.
Having lit a couple Of candles, the party began
TO examine the cave. Before them was large
vault from which staactites descended 10 the floor,
in one place presenting the appearance Of large
curtain, in another offering large clusters of crys-
tals and at one side was a large plane surface,
and the roof over 1t was covered with little fes-
toons. One of the explorers crept in between
the table and the overhanging stalactites with
candle in his hand, and thus discovered an i'm
mense serpent lying coied up. Frightened at the
sight, he drew back, and his companions went in
likewise, and satisfied themselves Of the truth Of
his story. .t1e,& s."
After this they discovered nothing TO interfere
with their researches. AT little distance from
the table they found large number of human
bones, and some bones of carniverous animals,
lying pell nell, but these bones were in their ma
tural condition. and they left 10 secure some heads
which were more or less petrifed Some of these
latter We're so fixed in the stone that the dscoverers
could not get them unbroken Others, however,
they obtained entire, besides number of bones.
The party filed several sacks with earth, and made
their way back to the open air. sg
The writer desires to be excused for not giving
further Details for il is their intention to publish
pamphlet description oftEer adventure, withaccu-
rate engravings of what they saw. They name their
discovery the" Cave of the Sepulchre. lie pats
da ton,beaar"