Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-01-15

The IsTHMUs.-GoEd in Chepo.-On Satur-
day last we had the pleasure of an hours con-
versation with Maj. Doss, the head of the gold
hunting expedition which left here some month
or two since on an exploring and prospecting
tour about the Isthmus near Panama. Major
Doss returned to the city on Thursday, and
from him we derive considerable interesting in
formation, in addition to what we have hereto
fore published at different times, relative to the
discoveries that he and his party have made.
The Major informs US that he has thoroughly
examined the rivers in the neighborhood of
eastward of Panama. The main river, itself
called the Chepo, has several important branch
es on all of which there is gold. On the Rio
Terable, the party first commenced their opera
tions, by building themselves a suitable house,
and laying out plot of ground for a garden,
in which they planted various seeds. Their
next operation was to commence daming the
river, which they succeeded in doing, when,
from heavy rains, a torrent of water poured down
from the mountain and swept their river works
away. Previous to this disaster, however, they
had succeeded in making some washing, the
produce of which was highly satsfactory-each
painful of earth yielding from twenty-five to
ffty-cents.
One Of the party, Mr.. Sennett, washed out in
one day, five ounces, which was the largest
amount obtained by any one person in that Civ
en- time. -Four times did the party dam the riv
er, and as many times were their works carri-
ed away-thus convincing them Of the perfect
futility of attempting to prosecute their labors
during the rainy season. But Maj. Doss and
Others of his party are thoroughly satisfied that
when the dry season sets in-which will be in
a few days-there will exist no impediment
whatever to the successful and profitable wash
ing of gold not only on the Rio Terable, but in
all the mountain streams descending to either
ocean. In fact, in his travels, the Major got
over the other side of the mountains, and struck
the head waters of the Chagrcs river, where he
discovered more abundant evidences Of gold
than any where on this side
In no place did he discover large lumps-the
largest being of the value of from one to two
doIlars-but from the quantity of small particles
plainly to be seen in the black sand of all the
rivers, he is firm in the conviction that in the
beds of these rivers, which can be laid bare in
the dry season, deposits of great value may be
found.
As a memorial of his travels, Major Doss
brought to the city, sugar cane of very large
dimensions. We measured it, and found it to
contain fifteen long joints the largest of which
was seven and a half in circumference; ten and
fourth inches in length Of the longest joint, |
and the whole cane, from which several smaller
joints have been cut off, measuring ten feet
This was cut from the sugar estate of Don Car |
los Leconte, situated on the Chepo or Rayona |
river; and was taken, not because it was the |
largest but because it presents fair average Of
the size of the cane growing on the plantation.
From the Majors description of that section
of the country which, remember, is only about
forty miles from Panama, situated on the bay, !
and having navigable streams in which vessels |
of hundred tons can ascend many miles, we
look upon it as one of the most desirable agri- |
cultural locations OF which we have any knowl- I
edge any where. The country abounds in the
coffee, the copavi, the caouchouc, the Peruvian
bark tree, and many others of medicinal and
other valuable qualities. The Major has furn-
ished us with calculation, that seems exceed
ingly plausible, by which he demonstrates that
on cash capital of from two to FIVE thousand
dollars, person can locate himself there-land
being free-and by planting coffee trees, which
will yield fruit in two years; orange trees, which
will yield in the same time, and their fruit be
manufactured into oil; he viii be in the receipt
of large income-PandnaG Star, 14th.