The Nevada journal., 1853-11-18
The Amazon Gold Mines.


We regret to see there is disposition on the
part some Of our population to adventure in the
Amazon mines. Only the more restive and dis
contented will go upon such an expedition, but
this class is formidable one. The reports of
immense sums of gold being taken out are moth
ing more than what daily occurs in California,
but distance lends enchantment to the stories of
the Amazon. The expenses OF trip there are
very heavy, and we have no reliable knowledge
of the healthiness of the region. Like most Of
South American regions in that latitude, the
country is probably miasmatic, and fever pro-
ducing. But as more or less will start we give
the following from the Alta, as the most full Of
intelligence of ofanytbing we have seen -
Reports say that these mines extend so far as
discovered, about 40 leagues along the river, and
their position as near as diScoverabls, from the
indistinct accounts, is about 5, S. lat and II w.
long, and about 900 miles south east of Guaya-
quill These diggings have lately been discover
ed, and it is only month since we received the
first news of them. 1t is said that laborer has
dug as much as rs pounds in day. We confess
that we place little confidence in the report
Such news has besn in circulation along the cas-
tern side of the Andes, in Peru and Bolivia, CEN
turies. but it is very many years since any pre-
ductive places have been worked.
Nearly every person familiar with that country
il confident that the soil is extremely rich in min
era wealth, particularly in gold and silver; but
little production and few discoveries can be ex.
pected, until Europeans Americans take the
matter in hand. We do not remember having
read of the working of any placers near these
Mines said to have been discovered lately, but in
other portions of Peru, there were gold mines, the
production of which was unsurpassed until the
discovery at Suffers Mill.
| Some of the richest placers in South Amsrica,
were in tho neighborhood Of Cuzco, the ancien:
capital of the Incas and the city the Sun, whose
temple, resplendent with massive golden orna-
ments, are described in bright celors by Prescott
in his conquest of Peru. -Four months since, we
translated an account from Valparaiso paper, Of
placers, discovered near the Paneartambo, about
time, represented the placers On the Pancartanbo
to be az rich as those on the Amazon are said to
be now; but the fame Of the former has almost
been forgotten.
It does not appear prudent by any means for
men to leave the rich gold mines, the American
laws, customs and society, the abundant supplies
of all kinds, the frequent communications by
mail with the rest of the world, and other advan-
tages of California, for the uncertain placer, the
Spanish laws, customs, and society, the absolute
want of many articles which we consider neces-
saries of life, the absence of mails and other prl-
vations incident to life in the interior of Peru.
It appears, hewever, that Calfornians too san
guine, restless and inquisitive to leave any gold
mines on the Pacific without an examinatio and
we shall willingly see party ofour miners 60 to
the mines of Peru for though they may obtain
informatin which will be Of value to our State
and possibly they may. by superior intelligence
and experience, be of essential aid TO the natives
| in the discovery and development of the mineral
resources OF Peru.
| To get to the new mines on the Amazon, the
best course would be to 90 to Panama, and thence
and 60 to Guayaquil, Payta, or Lambayequc
which are nearly equally distant from the mines
and from all of which there is probably passa-
Bile trail across the Andes. These P. S. n. Co.'S
steamers take only first class passengers The fare
from Panama to Guayaauil is SlO0, to Lambay-
eque $3.50. Thence the party would haye to take
pack mules for 800 miles to the mines. Lsmbay
eque would probably be the preferable port, OF
account of its being in the Peruvian territory sc
that there would be no boundary to cross, which
is sometimes troublesome and expensive affair
| in the capricious South American States.
| To 60 to the Pancartambo mines, the best por
would probably be Islai, (passage money from
Panama, S2l0) and thence to the Pancartambo
is about ooU miles. To travel with comfor
through any portion of South America, it is i'm
portant to have some knowledge of the Spanish
10 be furnished with letters of recommendation
from some high government official, to be tolera
bly, we'll dressed, and to be carefully observant Of
Spanish politeness and by paying attention tc
those things the traveller will often be treated will
degree of attention which he would never re
ceivo in the United States. Ifa well dressed anC
polite foreigner, conversant with Spanish, 60 init
q town in the interior Of South America, with
letter of recommendation from a Governor o.
Secretary the people will vie with each other ir
their attentions and the best fare of the country
will be often furnished without recommendations
might find it almost impossible to purchase mea
or o lodging with meney.