The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-15
Hns Amazon BaS1n "a fes A1vantaGes-A
New nsval % liberia.


We Published some time ago Q criticism
from Brs I'll newspaper upon the reports of
LIEUT. nants Aaury, Herndon and Gibbon, u. S..
Navy, on the Andes AM Amazon basin. The
writer o. that criticism censured the glowing &C.
counts thus officially spread before the world,
Of the advantages Of the Amazon add the i'm
mense field which could there be opened for
the enterprise and capital of tho American
people. He declared them for the most part
illusory, and warned the credulous from plac-
ing faith in the romantic writings Of the Chief
of the National Observatory and his subordi-
mates. A copy of Lieut.. Gibbons report has
since been received by us, and we find that he
is not obnoxious to the censure Of having
given too glowing description OF the Amazon,
as his work is strictly confined to the Southern
tributary of that rlver--not treating of the
main stream at oil. Commencing observa-
tions at the division OF the naval party at
Tarma, in Peru, and closing them on reaching
the mouth OF the Madeira, in Brazil, he has oc-
cupied essentially other ground
We understand the Navy Department has
granted permission to Lieut.. Gibbon to pub
lish, unoficially, notes on the Amazon; and he
is now preparing new edition Of his interest
ing journey through South America, with these
notes appended. We have seen portion of
this new matter and as it embraces widely
different opinion as to the commercial advan-
tages to be anticipated from opening the trade
of the Amazon, it is Of no little Importance to
the public seeking the facts of the case, and de-
sirous Of being properly and correctly Informed
as to the real nature Of the advantages so per-
tinaciOusly pressed upon public attention by
Lieut.. Maury for two or three years past
Lieut.. Gibbon, in his notes, remarks:--
Owing to the present undeycoped agricultural and
commercial interests of the valley Of the Amazon the
people there hail the appearance and feel thankful to the
supreme authorities for exertons to establish line Of
steamers from Para to Naua in the territory OF Peru
Is considered that the present trade of the whole ANA
zon valley falls for short Of the capacity for transports
ton of the two steamers now on that river.
The government of Brazil is doing for the people
the banks Of the Amazon than they would could
do foJ the mselves.
II has been matter Of surprise that European popu
stion should have been lingering the banks Of the
Amazon for centuries The experience Of single India
rubber gathe1er teaches that the climate soil tim
ber animals and vegetable life, not such to
courage the laborng white man.
consult the narratives of travellers and notes of
actual settlers for years long past we find less industry
among the whites of the present day, than known
among the Portuguese and Spanars at their rst settle
ment. large white population have passed the en-
trance OF this rich and productive basn and proceeded
to the south temperate Spain, France, and Por
tugal have been drained of surplus population by
Chilli, South Brazil, and the Argentine Confederation.
uatx 10 fno or nro1i rraror
other part of the empire to that OF the valley the ANA
zon and since the abolition of the African slave trade
the demand in the southern provinces has been partly
supplied from the province OF Para So far the black
race have been employed in the valley of the Amazon,
they and they alone have proved adapted to its climate
soil and productions. They thrive better the tropical
fruits of this fertile valley than their wild African
cestors
Judging the well formed black racesthe clear, bright
eyes and sleek skins accompanied by almost perpetua
smilethey destinedto occupy conspicuous position
in the future deveopement of the valley of the Amazon
Here il found the climate best suited to the negro He
works al the sugar plant and perfectly happy in
the MONDAY He floats out the broad surface Of
the great rivers and sings song which cheers him at
his labor. Here he is amphibious for he
tented in the water rs ont of it.
There Is part Of the world in which q nation of
black people could possibly DO than on
banks Of the large streams OF this great valley.
The south east trade winds of the South Atlantic Ocean
blow from the Land Of the savage rican the sea-
and into the very mouth OF tho Im,zon The great
oceans current flows from the western shore of Africa
and wasnss the eastern slice of the Amszon basin.
The wild Africa, blown Oh from his ewn savage shore
and left to the mercy Of the winds and the by
Laws which govern tho sea- drifts towards the shore of
this country. On landing he finds climate very hot,
but moro moist than that Of Africa-hence greater
abundance oftropca fruits which delight his fancy and
this appears to him land of plenty He leaves the dry
dusty path through the deserts Of Africa and paddles
his canoe on the greatest river roads the race Of
the globe.
This is not strange land to the savage African His
forcfathsrs to this valley centueie, ago. They
came simultaneously with the white race Of Europe.
The northeast trade winds Of the North Atlantic
Ocean waited the cmigrant ship from the shores Of
Portugal to the outlet Of this river Here the civilized
man took under his the savage Though he did 80
for his own benefit, it must be ackno wledgea he
taught the Wild negro the Of the plough the loom
and the anvil
Tho ''old country Of this new continent 10 the noun
famous portion of IT, The ancient and powerful nations
OF South America found there. We have signs
OF temple Of the sun In this semiaunually flooded
country There was no great nasn like Nance Capac at
tho head of nation Of warriors among the bushes.
world. There Cuzco for the white to appro
pirate to his own use, government and religion to
overthrow.
There is very little danger Of misunderstand-
ing Lieut.. Gibbons conclusions. They are to
the point, and afford ample evidence that the
Amazon valley has not remained almost a will
derness for centuries, whilst all around il was
peopled by the white race, from mere accident,
but from physical causes, which drove the white
man to the coast and to the mountains, leaving
the valley to the wild beasts and the negroes; a
paradise 10 them an immense tomb to all he
sides.
1t is due to the public that these facts should
he known, and thus prevent, as far as possible,
the evils which may arise from a false imnrea-