The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-27
ANNEXATION OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS.

Three Millions for . Pile Or Rocks-Dcscrap-
saon OF tho Islands-Thelr Location, Teps-
gxaPhy, Productions, &C., &c.
Recent arrivals from Ecuador inform 40 that our
Charge d'AnAires at Quito, Philo F. White, Esq.
has negotiated treaty with the government of that
republic, BY which the United States acquire -
vsregnty over the Galapagos Islands, ON the pay
ment Of three millions OF dollars for the privilege.
The Galapagos group includes the Islands called
Chatham, Marlborough, James, Darlington, Charles,
Hood, Bindlees and Abingdon. The islands belong
to the department Of Guaysauil, in the republic Of
Ecuador. They lie in tho Pacific, six hundred and
fifty miles from Gusyaqui, and between deg. -
min. south latitude and 40 min. north latitude,
and in between 90 deg. and 95 deg weE Longitude
/! The largest island is Albermasle, which extends
from deg. 10 min. 8. lat. TO 20 min. N. lat.
and Ii above one hundred miles in leagth.
The Islands are supposed TO bs Of VOL
canic origin, and tbs surface IL CON-
posed OF lava and volcarzc rocks, and they
rise to great elevation from deep sea. Ths
highest point on Abermarle Ialand Is 3,8lO 6est
above the level Of the sea. One geogTApher says
bat there are two thousand craters in the group.
wy opine that tho best idea of the topography a
thess slands h given in the expressive remark Of ~
attacks Of the HERALD Office, . ci-devant whAler.
who SAYS they arc nothing bat 70 many piles oe
rock, witAVat any vegetation whatever.
From the same authority we learn that the chief
productions Of the slAuds are turtles; and Professor
Long informs N that land tortoises Of great sise
sometimes weighing several hn udred pounds, abouni
in these islands.
The Islands being near the equator, the climate il
a. delicious a. that Of Onto, wh0e they have psr-
petual spring, plenty Of thunder az.d lightning, and
several earthquakes every year. Al these ialands
are believed to have BEEN formed by some coavul-
sion Of nature why Is II not reasonable TO mppose
that some new elemental change may bury this last
purchase Of the United Safes in the depths Of the
sea
One authority says that at the heighth Of thou
sand feet above the level Of the - there luxu.
RANT vegetation, but this u contradicted. Several
years ago there was . settlements on tho Island q
Charles but whether or mot It il still maintained No
are unable to say. There il good harbor, and Tho
islands have been quite resort for whalers watsr
ia not plentiful on any Of the islands, and in some
Of them none has yet been found.
There is excellent fishing in the harbers Of the
islands, and number Of persons have set up dry
ing house, which is quite profitable. ready
market for the fish is found iu The cities On the
coast.
The ostensible reason for the purchase of these
islands il found in tho rumor that they contain
rich deposits Of guano, sndtho United States having
quarrelled with the Peruvian government about Tho
price OF the article, our governmest desrA to "set
up' in the business on its own account. There = Q
story Of large deposits Of guano, extending thirty
miles In length by two In BREADTH and one hundred
feet IN DEPTH but a. NO aquatic birds have been seea
near the islands, this statement s probably got Up
by tie creditors Of the government Of Ecuador. Il
would pay the Last named republic very well II ~
should succeed In getting three millions from the
United 6tatesfoE the Galapagos rocks. Lately they
have been Of no earthly value to anybody and have
only Deen used a. sort Of Botany Bay for the con-
victs Of Quito and Gusyaqui.