The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-09-13
DEPARTMENT NEWS.



Az IAN ~ August 1884 Marespata, the last point Of csi
tsor Car The river Basir prospecting tour In search
Of gold The Maeapaia at the town OF that name is
very rapid stream about twelve yards wide, formed by
two smaller streams which meet at right angles whose
sources are perpetual OF the Cordlera. The
river here skirted by belt Of land hiny wooded
on the left bank beyond which the mountains rise TO
height Of them having their peaks covered with
perpetual snow Along this narrow belt are scattered few
AIMS, where Indian aud potatoes are cultivated.
peach trees had been introduced and appear to thrive
Five leagues from Mareapaa arrived at small Indian
village, named Chili-cbi which Is formed oil few mud
houses resord this place scattered few small farms
for about the distance of five leagues To this place
found the road very good. Here encountered noun
TAIN rising perpendicuIary from the river to the height
1000 feet Over this mountain constructed 500
,onc steps, supposed be the work of the ancient Incas
Heyond this the eastward the mountains become gradually
Iower losing their coating Of saow and becoming more
hickly wooded The banks of the river here lined by
trees of considerable sire, and many places have been
cut down cleared of for the purpose Of making farms
bu, which are now deserted By the fear Of the wild tribes Of
Indians who frequently make incursiohs Into those parts All
kat now remains Of apparently thriving farms
matched house, little corn, potatoes, and bapanas grow
M uncultiyaed From the foot of the mountain to
of San Pedro distance of six leagues. This bridge is
rude construction formed Of poles put together with vines
And thrown across the Marrapat which Is about twenty five
Ass Vide this place. and running very rapid huge rocks
III course which appear to have been down by the
torrents from the adjacent mountains here also is build
ing called Iambo, constructed years ago by
pany Peruvian rktrsders, who Obliged give up
the basnssen account Of The hostility of the Indians After
passing hs bridge the road becomes very difficult to travel on
Of the underbrush which close and with
vines this
bridge Of San Pedro has been extensive farm consd
erabs quantity of potatoes and bananas still growing
Wild and eight deserted houses proclaim its
prosperity Four leagues from this crossed the river
Cardena small but rapid stream, emptying itself
the Mare 9TH in
COURSE swels ii to considerable sxe the rocks grow less
numerous the mountains fall away hills covered with
thick forests to their tops tho level land either side
Edens to the breadth Of league There is another bridge
constructed vt hl, point, spot where the river
rushes between rocks This crossed on
journey about three leagues and another
river Of considerable size short distance from this river
found company Of Peruvians digging for gold and
king small wages. Their manner of washing very
pe using nothing but wooden dishes Whereas if working
the California STYLE yield of IS Sc per day would
have been the produce per
Passing this point continued Journey to the mouth
the asiri river which Is likewise tributary OF the Mar
capata which navgabe for riffs up this point being 10
yards wide, with current Of miles hour We travelled
up the Basr three leagues where made stationary
Here the country has much the appearance gold
producing region abundance of rock
be aso encountered old mining works.
could not find out by whom when they had worked
Our party at this time amounted to five being advance
n -
ktey to work. and found gold In smal Quantities be-
low the surface In few days the the company ar
rived, amounting in all twenty members with forty In
dians packing provisions blankets, tools &C., dc. We
medatey commenced digging to the river
Its natural bed. The mounain of Basr situated about
four leagues from the Marcapata river in nothwestery
direction ana rises the height Of 5000 feet above the level
Of tie surrounding country and is covered with dense for
est to its summit.
Due east at distance Of seven leagues lies the famous
nof off ha
MscapA (here tradition immense quantities of gold
navr been found Shcre is also tradition amongst
{hed) Indians that fifteen leagues below this there entered
tributary of the Marcapata, called Red river where
abundance OF gold to be found The company imme-
date determined that half should proceed without de
lay tho Red river and the remainder finish the work of
turning the Basiri Fights days provisions were accord
ngy packed far tho party who sErtedon Tho route by
the left bank Of the Marcapata AFTER Proceeding three
leagues passed few deserted hints Of the Chunchos
pad considerable quantity Of pant.ns that they had
buried In the sdnd 1t is necessary to make few
marks Concerning the river and face of the country The
river, which, at its commencement, northeast here
bends its north by west and yards
wide and is lined either side by gravelly beach Of
considerable extent The stream has become lees rapid
aai is frequently divided by snail islands, while on
either side small streams and rivules fow into
it, and continue to swell its watcrs render it welnigh
navigable.
The face OF the country here changes greatly the hills
here and there Of two three hundred feet The country
far the eye reach presents fine appearance Here
struck off in westerly direction, hoping strike the
Red river its bead We found the travelling very diff
cut having to keep two Indians in advance cutting
sage through the thick undeIbrus We passed several small
streams where indications Of gold presented themselves. AZ
ter travelling four leagues river called the
native tongue Corremayo thirty yards wde with moderate
current pure water and average depth to ten
feet, flowing through undulaiing country in due north
We here crossed, and encamped the bank
This night disturbed by showers of small be-
ing thrown into the camp, which supposed be work
of the natives the night dark distinguish any OBJ
jects.
In the morning, short dtarce off, discovered human
tracks in the sand that proved had been surrounded
ring the night We followed the tracks down the river with
the object OF obtaining interview and trying to make
treaty with them After travelling about leagues
and recrossing the river avoid the bushes enc
tered six Indians busy engaged in shooting fish with bows
and arrows, at which they very expert. We made
signs to these to approach u.s. but they Immediately
the bushes. We continued journey distance and
upon houses with fine gardens attached Them
where we found Indian corn, neapples bananas sugar
and several other kinds of fruit and vegetables all in
most lururant state. We left every thing found it,
at home. Continuing another league down the
river, found another river Of small S1c flowing into
the Corremayo At this point about fifty Indians made their
appearance the opposite bank who signing
u.s. which took to be friendly throwing aside their bows
and arrow and motioning to to the river After
consultation old crossed to Them Of whom they
seemed to be afraid but If more than attempted
they would Immediately retreat We gave them
knives which they gave in return bows and
Of beautiful workmanship, made of palmetto wood
After this they went down the river making signs to fol