The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-06

their various correspondents principally from Washing
ton, have fully illustrated this fact In their varied COM
mentares and specuaons about the Galapagos Islands
public journal must give rumor well fact The
very commentary based on rumor often ecits truth
One journal asserts and another denies the purchase
Of these Islands by the United States for the round sum
Of three millions Of dollarsa high price for ecora de-
composed Lava and extinct volcanoes One asserts most
positively that the guano worthless because the FREE
quent and heavy rains at the islands have evaporated all
the ammonia from it; while another with equal conf
dence declares that the article be used for a
cultural purposes from the fact that no rain falling on
the group, the guano is overcharged with ammonia One
distinguished Il think his communication appear.
ed In the Tes admits the value OF the islands alone
on account of the turtle at certain seasons to be
found the Shore when the truth u.s. the world re-
nowned terrapin found only in this locality land and
not animal One has studied volcanoes and main.
tsns that the islands produce nothing but lava cinders
and ashes; while another of hopeful temperament
is quite that lizards constitute the main crop There
is one point however which all the dsputants seem
to accord in perfect harmony is ths-that there can
be guano on the islands, after ALL because there are
few birds to be found there at the present tme while
the truth is every dpose of guano found in the Pacific
is to-day precisely what 1t the days of the ncas
the agencies which produced them have long since dis
appeared.
less sometimes amusing, and may DO useful The only
objectionable part IS the motives imputed to General
vIlam and Senator Ben amin. To correct these i'm
putations Is the sols object of this brief article
few Of the facts
General villamil does Charles Island with ten or
twelve thousand head of cattle it, He did discover
guano and in due form made the denuncation and se-
cured his rights to the same the whole group before
ne came to the United States in the capacity Of Charge
what extent the guano abounded On the 9th day OF
October 1885, he did make formal conveyance OF four
ffths OF this interest to the following named
]. Mason, John A. Corwin William HOLSTER and s. W.
Johnston AT this time the extent and value Of the
guano were unknown 1t is true these gentlemen did
but Ittle-some Of them nothing-but they issued no
scrip and, like honorable men, they all reconyeyed
with the exception Of Mr. HOLSTER, who still acts With
TITS true that Captain De Brissot OF New Oreaus IN
compliance with the wishes Of General vlam did pro-
ceed in the summer and fab Of 1852 with a party and
at much labor and expense, did complete a thorough
exploration of the islands making charts and sketches
Of the same and announced the result to the General
in q letter, Of which the following is copy
NEW ORLEANS April 10, 1854.
GENERAL JOSE VrLIAMII Minister from Ecuador, Wash
sR-I have the pleasure to inform you of my return
10 this city, after having explored the places you point
and the result Of the exploration that you have on the
islands eleven deposits Of guano Of which is about
six miles long, mile wide and over one hundred
feet deep have brought with sample taken TWEEN
seven Ieet deep which quite as good as the Peru
Wan guano Cerro Colorado, on your island,
,ains guano but In small quantity. On your arrival
here shall make you acquainted with all the partcu.
Jars Of this important discovery.
",
JULIUS DE BRISSoT
On receipt OF this intelligence General vilam lost no
time in returning to Guayaqul. From that place the
writer received letter from him. in which he saws
81 find the government well disposed towards me- and
have been arranging many matters. The President Of
the republic has placed at my disposal steamer in
examination In person of all the Islands, &c.n
Owing to an accident to the rudder Of the steamer
his next letter to the writer dated sea- August
2, on his return to Guayaquil in which, among other
81 herewith send you by Adams Express sample OF
guano Of which there niiiones de tonolados Have
1t carefully assayed and II found good you may
authorize all vessels going round the Horn TO Chilli Boz
lva, Peru Granada Mexico and California and which
desire return freght to proceed once after dschag
ing their carsoes, to the Galapagos and load with
The interests which De Brissot and friends we're TO
lively arranged and in the next letter from the General
dated Guaynquil, September q, he says:-ssYou may
we heard that Senator BENJAMIN has left New Orleans
with the view OF arranging with the government of Ecua
dor and myself respecting the rights claims Of De Bris-
sot, who made the exploration Of the islands This is
already done TO satisfaction Tbenterests Of De Bris
sot are without injuring mine and consequently
yours Mr. De d. has done well in his most thorough
Him. 'nan MAKE point Oh h0n0r 70 see justice done
The General mentioned further, thst he and Mr. Ben.
amn would leave the next day for Quito-the seat Of
govenment-and his next letter is dated Gao Oct IT.
1s64, in which be ~" Everything il satsfacto-
riiy arranged in few days will be. shall soon re-
turn TO Guayaqu and shall proceed at early day to
h ,s IN .ne eapecy Of Governor and Uommander
Win oetacnment OF troops, AND steam vessel AZ my
Slsposa req9re1 Inc vessels when sent out should
number of small framed wooden houses, ready TO put
" oh arrrM Desacs your hteresu, you VIII DC allow
Gu .ne same or more hpera tnsn Is gwen
.ns 70 tne agent OF the onncna
hmho, IN Lopuon, &C. -.
tnere mas peen any lorna, treay Ioa ths
purenss VI tnese lsaras y une oM'eu ossses,
tn the writer ha: .I no snow,edss q H. nor can
ne perceive Any sPecsi resson why .neIe snoulo ee'
90 Tar lon .ne run - sne cn1ge no dou9t
aeIy mace, against oeherai NuAmi ana senator Ben
jamin OF having some grand scheme OF speculation In
ew oy tne issue ana sane OF stock that the formation
OF = company mas NOT even oeen entertained.
snsyss 10 % the same a. that from the Chnchas-the
qusnuty Is Prooaoy much larger Is possible that
some arrangement mas been made with the Ecuadorean
goseinmsnt 80 iar 20 secure tne protecuon o. cru