The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-08

The following lisa translation OF q letter, in French,
recently addressed to the President Of the United
States Senate, by o Belgian gentleman, in reference
to the protected acquisition Of the Galapagos
Islands =
Hon. JESSE D. BR1enr, President Of the Senate Of
the United States =
Permit, cir, q citizen Of Belgium, recently arrived
from the republic Of Ecuador, to address to you a few
lines relative to the affair Of the purchase OF the Gala.
pagos Islands, which the government of the Uaited
States Is about to submit to the Senate, OF which
you are the worthy President.
beg to state that according to what have OBJ.
served and learned, during my residence in Ecua.
dor, the present President Urbina, wh3 owes his
election to o revolution which he raised against his
legitimate chief, who hsd ~entruste1 to him the CON-
mand Of his army, believing him faithful, ass ociated
with him In this infamous nar9uvre, amongst other
persons, Gen. Vtlamil, an cd aepirant to the Dos
session and sale Of the Galapagos 1slands. As soon
as me revolution succeeded, Gen. viliamil vas re.
washington, the only object Of which was to pro-
pose Q negotiation with regard to thoee very
islands. During his sojgurn In this country, he en-
be Iecounted wonders OF these famous Islands, in
order to engage him to take part in the speculation
which he has recently organized between him, the
said Senator, the American Minister at Ecuador,
EOvOAbulOns " tulo lhob mf0tlOueu TGUuDuCs
live are TO believe those who are best acquainted
with the Islands, there n no guano at all up IN them.
Their chief production Is the tortoise called Gala.
pages, from which the Islands derive tier sitle. It
was General VillAmiI who spread the report that
guano had been Discovered there, for the purpose Of
selling to advantage what he considers his property.
There has l~stterly beea Q talk Of three millions Of
dollars being about to be advanced by the United
States, mot for the purchase Of the Islands, but by
way OF loan for the diminu.ion Of the tax on the ex.
poitafion OF guano as regards the United States. II
this assertion be correct, the three millions will be
entirely lost, both TO the latter and 70 E,usdor.
Ecuador win never be abe 70 repay IL, being already
surcbagcd with q debt Of $40, 900, 900 TO England,
and from six to seven millions Of domestic obligations.
UP TO the present time she has found It in Sossible
70 pay even Q small portion Of the interest on the two
loans, and she Ii still lesa in q position to nav three
millions more, which viii not 30 employed ia her
favor, but will merely serve to i'll the pockets Of
those who are interested In the speculation.
Having satisfied the desire Of communicative 70
you ny ideas on this unfortunate affair, I oaDnot
conclude without adding that, even here, in this
country, there are persons who are in Q position 10
give you fuller details on the subject than am in
possession OF, such o., for instance, the agents of
Chill and Peru, whose ststements may enllghten
she senate, 2 eaAse The President Of The resubic
should lay before Il for ls appreciation The Treaty,
which, according to public rumor, has been con-
cluded for the acquisition Of these islands.
NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 1855.