The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-12
Chni-its People, Climate, Soil and Produc.
tlous.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Chill is situated between the cath and 44th degrees
of south latitude and Goth and 18th west longitude.
1t is bounded on side by that vast chain OF al
most psurmountable mountains called the Andes
and on the other by the Pacific Ocean, the north
by Bolivia and on the south by Patagonia. II was
discovered in 1887 by Diego de Almargo, Spaniard,
and thanks TO the natural heroism Of the Chilians,
they gained their inde pendence and freed themselves
from the yoke Of the Spanish government.
The present President is Montt who has been re-
elected this year. The new race of Chilians are
doing all in their power to do away with the igno'
rant superstition caused by the Jesuits, who nfest
the country, and who to this day, do their ut
most to arrest the progress aud Advancement which
are daily making such rapid strides, but their vii,
intrgues and plots are continually being overthrow
for no efforts ore spared in endeavoring to crush
Their dangerous power and arrest their movements,
by the ever watchful Gillian people themselves.
The principal towns are yaldivia, Conception
Lota, Talca, St. Felipe Copiapo QuilIota Coquimbo,
Valparaiso (Which is the principal sea port), and
Santiago, which is the capital.
Chill has always been remarkable for its beautiful
climate, and is called the Garden Of America. At
Santiago the Temperature is delightful and the
seasons regulars from September to March is their
summer, during which time not cloud is to he
in the clear blue sky. In April winter commences,
and II sometimes rains for weeks together but IL Is
never very cold. In the summer months there Is
beaut nj breeze, which rises at mid day, and keeps
away all fevers and sickness. In winter the north
winds are often very severe, and do terrible damage
on the coast, especially at Valparaiso, which is very
much exposed.
The seasons are different in other parts; for
instance, In Vadvia the rainy season lasts several
months in the year, and ut Copapo for only twelve
hours (and those very uncertainty, during the whole
winter. But everywhere they are subject TO earth
quakes, and they are sometimes very severe. Con-
cepiion once entirely destroyed by one.
Silver mines abound in all the Andes OF Chill, Sc
vera Of which are still UNEMPLOYED being perpetuay
covered with snow which hides from the view many
veins of untold value. At the foot OF these heights
ere often found broken fragments Of great price,
But Ia not always the snow which impedes progress;
often il Is the want Of proper implements and ex-
perieDced mneralogsts OF enterprising character.
The principal mines explored are at C0piap0, and
yield enormous profits. Their discovery was quite
an accident, It was through a T" shepherd, who was
conducting his flock TO the mountains, aud before
sleeping at night lighted large fire at the foot of
one; on waking in the morning he discovered melted
in the ashes something which appeared like silver,
and proved to be the largest mine yet known in
those regions. Gold Is also very abundant, but ii
is found IN such small particles and so mpregnated
with earth "a TO oe unimportaDt
Lead is also found, intermixed with silver, and
otherwise, but one occupies himself in the re-
search, on account Of there being many other
things more precious. Iron Is very plenty every
where, but owing TO the want of materials this use
full metal renal ~ uncared tor.
They have recently discovered immense coal mines
in Talcahuaua and Lota, but 1t is very new, small
coal and dangerous for steamers; Notwithstanding
forms n considerable branch Of co nmerce; indeed,
the Cbilisns talk of rvalliDg Eugand and the United
States In their exports, and OF supplying all the
steamboats, Of the Pacific.
The copper mines are next In Importance TO
the silver mnes II they are not OF even greater
import; they extend more TO the south OF Co
piapo, from the valley of Coquimbo to that OF
"A .Onrua. there M veins which Weld daily 10
the value of one thousand dollars net profit. One
foundry has worked annually, for the ,st ten years,
from 5000 to 10000 hundred weight of copper.
They say there are entire mountains of loadstone.
Tin and manganese are found 30 pure ss only to re-
qure Contctng. Anthony Ia very abundant IN the
valleys OF the north Alum and arsenic are also
found m their natural state, and sulphur Is mixed In
such quantities with the copper, that IN the foun-
diits The chimneys emit smoke so impreguated
with sulphufic acid as only Go require concentrat
ing apparatus 10 gather IL by tons. IL would be too
long 10 enpmerate all the treasures of this blest
country. sufce It 60 say that there ia grand open.
ing for men OF en'erpdsing spirit, especially ar
chitects mineralogists and men of good educ ,ton
and commanding o little capitai. Farmers would
also do well, for there Is great al Of lapd which
requires Cultlvating, and many beautiful valleys,
sheltered alike from heat and cold by the noun
tans, and no country can be more healthy or more
productive IN every way. IL is magnificent coun-
try-the harvest Is in January aud February and
the crops are always immense. Oats were not
known here four five years ago, but there
are several kinds Of corn. Hemp Is also grown,
and is often three yards high The Chilians are q
very nc i've industrious and intelligent Of peo
pie, bot thew are much too proud OF their Spanish
descent. Good mechanics, with good tools and ma
chimes. are very much In fequest All persons Of
talent ard good conduct can easily he lnsroduced
and received in the very first soclety where they
will find es much refinement as In Europe. The
laoies. for the most part are very beautiful, and
nothing which fashion art can devise ever escapes