Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-08-04
From the PittsburG True Press.
The Future Home of the Mormons.

Our readers have been informed of the ru-
mors afoat respecting the probability, that
the next attempt-pt permanent settlement by
Brigham Young aud his followers would be
out Of the United States. 1t has also been
stated that they woGld probably seek some
island not held by any government, New
Guinea or Papua, one of the islands of the
Indian Archcpelago-bro enough and fer
tile enough to support q larger population
than we now have in the United States, lis
area being stated az 2T0, coo square miles,
eGual to the extent OF France and England
conbined-is fixed as the point of destination.
4 letter from Washington to the n. Y.
Daily Times, alleges that in June, 1S47,
Captain Gibson, Of Dutch East India celeb
rity, submitted plan 70 the Mormon delegate,
4Ir Bernhisel, for the emigration Of his con-
stituents in Uiah 30 the island Of New Guinea.
that it vas cordially approved by the chief
saints of Salt Lake city, and that, with their
appreciation, Mr Bernh;sel submitted to the
United States government, IN February l2st,
proposition entirely based upon it. The
letter goes on to say thu President buchanan
rejected the project, but that subsequently
Capt Gib1on succeeded in interesting in the
matter some members of the Cabinet and GER
tain leading southern members Of Congress-,
through whose influence the President Was
induced to change his attitude and to appoint
! Peace Commissioners. Of course it is under
stood that Capt. Gib>on's claim against the
Dutch for damages, IN consequence of the
seizure and coniScation Of his vessel, and the
| imprisonment Of himself are understood to
have something to Go with this, as the SCrth
crn Congressmeu who undertook the case after
the Presidents fist rejection Of the proposal.
we're the original friends Of his indemnity
claim.
The Phtlade!pdian says:
We know but little Of New Guinea. Some say
It was discovered by Portuguese nayigatoro about
three ana half centuries ago; but the SpaElards
claim that their captain, Saycdra, first touched
upon the coast and gave his name, t0 tie north
esn section thereof, in 1853. Quite number OF
uayiy iyatos afterwards visited it, saln" along its
shores, which are iDdented with good hprbors, but
none explored It's interior, which to-day is an IN
known land. Ia 1875, the Dutch took formal
possession of it. Tut no nation has MADE any set
Elements of consequence 1t lies just south Of the
Equator, and extends 500 miles IL length, till
! it is separated from New Holland only by Torres
Straits. 1t has around it numerous smaller is
| lands
| It's population is estimated at half million
| though from what data, we DO not know. The
people are in barbarOus state, and are mixture
| Of Malay, jewish and Negroes. One class lives
| by fishing, and are skilled in the use Of boats
which built of good size; a second live IN the
woods Of the interior; and third in villages
| on the sea coast-niscrabie negroes of the ugest
| forms. They have commerce with the Chinese
and other Asatics and probably with Africans.
! If New Guinea Is not too hot. it would make 4
! perfect Mormon paradise, and that depends very
| much upon the interior. Unlike New Holland,
which has a very dry atmosphere, New Guinea
| is extremely humid. and while it may be hot On
| the coast, the island, where mountains are seen
! topped with snow, may be temperate CT cool
| region.