New-York daily tribune., 1858-09-17
A GOLD FIELD ~ GUIANA.

CUpap BOLIVAR, August. 1855.
Since INV last hsye visited the gold mines OF
Guians. the yeritabie FL Dorado, 80 fruitlessly
sought for by Sir Walter Raleigh.
The mines were discovered about two years
since by an ludian while hunting in the woods tor
stra. donkeys. He pulled up bush and found
large piece OF pure gold At the roots.
He carried it to Gernsn merchant at Tape
queen (six miles diStsn,) for sale and the trader
endeayored to obtain the secret of IFS discovery
from the Indian. He refused TO give the required
information. and he was made beastly drunk, and
then cruey beaten until the secret was finally wrung
from him.
The discovery of these mines correspond with
description given by Sir Wslter Raleigh OF the man.
ner in which the Indians obtained their gold, viz:
" And being asked hcw they got the same gold, they
told us they went to a certain down or PLAIN. and
pulled or dIgged up the grassc by the root. which
done, they took of the earth. putting IN great
buckets which they carried IL wash st the river.
That these mines were known 10 the early
Spaniards is proved by the recent discovery of GER
tain letters, found in trunk in the abandoned
Cathedral at Guasipate fifteen miles distant from
Caratel. The mines undoubtedly exceedingly
rich and large quantities of gold have already been
discovered In consequence. however, of the labor
required Ia obtain il, and the deadly nature of the
climate they will not repay individual enterprise.
Companies well organized and with the requisite
machinery 10 work the gold quartz, and drain the
pools at the base of the various cascades VIII un-
doubtedly realize vast fortunes.
During my stay Of four weeks st the mines there
were only about sixty miners engaged in working,
and over 80, 800 in gold was found. One piece
weighed four pounds and half The quartz is
exceedingly rich, and charter has been given to
a company composed mostly of citizens from New
York comforting upon them the exclusive privilege
for six years of working the quartz in Carate aud
Tupuqueen. / have been informed that they are
willing 10 sell grants tO work at reasonable rate
to other companies.
The political aspect of this country is far from
satisfactory When | left for the mines Bolivar
City was threatened with an invasion from Gen.
Bacs Finding that il was impossible to take the
city, he retired. Shortly afterward the Govern
ment of Bolivar liberated Gen. Ruir lwho had
been confined on charge of rebelon) and ten
dered him his sword, which he refused.
He proceeded directly 10 Caracas where he laid
his grievances before the General Government, and
succeeded in inducing them to appoint Senior
Manuel Yanes,i half-breed negro Of low birth.
Governor of Guiana in the place of Senor John
de Ia Costa.
The new Governor duly arrived At S0lidsd, oppO-
site Bolivar. but Senior de la Costa is so much
liked by the inhabitants, and their indignation was
so great that he did not venture TO cross the river
large meeting was held in the Town Hall BY the
citizens of Bolivar, and great Indignation was e1-
pressed at the action of the General Government.
A courier was dispatched To Caracas with a
strong protest agsnst the new appointment, and
asking that Senior de la Costa may be retained in
his present position. =.
shall probably BE- enabled to send you the result
in my next letter. The province OF Guiana is the
largest and naturally the most desirable portion OF
Venezuela. There is q strong desire on the part Of
the most wealthy and influential citizens, that its
vast medicinal vegetable and mineral resources
should be developed by foreign immigration, but they
also feel that nothing can be accomplished under
the present miserable Government. They are
heartily tired of revolutions, and they do not hes
tate To state that theProyince Guiana must declare
her INDEPENDENCE and place herself under the pro-
lection of the United States Government. They
are perfectly willing that the United States should
exercise military protectoraie over the province.
All they desire is pence and quiet, 80 that they may
enpage i'm business operations, without fear Of
being robbed by some needy revolutionary General.
The feeling against the English Government is
exceedingly bitter they have frequently laid
claim to certain portions of the Province of Guiana,
which will 10 certain extent account for their
strong desire to seek the protection OF the United
States Government.
Having during the last two months travelled over
a vast region of country, can bear testimony TO
the fertility of the soil, the abundance of IFS med-
cinsl products and its vast mineral resources. |
found traces of abandoned silver mines, and mines
of quicksilver are also frequently discovered.
Sarsaparlls, icmchona, copaiba, ipecscusnha, gut
ia perchs and various other products useful in the
mechanical arts can be- obtained in large quantities
In consequence, however of the miserable con-
diton of the Government there is but little enter
prise and the country, in some portions, are almost
without population.
ln nv next letter | viii give You description OF
the country on the read t. the mines, also of the
character Of the inhabitants, and many matters Of
interest relating to the ancient abandoned missions
of the Capuchins at Caroni, st. Phelix Pastor,
Guasipste Tapequeen and Tumarino.
DAVID UHL
Copy of letter taken by Captain Pophs, l5ei
tssid 10 bs = natural son of Gen. Ruir.