New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-10-01
Atm Orlearrs 4ailp Greseelrt.
SUPPLE NE 3NT.
The Central American Gold Diggings.

SUFPL EN I3Ns7.
The Central American Gold Diggings.
| From the Panama Star and Herald of the 18th we
extract the following interesting information re-
garding the auriferous grave diggings Of Central
America
From the most careful investigation and after duly
weighing all the evidence it possible to obtain It
appears that up the present time about 400 pounds
| weight of golden images have been obtained from
| the graves, but taking into account the amount of
copper with which some Of them alleged, 1t may
be fairly estimated that 300 pounds of pure gold
represents the entire quantity calculating the value
at $3.50 per pound, this would give the sum of $751;,
OO0 and as ii is generally admitted that during the
month of July at least 1900 persons at work at
Bugabta this represents the labor of 500 persons,
with average gain to each Of 81 GIL, or, dednctng
fifty cents for the value Of their labor, Of 81 IL but
from this calculation no inference be drawn, as
whilst some obtained large quantities. others were
entirely unsuccessful. We have not taken into cal.
culation the great expense to which many persons
were put to reach the locality and return again to
their homes, which at q low estimate may be set
down at $4,000 that, taking all things into con.
sideraon it is evident that the chances of success
not In proportion to the risk of failure, and that
any man 10 steady employment, or capable OF gain
ing livelihood elsewhere can do Just as well as by
grave digging in Chirqui.
1t is true that the time of year is most unfavorable
for working the heavy rains cause at least the loss
vi u0l uby, duu tno BWOien STATE oil the rivera
prevents any attempt at exploration but II the &C
counts of the natives to be believed there exist in
the mountains many rich huacsles that in the dry
season will repay the labor Of the explorer. But It
i not so much the discovery Of gold in the Indian
they obtained their supply Of the precious metal ex.
lists within the district and offers inducements to fur
Their explorations that renders the gold discoveries 30
important. 1t hes long been known that the prov
nces Of Chrqui and veraguas are rich in gold, and
old historians hand down to us accounts Of almost
fabulous amounts that have been extracted from these
localities. There can exist doubt that thorough
exploration Of the country will lead to the rediscovery
Of these deposits Of the precious metal. Al
ready few specimens of river gold and auriferous
quartz have been obtained by the country people who
refused however to disclose the locality, and any
quantity OF iron pyrites are daily exhibited gold.
numors of rich mines and river washngs are rife but
the state Of the weather renders it absolutely impos
sible, at present, to make any exploration. During
the dry season, which commences 10 December and
lasts until May the whole country will doubtless be
thoroughly "prospected" aud there is every reason
to believe that valuable mines will be discovered
To those who think Of visiting Chiriqui, we would
say-wait for the dry season-do not think of vast
ing your time, money and probably risking your
health, at the present time but be on the ground by
the beginning middle Of December if there is any.
thing to be done, it will be then and not before.
The number of foreigners now in Chiriqui, at
tracted there by the gold discoveries, is probably
little short of one hundred, and up to the end Of
ngs in the huacas do not amount to $780, neverthe-
less they do not complain, and have resolved to
continue their explorations whilst others have made
arrangements for returning in the dry season. In
May last when the government census was taken
there resident in the department Chiefly in or
about DAVID "a Frenchmen, 10 Italians 80 Germans
43 Spaniards, 2 Americans and Englishmep most
of these persons are engaged in business some are
mechanics and few agriculturists The entire pop.
uaton of David numbers about 6, 800, most OF whom
are from other parts of the Republic.
The town itself is of recent foundation, and not
many years ago consisted but Of few cane huts II
noticed considerable improvement since our last
visit there in 1855. There is good hotel kept by
Frenchman where board and lodging can be obtained
at 81 20 day. Horse hire varies from 4Oc. to SOC.
day. House rent is reasonable, but owing to the gold
discoveries has advanced 100 per cent. Good beef
sells in the market for Soc aroba (25 lbs) Rice
from to 81 perlb, and other provisions in propor.
ton. Labor is worth four reals day and found or
five without food but it is very scarce and in time of
harvest scarcely be obtained as every one has his
plantation to attend to. The richness of the soil
and the variety of temperature obtanable on the
slope of the volcano from the region of palms to that
of the oak, offers great inducements to the agricul-
tnrst, and already large German immigration from
Texas is about to settle the country. Corn planted
in March and September is harvested within three
months, and gives an enormous return the sugar
cane grows to an immense size, with Joints nine
inches long and three in circumference excellent
tobacco is cultivated and the coffee tree thryes we'll
but little is cultivated owing to the want of labor It
is calculated that cotton would yield five times as
much IS in Texas, and number of experienced Ger.
mans are about to form plantations from which they
expect the best results.