The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-20

the result may be anything but great moral
reaction among the clergy.
AMERICAN INTERESTS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
| In another column will be found an interesting
| communication from correspondent in
| New Caledonia, one of the French settle
ments in the South Pacific. This island,
it will be recollected, was taken pos
session of in 1853 by Admiral Despoints, in
the name of the French Emperor, the original
| intention being to convert it into a pena
colony. Its agricultural, mining and CONNER
| cial capabilities being found greater than were
| at first anticipated, it was determined to rem
der it the chief naval station in the Pacific, its
fine harbors and abundance Of coal offering
inducements such as were nowhere else to be
found amongst the French possessions in that
quarter. With liberality which does it inf
mite credit, the French government has offered
advantages to foreign settlers which place
them in every respect on level with its own
subjects. They are granted the full rights of
naturalized citizens without the obligation to
take the oath of allegiance, and immense grants
of land have even been made to foreign emf
grafton society for the importation of laborers
under the apprenticeship system the proper
treatment of the latter being ensured by
French commissioner appointed to watch over
their interests
Of the climate and agricultural capabilities of
the island our correspondent speaks in the most
glowing terms. He says that coffee and sugar are
likely to be the staple articles of production.
what is now raised being of excellent quality.
The government, in order to encourage their
growth, permits their importation free Of duty
into France. Sandal wood so much used in
China for domestic purposes and for incense in
the temples, exists in immense quantities large
forests of it covering considerable portion of
the island. Beche lie mer. another article in
great demand with the Chinese, also forms
another important item of its productions.
Coal of excellent quality is to be found in
abundance; rich specimens of copper have been
collected in the hill ranges: and in the northern
portion of the island, which is chiefly of a
quartz formation, like that Of the Australian
Alps, it is the opinion Inexperienced geologsts
that gold exists in quantity.
of direct commercial intercourse which
New Caledonia opens up to American
enterprise, there other considerations
which will enhance its importance in
the eyes Of our merchants. Its principal port,
Kanala, lies in the straight track between Pa
| mama and Sydney; and Offering, as it does, the
inducements Of splendid harbor and coal al
half the price at which it can be got at any
| other point of the Pacific, it must become in a
| year or two the great coaling depot and rem
devious Of the Panama and Australian steam
ers. Considering the development which
our trade with the Sandwich and Feejee Islands
has taken within the last few years, exceeding
largely that Of any other nation, we are per-
suaded that it only requires the attention of
our ship owners to be directed to the CONNER
cial capabilities of New Caledonia to stimulate
| their energies in that direction Cargoes suited
| to the Chinese markets could be obtained there
at small cost, and with these the voyage to Hong
Kong and Shanghae could be made more remu-
nerative than with any that can be taken from
| here. As will be seen from our correspon-
dents statements, it requires but supply Of
cheap labor, which can easily be procured
| from the islands to the northward, to procure
an unlimited quantity of sandal wood, which is
| now nearly exhausted in the other islands
With so many vessels lying idle and rotting in
our ports, we shall be surprised if the chances
held out by this new field Of commercial specu-
! lation be neglected or lost sight Of