Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-02-02
The only Emerald Mines in the World.
DrAs orru AMERICAN TRAVELLER.

was on my way froul Bogota TO the coast oil
the Caribbean Sea, to make visit to the United
States, when determined TO deviate somewhat
from the route which had laid out for myself.
to make IL visit N the house of friend, who
was interested il the emerald mines Of Muzo.
1t is not generally known believe, that the
place which was approaching is the only spot
in the known world which yields the true emor-
aid. There are other green stones possessing a
considerable degree Of clearness and translucen
cy, with sufficient hardness and fneness of grain
to admit of good polish ;~and some of these
bear the name Of emeraIds, especially such as
come from the gold mines Of the Ural noun
tans in Russa. But it is sufficient, believe,
only to place such by the side of one from Mu
20, 10 discover their inferiority, which is fully
confirmed by the est of analysis
Among the wild, rocky scenes through which
had SO long been passing, stopped one day,
having arrived at the house Of my friend. And
rly II hospitabc reception did meet with
After sufficient rest and refreshment, we pro
ceeded to the emerald mines. As we approached,
the face Of nature showed evidence of strange
and tremendous conyulsion at some long past
period OF the world. Two immense rocks, OPP
posile each other, with u deep and gloomy gorge
between them through which flows torrent,
have every appearance Of having been once
melted Now they stand entirely separate;
and both sides display corresponding strata Of
different characters, which seem us if ready to
be again united, if they could be brought to-
gether.
Veins Of light color, composed of lime-slate,
were seen here and there, which form the mat
rix or bed of the emeralds; and only "a little ex
perience is necessary to enable an observer to
discover the precious stones. | believe it is
slight tinge of green, which shows the part Of
the vein in which they are deposited. Caution
and skill are then required TO uncover and cut
out the emeralds without destroying or injurng
them Here and there observed spots of the
most bril- liant grass-green, dispersed in the veins
and eagerly inquired, whether they could have
escaped the eyes of the miners. 30, no." re-
piled my friend !" we know them we'll they
are good for nothing" /" But" said l, " they
have all the color and brightness of the true
emerald" True returned he, I" but they
are runed by flaws and are unfit for cutting"
then examined them more closely but could
not convince myself that they were not stones
If ad
my friend, land shall have as many such as you
choo2e to take with you. | will give you some
! of reaL value a so; and when you reach the
Uniled States, il you do not understand the diff
/ ference, the apidaries there will tell you"
This afterwards found to be the case. / had
always admired emeralds, but think the ap
pearancu Of those which | saw 10 their native
bed, seemed 10 me superior in beauty to any
had seen set and polished by art.
The emerald mines of Muzo are the property
of the Republic of New Granada, and are rent
ed for term of years to persons who work
them. The present tern will expire in the year
1860 and probably the mines are now pub
,shed for new lease. at an annual rent, and
percentage of the rough emeralds taken out.
Sixteen thousand dollars is the sum which is
now paid form them annually. 1t is believed
that they have been profitable to the present
lessee; but as the number and value OF the
gems taken out are unknown to the public, the
question is one Of mere conjecture Under the
Spanish government, great quantities Of emer-
aids were taken from the mines of Muzo but
SO carefully were they guarded, that The pre-
cious stones derived from them were generally
believed to come from Peru, where, in fact
there are no emeralds. To prevent a fall il
prices, the mines were for time closed. After
the revolution, Bolivar gave the rent of Thorn to
Senior j. T. Paris, distinguished patriot, who
enriched himself by working them, and left q
large fortune 10 his son. On the expiration o
the term Of the contract, another was made
with a German house in Bogota, which will
expire on the last day of February, 1860.
WHERE THE RED MAN is GOING The last
relics of the Indian tribes IF Massoob,,s 80