Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-12-03
THE AMAZON VALLEY.
Oponing OF Commerce ON the Amazon
RiveF~-A Company Originated TOT
that Rurpoge,


Opening Of Commsrcs on the Amazon
that -parpose.
From the Providence Journal
The plans and objects contemplated In
the foSlnntion Of the National Bolivian Navi-
CATION Company, to be organized by Col,
George Il. Church, formerly Of this city
arc very important in their relations to the
interests of this country. A
decree wah made by the government OF
Brazil, in 1867, opening the Amazon River,
Previous to this time, Peru and Bolivia,
lying Mt the head waters Of the Amazon,
were compelled TO send their products
across the Andes, ship them from; PACIFIC
ports around Cape Horn, and again north
ward past the mouth olthe very riverwhich
was the natural outlet for this commerce
The advantages resulting from the opening
of the river were very promptly seized
upon by Bolivia, and that country is already
sending her exports along this highway at
about half the former cost for freight.
Though France, England and Holland I'M
mediately offered to put steamers upon the
Bolivian rivers; yet disregarding these pro
posals, Bolivia has chosen toesteblish com.
mercial relations by this means with the
United States alone. This gives the Amer,
leans the commercial control of the head
waters of the largest river on the globe,
and of region of rare fertility some two
and half millions of miles in extent
Hitherto our commerce with Brazil has
amounted to nothing directly, the foreign
trade of the country having been entirely
monepolized by Europe. The articles o.
concession made by Bolivia TO those who
shall constitute the above named company
are pnbbshed ina recentnumber oftheNev
York Herald. By them it was provided
that the company shall be organized will
capital of 100000. It is moreovei
stipuiated-that it SHALL within the perioC
oftwenty-one months from the time tina
certain privileges are obtained from Brazil
place two steamers on the river Madeira
the principal tributary Of the Amazon, ant
also sends engineers to survey routes fol
canals aroundthe rapids which constitute
the main obstruction to the passage of yes
sells. The Bolivian Government agrees tC
give to the company square mile OF State
lands in each of the populated parts an6
two square leagues Of the same in each new
port which may be opened also, $4,000
| in-gold. the right to cut wood for burning
or exploration in the forests which have nc
private owner, and to collect s, 600 head o
horned cattle from the State herd The
Government also guarantees TO the com
pany the free expectation of the products
Of the country The exclusive privilege O
navigating the waters of Bolivia for q
years and the right to build canals and
roads beyond the centres Of population,
The company Is to carry the mails undel
an equitable contract and to receive from
the Government all the protection it re-
quires. These concessions are, of course
extremely liberal. They are made only be
cause from inability to practically open the
navigation of its own rivers, the nation il
brought to the verge of dissolution The
country which these three rivers drain is
three times the size of France, and has Q
population of 100000. Among the pro
ducts ofthis vast region are Peruvian bank
gums, India-rubber medicinal roots, bal
sans, the finest and the rarest cabinet
woods, tobacco, coffe and chocolate, all o.
unsurpassed excellence, and to be obtained
at prices Iabulously small. A profitable
field for American enterprise is thus open
ed which will doubtless be at once recog
nized and speedily improved.