The New York herald., 1871-01-14
SOUTH AMERICA.
CHILE.
Political DIoveuaents-Tbe Telegraph Con.
cessl0ns-Unitcd States Ninistcr-G: enerai
Ilclms.

Political DIoveMents-TSe Telegraph Con.
| cessions-Unitod States 0Iinisfcr-Generai
Mcms.
VALPARAISO, Dec. g. 1870.
The same monotony In political and private circles
noticed in my last correspondence stil prevails In
Chile. Like the calm before a movement or the
elements. all parties are concentrating their re-
sources and strength to engage 1ercely in the ap-
proaching Presidential election The contest promi-
scs 10 be highly interesting and. fortunately enough
no fears are entertained OF disturbance or out.
breaks. Congress has informally appointed sew
eral committees OF the several political parties
TO select candidates for the Presidency. These
committees have as yet been unable to
arrive at any agreement, although 1t Is more
than probable that Don Frederlco Errazuriz
Will be named as candidate OF the united Opposl-
ton parties The selection OF the government ana
clerical organizations Is yet matter Of profound
doubt.
Great excitement has prevailed for some months
past throughout the mining districts Of Chile with
regard TO the alleged wonderful discoveries OF silver
ore III the province or CaracoeJ In Bolivia near to
the Chilean frontier. In CoDlap0, CoquImbo and
the other mining centres OF the north the agi-
talon mas Decn productive OF serious results,
as such numbers OF miaers have left
for the new FL Dorado that many
establishments are closed for want or hands. The
reports from Caracolcs are really marvellous; and,
from the statement OF u captain IN the Chilean
navy the ore IA of surprising richness and In great
abundance. The veins are found almost on the sur.
face, very pure, and already fortunes have been
inade III the enterprise. The immense difficulties
encountered III crossing the sand desert leading To
lhe Favored spot and the stupendou, prces exactel
the tempting prize
At last Congress- after much delay In what IA called
mature ueiiDt ration, mas authorized the government
10 conclude the contract with Mr.. Leigh, tha repre-
sentative ol several English telegraph companies,
10 construct submarine line from port Ul Cal
dera To some Peruvian port, granting Il subsidy OF
twenty thousand hard dollars annually TO the enter
PRISE IL is stipulated however tnat the Peravlan ter
minus must he IN direct tee9pphc communication
wth Europe anu as we have understood line
from Palama 10 Payta VIII not be laid for some
tl'lc we shall be obliged TO content ourselves until
lnen win Tue present means oil obtaining news.
The Tansandinc line Is progressing most satisiac-
toriy. Government has also consented to grant
moderate subsidy 10 the builders, Messrs. Clark
Co., OF this city, aud the work l. expected. TO be con-
ctu,tcd Withih year from this dale
The Hon. J. r. Root Minister Plenipotontiary |
iron Tue United states to this republic presented
his credentials 10 the President yesterday, and
pressed IN ms renarns the great desire held by his
government to enter INTO more cord al and !
existing.
Tie President replied in the usual manner, de.
Caring that Clile would always be ready to recprO-
cate ltiendshlp hth the great repuuic. h!r Root,
during his short residence III the country mas made
many friends and Is extremely popular among
foreigners aud Chieans. There Is probably no
country IN South America where American influence
Is stronger than III this. ana where American inst
tutlons are more studied ana admired.
ond sseilainiy 10 be regretted that our merchants
the other repuDlics of this ere, as III nearly all
nity Tor preemlnence hrnly lei1 .,v tpp,its
and Continental houses. "sSi'
The government has recognized the existence OF
, the French republic. Whether Ihis win be ot any
particular benefit Is doubtful, but 1t expresses
clearly the sympathy or the people lor the unlor.
nate ffencn. The war mas Oeea severely elt here
IN bushes circles, aud rs effects are every day
more apparen The cessation OF colsiguncutS from
nernany and France exercises very uniavorably
over c0nlinercial interests.
Tie terrible tragedy OF the C0mpany's church in
1868 IN Santiago wuen nearly Z,Ve0 people
burned aud crushed 10 death, narrowly escaped re.
peti ION few nights since in the capital ana the
very anniversary OF the catastrophe In Il crowded
Church the ainsy drapercs OF Il statue OF the Virgin
caught nre, the flames IN a moment spreading All
over The altar. Although great alarm prevailed or
q moment some one had presence OF mina enough
10 eXunsusn Tue ire before 1t game urther pro-
portions and 10y almost miracle no casaaty oc-
Cured
rne United states steamship Resaca left this port
| on The 2Ith ut. !or Caao.