The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-31
AFRICAN DIAMONDS.
American Report from the Diamond Fields of
South Africa-Inducemsnt for Traders,
Diggers and Settlers

The following letter, written by an American
gentleman at Gran Relnet South Africa, to his
orother-in-law In the United States has been for
Harded TO the HERALD for publications.
GRAFT REINET Algoa Bay, !
South Africa, Oct 20, 1871.
Your last letter. sent to me by way OF Europe, en-
closed IN the family letter. duly reached me In May.
Have not been able 60 answer II, in consequence
or my absence 10 the Diamond Fields, where nave
opened now an establishment for the purchase OF
precious stones When last wrote you nad no
Idea the nelds were so extensive and wrote 10 you
not to venture over here again II you were wen
own observations on the field itself have opened my
eyes. and Only regret that was bind SO long, ana also
] hardly heed to ie YOU that the business IN inat
portion OF the country IS Increasing 10 such an
nrv ,n v,a , rec Money IL Of course nentin,
and appears co have no value whatever. have
taken some boots ana shoes and otner merchandise
there and have realized five times the value. AS,
for instance, pair of common American brOgans
which formerly sold for rs. Cd have readily dis
posed OF at 35s. pair; common prints retail at 5s.
Der yard wholesale worth about Cd, SC. 1t wound
lead me too far to enumerate the fabulous prices
reaizeu; sudce 1t 10 say that am astonsned
myself that so very few OF your enlerprIsing Ameri-
cans come here as people from almost every part OF
The world are represented.
Most or them as they lind stone OF
any value ere again leaving country, perfectly salts
fed with the result In the nelghboriiood OF my
tent man found stone weighing LOS carats, which
he Immediately sold Tor the enormous sum OF
&23O00. just fancy a man wn0 ten minutes ago
TX,
wealthy by one stroke OF his shovel Mind YOU he
nad been working month without success; and so
there are great many "lndsn made where success
had been given up-certalnly to meet with good
luck after perseverlng. The object OF my writing
TO you now is simply to recall everything have
said against 1t In my former tiers, and
to urge you TO come 10 this country soon as pos
eble. II you cannot do anything IN your prOles.
sion there are Other ways and means To become q
wealthy man--by trading, by bringing over with
you some goods That you think would sell. You
have been su1lcienily long in the country TO know
twnat ID wanted. American catabcs such as nour
everything In the eating llne Also American ciOth
tor mems wear, clothing NC, and women's wear,
Rs most oil the miners have their wives win Them
As you have been mere before | hardly need tell
you how to travel. believe there are vessels eav-
Ang from Boston. When you arrive here you know
how TO proceed. Come at once TO Graf
Reinet where we can arrange malierS.
III lew OF your friends Should feel disposed TO visit
khe fields tell them to prepare themselves for Ill
auck-that Is, TO bring little ready money with
khem They may ind "st0nes'' after one days
search, or tley may be a month before realizing
khelr expectations Men wnO have trading talent
can make 1t profitable here.
l enclose thiS Letter IN brothers., not knowing
your whereabouts. as you had stated In your last
THAT you would leave Tor the Southern States OF
bhis letter, as The mali closes and am anxious TO
eee II oil. 20 that you VIII hear possible,
hnd that you may be able to make your prepara-
k1ons Come by AL means Tor an opportunity ike
nhs will never again he offered YOU.
With much love and hoping soon TO hear from or
geo you, am as ever, your anectionae brother-in-
law, f. N.