The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-02
g o L D
The Auriferous Fields of French Guiana
Their Modern Product and Pros.
poets Of the Miners
Exodus Of Industrials from
Salt Lake.
Why They Went Forth and What
They Found.

That the gold fields OF French Guiana are being
worked with success is a fact which only recently
has been made known to the outside world. On
the 18th of December last a special despatch from
SAN Lake City to the HERALD brought intelligence
that wen founded rumors were circulating In that
city OF vast yields In the French Guiana mines and
tnat party OF miners had gone there. This inteRi-
gence was corrobOrated by the SAT- Lake Herald OF
December as follows:-
The excitement over French Guiana, the newly
discovered Edorado, Still continues undated. Fiji
teen or twenty miners nave recently lett this city
Tor that tropical region. Cold IN un limited guam
eight leet from the grass roots and stil pitching
As most OF our readers understand French Guiana
is penal colony, situated on the Atlantic slope,
south America about five degrees north OF the
Equator. The principal town, Cayenne, is located
on an island. and contains apopulation OF some
5000 Inhabitants-a mixture OF natives, con-
victs aud soldiers. Explorations have as yet
only been pushed forward about seventy miles
ton from the shores OF the navigable rivers, OF
which there are three in the colony. Auguste
by whom the gold discovery was made died near
Cayenne on the 25th OF June last. His explora-
lions extended for period OF twelve years and
his death was regarded as a national calamity.
More s evidently known OF these new gold fields
In the streets OF Salt Lake City than ever was by
The "Pilgrims" have our best wishes for success.
May they find the aurferous fields Of South America
exceeding their most sanguine expectations.
The little party that set out from Salt Lake was
plotted by q man who obtained his information
from q company which organized in this city
nearly two years ago. The operations OF this COM
pany have been conducted with great secrecy.
Yesterday one Of it's members made to HERALD
reporter the annexed statement
About twenty months ago one OF the Brazilian
steamship Company's ships sailed from Whining
ton, N. c., with merchandise for Para, Brazil. She
was commanded by Captain Howell. who put in
at Cayenne Tor coal CAYENNE rs the capita! and
port Captain Howell heard rumors Of
THE EXISTENCE OF GOLD MINES
in the interior, which ut first he discredted, but
searching inquiries disclosed the acts not only
that the rumored mines were realities, but that
they had been probably worked Tor twelve years.
On completing his voyage the Captain came to
New YORK and Impaired the knowledge to a friend,
Hays. The General formed partnership with
!ohn H. Ely, OF Salt Lake City, owner Of the
Davenport and Matilda silver Mine, Utah, and
arrangements were made for prospecting the new
gold nelds. The schooner Electric Spark was pur.
chased, fitted out and sailed On the Goth OF Septem
John H. Ankers. a sea captain, associated them
selves with the enterprise. The schooner reached
command Of her, while Howell and Chrissman
TOOK launch a, and proceeded iorty miles up ne
for small boats only being full OF shoals and rapids
LANDING AT AATRONI
they first visited two mines belonging to NJ
Pouget. and then went INTO the surrounding
mountains, continuing their explorations over q
month They found Pouget's mnes which were
beng miserably worked, yielding finely, and
throughout the country explored the precious
metal was discovered In quantities that exceeded
lous quantities mixed with soil in dust but lew
inches below the surface and, therefore, easy OF
access, but no implements for collecting 1t could
Satisfied with the prospect, the party returned
to the schooner and set sail on the homeward pas;
ports for repairs, the vessel having sprung aleaK
and did did not arrive here until April last.
In June second expedition was made. the prac-
tical force being increased by Mr. Ey's brother an
old MINER and by Mr.. smith. superintendent Of
the Davenport nine; TINS y tlme the country Dor.
seventy miles They found mining parties at in
tervais along the whole distance, VINO were
REAPING RICH REWARDS
for their labors, but the system OF mining was
very, incomplete, the worknen being badly sup
pied with tools and conveniences for pursuing
prospecting Ely and Smith leased 800 acres OF
tand al nominal rental on when tne latter
man sckened and died OF bilious lever, and the re-
malnder OF the party returned to New York, their
tools .wherewith to begin mining. Immediately
after his arrival here Mr.. Ely sailed for Europe to
II INTO cash. Captain Ankers has forwarded to
Smith shoves, picks, hose, hydraulic machine
for washing, &c, and the company is now await
ing Mr.. Ely's return to go on and begin the
WORK IN EARNEST
Among those making these explorations were
well qualified to form correct estimate Of the
value Of the mines. They report the prospect
brighter than 1t ever was IN California Thorough
Investigations revealed the existence OF gold In
vast quantities. The small number OF more enter
prising natives who are engaged in gathering the
yellow ore are men without experience or the
Means OF developing the resources OF the mines.
Since slavery was abolished in the colony bust.
ness Of all kinds has been steadily falling on, and
most Of the plantations are now abandoned. The
inhabitants are too lazy to work. The principal,
and, with the poorer class, sole article OF food
cassava which grows without cultivation. The
soil and climate are favorable TO agricultural pur-
suits, but the shtless people prefer living In indo-
lence at the point OF starvation rather than make
a fat living by filling the ground. Very few cattle
are raised. Salt beef and salt fish are supplied by
France but the demand Is hardly sufficient to
make the trade remunerative.
THE CLIMATE.
Nine months in the year the weather is clear and
the climate healthy, the thermometer averaging
nlnety-two degrees. About the middle OF Decem-
Der a storm OF rain sets In and continues, with
little abatement, Tor three months. The "wet
period" Is attended by its concOmtants, colds and
levers, many cases terminating fatally, simply be-
cause the inhabitants are TOO lazy to take care Of
themselves. In the gold districts the country is
mountainous and well supplied with excellent
water.
Companies going to the mining regions will have
afford means Of transportation. The cost of Keep
ing these animals Is trl1ing, as grass grows In
abundance and corn and oats may be raised Tor
less than half 0! their value here. Conveyance
down the rivers to Cayenne can be had on Gat-
boats. The company above referred TO will take
rom New York everything necessary for their
purposes, and depend on the country they are
the ground. They revel in visions OF quickly &C
uuIred wealth