New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-06
A NATIONS LNGRATITUDE.
THEOPHILE LANDREAU, WHO FILLED THE
GOLFERS OF PERU WITH WEALTH,
GOES UNREWARDED.


National ingratitude has seldom been excmpIned IN
a more striking way than In the case of Theophile
Landrcau who discovered the immense guano deposits
Of, Peru, and who Is now living in comparative pow
erly in Lima Landreau added many millions Vi
dollars 10 the wealth Of Peru, yet he has never re-
ceived any compensation from that country, and the
authorities doing all in their power to get out ol
paying his claim against the Government.
The story of Landreau's life is record OF ADVENT
ures and vcs STUDIES such seldom fall 10 one mans
lot. In 1910, when still young man, he leit MS
native city, Angouleme, France, where his rare scleh
tifc attainments promised him a bright future as
physician and chemist, TO satisfy his thirst for traVel
and adventure in the New World. lie landed nrst IN
Central America, where no travelled for some ume.
The possibilities and advantages Of an interoceanic
canal struck him with such force that he went over
the ground most carefully. finally coming 10 the con-
clusiOn That the most eligible route was from inc
mouth Of the Atrato River 10 the Bay of Cupica. lie
made careful study of the locality, and In lo49
drew nm plans for a canal and sent
them to the Minister of Foreign Affairs OF
France, Basticle with a memorial asking for the
cooperation Of the French Government in his under
taking He received a letter of commentator, but
there the matter rested. Many years afterward, Lo
mander Sefrldge U. S. N, advocate the same route
His plan for an interoceanc canal coming 10 moth
Ing Landreau turned TO Peru to satisfy his longngs
for further adventures. He traversed this country
from one end to the other, visiting the most mac
cessble regions His scientific training enabled him
to see the worth OF the deposits OF god silver and coal
which he discovered in abundance, but The lack Oh
communication made these Of no immediate Vaue'
Continuing his explorations, Landreau finally came
upon find that proved of far moro value than MS
gold and silver mines. Along the coast and on the
neighboring Islands he discovered the numerous de-
poslts of guano that have enriched tho worn
ont fields OF Europe and America In this case there
was no trouble about inaccessibility The ships hau
only to be anchored OFF shore, and they coula easily
be filed with the precious stuff
The discoverer informed the Government
Of Peru OF the untold riches at us
door, and when the fact became known
throughout the world an excitement similar TO mat
after the discovery of gold in California was aroused
Vessels came Peru In fleets, and at one time no
less than 900 Of them were engaged In the glano
| trade.
Peru of course was overlooking In wealth, and
money was as thick leaves in autumn, but Ian
dreau wgs deriving little benefit from 1t, although
the old Spanish law still in force allowed the as
| coverer of any valuable property one-third OF lis
value Iandreau finally took his brother John C.'
IN partnership with him and the two in 1862 began
TO press ther claim. The Government, however, ao-
rogated the old law, and entered into contract
with the brothers TO give them per cent OF loOoO Voo
tons Of guano If Theophle would make known the
location Of some new deposits which he had discov-
cred This he did, but he never received his reward.
as revolution followed revolution and Peru was finally
bankIglpted by her defeat by Chill.
In the meantime John c. Landreau, who was a
citizen Of the United States, appealed to his Govern
ment for aid in collecting claim, and secretary OF
state Fish after a careful study of the case, became
convinced Of the justice Of LandIeaPs SUIT, ana IN
stl1Icted our Minister at Lima TO ad the claimant 5
in wbatever way he could. secretaries of State
Evarts and Blaine afterwar followed Mr.. Fish's
example and Congress February 20, 1850, passed
n resolution commencing the Landreau claim to the
peruvian executive. All was without avail, how
ever for Peru while not dsputing the justice of the
claim pleaded poverty and other excuses. and there
the matter stnl stands.
Theophlle Landreau, feeble with age and illness.
and broken IN spirit is living In poverty in Lima.
sill hoping valnly in all probability, that he may
vet see the day when he Will get his deserts from
the land into whose Golfers he poured So many
mi dollars.