K

"I give theft Books
ling of a College in this Colony"

Gift of
Dr. Hiram Bingham
of the Class of 1898
1907

VENEZUELA :

A VISIT TO THE GOLD MINES OF GUYANA,
AND
VOYAGE UP THE RIVER ORINOCO DURING 1886,
with a brief sketch of
THE MINERAL WEALTH AND RESOURCES
OF VENEZUELA, AND ITS
HISTORY TO THE PRESENT TIME.

With a Map of the Mines ;
And Appendices containing the Mining Laws of Venezuela,
Report on the Mines by the Minister of War,
Extract from British Consular Reports,
And an Outline of the Clauses of Treaties under
which Great Britain Claims certain Territories
on the Essequibo;

WILLIAM BARRY, C.E.
FIRST EDITION.
fLon&on :
Marshall Bros., Amen Corner,
1886.

S18

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.
Beasons for journey — Leave Southampton — Description of
Passengers — Bough passage — Beach Barbadoes — St. Vincent '¦ —
Grenada — Treatment on Board — Tropical storm — Description of
Grenada — Government officials — Seasons of Native indolence —
Arrive at Trinidad — Gulf of Paria— Port of Spain — Visit to sugar
estate — Improved processes — Increasing plantations of Cacao —
Extra taxation on goods to Venezuela— Venezuelan Generals — Use
of the knife.
CHAPTER II.
Leave for Cindad Bolivar — Passport system — Going up the
Orinoco — Difficulties of Navigation — IndiariB — Plantations —
Barrancas — Shipping cattle — Raleigh's Fort — Buried Treasures —
Las Tablas — Sport on the river — Cindad Bolivar — Description of
Statues — Heat — Locusts — Hospital — Water supply — Mosquitoes —
Custom House — Hotel accommodation — High-handed justice —
Telegraphs — Ferry boats — Danger — Numerous upsets — Meteor seen.
CHAPTER III.
Sketch of early History of Venezuela — Pearl fishery — Name of
Guyana — Aguerra, his death — Barre's attempt — Baleigh'a voyages to
Venezuela — Trinidad taken by Sir Balf Abercrombie — Establishment
of Missions — Capital — Caracas — Eailway — Zamboes — Changes of
Presidents — Grants of land — Concessions — Injury to Country —
Tonquin beans — Extra duties on Trinidad imports — Exorbitant
Customs — Charges — Stamps, &c.
CHAPTER IV.
No banks — Drain of specie from Guyana — Coinage of money —
Discontent in Guyana — Neglect of — Guyana a separate State —
Mining district — England's claim to Watershed of Esseqeubo —
Emigration from Demerara — Waterway and carriage from Demerara
— Bising of miners — Military power — Mining Code — Report of
Minister — Coyuni river.
CHAPTER V.
Treatment by Spaniards — Their Cruelties — Successive Bands —
Missions — First Bebellion — Final rising — African Slaves — Freedom
t— Earthquake — War to the death — Constitution — Succession of
Presidents — Gusman Blanco — Venezuelan Loan.

CHAPTER VI.
Venezuela, boundaries of — Size — Population — Guyana — Division
— French Explorers — Forest bell about equator — Upata — Description
of scenery — Cattle and horse farming — Roads — Railway — Prospects
of — Improvements of roads — Difficulties of transit — Tolls— -Capa
bilities of Guyana. CHAPTER VII.
Journey to the mines — Down the river to Las Tablas — Custom
House — Hotel — Start with Mules — Falls of Caroni — Lost in the
storm — St. Jose — A sporting adventure— Paradara — TJpata — Crossing
the Divide — La Florida — Guacipati — Rejoicings there.
CHAPTER VIII.
Departure from Guacipati — Ride to Callao — Description of —
El Callao Mine — Callao Bis — New Callao — West Callao — Caratal
district — Chili — Austin's Concessions — Panama— Potosi or Peru —
La Victoria — Gold surface diggings — Quartz mining — Return to Las
Tablas — Union and Cartago — Lode and machinery — Half-ounce —
Company, formation of — Probable.
CHAPTER IX.
Start from Las Tablas — Cindad Bolivar — Boat hiring — Crew —
Start — Pass mouth of Coroni — Cross current — One-eyed Captain —
Steering — Chances of upset — Gale of wind— Stop for the night —
Beasts, &c, as neighbours — River beasts, birds, and fishes — Scenery
— Sunrise — Off again — Cooking on board — Second day — Run before
the wind— Stoppages — Second night — Captain's fears — Trading — In
sight of Bolivar — Crew pulling against the stream — Stuck on a
rock — Caymans — Port at last — Military demonstrations — A prisoner
— Fancy shooting — Shelter — Bolivar in a Scare — Seizure of steamer
— Machinery sent up river — Safe return and shipment to Las
Tablas.
CHAPTER X.
Leave Bolivar — Locusts — Down the river — Touch at Las Tablas
— Barrancas — Ship 200 cattle — Down the river — Beach Trinidad 
Delay for six days — Stupidity of arrangements— Life in Trinidad 
On board the Eden — Grenada— St. Vincent — Barbadoes  Change to
R.M.S. Para— Quarantine — Smallpox — Yellow fever — Fine passage 
Azores — Plymouth — England again.
CHAPTER XI.
Concluding Remarks.

Appendix A.— Report on Mines by Venezuelan Minister. Ap
pendix B — Mining Laws of Venezuela. Appendix C — Consul
Reddan's Report, 1885. Appendix D. — Treaties iceding Great
Britain the district of Essequebo.

CHAPTER I.
JHE year 1885 will be long remembered for
the great depression in trade, and no class
suffered more severely than British inves
tors in Foreign mining properties ; more especially in
gold mines. The average investor, terrified by the fall
in securities, rushed headlong into the market, to get
rid of his already depreciated property, and by his own
foolish impetuosity, added considerably to his losses, by
still further depressing an already falling market. Every
one was anxious to get out on any terms, and gold
mines, whether good or bad, became a drug in the
market. Of all these mines, those in South America fell most
into disrepute. It was remembered that the only mine
which was a paying concern in Venezuela, was owned
and worked by parties resident on the spot, and that
hitherto no English adventure in that country had been
successful. The Victoria Gold Company of Venezuela,
of which at that time I was a shareholder, was no excep
tion to the general rule. Its shares fell to nothing. The
directors were accused of all sorts of misdemeanours,
and some even went so far as to say that there was no
mine or property of that name whatever.
In consequence of all these adverse reports and
criticisms, the Company came to a standstill until early
in January, 1886, when some of the shareholders,
recovering a little from their panic, determined to reform

6 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
the Company under the name of " Victory, Limited,"
and to send out one of their directors to investigate
and report upon the capabilities of the property, and
put the affair into working order. Finally I was selected
for this purpose, and accordingly, armed with the fullest
powers and with an efficient staff, I left England by
Royal Mail Steamship from Southampton, early in
March, 1886.
A passenger steamer is indeed a world in miniature.
Among our 50 passengers, every class seemed represen
ted : Royalty by the governor of one of our West India
Islands with his wife and family, who were graciously
condescending, yet conscious of their own- importance :
Military rule by a colonel going to take up his command,
who seemed to have swallowed all the ramrods of his
regiment after their disuse, and whose digestion had not
enabled him to get rid of them, so stiff and upright was
he : the Navy by a most genial captain and pleasant
officers of the ship : the Clergy, as usual, were well
represented, from the orthodox English clergyman down
to a small choir of Salvationists, who were taking their
peculiar doctrines to a foreign clime, and who were in
the habit of giving us their songs every evening : the
comic element was there in force ; it was from them
that the following hymn was proposed as a pleasing
variety to the Salvationist leader, and likely to be of use
where they were going : —
God Almighty love the nigger,1
God Almighty love him well,
God Almighty love the nigger,
And he know him by him smell !

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. J
The majesty of the Law by barristers of family, who,
being utter failures at home, were thought good enough
to be made judges to dispense law in her Majesty's
colonies : Music and Arts by one or two young ladies
who could play and sing, and several more who thought
they could, together with the usual male tenor, who
sang sentimental songs of the "Dearest Ever" and
" My Darling " class, with great muscular exertion
about his shoulders, and the bold baritone, who nightly
favours with " As we lay, all that day, in the Ba-ha-hay
of Biscay ho ! a Scotch gentleman also had a fiddle, on
which he was very proud of scraping out " Auld lang
Syne," "Coming thro' the Rye," "The MacGregor's
Gathering," &c, about midnight, while sitting on the
taffrail, in a dismal and utterly out of time and tune
manner, which was very depressing : Sport also had its
representative in a young gentleman of our own party^
who, having provided himself with quite an arsenal in
the way of rifles, revolvers, bowie knives, and ammuni
tion, was constantly enquiring about the prospect of
shooting big game in South America, and expressing
his fervent desire to come face to face with tigers.
Our voyage out, was, for the first 6 days, a constant
succession of gales, during which most of the passengers
favored a strict retirement in their own cabins. The
few of us who remained, seemed to get on very
pleasantly together, although we somewhat roused the
ire of the worthy chief mate, by christening the ship
" The old Steam Roller," a name she fairly earned by
her constant sideway action, which had the effect of

8 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
generally depositing any unwary promenaders in the lee
scuppers, frequently causing our soup to exchange its
place in our plates for the outsides of our waistcoats,
and on one occasion all the tureens of soup and the
chief steward and his satellites on the cabin floor.
At last the long wished for fine weather came, and,
when two days from Barbadoes, we mustered a full table,
and the ladies appeared on deck. Quoits as played on
board ship engaged the male passengers. Music in the
evenings, and on the last one our Captain enclosed the
quarter-deck with side awnings, and by the light of
colored lanterns a very pleasant ball room was impro
vised. Every one relaxed, and general regrets were
expressed at the prospect of closing our voyage so soon.
We reached the harbour of Barbadoes just in time to
get to our anchorage before dark, being some 10 hours
behind time, after one of the roughest passages the ship
had ever experienced and with strong head winds most
of the way.
At Barbadoes we separated to pursue our ways by the
different intercolonial steamers, which are appointed to
convey the mails to the islands and ports.
Our party went on by the one which, touching at St.
Vincent and Grenada, eventually landed us at Trinidad.
The first thing all passengers do on reaching Barba
does is to rush on shore and consume a lunch of flying
fish and tropical fruits, washed down with rum punch
iced at the ice house, and then look at the latest news
from England which is there posted up in the shape of

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 9
telegrams received daily, containing a summary of the
most important news. Having duly conformed to these
customs, and wandered for some time about the streets,
which were busy enough with the mule carts bringing
sugar hogsheads for shipment, then actively going on,
negro and colored women in their bright dresses selling
fruit and provisions, and men of the same class all
carrying whatever they had on their heads ; we
returned to our ship and proceeded to transport our
selves and baggage to R. M. S. " Esk," one of the
intercolonial boats, of 2600 tons or thereabouts. These
vessels are specially constructed with a view to the
comfort of passengers in hot climates, and are very
convenient and cool, cabins well arranged, saloon large
and well fitted, and a number of separate tables, holding
eight or ten each, provided, so that parties may contrive
to be together as much as they please. A ladies' cabin
and smoking room also on deck, and the baths, lavatories,
&c, all that can be desired. I wish I could say as much
about the living, but the old saying that " while God
finds food the devil finds cooks " is fully exemplified on
these vessels. Whether it is that they think passengers
should, on reaching hot climates, be acclimatised, and
for this purpose they should eat little, and therefore
appetising things should not be placed before them, or
whether it is that the passengers in these boats are
generally only there for two or three days, and it is a
matter of little consequence how they fare for that short
time, I will not venture to decide, but certain it is that
the living does not come up to that supplied by the ships
sailing from England to Barbadoes, and it is a matter

IO VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
which the Directors of the Royal Mail Steamers should
look into if they desire to keep their passengers traffic
which is now largely threatened by competing lines from
France and New York, with increased accommodation
and reduced fares.
We left Barbadoes at 6 p.m. with a very scratch lot of
passengers, comprising Colonists of all sorts returning
to their own islands ; Explorers going out either on their
own account or for their various Governments ; Orchid
collectors ; German shopkeepers and assistants, and
quite a number of colored persons, male and female,
principally from Martinique, proceeding to the gold
mines in Venezuela in search of employment of one
sort or another. These last were deck passengers, and.
with their belongings, were herded together on the deck
forward without shelter.
On our arrival at St. Vincent, we had our first ex
perience of a tropical storm. For four hours the heavens
were literally opened, and rain descended in torrents.
Tons of water fell on the decks driving the passengers
below, and even the lower decks were not free from the
deluge About 2 a.m. the rain moderated, and the
Captain having arrived from the shore (where he had
been to dine with some island official), we started for
Grenada. The following morning, on going forward to
look out for land, I witnessed a sight worthy the pencil
of a Callot. The wretched deck passengers — yellow,
brown, and black — who had been exposed to the full
fury of the tempest, were, in the morning sunshine
drying their drenched plumes ; boxes, bags and bundles

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. II
were opened, soaked and drenched finery hung up to dry.
Here a colored lady, had put on her best bib and Tucker,
evidently an importation from some rag shop in
Belgravia ; there a darker matron in nearly nature's
clothing. Men — some in trousers, some in coats only,
and the majority in neither one nor the other, were
hanging up their clothes in all places to dry, while others
were occupied in preparing as best they might the
morning meal, and all chattering like so many monkeys,
in the best of spirits, and full of fun and repartee, for
your French Creole is to the full as quick and impulsive
as the native Irishman of Ireland.
We arrived at Grenada about 5 a.m. As point after
point, was opened, exclamations of surprise and delight
were heard on all sides. Seen under the rising sun, the
town presented a truly lovely picture, while the rich
estates surrounding it, and the hills crowned with
primeval forest towering above all, formed a picture
never to be forgotten. Grenada is justly termed the
sanatorium of the West Indies. Not only is its climate
delightful and salubrious, but 'its products are varied.
Fruits of all sorts grow in profusion. Sugar, Coffee,
Cocoa, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger, Nutmegs,
Pimento abound. Pineapples of the finest sorts are
now a large article of export. Limes, Lemons, Citrons,
Oranges, Grapes, Bread Fruit, and Cocoa Nuts in pro
fusion, while living is more moderate than at any other
island. Yellow fever is unknown, and all other fevers
and ailments very rare. Hospitality is still practised
there on the true old West Indian style, and the visitor

12 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
is made to feel himself at home in every place he enters,
while the beautiful scenery and tropical vegetation in
its most charming aspects allure him to excursions over
this delightful island.
Grenada shares with the other islands in the present
depression, owing to depreciation in price of cane sugar,
and estates are being rapidly thrown up, to be replanted
in Cacao. I shall have more to say on this subject
when treating of Trinidad. Grenada is like other small
islands, a Crown Colony, governed by a travelling
governor with a resident subordinate, a chief judge and
other assistants, who hold occasional assizes, and a
whole tribe of subordinate officials, secretaries, &c,
who seem to be sent there on the principles of Lucus a
Non Lucendo ; that is, because they know nothing
about the real wants of the Colonies.
These gentry are generally what whould be termed in
a china factory, wasters ; that is, either cracked, warped,
or otherwise useless ; cast offs from the foreign office,
sent out to show off their clothes, incapacity and
arrogance, at the expense of the colony they misunder
stand and misgovern. A stipendiary magistrate of
common intelligence and a dozen policeman, would
serve to maintain order in any of these islands, but in
that case, his excellency the governor, his sub-excellency
the chief secretary, his high mightiness the chief judge,
and their honors the subordinates, would have to get
their living by their own exertions, which would in
most cases be a very difficult matter to them. Con
sequently, the islands are taxed heavily, to furnish

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 13
salaries and appointments for these paupers, so that
patronage may flourish, while these wretched dependen
cies have not even the privilege of voting their own
taxation. While sugar estates and coffee plantations paid their
owners thousands a year, these things were only looked
at as little vexations, but now, owing to the failure of
both these sources of income, and the increased
difficulty of obtaining, not a fortune, but a living, they
are becoming a crying evil of great magnitude, and in
the end will lead, in many instances, to the abandon
ment by the white cultivators, of their estates, which,,
falling gradually either into bush or the hands of a
colored population, who are invincibly idle, and will
not do a stroke more work than will provide them a bare
subsistence, will fail to yield any returns, and the
islands thereabouts must return to a state of savagery,.
perhaps as bad as that of St. Domingo or Hayti itself,
where it is well known that even human flesh has been
exposed publicly for sale in the markets. One great
difficulty that presents itself to those who hope to excite
emulation, and so stimulate activity in the colored
population, is the total want of family or class pride.
One incentive to work among Europeans is the
maintenance of a certain position and rank, and a desire
to uphold the family. The coloured colonist has none
of this. He is, so to speak, his own ancestor. He has
no family pride. Whether he has become rich, and can
ride in his carriage, or remains poor and walks about
with a Breech cloth only, he claims equal respect and

14 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
attention from his fellows. All are alike, the sons and
, daughters of slaves, and the negro, with irreproachable
hat and dress, will chat with (as an equal) the negro
without any, or if not, then he is thought stuck up and
proud, and becomes an object of mistrust and hatred to
his class. What motive have they then for work.
Clothes, except for display, are cumbersome and incon
venient in such a climate. No artistic tastes have been
developed among them. The shelter of a few palm
branches is quite as useful as the grandest mansion. As
to food, a plantain or mango eaten in the open air
suffices, and hitherto there have been no Gourmands
among them. Their women from the highest to the
lowest understand the preparation of certain dishes,
such as Pepperpot (a very delicious dish), which is their
highest form of cookery. They have coffee, cocoa, and
sugar at hand, and as to liquors, new Rum has hitherto
held the palm over Champagnes, Clarets, and all expen
sive European products. Why then thould they work ?
Nature provides without trouble all they want. In some
few generations perhaps they may recognise class
distinctions, but unfortunately the leaning of the black
race is back to barbarism, and whenever the white
element in these islands disappears, which it must do if
the present oppressive system of government is main
tained, then I fear the hats and clothes will disappear
also, and the natural man reappear in all his natural and
unadorned majesty Absit Omen. After leaving Grenada
where we obtained a plentiful supply of fruit of all kinds
from the boats which came off to the ship, we proceeded
on to Trinidad. The entrance to the Gulf of Para, at

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 1 5
the lower end of which Port of Spain is situated, is
through three openings, called respectively Grand Bocca,
Bocca del Serpente, and Bocca Chica. In approaching
the coast which is very bold, presenting a solid face of
rock many feet high, on which a heavy surge is constantly
breaking, these mouths are with difficulty discernable ;
and indeed, two of them are very narrow entrances,
requiring careful navigation, and they are always
approached in daylight. Many a gallant ship has laid
her bones there, and even now, with all steam appliances,
wrecks are frequent. We entered by the centre opening
or Bocca del Serpente, and in a few minutes experienced
the change from a wild open ocean to a quiet calm
water, over which we steamed rapidly.
The Gulf of Para is formed by one of the mouths of
the Orinoco, and is gradually closing up at the lower
end, where the Port of Spain is situated, owing to the
deposits of sand, &c, brought down yearly by the great
river, which rises and falls with the greatest regularity.
For six months it increases in volume and then for six
months diminishes, the difference in depth being some
80 feet. This rise and fall is occasioned by the melting
of the snows in the Andes, and is very little influenced
by the rainy or dry seasons of Venezuela, through
which it runs, for the greater part of its course.
Port of Spain, the Capital of Trinidad, situated at
the lower end of the Gulf of Para, is a city of some
considerable size, it is fairly healthy, and is surrounded
by numerous villas and estates, to which the merchants
and wealthier inhabitants retire after business hours.

l6 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
Great attention is now paid to the water supply and
drainage, and during the day the town presents a very
busy and active appearance. Like all the other islands
Sugar has been the staple product, and is still very
largely cultivated. Indeed the largest establishment for
the manufacture of sugar, capable of turning out 70 to
80 tons per day, is situated about 30 miles by railway
from the capital. Furnished with letters of introduction
from Sir John Lubbock, we visited this factory, were
shown all over it, and had the working and mode of
manufacture explained by its very able and hospitable
superintendent, Mr. Abel.
The principal building is a large erection, at one end
of which the sugar canes are passed in from the railway
trucks, which come close up, and after being crushed,
boiled, evaporated, and put through all the most
modern processes, the sugar in bags, and the rum in
puncheons are ready for delivery at the other end,
where, being again placed on the railway trucks, they
are taken down to the port for shipment. Many sugar
estates contribute their canes to supply this vast estab
lishment ; upwards of 25 miles of railway is laid
through the fields of sugar, while seven steam engines
and a proportionate number of waggons are constantly
at work bringing up the cut cane, and removing the
finished products. By this sort of joint stock premises
the price of manufacturing is greatly reduced, and 'the
best coloured crystals can be delivered free on board for
£g per ton, and at that price pay a fair interest on the
capital employed. Unfortunately, with the present

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 17
competition from foreign countries, and the premiums
allowed by them to their own manufacturers, in order to
stimulate the production, and procure employment for
their own population, these prices cannot now be
obtained, and consequently the industry, so far as
British Colonists are concerned, is falling off.
Proprietors of estates, who are obliged to erect their
own mills, and manufacture their own crops, cannot
compete. The cost of the newest machinery is
enormous, and the return doubtful, so the properties
are in many cases thrown up, in order that Germans and'
Frenchmen should be fully employed, and that English
men should have bad sugar at i^d., instead of good at
2d. per pound.
Many estates, formerly in sugar, are now being planted
in cacao, which thrives well here, and which seems to
be looked upon as the future crop of this island. The
cultivation is easy, and little or no machinery required
to prepare the beans for market, but it takes from five
to seven years (according to situation) for the trees to
come into bearing, which deters many private owners
with small means from going into this cultivation, while
large commercial houses in Glasgow or elsewhere, who
hold, either by mortgage, or by making* advances,
numbers of sugar estates in many of the West India
Islands, have, with a very short sighted policy, actually
forbidden their overseers or managers to permit the
planting of cacao, for fear that when once the trees
were grown, and in bearing, the proprietors might

l8 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
escape from their clutches ; as no advances would be
required, and the estates here would consequently
pass from their control, it being by their manipulations
of the markets in England that the principal large
profits are made.
The Governor's residence is very finely situated, about
a mile from the town. The park surrounding it is
planted with almost every variety of tree and plant,
while the Botanical gardens adjoining are supposed to
contain the finest and most varied assortment in the
West Indies, and from it the Colonists are enabled
to obtain new varieties and plants of cacao, coffee,
chinchona, nutmegs, or whatever else they may desire
to make plantations of. The collection of West Indian
and South American orchids is unrivalled.
While Trinidad, by its position at the mouth of the
Orinoco, should command a great trade with the
province of Guyana, it is hampered and obstructed by
the policy of the Venezuelan government, which
imposes an extra ad valorem duty of 30 per cent, on
whatever comes from or through Trinidad ; and even
ships touching there, are liable to this impost. This
policy, so injurious to the trade of Venezuela itself,
originated in the pique of one of its presidents, on
account of the asylum afforded to rebels, who, having
risen against the government and been defeated, found
a safe refuge there, and a point of departure from which
to organize future excursions. Port of Spain does,
indeed, swarm with expatriated Venezuelan generals of

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. ig
all sorts and kinds, mostly impecunious, and ready to
accept a dollar or a dinner from any one disposed to
offer either of these articles, while they retain all the
pride and dignity of heroes fallen from their high estate.
Here they wait until some bolder spirit makes a new
pronunciamento^ when they hurry eagerly, to fall, like
vultures, on their poor native country, plundering every
where, and murdering without remorse, any unfortunates
of the other party who may chance to fall into their
hands. If the venture, perchance, succeeds, then they
become an everlasting drag on the new government,
claiming rewards for services never rendered, often
obtaining grants and concessions, ruinous to all trade ;
or, if the venture (as is usually the case), fails, either
through the leader having come to some private under
standing with the government, by which he is paid to
retire and desert his followers, or by some other general
making some private arrangements to betray his leader
and all the rest, then, in either of these cases, the
survivors return to their lair in Trinidad, to await a.
more fortunate opportunity.
Apropos of Venezuelan generals, I heard a curious
story out there : —
These worthies are the only people allowed to wear
swords in public, consequently you will always know if
a man is a general, for if so, he will surely have a sword.
A Major of one of our regiments, being out in
Venezuela, riding through the interior, where it is usual

20 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
to go armed with pistol and knife, one morning, being
about to pay a visit to the governor, asked his servant
for his sword, intending to put it on with his uniform.
The man gravely asked his rank in the army, and on
being told, observed that officers of that rank, when not
on duty, were not allowed to wear swords, but, that, if
his master liked, he, being a geneial, would wear it, and
when it was wanted, he could hand it over for use.
The Major used to speak, afterwards, with great glee of
his servant, " The General."
Trinidad relies greatly for its labour supply on Coolies
and Chinese. These people are numerous, and have
separate towns of their own. They are industrious and
contrive to accumulate considerable property, but they
are a migratory population, generally returning home
when they have earned a sufficiency. Some, however,
have finally settled down and become respectable and
wealthy citizens. In their quarrels the use of the knife
is very frequent, and wife murder through jealousy is a
common crime. The present Chief Justice is doing all
in his power to put down the use of the knife, by the
most severe punishments.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 21

CHAPTER II.
|FTER some days spent at Port of Spain,
varied by excursions to the most noteworthy
spots, we embarked on board the steamer
"Bolivar," to proceed up the Orinoco. This steamer,
which runs between Port of Spain and Cindad Bolivar
every fortnight, is the property of a Venezuelan company
and is built on the American system, that is, with fine
lines under water, and all the cabins, &c, on deck,
high pressure beam engines, &c, and is capable of
steaming 16 or 18 miles an hour with a very small
draught of water. We were obliged, before embarking,
to obtain a passport, and to produce a list of our luggage
signed by the Consul. The time occupied by the journey
is two days, and the fare 30 dollars or about £6 sterling.
We left Trinidad about 6 p.m., and ran up the Gulf
of Para to the bar at the mouth of the river. Here there
is very little water, and as the Orinoco was at its lowest,
great doubts were expressed about our getting over, and
if we stuck, we might (as we were told) remain there for
a week or so until the river rose sufficiently to float us
off. However, as it happened, we just scraped through
with a bump or two, and early in the morning we were
running up the mighty river against a current of some
4 miles an hour.
The channel chosen by the steamer is not that

22 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
selected by sailing vessels or steamers of great draught,
but is considered the shortest, and for scenery the most
beautiful. Generally the channel seemed from one to
two miles wide, while down to the water's edge ran the
heavy primaeval forest. Occasionally large masses of
the bank had given way, and the fallen trees- lay far out
in the stream, with their huge branches interlacing and
intercepting the debris coming down, until at last new
promontaries and islands were formed. At intervals
openings would occur where lawn-like banks of grass
ran down to the water's edge, dotted here and there
with trees ; many covered with blossoms, and at a
distance closely resembling the upper reaches of the
Thames. At another place the mangrov.es hung heavy
over the water, extending their roots far outwards ;
while looking through their dark foliage the still water
could be seen extending far away, terminating in dismal
swamps, and through all this roamed leopards, tiger
cats, tapirs, and monkeys at their own sweet will.
Flamingos, storks and cranes stalked about, of varied
and beautiful colors ; parrots and lories are flying over
head, while ducks and waterfowl, of all sorts, up to
swans are constantly being met with, and on all this
fair land no human foot treads. Snakes of the most
poisonous sorts infest the woods, while the caymans and
fish of carnivorous propensities swarm in the water.
In every swamp and lagoon the dreaded electric eel
abides in hundreds, while the great water snake often 50
feet in length is not uncommon. It seems the paradise
of wild beasts, and the jaguar will stop while drinking, or

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 23
the tapir look up from browsing on the grass, and the
monkey pause in his swinging from tree to tree as we
hurry noisely by, while a drowsy alligator floats lazily
on, his head half out of the water, without paying the
least attention, until perhaps a conical bullet from a
Winchester rifle, or from the revolver which every one
carries, rouses him to a knowledge that it is not good to
trust too much to mankind. As the day goes on we
steam through miles and miles of such scenery, every
succeeding bend opening up new beauties. Here
islands clothed in verdure, anon the banks closing
together so that we almost pass under the branches of
overhanging trees, then widening out till the shores
seem to recede almost from view and all under a
burning, glistening sunlight, while the river with its
dark brown water runs sullenly on without a ripple.
All noises cease, the very air quivers with the heat, and
the passengers, in desperation, and shirts and trousers,
rush to the bar for cooling iced drinks to support
exhausted nature. With the evening comes a renewal
of the wild beasts' cries, the chatter of the monkeys and
the screams of the birds. Then a great darkness and
the steamer beats on her way, amid a gloom penetrable
only by the experienced eye of our pilot. We are
aroused very early by the news that we are approaching
a settlement. Every one turns out, and we come
suddenly upon an Indian village. Two or three canoes
made of single logs, burnt out and scraped with shells
into form ; four or five houses, being merely poles stuck
in the ground and covered with a thatch of palm leaves,
while the population, in all its native simplicity and red

24 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
colour, turns out to look at us. These Indians, who are
harmless, live principally by fishing. They are of
Carib descent and were formerly much more numerous,
but the cruelties practised on them by successive parties
of Spaniards, when on their way up this river, to excite
a rebellion or revolution, or on their return after their
failure, have driven them away, or at least much further
back into the woods. Among other curious customs of
these tribes is one which must sometimes put them to
great incovenience. If any one dies in a village, he is
wrapped up in strips of fibre, then put into his canoe, if
he has one, if not, into his hammock, and suspended as
far from the ground as possible between two posts of his
house, and then all the survivors leave the village and
proceed to settle elsewhere. This must at certain
seasons prove very inconvenient, jand I am assured, on
native testimony, that one astute old chief always had
any of his people, who seemed to show symtoms of
dissolution, carried away from the village to die in the
woods, or be eaten there as the case might be, so saving
the time and trouble of migration to the rest ; but, added
my informant, he was not always successful, as some
times they would contrive to crawl back again to die.
These villages have about four or five acres of wood
round them cleared out by fire, and here they grow
Indian corn and plantains, sufficient — with the fish they
catch — to keep them. Those I saw looked fat and well.
All this country for hundreds of miles on each side
must eventually become very valuable. The land is of

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 25
the richest and most productive; the Indian corn there
grown exceeds in size all I have ever seen. Let but the
forest fall and the white man get a footing, and sugar,
cotton, cacao, coffee, tobacco, spices and all sorts of
fruits will grow in abundance, and make enormous
returns ; while the great river itself will prove^a highway,
facilitating their ready shipment to those less favored
countries, which consume without being able to produce
them. We have passed the Indian village and half-a-dozen
1 similar to it, and now we approach the first white settle
ment. This proves to be a single hut, varying but little
from the Indian ones, except that it is enclosed partly
by walls made of mud baked in the sun. The children
too have something on, while one or two garments hang
in the sun to dry, and the garden round shows a little
more variety ; some sugar canes, a papau tree and four
or five cocoa nuts, but the canoe and the general dirt
and squalor, and color too are very much the same.
Leaving this lonely squatter we push on, and presently;
on the right bank, we come in sight of a more pretentious
abode. This is a small sugar plantation. We see the
primitive appliances for crushing the cane, and the open
boiling house, where in large iron pans, the juice is boiled
and evaporated until a coarse brown product is obtained ;
the residue being converted into very good rum, in a
still something like an old tea kettle. A Demerara
planter would recoil with horror from this primitive
mode of manufacture, but it answers the owner's purpose
well enough ; he has no competition to put up with.

26 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
All foreign sugars are absolutely prohibited, and once
he has obtained permission to grow sugar, his product
will command from five to six pence per pound. Think
of this all you beetroot growers and free traders, who
ruin your own Colonies for the benefit of foreigners with
their draw-backs and bonuses.
House now succeeds house, and plantation plantation,
with either sugar or tobacco, at every two or three miles>
until we reach Barrancas, a straggling village with a
large corral or penn, capable of holding three or four
hundred head of cattle, and from which they are shipped,
and carried by this vessel on her, return voyage to
Trinidad, for the supply of beef to that island.
These cattle, all young bulls, driven in from the sur
rounding savannahs, where they are bred, in an almost
wild state, are placed in this corral from which a narrow
road runs down to the ship's side. Then ensues a
lively scene. Pressed by the Peons on horseback behind
while an old and trained bull, kept especially for the
purpose, walks in front of the herd, they push and
jostle till they arrive at the narrow outlet. Here a crush
occurs, those in the rear push forward, those in front
try to get back, some twenty or thirty are driven over
while the rest, maddened by their efforts, turn on the
Peons and force their way into the open space.
Then all is gone over again, until the necessary
number are on board, or until they cannot any longer
be brought up to the passage.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 27
In the latter case, a peon dismounts, and lasso in
hand, boldly walks among them ; selecting the most
troublesome, he throws one end of his lasso, made of
bulls hide over his horns, passes the other down to the
ship, where it is attached to the windlass, and the
wretched animal, every limb pushed forward in mute
protest against this mode of progression, is positively
wound down into the hold ; others follow, until the
Corral is' at length cleared and the ship goes on her way.
The men employed in this work are all daring and
practised horsemen and well skilled in the use of the
lasso, while their small but very active horses turn and
twist and jump out of the way of the infuriated animals
without in any way disturbing the seat of their riders.
After leaving Barrancas the river changes its aspect ;
the banks are further apart. Huge stoney bluffs appear,
the land is more open while in the distance appear the
mountains of Guyana, a lower spur or branch of the
Great Chains of the Andes. Now, turning a sharp
corner, we open a vast sheet of water, at the lower end
of which appears in the distance, evidently some fortress.
This is the famous fort built by Sir Walter Raleigh
when that bold buccaneer forced his way up the Orinoco
and proceeded to search for the land of El Dorado
among the possessions of the Spaniards. Curiously
enough, Raleigh and his followers, according to all
traditions must in their attempted passage through the
country have actually passed over the spot where now
the greatest quantities of gold are procured. I mean
the great mine of El Callao, and it was this journey

28 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
which, eventually, through the cowardice of James I.,
and his fear of the Spaniard, lost Raleigh his head.
The proud Viceroy of South America never forgot or
forgave the blow inflicted on his prestige and power by
the bold Englishman, and Raleigh's blood' was needed
to quiet the fears and satisfy the pride of the Spaniard
whom he had so often defeated.
It is believed in the country that Raleigh and his
followers buried great treasures in and around the fort,
previous to their departure, but no one seems to have
found any of them. The land round it for many miles
is open, and of the most fertile nature, but without
inhabitants, and I was assured that neither the govern
ment nor any other authority would interfere with any
one who chose to take up his abode and help himself to
as much land as he wanted, whether one or hundreds of
acres, now lying waste. Passing Raleigh's fort we
approached Las Tablas, a small town on the river's edge
and at which persons visiting the mines, generally
disembark, a process attended with some difficuly unless
you have previously been to Cindad Bolivar and obtained
a permit. Here we took in a few passengers and pro
ceeded to Cindad Bolivar, which we reached on the
afternoon of the second day after leaving Trinidad.
Our young sporting friend had, during the voyage,
been extremely active with his rifle, but had not suc
ceeded beyond frightening several large birds and
alligators. He explained to me that the motion of the
vessel rendered shooting with the rifle exceedingly

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 20,
difficult and quite different to shooting on land, where
you stood still and took your aim. As he assured me
he was one of the crack shots of his regiment (volunteers)
and was there relied on as capable of making a bulls
eye when needed, I received his explanation with all
the reliance which his experience seemed to guarantee.
It was in the evening of the second day of our'voyage,
shortly after sunset, that I saw a sight ever to be re
membered. Darkness in these latitudes closely follows
the setting of the sun, but the stars are so bright and the
moonlight so clear that this time is generally chosen for
a quiet lounge on deck. Suddenly at about a yard
distance from the most eastern star of the southern
cross, a meteor appeared falling, about the size of a
plate, and of such a bright white color that moon and
stars and all appeared suddenly to have been extin
guished ; for- some seconds it lit up everything like the
sun itself, while falling rapidly, then turned suddenly
blood red and seemed to sink into the earth a short
distance off. So close did it appear that for a minute
every breath was held, waiting a final crash and
explosion, but nothing more happened, and the night
became again serene. I heard afterwards that a huge
aerolite was supposed to have fallen near Caracas, some •
5 or 600 miles away.
Cindad Bolivar, formerly known as St. Thomas de
Angostura, the port of entry for the whole State of
Guyana, to which every vessel arriving in the Orinoco
is compelled to proceed, in order to clear, is an old

30 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
Spanish town placed on a solid rock rising from a vast
plain and close to the river side.
The town was originally started in 1575, was removed
in 1764 to the present site, and in 1790 was called St.
Thomas d' Angostura, or St. Thomas of the narrows.
After the freedom of the country from Spanish rule,
the name was changed to Cindad Bolivar, or the City of
Bolivar. The bitters known as Angostura bitters were
originally made here, but the manufacture has been
removed to Trinidad without improving the article.
The Orinoco here is very narrow, and a spur of the
same rock on which the town is built juts far into the
stream, and renders navigation very unsafe, while the
narrowness of the channel enables the town to command
all the waterway. Inland, behind the town, are large
lagoons so that it is practically unaproachable by any
hostile force, if well defended. The rock rises very
sharply and the houses seem piled one above the other,
while their foundations and- the streets running up to
the top of the mound have been regularly blasted out of
the solid rock. The little yards or gardens behind,
without which no Spanish house is complete, have been
brought into cultivation by earth brought in baskets
from long distances.
The principal street, where the warehouses of the
merchants are, faces, and runs parallel to the river ;
between it and the water, a long line of fine trees have
been planted, affording a much desired shelter during
the mid-day heats, which are terrific here. During our

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. ^1
stay the thermometer ranged from ninety-six to one
hundred and twelve in the shade, without any breeze,
except for about one hour at sunset, when it would blow
a perfect gale and then die away altogether. Were it
not for this evening breeze I think no human being could
live there long. It was the hottest place I was ever in.
The bare black rock on which it is built gets almost red
hot at noon, and never at any time gets cool. It is said
out there, that at the Creation, after the six days were
over, the devil stole a mean advantage during the
Sunday's rest, and threw up Cindad Bolivar as an outpost.
The city received its present name in compliment to the
great liberator, a fine bronze statue of whom stands in
the public square, opposite the Cathedral.
Apropos of bronze statues, it is usual to erect one to
any successful general, who for a time succeeds to
power, but this is usually pulled down by his successor.
A cute Yankee, therefore, who had a share in some
American foundry where such things were generally
cast, hit upon the idea of having moveable heads which
could screw on or off, so that General Brown's statue
of to-day would do for General Black to-morrow with a
new head, and without any disturbance of the figure,
and even proposed to keep a dozen or two of heads
in stock to select from.
Almost all the houses are of the old Spanish type, one
story, or, at most two high, with flat terraced roofs, and
windows heavily barred, through which at eve the lover
serenades and talks to his mistress ; generally white
washed, with a sort of dado or border, up to about three

32 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
feet from the ground, of some bright color — blue, green,
or mauve, and at the back an enclosed yard or garden,
where the family spend most of their time.
All . the houses have large projecting balconies
supported on posts, under which the pavement of the
streets run, thus affording some shelter to the passenger,
The women of the better class are seldom seen, except
at early mass about 4 a.m. There are no walks or rides
except up and down the principal street by the river
"side. All the country round is one dreary desert, either
swamp and lagune where Malaria reigns supreme, or
else sandy Savannah where nothing but sand paper
trees and coarse grass can grow. Yet in this miserable
spot large fortunes are made by those who can endure
it. The place is not unhealthy, it is merely hot. No
other word can describe it. It is perpetually, and for
ever, Hot, Hotter, Hottest.
During the few days I was detained at Bolivar, a
swarm of locusts passed over the town, absolutely, for
some hours, obscuring the sun and turning day into
twilight. After their passage, the streets were quite
slippery with the droppings and the stench abominajble.
The trees along the river bank, under whose shade in
the evening the exhausted inhabitants used to sit
formerly, for the evening breeze, presented the appear
ance of being scorched by a fierce fire. All the buds
and young leaves were destroyed, and the old ones
brown and crumbly. These pests destroy almost every
green thing in their forward march.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 33
They have alarmingly increased during the last two
years, and are fast eating up all the vegetation in the
country. Luckily they do not like Savannah grass or
sugar cane, nor do they much injure the cacao trees ;
but the cocoa, plantain, bread fruit, orange and lime
trees are stripped of every leaf, and in many cases quite
killed ; even if they survive, it takes many months
before they recover. As a consequence, fruit and
vegetables are exceedingly scarce and dear, and the
inhabitants rely [principally on corn, bread stuffs, and
potatoes from America, which are sold at enormous
profits. The Spanish part of the population are Roman
Catholics, and there is a Cathedral, but it is a plain
building, without ornament, and the spire is very
dwarfed, owing to the danger from earthquakes.
At the very summit of the rock on which the town
stands, and placed so as to secure every puff of air,
stands a very large plain building intended for a hospital.
The building was commenced during the time the state
of Guyana was governed by men selected from the old
families of the province. The Dela Costas, for a long
time governors, spent considerable sums of their own
upon it, but after their ruin the building languished,
and it was not until the directors of the great El Callao
Mine, came forward with the magnificent donation of
,£"15,000 that there seemed any chance of its completion.
Now, however, it is being rapidly pushed on, and the
town itself will no doubt contribute whatever more may
be required to complete it. When finished it will prove
an inestimable boon. Plain to ugliness outside, the

34 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
inside is especially designed for the comfort of the sick,
and the question of ventilation and coolness has been
particularly considered. The town is well supplied
with water from the river. A steam engine and pumps
having been erected, which forces it up to the highest
parts, and it is laid on for several hours every day. It
was at one time supplied from a reservoir erected on the
top of the rock, but it was found that the water there
bred mosquitos in millions, and the tank or reservoir
system had to be given up. During the dry season the
town is comparatively free from these pests, but in the
wet time they swarm in myriads, and mosquito nets
are a necessity at night, if sleep is to be hoped for.
There are one or two sorts of mosquito in this country,
especially venomous: one of a greenish yellow tint
which, in addition to stinging, and sucking ones blood,
deposits a small egg at the bottom of the wound, from
which in due course a worm or maggot is hatched, and
this proceeds to bury itself in the flesh, growing to d
very considerable size, and causing great pain. It
requires a very experienced person to remove them, as,
if broken they cause severe running sores, which last
several months, and are very difficult to cure. Luckily
this sort of mosquito is not very common, but I met
several instances of persons suffering from their stings.
On landing at Cindad Bolivar, the traveller is met
with the most troublesome Custom House restrictions
and regulations. Until a permit is obtained, Custom
House officers on board, and sentries duly placed at
the gangways, no one is permitted to leave the ship,.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 35
and this, owing to the laziness or insolence of the lower
officials, takes some hours.
Then every package or parcel has to be carried on
shore and up to the Custom House by a soldier, who is
entitled to a considerable sum for his services. There
they must remain, for the presence of the chief, who
attends for two or three hours only in the day. In his
absence, nothing can be done, and it is very unwise to
leave your luggage, even for a minute, out of your sight,
it is so apt to disappear altogether. After every thing
has been turned over, and flagrant attempts made to
seize anything that appears new, the traveller is at last
permitted to have his luggage taken to his hotel by
another soldier at a fixed tariff. In my case the charge
amounted to some £1 for a distance of less than 400
yards altogether. The employment of soldiers to land
all goods at a specified tariff, is one of the means
employed by government to pay them, as beyond this,
they have little or nothing to depend on.
Goods and baggage could easily be landed and
warehoused at a quarter of the price now charged, were
it permitted to use one's own servants, or to select
labourers, but this would compel the government to pay
the soldiers, while at present they are at free quarters,
living as it were on the merchants and travellers.
The hotel accommodation in Cindad Bolivar is very
limited. You certainly can get a room in which to
swing your hammock, and in some of them there is a
canvas stretcher, a jug and basin, generally of iron, and

36 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
a cane chair. Your meals' must be taken at regular
. hours (n and 6) at a table d' hote, where the food is
plentiful if not appetizing, but of privacy or quietness
there is no chance.
An American captain, who on his return from Cindad
Bolivar had been to a seance of spiritualists, on being
asked his opinion, said that he fully believed in them,
alleging that, when asked to say whom he wished to
interview, he named his late first mate, who had died at
Cindad Bolivar during the time the ship lay there. On
the spirit answering in the usual manner, he enquired
how he was getting on down below, to which the spirit
replied, that he should feel greatly obliged if, when he
came that way, he would bringVith him his (the mate's)
great coat, adding that after Bolivar the climate was less
than temperate, and, said the captain, I knew it must be
Bill's ghost that was speaking, for no one, who had not
been to both places, would ever have been able to dis
tinguish between them.
One of the arrangements at Cindad Bolivar, peculiar
to this country and government, is to regulate the dis
patch of the fortnightly steamer with the mails, to
Trinidad so that it should arrive there the day after the
Royal mail steamer leaves with the mail bags for the other
Colonies, England and the Continent, and to make its
return voyage to Cindad Bolivar from Trinidad, with
letters, just one day before the mails can arrive from
England, entailing on correspondents a loss of 12 or 14
days quite uselessly.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 37
There is popularly supposed to be a telegraphic com
munication from Cindad Bolivar and some station in the
Gulf of Para opposite Trinidad, but it is totally unre
liable. When the wire is not broken, and the clerks
happen to be in the offices, at both ends, at the same
time (which seldom occurs), a message may pass through,
but so terribly mangled and distorted that it is' better
not to send it at all. First, the clerk sending it, wants
to know what it means and all about it, if he does not
understand, he won't send it. Then the clerk at the
other end requires similar enlightenment, so that, unless
you can be put on the wire and accompany it to its
destination, there is small chance of its arriving there in
any intelligible form. Then, if it reaches the other end
and all is pronounced correct, the clerk will most
probably write his version of it in Spanish and send it.
across the bay by the first ship which may call there on
its way to Trinidad : averyunfrequent occurrence. Your
Trinidad correspondent, should it ever reach his hands,
in despair of understanding its meaning, sends it on
verbatim to (say) London, paying fourteen and three
pence per word for what, on its arrival, generally turns
out to be nonsense, and is almost always considerably
forestalled by the usual mail service. I need scarcely
say that this line does not command much custom. The
telegraph line to Caracas, on the contrary, is fairly
reliable and in general use.
Facing Cindad Bolivar, on the other side of the river,
is a small group of houses and plantations, called Sole-
dad, and this is the point of departure by road to

38 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
Caracas. A ferry-boat crosses the Orinoco every half
hour, and daily takes over the mails. The passage is
somewhat dangerous, owing to sudden iquails, which
burst with scarcely any notice, and last but a few
minutes. During my short stay, the ferry-boat was
twice upset by them, and on one occasion, all the mails
were lost and the crew very nearly drowned. They
were not rescued until they had gone down the river
more than a mile, clinging to the keel of the overturned
boat. A curious example of the despotism used by-
Government Officials occurred in connexion with the
last upset. A German barque was loading up, and one
of the officials ordered them to lower and send off a boat
at once to the rescue. This, the Mate refused to do
without orders from the Captain, who was on land some •
where. Without more ado, a file, of soldiers was sent to
arrest the Captain, who was taken, where he was dining
with some friends, and, both he, the Mate, and all the
crew together, with one or two people who happened to
be on board the vessel at the time, were clapped into
jail for the night. Next morning they were released and
ordered to leave at once, and the ship had to sail in the
morning, whether ready or not. No trial at all — it was
simply an act of high-handed summary Justice on the
part of the Governor, from which there was no appeal.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 39

CHAPTER III.
1ENEZUELA was discovered by Christopher
Columbus during his third voyage in 1498.
In 1499, Ojeda sailing round the coast and
entering the Bay of Maraccaibo, found all the native
villages constructed on foundations of piles, driven into
the swampy ground, and named the country Venezuela,
or little Venice, from the likeness it presented to the
construction of Venice. This adventurer, who merely
went in quest of plunder, did not form any permanent
establishment there.
The first colony (that of Coro) was founded in 1527,
by Ampues. Soon afterwards the whole country was, by
grant from the Spanish Court, made over to the Welsers,
who were great bankers, and who undertook to form a
company to colonize the country. Under the tyranny of
this people the land languished till 1545, when the
Emperor Charles, at last conscious of the dreadful
oppression exercised by them, cancelled the grant,
resumed possession of the country, and appointed
Viceroys to govern it, and maintained this system until
the colonists rose in rebellion, and in 1810, under
General Miranda, declared the country an independent
state.

40 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
The Viceroys, according to the custom of Spain with
her colonies, looked upon their appointment merely as an
opportunity to enrich themselves, and the most scandalous
abuses were practised. Under the pretence of disloyalty
the Indians were shot, enslaved, and destroyed whole
sale. A pearl fishery of great value was discovered at
the island of Margarita, but so excessive was the greed
of the Spaniards, that by 1580 the pearl oyster was
almost totally destroyed, and the fishery abandoned,
while the bones of thousands of Indians who died there
under the lash of their taskmasters, bore testimony to
their utter heartlessness and, cruelty in the pursuit of
wealth. During two centuries or more, the oyster beds have
remained comparatively undisturbed, but in 1872 a
Mr. Spence obtained a concession from the then
government to enable him to prosecute the fishery. No
great results however attended this attempt, and I
believe it was subsequently abandoned.
The fishery is still carried on in a very small way,
and occasionally pearls of great beauty from Margarita
can be obtained at Caracas the capital, but the insta
bility of successive Governments and the insecurity of
property, joined to the apathy and laziness of the
inhabitants render the embarkation of foreign Capital
into commercial undertakings exceedingly hazardous.
This is sufficiently indicated by the fact that the usual
rate of interest in Venezuela for loans secured on either
land, houses, or other property, is from i^- to 2 per cent
per month, or 18 to 24 per cent, per annum.

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 41
Juan Cornicho was the first of the Spanish ad
venturers who attempted to pass up the Orinoco. This
voyage was made in 1531 during the period when the
country was under the control of the Welsers.

The chief source of the Orinoco, as far as known, is in
Guyana south west of the range of mountains known as
the Sierra Parima. One part of the river known as the
Cassaquiau runs south west to the Rio Negro and thus
connects the Orinoco with the Amazon. The highest
mountain on the Sierra Parima range is called
Maraguaca, and rises 8000 feet above sea level. The
chief rivers in Guyana besides the Orinoco, are the
Guairari, Meta, Caroni, Cayuni, Apure, Yuruari, and
Rio Negro.
That part of Venezuela on the south bank of the Orinoco
is known as the state of Guyana, a general name for all
the country between the Orinoco and the Amazon, and
derived from the Indian word Guainia, which was the
Marsitan name for the Rio Negro. At the time of the
first Spanish expedition this country was well populated
by many tribes of Indians, who hospitably received and
entertained them; kindnesses generally acknowledged
by either slavery or torture, to induce them to discover
to the greedy Spaniard the fabled El Dorado. After
Cornicho several other Spaniards made attempts from
various points to reach the reputed kingdom of Guyana
with its fabulous capital, but all failed to reach Guyana
itself.

42 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
Orellano was employed by Pizarro, the conqueror of
Peru, to search for Guyana, where it was supposed the
family of the unfortunate Inca Mata Calpa had retired,
and it was long believed that, accompanied by a vast
number of Peruvians, they had retreated through the
swamps on the banks of the Amazon and settled them
selves in the country beyond. There is some foundation
for belief in this migration, if the stories told by the
Indians of the Orinoco to Raleigh can be trusted, as they
speak of a race coming from the direction of the Amazon
evidently more civilized than themselves, who were ^t
that time driving them away from that part of their
territory furthest from the Orinoco, and extending towards
the Amazon. Be that as it may, Orellano did not
succeed in finding them.
After him, Pedro d' Orsua attempted to reach Guyana
from Peru, but after passing down the Amazon he was
murdered by one of his own soldiers named Aguerra
near the mouth of that river. Aguerra, after the death
of d' Orsua, assumed the command of the expedition,
and embarking at the mouth of the Amazon, sailed for
Margarita, which he plundered and burnt, putting the
governor and garrison to the sword. From thence he
pushed on to Cumdua, which he treated in a similar
manner, and became one of the most notorious and
dreaded pirates and plunderers on the Spanish Main.
At last, being defeated at Neuvo Regno de Granada and
in danger of falling into the hands of the authorities, he
put his wife and children to death with his own hand,
declaring, that as he could not have them honored and

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 43
respected, it was better for them to die, than live to be
branded as the offspring of a pirate. He then put an
end to his own existence, and relieved the country from
one of the worst of its oppressors. Sir John Hawkins
states that he heard during one of his voyages to those
seas of the cruelties of this monster. Don Antonio
Borreo, governor of Trinidad at the date of Raleigh's
voyage to Guyana, had also made an attempt to
penetrate the country from Columbia or Grenada with
1,000 men, but after months of privation and the loss of
nearly all his force, he was compelled to abandon the
enterprise. His son afterwards made another attempt
up the Orinoco, but was enticed by the Indians into the
country and signally defeated with the loss of 300 men.
It was while Borreo was governor of Trinidad, that
Sir Walter Raleigh started on his first voyage to Guyana
in 1594. On his arrival at Trinidad, after passing
through the Boca del Serpente he reached the bottom
of the Gulf of Paria, and the city called Port of Spain ;
here, being treacherously treated by the Spaniards, he took
the town by storm, after defeating the governor Borreo.
There is a general belief, both in Venezuela and Trinidad
that Raleigh had him flogged in the open market place.
Sir Walter himself says nothing of this, but merely adds
to his account of the capture, that he treated him
according to his desserts.
Borreo tried his utmost to prevent the expedition
from going up the Orinoco, pointing out the great
danger attending the navigation, and the hostility of th e

44 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
Indians on the banks, that they used poisoned arrows,
against which there was no remedy, and that the climate
was deadly to Europeans. Sir Walter, however, was
not to be deterred, and after trying'in vain to find an
opening sufficient for his ships to pass through, at length
proceeded in pinnaces and barges, leaving the larger
ships anchored at the mouth of the river.
There is a considerable difference in the accounts
given of Raleigh's proceedings. He appears to have
pushed up the river as far as the spot where the Caroni
joins it, and to have visited the falls in that river, which
are some of the finest in the world. He also caused to
be attacked and burnt, the Spanish town of St. Thome.
This cannot be St. Thome d' Angostura, but probably
refers to a town situated lower down the river than the
Caroni falls. Most probably, where a fort still stands,
called, indifferently, Raleigh's, or, the Pirates' Fort.
There is no town theie now ; nothing but a rich desolate
country. If this was not the place, then it was at the
spot where the town of Las Tablas now stands,, but I
incline to the former place. Report says that treasure
was buried by him there, but, although long searched for,
none has ever been discovered. It was here that his
son met with his death during the storming of the town.
This expedition was under the command of Captain
Keymis, who killed himself shortly after its return to the
ships. The expedition can be distinctly traced to have
proceeded by land as far as Upata, and probably, as far
as the spot where the valuable mines of El Callao are
now producing fabulous quantities of gold. There

VENEZUELA '. ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 45
seems to have been some intention to push on to where
the rivers flowed into the Amazon. A very probable
determination in the then unknown state of the course
of the two great rivers.

Raleigh mentions, again and again, that he saw gold
embedded in white quartz, and it is singular that it is
white quartz which produces most of the gold of El
Callao, whereas in other mines, the gold bearing lodes
are blue. At last however, the expedition seems to have
regained the boats and then returned down the Orinoco,
it being impossible to pass further up, owing to the rainy
season and the heavy floods. Whether on his passage
up or down, he certainly landed at Barrancas on the
right bank, for cattle, and Barrancas remains to this day
as a place where large quantities of cattle are shipped
for export.
From Raleigh's history we learn that there must have
been many towns and a large population, at that time, on
and about the delta of the Orinoco. Now all is silent
and deserted.
Raleigh is still spoken of in Venezuela as one of the
English pirates, and when his death was resolved on by
the Spanish Court, the Ambassador, Gondemar, who
was ordered to complain to James the First, on his
Audience with that Monarch, only said one word, crying
Piratas, Piratas, Piratas, and abruptly left the presence.
Raleigh's execution followed shortly after.

46 VENEZUELA : TS M.INERAL WEALTH.
The few Indians still found there, belong to the tribe
of Gouranis. Gouaraona being an Indian name, indi
cating the mouth of the river. After Raleigh's expedition,
although he repeatedly called the attention of the
English Government to the great advantages to be
gained by the occupation and colonization of Guyana,
nothing appears to have been done until 1797, when
Trinidad was taken by the British under Sir Ralph
Abercromby and Admiral Harvey.
During all this time, the Spaniards had gradually
overrun the country, destroying or amalgamating with
the Indians, and various missions were established .
throughout Guayana by the Capuchins and Jesuits, who
seem to have greatly encouraged agriculture and cattle
breeding. In 1797 there were 38 of these missions in various
parts, from the mouth of the Caroni, as far as the rivers
Imataca and Cuyuni, surrounded generally by a popu
lation of one or two thousand Indians, who were
employed by the Spaniards, in the cultivation of cacao.
coffee, maize, vanilla, tobacco, and other products, and
also as peons at their cattle breeding establishments.
Traces of this old civilization are numerous at the
present day, although the plantations are ruined and
overgrown, and the great cattle establishments destroyed.
How this happened I shall presently point out. The
present Capital of Venezuela is Caracas. This was
founded 1565, by Diego Lozada. It is situated in the
Valley of Arragon, 3,000 feet above the level of the sea

VENEZUELA: ITS ' MINERAL WEALTH. 47
in latitude 10-30, and 67 west longitude. Five leagues
from Caracas, on the coast is, La Guyra, the port of the
capital. The bay is open to all winds, and in stormy
weather the anchorage is very unsafe. Between it and
the Capital rises a mountain 4,000 feet high, which has
to be crossed. Formerly all the traffic between Caracas
and La Guyra was by means of mules and oxen, and the
rate of carriage over a very rough road was extortionate.
In 1872 Gusman Blanco, the president, succeeded in
getting sufficient capital subscribed- in Europe, and after
one or two failures, a railway was at length constructed
from La Guyra to Caracas, but owing to the moun
tainous nature of the country, it had to take a very
circuitous route, and is between 25 and 30 miles long.
A minimum interest on the capital of 5 per cent, is
guaranteed -by the Government, and I understand that
the line is now fairly remunerative. There is a story
told that at first the undertaking looked like proving a
failure, owing to the old Road Carriers reducing their
charges to a level with those of the new railway, and as
in Venezuela, like Spain, there is a great dislike to
innovations, it- seemed likely that on their amended
tariff, they would retain the greater part of the goods
traffic. The President, however, was quite equal to the occa
sion. He called a meeting of all the principal carriers
and addressed them, pointing out that he had, at great
personal inconvenience, succeeded in inducing foreign
powers to embark capital in an undertaking which was
calculated to benefit largely the state of Venezuela.

48 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
That if their first venture proved unremunerative it was
very unlikely that any more foreign capital, would come
there, which would be a great blow to their prosperity ;
that the Government had guaranteed a certain rate of
interest, and if that was not earned by the road it must
come out of the pockets of the Venezuelans. That
the maintenance of the railway was for the good
of the country, and consequently those who opposed it
were enemies to their country, and that he, then and
there, issued a decree that any person opposing the rail
way by offering to carry goods at rates calculated to
injure them, were injuring the Government, and if they
persevered in that course they should be imprisoned
forthwith. Within a week of this address all traffic on the old
road had ceased, and with the exception of a solitary
traveller now and then who prefers to ride his own
mule, everything and everybody goes by rail.
The penalty of death is now abolished in Venezuela,
but at La Guyra there still exist some dungeons below
the sea and swamp levels, where the worst criminals are
ordered to be incarcerated, and I believe a week or two
generally terminates their sufferings. They are, how
ever, very seldom used.
It is curious to note this tenderness towards murderers
and felons in a people who, during their revolutionary
war, have carried sanguinary ferocity to its highest
pitch. Wholesale shooting of political enemies being
the rule, rather than the exception, and instances are

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 49
frequent, of large bodies of prisoners being shot down
after surrender. The mixture of Spanish and Indian
blood appears to produce a naturally ferocious breed,
holding the vices of both races and the virtues of
neither ; nor does the introduction of German or
Corsican blood seem to improve matters much.
A peculiar race called Zamboes, a combination of the
imported African slaves with some of the original Carib
Indians, has produced a breed, which, even in Venezuela,
is looked on as singularly ferocious, and out of ten
crimes committed, at least eight are attributed, and with
reason, to Zamboes. During the wars, they have proved
the most cruel and bloodthirsty of all troops, neither
taking nor giving quarter, and have fairly outrivalled, in
that respect, the Llaneros, or men of the plains.
The constant changes of presidents, and, consequently,
the very unsettled state of the country and insecurity of
property, have been the great drawbacks to the prosperity
of Venezuela. The present president, General Gusman
Blanco, seems to have had a longer lease of power, and
to have got a firmer hold on the people, than any of
their former governors. By an article in the constitu
tion, the president is only elected for two years, and the
same person cannot hold two consecutive terms of office,
therefore between General Blanco's presidentships there
have been a succession of warming pans as it were, he
returning to power as soon as the law permitted, and
the retiring presidents falling back into their native
obscurity, but each one while in power did all he could
to fill his own pockets and those of the needy set of

50 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
adventurers who surrounded him. Nor has General
Blanco, with all his power, and, I believe, a sincere
desire to benefit his country, been able to check this.
He is himself a very wealthy man, has great self-reliance,
and a firm belief in the future of his country, but the
system is beyond his power to overthrow.
When Bolivar freed Venezuela he gave (as the only
reward possible) the country among those who had freed
it. That is, the generals all applied for something, —
grants of land, special powers to trade, &c, &c, and
this precedent has been followed up in all succeeding
wars and revolutions, so that now there is scarcely any
thing in Venezuela that is not the subject of a concession
or monopoly. If you are a breeder of cattle, you find
on trying to ship them, that one general has the sole
right to export cattle out of Venezuela, so that you will
have to pay him four dollars a head for every one you
ship. If you seek to avoid this by killing or selling in
the country another [general turns up, who has the sole
right to slaughter cattle in the country, and he levies
five dollars a head for leave to kill your own beasts.
One general (they are all generals) has the sole right to
import one article, another the sole right to export
another. None of these worthies have really anything to.
export or import, but they sell these privileges to
German houses in trade, who, even after paying very
large sums to them, manage to" make an enormous profit,
but the trade of the country is crushed and ruined!
Foreign sugars and salt are prohibited, to protect
ndustries monopolised by certain favored individuals.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 51
Everything, in fact, is done by concession, and to obtain
these advantages over trade rivals, very large sums are
constantly paid to the various ministers, through whose
influence such can be obtained.
I will mention one instance. Tonquin beans are
largely exported from Venezuela.
The bean grows wild in certain districts, and used to
be collected by the natives, and brought down to the
various merchants in Cindad Bolivar, who bought them
up and shipped them to America, making a considerable
profit, and a large general trade was done in the article,
which gave employment to a great number of people.
However, one General, scenting plunder, applied for,
and got, a concession, appointing, him as the sole person
authorized to gather, sell, or export Tonquin. beans.
The merchants of Cindad Bolivar, seeing a very con
siderable trade slipping from their grasp, met and pre
sented a respectful petition to the then President, asking
him to abolish this concession, on the ground that it
was a great injury to trade.
What was the answer ? The Governor of Bolivar
¦called a meeting of the merchants who had signed the
memorial, which they all attended, except one wary old
fox, who suddenly became unwell, and went down to
Trinidad for his health. On reaching the Government
house, they were informed that the President had read
their memorial, that he considered it as inimical to the
Government, and that he, the Governor, was directed
to give them a fortnight's confinement in prison, to

52 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
reconsider the matter ; and imprisoned they were
accordingly. No further memorials reached the Presi
dent from them, and now one German house in Bolivar,
has, by paying a large sum yearly to the concession
holder, obtained the privilege of collecting and exporting
all Tonquin beans. The people, who collect them, have
to pay for leave to do so, they must bring them to this'
house, who buys at their own price, and -fearing no com
petition, sells or holds back, as the foreign markets suit
them. The average amount of duties, paid by merchants
on their imports, is 45 per cent. According to law,.
certain articles are free of duty, but against the clause a
rider is attached " by consent of the Minister," and this
consent is never obtained without a considerable bribe.
Trinidad occupies, towards Venezuela, something like
the position of Great Britain towards the continent of
Europe, in one respect ; it is a refuge for all disaffected,
Venezuelans ; here conspiracies are hatched, and expe
ditions fitted out, and here the discomfited parties return
after failure, sure of a secure, shelter. Venezuelan
Generals abound in Port of Spain, the capital, and
most of these worthies, are not above accepting a dollar
or a dinner from any one who will offer it.
Trinidad is, therefore, not looked upon favorably by
the Venezuelan Government, and an extra duty of
30 % is levied on every article coming therefrom, or on
the cargo of any ship clearing from there.
Again, Cindad Bolivar, the commercial capital and
largest town in Guyana is made the only port of entry.
The principal import trade now of Guyana is for the

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 53
supply of the mining district, and the direct route to the
mines, and the interior, starts, not from Cindad Bolivar,
but from Las Tablas (100 miles nearer the mouth of the
Orinoco) ; but Las Tablas must be passed ; the ship
must unload, and land all her goods at Cindad Bolivar
and pay duties on all, and then re-ship them and take
them back to Las Tablas, re-land them there, and again
pass them through the Las Tablas Custom House, before
they can be forwarded inland. Is it any wonder, then,
that goods costing originally ten pounds fetch from one
to two hundred at the mines.
All house dues, all taxes, all rents to Government, the
stamps on all papers (and every piece of paper on which
any transaction is written must carry a stamp, the lowest
of which is a franc, and each page or sheet must be
similarly stamped, otherwise the whole transaction is
illegal), must be paid in gold, and all the gold so paid
is sent direct to Caracas.

54 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.

CHAPTER IV.
| HERE are no banks in Venezuela, so all
money in payment of taxes, mine dues, &c,
is remitted in specie to Caracas, and the
singular spectacle is presented of a province comprising
one half of the republic periodically drained of its gold,
while foreign Companies have to send out gold to pay
their workmen, and so replace the continuous drain.
Up to the present time no duty has been levied on the
importion of specie, but no one knows what the Govern
ment may do. Banks, with powers to coin and issue
money, have been started, but it was found that the
money issued by them was so adulterated that no one
would take it. Indeed there is one case of an individual
having obtained a concession to coin and issue spurious
money, or at least in so adulterated a condition as to be
practically valueless. This clever person proceeded to
issue coins forthwith, which were accepted unsuspectingly
by every one, until the province was fully supplied, but
this coin, when paid into the Government coffers for
taxes, fines, dues, &c, and sent to Caracas, was
refused, and returned to the persons who had tendered
it, and when complaints were made, orders came down
to arrest the issuer as a forger. He was duly seized
and sent on to Caracas, but, on arrival there, it appeared
that he had some other concession to carry out, for

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 55
which, periodical visits to Trinidad were necessary, and,
in compliance with this, he was permitted to go there.
It is needless to say that once out of the country, he
did not return. Similar instances of fraud, oppression,
and injustice might be quoted by the hundred, in all
which, the officials participate largely. Meanwhile
discontent is rife all through Guyana, the state is being
beggared, the old families ruined. Men are sent from
Caracas to fill all posts, and are constantly being
changed, very inadequate pay is given, and it is notorious
that all officials accept bribes, to the perversion of justice.
A tax is levied on every inhabitant for the maintenance
of the roads, but not one penny is ever spent on them.
All the money is sent up to Caracas, and the only
attention the so-called roads ever get, is the labour of
any prisoners that may be on hand in jail, and this only
round the towns.
Every one in Guyana was looking forward to General
Gusman's re-accession to office and return to Venezuela
as a time when many of these crying evils would be
remedied. If he fails to satisfy them I fancy another
revolution is imminent, and . I should not be at all
surprised to see Guyana constitute itself into a separate
republic, divided from Venezuela by the Orinoco.
As to the mining district that lies within the water
shed of the Essequibo, I have traced the course of its
affluents, and can affirm positively, that by treaty
all the water-shed of the Essequibo belongs to England.
The intervention of such a great belt of virgin forest,

56 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
and the uncertainty of what the land was worth
prevented us at the time from urging our claims with
any persistency ; but the gold fever has at last spread to
Demerara. Overseers from various estates are proceed
ing with large bodies of labourers to prospect in this
virgin forest, and to push forward towards the present
mining district. All the hills abound in gold, and mining
discoveries of great value will be made.
The old Dutch navigators passed up the Essequibo
and its affluents, to within 60 miles of El Callao, and
this waterway can again be opened out. Everything
could pass up this channel, thus avoiding the great round
by Bolivar, as well as the vexatious delays and exorbitant
exactions of its Custom House. The present population
of the mines is principally composed of English subjects,
and all would 'hail gladly, and support energetically, a
union with British Guyana, or an independant state
with free trade. If this country is opened up as
Australia was, and similarly populated with an English
speaking race, the Government will be forced ;to interfere
for the protection of its [own subjects. Nor will the
trickery and falseness displayed by the Venezuelan
Government towards the English bondholders be
forgotten. They have no claim whatever to our
forbearance. The miners have already on one occasion
been brought into contact with the executive (see Consul
Reddan's report), and, but for the incapacity and
cowardice of their leader, who first provoked the out
break, they could successfully have resisted all
interference.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 57
With a road open from Demerara, whence supplies
and stores could be brought, Guyana, or for that matter
the mining district only, could defy all the forces the
Government of Venezuela could bring against them.
There is only one gun-boat to guard the Orinoco, and
that is so shaky that if the one gun on it was fired the
whole lot would go to the bottom.
All the countless herds of cattle, horses, and asses, so
eloquently described by writers of forty years ago have
disappeared from the plains. In a ride of 250 miles over
them, I never saw two horses, or asses together, or more
than five or six head of cattle. It was on these that the
combatants in former wars relied, to feed and convey
their armies, but they are gone, and on these vast plains
without'a population, or any cultivation, no large body
of men could be moved without the most complete
equipment of stores, provisions, baggage, and ammuni
tion beasts, which are not obtainable now. There are
navigable rivers to cross, and no bridges. It is difficult
enough now for the simple traveller, in the face of
opposition it would be almost impossible. Guns cannot
be moved without horses, and even of light guns, such as
would be required in that country, the Government have
none, and no money to buy any. Even the Custom
House revenues Jare mortgaged to some 80 °/0 of their
returns, and all other taxes are nearly in the same
position. The mining code of Venezuela signed at Caracas on
May 21st, 1885, by Joaquim Crespo, as President, and the

58 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
Ministers, is full of pitfalls. It sets out that no mine can
be worked unless an act of concession has been issued
by the Federal Government, after all formalities pre
scribed by the act have been complied with. No
concession can be for more than 99 years, or less than
50, but holders will have a preferential claim for renewal.
The form of grant is as follows :
"The President of the Republic.
Whereas it appears that (M. or N.) has petitioned
the Government for the concession of  Mines, of
the dimensions determined by Art. 4 of the Law, the
boundaries thereof being according to the respective
plan as follows ;  and considering that the
requisite explorations, measurements, demarkation, and
other corresponding acts have been performed, so far
as to have obtained a grant, declares, with the affirma
tion vote of the Federal Council, in favour of (M. or N.)
his heirs and assigns, the concession of  Mines in
the State (or Territory -¦  District  ) to which
the documents already examined and marked No. 
refer. The present title deed will be registered at the
registry of the place where the Mines granted are
situated, and it entitles the grantee and his heirs to
make use, and have the enjoyment, of said Mines for a
term of  years, while he complies with the conditions
prescribed in Articles 28, 29, 35, and 37 of the already
mentioned decree."
Art. 26 says : The deed of concession shall be regis
tered in the Registry of the place where the Mine or
Mines are situated.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 59
Art. 28 says : The Grantee must begin the working
of the Mines within two years from date of concession.
Art. 29 : Should the term expire before working has
begun the title shall be forfeited.
Art. 35 : From the date on which a concession of
Mines is issued, the holder shall pay annually a further
sum of 750 francs for each five stamp mill employed,
and these taxes shall be paid in cash each quarter in
advance, and the omission to pay for two consecutive
quarters renders the grant void by Art. 39. All Mining
documents must be in triplicate, one to be at the
Ministry of Progress, one at the Registry where the title
is registered, and the third to be placed with original
title in the hands of the Grantee, and copies of all such
documents can always be obtained at the Registry. If
the titles are transferred, the Federal Executive must be
informed thereof, and the purchaser shall pay four francs
for each mina of 2^- acres, that is so transferred. All
fractions to be counted as full minas.
As soon as the Grantees have opened the paths round
their grant according to law they must give notice to the
Inspector of Mines, who is entitled to a fee of one franc
per mina for examining same, to be paid by the grantee.
The boundaries must be cleared once every year, and
the Grantees who fail shall pay a fine of 500 francs.
(For Full Mining Laws, see Appendix B.)
It will be seen by the foregoing that the so-called Code
of Mines is merely an act to get as much as possible, at

60 VENEZCJELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
every opportunity, out of the holders of the Mines, quite
regardless of the difference of value. El Callao, with
an income of thousands per month, pays the same as
Callao Bis, with no income at all.
The evil results of this mode of legislation have
become so apparent that the Minister of War made a
visit to, and inspection of the mining district in Guyana#
(For his Report, see Appendix A .)
But the whole thing was a farce, enacted to enable
Consuls and others to report to their various Govern
ments. Nothing has been done, and the report, after
having answered its purpose, is quietly shelved.
Meantime, the mining community, impoverished by
exactions, and starved by the enormous Customs dues
levied on supplies, and the total neglect of all sanitary
measures, or even the most necessary repairs of the
public roads, by the Government, and finding themselves
continually mulcted in fines for every petty offence, to
enable the Government officials to live, (their salaries
being almost nominal, and their very existence depending
on fees and fines, which they pocket) are becoming daily
more discontented, and there is a great opportunity for
the new President, General Gusman Blanco to gain the
affections of his people, and render his' name honored
and his Government respected, by an entire revisal and
correction of the fraud and injustice now rampant in
Guyana.

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.

61

One of the principal contributories to the Essequibo
is the Cuyuni. This rises in Guyana, the greater part
of the country is drained by it and its affluent the
Masarrony. It is claimed by England as it terminates
in the Essequibo. Its course is 620 miles, of which
more than 400 are navigable.

t?

¦62 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.

CHAPTER V.
HE mode of treatment adopted by Spain to
wards her colonies in South America, must,
sooner or later, have driven them into
rebellion and separation.
At first, groups of Spanish adventurers overran the
country, then the leader obtained a patent from Spain,
naming him Governor or Viceroy ; he divided the
country among his followers, who all did their level best
to destroy the native population, by the greatest
oppression and cruelty. These original conquerors
settled in the country, and gradually mixed with the
remaining Indians, in many instances marrying the
daughters of Indian Chiefs, and so setting up some
original claim to the land. Fresh bands of adventurers
succeeded these, and pursued the same course, till at
last there were, and still are, numerous old families,
bearing the greatest of old Spanish names, with almost
pure Indian blood in their veins.
In the course of time, the great Spanish families, from
whom these adventurers came, were superseded in
power by others, and new Viceroys, Governors, and
State Officials were appointed, who ousted the old ones.
These, becoming then settlers in the country, were
gradually treated by the latest comers, exactly like any

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 63
other natives. This policy at last culminated in the
appointment, for one, two or three years, of needy
aristocrats to all great governmental posts, who during
the term of their administration, only endeavoured to
enrich themselves, regardless of the oppression exercised
over their subjects, whether Spanish, Indian or half-
breeds. The colonies were, in fact, the goose that laid
for Spain golden eggs, but when at last she wanted two
eggs in one day, then the goose struck work, and
resolved in future to lay eggs for herself.
Viceroys of all sorts were sent out, from Pizarro
downwards, to South America, some good, some bad,
some severe, others liberal, but although the men often
changed, the system never did.
During all this time, great settlements or missions as
they were called, were formed by different orders of the
Roman Gatholic Priesthood, and it seems on the whole,
that the Indians had less to complain of (except in
respect of heresy), under these, than under any other
masters. Consequently the missions flourished greatly.
Towns sprang up around them, and the population,
relying on the protection of the Reverend Fathers, with
whom the Government seldom liked to interfere, devoted
itself to agriculture, and the land blossomed forth with
its fruits.
Cattle, horses and mules, brought originally by the
Spaniards, increased prodigiously, and roamed over the
open savannah in vast herds, while the Indians brought
their crops of coffee, cocoa, vanilla, tobacco and sugar

64 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
to the Holy Fathers, who, purchasing them at their own
price, realized large profits by their shipment to Europe<
In 1797 the first attempt at disunion from Spain was
made by three state prisoners who had been condemned
for life to the prisons of La Guyra.
This was termed the Conspiracy of La Guyra. The
two prime movers, on its discovery by the Government,
made their escape, these were Grail and Espana; but
of the remainder who had joined them seven were
executed, some were sent to the galleys, others
imprisoned, and some sent to Spain to be disposed of at
the discretion of the King.
Again, General Miranda, on the 2nd of August, 1806,
landed at Coro with about 500 men, and captured the
City, but owing to the smallness- of his force was
eventually compelled to abandon his enterprise and
return to Trinidad. Owing to the dissensions in Spain,
consequent on its occupation by the French, frequent
disputes arose between the Creoles and their Viceroys,
and the spirit of discontent growing gradually stronger,
through the want of protection afforded to the Colonies
against the intolerable oppressions they were labouring
under, the inhabitants of Caracas, perceiving that the
Captain General Emparan was determined to enforce
implicit obedience to all orders coming from Spain,
appointed Deputies, who, on the 19th April, 1810,
assumed the reins of Government. They decreed that
the tribute paid by Indians and the slave trade should
be abolished, and freedom of commerce established.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 65
I would note here, that previous to the year 1800 the
Spaniards had, owing to the scarcity of Indian labor
through their cruelty, imported more than 20,000
Africans into Venezuela.
General Miranda, now determined to make another
effort for the independence of his country, reached
Caracas in the early part of 1811 ; on the 5th July in
the same year Venezuela was declared independent,
and on the 23rd December published the New
Constitution.- On the 26th of March, 1812 a dreadful earthquake
laid nearly every town in ruins ; 20,000 people perished,
producing much dismay and terror. The priests pro
nounced it a judgment upon them for the revolution,
and, owing to the superstitious belief of the people, the
Government fell into discredit.
Miranda was appointed dictator, but could offer little
resistance to Monteverde, who commanded the Spanish
Imperial forces. At length a convention was concluded,
and Miranda being taken prisoner, was thrown into the
prison of La Guyra, but, being released at the inter
cession of some British. officers, he was sent to Cadiz,
where he died in prison.
The seizure and imprisonment of Miranda was
'effected by Simon Bolivar, afterwards the Liberator of
Venezuela, who suspected him of treachery, but there
are no proofs. All Venezuela again came under the
power of the Spaniards, whose deeds of ferocity and
plunder exceeded all their former efforts. The almost

66 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
incredible cruelties of Monteverde at length roused the
inhabitants to resistance, and Don Marino raised the
standard of revolt, capturing Maturin. Bolivar shortly
afterwards joined him with 2,000 men, the whole country
rose and joined Bolivar, who advanced rapidly on
Caracas. Now began the war to the death. The date
of the Manifesto is June 8th, 1813. In 1815, Morillo
arrived from Spain with 12,000 Spanish troops, and
Bolivar, overwhelmed, retired to Jamaica, while Morillo
overran the whole country, burning, shooting and tortur
ing in true Spanish fashion.
In 1816, a revolt again broke out, in the Island of
Margarita. On the nth April, 181 7, Pear, a mulatto
who was afterwards shot for treason, defeated the
Spaniards near Angostura. Paez also gained a battle
near San Fernando.
Angostura, after being blocaded for 3 months sur
rendered on 17th July in the same year.
On the 15th February, 1819, the Congress of Vene
zuela was installed. The first President of the Congress
was appointed ; Bolivar was declared President of the
Republic. In November, 1820, Morillo returned to
Spain, leaving General La Torre in command. Before
leaving the country, when accused of his repeated acts
of cruelty, he replied " If I had completely carried out
the orders and instructions received from the Govern
ment of Spain, this country would be an uninhabited
desert." On 24th June, 1 821, La Torre was totally defeated by

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 67
Bolivar at Carabobo, with a loss of 6,000 men. The
victory was principally due to the intrepedity and
firmness displayed by the English and Irish volunteer
contingent, and this battle virtually ended the war.
Bolivar had 6,000 men, and the Spaniard 9,000 in this
action. On August 20th, i82i,a Republican Constitution
was drawn up and adopted.
During this War of Independence, nearly a quarter of
a million lives were sacrificed, and the country, once
well populated, was left almost a desert, nor has it ever
recovered its former prosperity.
After much internal dissension, Paez became Presi
dent of Venezuela.
The Government is central, the legislative body being
invested with the power of making laws on all subjects.
Each province sends two members to the Senate, which
consists of 26, and the House of Representatives of 42.
There is an election every two years. Executive power
is vested in the President, who is chosen for two years.
The principal desideratum for Venezuelan prosperity
seems to be an active, industrious and enterprising
population, and I fear this will never be found among
the Spaniards, or their descendants, who are lazy, proud
and careless.
On the occasion of the meeting of a general committee,
to declare the Constitution, in 1830, they were addressed
by Bolivar, in a speech, which must for ever remain the
admiration of all true patriots. The illustrious leader

68 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
said, "I wish that all Europe and America knew the
horror I feel at irresponsible power, under whatever
name it is exercised. I am taunted with aspiring to
tyranny. Set me, I beseech you, beyond the reach of
that censure. If you persist in electing me, the State is
ruined ; give to another the Presidency, which I now
respectfully abdicate." He then took leave of public life,
retiring to Carthagena, where broken down in mind and
body, he died in December of the same year. Since
that time various chiefs, contending with each other for
supremacy, have kept up a succession of intestine wars,
which have continually agitated and torn to pieces the
whole country, almost depopulating some parts of it.
Ruler succeeded ruler, with lightning rapidity, and with
very few exceptions, each one was worse than his pre
decessor. All holdings of property were insecure, and
it is doubtful whether the lower classes were not better
off under Spanish cruelty, than they are under the
monstrous exactions they suffer under the name of
taxation, and the total want of justice, owing to the
venality of the judges.
The commerce of Venezuela declined greatly during
the War of Independence, the convulsions of society
having greatly interfered with cultivation. But at first,,
as society became more settled, it began to revive.
How a state, gifted with one of the best codes of law in
existence could, through the utter depravity, greed and
cruelty of successive chiefs, have fallen into its present
state, it is not within the scope of the present work to
say. Enough, that from its liberation to the present

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 69
time, every successive President seems to have been
employed, during his short lease of power, in trying to
enrich himself and his adherents, without the least con
sideration for his unfortunate country. On paper all
the laws are perfect, and the constitution all that could
be desired, but experience has shown, that the influence
of the executive power is. able to subdue and absorb
every other power, legislative or judicial.
One law which the Congress passed viz : — that of
division of the National property among the defenders
of the country, as the only way of rewarding their heroic
services, has become a precedent of very bad import.
At first, those who had risen, and driven out the
Spaniards, divided the land among themselves, but as
successive Generals strove for and gained the Presidency,
they again forfeited the property of the opposing party,
and divided their possessions among their own followers,
and this plan of proceeding being found the easiest way
of satisfying the greed of their adherents, it was resorted
to without scruple. Then another party rose to power,
and during their short holding, the same process was
again resorted to ; a venal and subservant House of
Representatives always agreeing with the Dictator for
the time being, so that at last successive holders, all
having titles of one sort or another, had rival claims to
every bit of property in the country. These rival claims
rendered the title to all property insecure, what was one
man's to sell to-day, became to-morrow under another
President, somebody else's, and the innocent purchaser
was plunged into interminable law suits, and could only

70 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
hold possession as long as his purse held out, the judges
being as venal as the assembly. Paez, Vargas, Paez.
Zea, Soublette, Paez, Gil, Monagas, Falcon, Monagas,
Polidor, Pulgar, Blanco, Linares, Blanco, Crespo, and
again Blanco, have succeeded each other with marvellous
rapidity, the principal occupation of the deposed
President, being to conspire against his successor.
Some of them succeeded to power more than once, but
Don Gusman Blanco alone, since Bolivar, seems to
have got a firm hold of the Government, and although
by the letter of the Constitution, he can only hold power
for two years at a time, and cannot possibly hold two
terms consecutively, yet the intervening Presidents
were little more than dummies to keep his seat warm,
General Pulgar, indeed, has shown decided hostility,
and on more than one occasion, has broken out into
armed rebellion, but hitherto his attempts have been put
down, either by force or by negociation, and at present
Don Gusman Blanco is supreme.
He is reported to be immensely wealthy, and is a man
of great capacity and intelligence. Since his election in
March last, he has not returned to Venezuela: One of
his daughters was recently married to the Duke de
Morny, in Paris. Don Gusman's presence in Venezuela
is anxiously looked for.
The Venezuelan loan, contracted in Europe in 1864,
amounting to twelve millions, secured on the Customs
receipts, and for the express purpose of road making,
and developing the agricultural resources of the country,

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 71
is a very sore subject to British investors. Certain it is
that no. part of it was applied as proposed, and indeed
the greater part of what reached the country, after being
plundered by the original wire pullers, was openly and
shamelessly divided among the chiefs of the party then
in power, under various pretexts. Nor have the
Customs receipts, hypothicated for the payment of divi
dends, ever been so applied. Negociations with such a
Government are utterly useless. Diplomacy is powerless
with men, who," while stickling for the point of honor,
lie without scruple, and cheat, whenever it serves their
purpose. Without arms, or men to use them, all their
defences in ruins, and relying solely on the forbearance of
their victims, they talk and swagger with the insolence
of a first-class power, and if justice is ever to be
obtained for their victims, it will only be obtained by an
ultimatum, and the presence of a gunboat at La Guyra,
or on the Orinoco. Then, all that is required will be
granted without a murmur, and so long as a force is kept
there, payments will be regularly made, promises to any
extent given, and with the withdrawal of material
pressure, they will be immediately broken as before.
A permanent British resident at Caracas, supported
by a sufficient naval force, as required, is the only way
to ensure the payment of the bondholders.
At present they are openly laughed at, and their
claims derided, and those that now, after the long
experience they have had of South American duplicity,
enter into any further negociations, thinking to save any

72 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
of their property by further advances, deserve to lose
every shilling.
Let us hope that a firm Government in England will
at least protect the lives and property of the numerous
Englishmen, now employed in the mines and elsewhere,
and that the unfair and unjust exactions of the
Venezuelan Government will be firmly resisted.
The great influx of English subjects from Jamaica,
and the other islands, and now, the persistent pressing
forward of prospectors, in large numbers from Demerara
will in time compel the English Government to take
active steps to protect 'their own subjects, and to enforce
their treaty rights.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 73

CHAPTER VI.
ENEZUELA is bounded on the North by
the Carribean Sea, and on this sea board is
situated the capital Caracas, with its port
La Guyra.
It is bounded on the West by New Grenada, on the
South by Brazil, and on the East by Brazil, English
Guyana, and the Atlantic.
The whole area of the Republic is about 440,000
square miles, or more than twice the size of France.
What the population now is, it is impossible to say,
in 1875 ^ was about 2,000,000.
One half of the Republic is comprised in the State of
Guyana, which by a recent edict is now incorporated
in some way with Caracas, so as to render legal the
absorption of the taxes &c, collected and sent there.
This State extends 650 miles North and South, and
700 East and West, and is bounded on the South by
Brazil, North by the river Apure and the Orinoco, on the
West by Columbia, and by British Guyana and the
Atlantic on the East. It has a population of about
87,000, and a coast line of more than 300 miles ; the
Delta of the Orinoco, which belongs to this State, has an
area of 13,000 square miles, through which the river runs

74 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
by 36 different channels. The whole area of the State is
about 260,000 square miles.
Guyana is separated from the rest of the Republic by
the great river Orinoco. The head waters of this river
have never yet been reached, though several parties have
attempted to get there. The vast forests and plains in
which it rises are peopled by Indians, never yet sub
dued, and who will permit no white man or stranger to
intrude on their territory. With the tribes occupying
this part of the country, remains the secret of the
Worari poison, with it they smear arrows as well as
their other warlike implements, and a scratch means
death without remedy. These tribes have a habit of
serving a sort of notice on any traveller, trying to pene
trate their country. If he retires on receipt of it, all is
well, and he is not molested by them. If, after receiv
ing it, he perseveres and tries to go forward, an im
placable and unseen enemy dogs his every step, by day
and by night he is attacked. From every tree, from
every bush, a poisoned arrow flies, till at last worn out,
and exhausted by this continual strife, he and his party
fall a prey to their ferocious enemies.
During the latter part of our passage, that is from
Barbadoes to Trinidad, we were accompanied by two
French gentlemen who had been sent out by their
Government to penetrate these wilds, and to collect
plants, skins, and birds of rare or unknown kinds.
One of them had been already employed on a similar
expedition, in which his leader was killed by the Indians,

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 75
and he had himself escaped by a miracle, with some half
dozen poisoned arrows sticking in his clothes. The
cause, as I understood, was some outrage, offered by the
chief of the expedition to the Indians. One account
was, that he tried to take one of their women ; another,
that he had violated one of .their graves, in an attempt
to procure and carry away some skulls. Whichever is
true, no doubt he paid the penalty with his life.
It is, I regret to say, a too frequent custom' with all
these explorers, of whatever nationality, to pay too little
regard to the customs and feelings of the savages they
come in contact with, and most of those who have
perished in these undertakings, have fallen through an
ostentatious and unnecessary disregard to the prejudices
of the natives. Our French explorers were full of
enthusiasm, they accompanied us up the Orinoco to
Cindad Bolivar, where I saw them in full array. Hel
mets, puggarees, shirts, revolvers, bowie knives and all.
They told me that they had hired a boat, were then
occupied in putting stores on board, and would start up
the river on the following Tuesday. Leaving Bolivar
on the Monday, we said farewell, and often spoke of
them during our journey to the mines, wondering where
they were, and what probability there was of their
return. However, when we returned to Cindad Bolivar,
after a month's absence, the first persons we recognised,
were our French friends still in war paint, still busy
storing their boat, and still going to start on the follow
ing Tuesday. When we finally left Bolivar for England,.
we left them there, hopeful as ever, of an early start, but

76 VENEZDELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
as the river had begun to rise rapidly, rendering an
upward journey by canoe, almost impossible for some
months, it is very probable that they will be found at
Bolivar for some time to come.
South of the river Meta, begins the woody region,'
which extends to the boundary of Brazil, and further,
and is the Northern portion of that immense tract of
forest land, which covers South America on both sides
of the equator. This is the region, where the Peruvians,
after their subjugation by Pizarro, are supposed to have
penetrated into, after crossing the Amazon. Until the
discovery and working of the gold mines, this part of
Guyana was little known, and less liked. The forests
are interspersed with grassy tracts of moderate extent,
of which the surfaces are not flat, but rise and fall in un
dulating waves, rising sometimes to the dignity of hills.
The vigorous growth of the trees, and their great
variety, indicates an extraordinary fertility.
In the district of Upata, which forms part of this
great belt, the fertility of the land is said to be inferior
to no part of South America, while the climate is
deliciously temperate, at a height of 1400 feet above
the level of the sea. The traveller through this delight
ful region is perpetually meeting new beauties each time
he passes through a belt of forest, where he is sheltered
by overhanging trees, full of color, and- regaled with a
hundred various perfumes of flowers, . he emerges on
open tracts of moderate extent, not bare, but diversified
by clumps of trees dotted about, while the rolling
ground reminds him of the most beautiful parts of

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 77
English country scenery. Park, as it were, succeeds
park, till he is at last fairly puzzled where to select to
encamp, among so much contending and rival loveliness,
and here, at a nominal rent, the cattle breeder may
come and establish himself, with the certainty of realis
ing 30 per cent, per annum on his outlay, and the
possibility of very much more. Always on horseback,
in a most lovely climate, and with pure air and clear
blue skies, is it a wonder if I felt tempted to leave
civilization, and remain in such a spot for ever.
All through this upland country emigrants would do
well. The mistake of former Emigration Companies
was the endeavour to locate Europeans on the lowlands
and swamps of the Delta of the Orinoco, where the
heat is intense, and the fevers and agues deadly to the
white man, while inland, in the hill country of Guyana,
if large estates are not to be acquired, the simplest
labour, under a moderate climate, will give a man all
and more than he requires, and render him very
speedily independent. The land is there rich, abundant,
and waiting only the arrival of industrious occupants.
The roads throughout Guyana are in a very bad con
dition, owing to the sums levied for their repair, being
remitted to Caracas, while nothing is done in the way
of labour to repair them. They are traversed principally
by donkies, mules, and heavy waggons drawn each by
the ten or twelve oxen. The system adopted by the
waggoners at present is, if the road appears unpassable
at any point, to cut a new track round the bad part
and take his own waggon through, but on no account to

78 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
put any work in which might assist the waggoner who
follows, who in his turn has to get through as best he
can. Every waggon carries an extra wheel, as it is
calculated that at least one wheel will be utterly broken
up during each journey ; the waggoner is able generally
to do repairs, and frequently a waggon will arrive with
all its remaining wheels bound up in splints, like a man
with broken limbs ; often more than one wheel is quite
destroyed, and then the waggon, and cattle, and goods,
all remain by the road side, till the owner can bring up
new wheels, sometimes from a distance of forty or fifty
miles. Again, through the frequent occurrence of these
bad places, the strain on the oxen is very great, and the
loss is not less than 10 per cent, from accidents ; besides
all this, the time occupied by these cuttings, and mend
ings, prolongs the journey, and the 200 miles , is seldom
got over in less than a month, under the most favourable
circumstances, while in the rainy season, four months is
no uncommon time to occupy with the journey.
The inconvenience of this through mode of transit has
been so keenly felt that more than one company has
been formed to construct a railway from the Orinoco to
Guacipati, the capital of the province,'and situated near
the mines, to which almost all the traffic passes.
Engineers have reported on the absence of difficulties ;
surveyors have been over the ground and made plans ;
contractors have managed to smuggle in shiploads of
stores of all sorts, free of duty, under the pretence, that
they were required for the railway. Indeed, I believe,
a whole shipload of dynamite was landed, under that

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 7g
pretence, but not a yard of land has been levelled, not a
pick, or a barrow, or a navvy has ever arrived ; neither
a rail or sleeper has ever been seen, and the present
company, a French one, which has at present the con
cession, and is reported to have raised ^"750,000 capital,
is represented by a very gentlemanly Frenchman, who,
with his servant and a double-barrelled gun, is staying
at Las Tablas. I presume he is something like a man
in possession, to prevent others from doing anything.
It is quite evident, however, to any one who has
travelled through the country, that a railway would not
for many years be a paying concern. The amount of
traffic is too small, and the distances between the villages
too great.
Now, if instead of spending a million of money in
laying down a non-paying railway, a company was to
undertake to keep the present road in order, and obtain
a concession to place a certain number of tolls on it,
the matter might be made a very profitable one.
There are few difficulties to contend with ; timber is
plentiful all along the route, and with half a dozen of
the gullies bridged by the tressel system, and a few of
the bad spots levelled, waggons could pass in one half
of the time at present occupied, and without damage by
death to the oxen, or breakage to their carriages.
At present, it costs from threepence to sevenpence per
pound for every atom sent up from the river to Guaci
pati ; with a good road, a saving of at least one half
would be effected. Half a dozen gates or bars on the

80 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
roat, at proper spots, would amply suffice to produce a
sufficient sum to keep up the roads and yield a handsome
dividend. Along a good road, settlers would rapidly come, and
traffic would naturally increase. At present it is all
through traffic ; there is little or none from one village
to another ; all is from the great s,tores at Bolivar, to
their auxiliary stores at Upata, Guacipati and El Callao,
and there is little or no return traffic, but with a settled
and cultivated country, considerable quantities of pro
duce could be sent back, thereby enabling carriers to
secure a freight both ways.
No doubt, if the country ever becomes again populous,
as formerly, a railway will supersede the road, but, as I
before said, many years must elapse, before this can be
made a paying concern.
At present, it is merely a vehicle for extracting money
out of European pockets, to be squandered among pro
moters, surveyors, engineers, contractors, and above,
and beyond all, among the members of a venal Govern
ment, willing to sell any concession, so long as they get
a good pull out of the plunder. Let but Guyana shake
herself free from the iron despotism, that now oppresses
her, and trust to her own resources.
As an independent State, she has access to the sea by
one of the finest waterways in the world, the river
Orinoco. Navigable almost the whole length of her frontier.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 8l
In the delta of that river, is the finest sugar, cotton and
tobacco land in the world. Inland are savannahs that
might swarm with cattle and horses. At the base of the
hills, maize, corn, plantains, cacao, coffee, and fruits of
all kinds are grown in profusion, while the hills produce
the finest and hardest woods known, besides being full of
minerals, and on her southern boundary, the river
Essequibo affords her another water way to the
ocean. The impenetrable forests of Brazil are behind
her in case of need, and she has unusual facilities for
trade with Europe, and the United States, either direct
or through Trinidad and Demerara. Her population
is relatively to the rest of Venezuela; a hardy and indus
trious one. Why then, should she submit to the gross
injustice and oppression under which she now labours.
It has been the policy of the Government of Demerara
always to discourage any mining enterprises, the
owners of the sugar estates fearing, and with reason,
that if once gold fever broke out, the exodus to the
mining districts would greatly diminish the supply of
labour at command and increase wages proportionately,
which, at the present low price of sugar, means absolute
ruin to them, and the discontinuance of the great
sugar industry on which Demerara has hitherto chiefly
depended. Since the commencement of the present year, how
ever, the tendency to explore for gold has been gradually
gaining ground. Party after party has started for the
Cuyuni and other spots, where indications of gold have
been observed, and, latterly, overseers in several instances

82 Venezuela: its mineral wealth.
have thrown up their situations and started for the gold
districts, at the head of considerable bodies of pros
pectors ; consequently Demerara is becoming alive to
the fact that in her immediate neighbourhood, and in
the direction of Guyana, lies a large tract of woodland,,
accessible in a great measure by water, with but few-
obstructions, and those easily overcome ; that this.
territory abounds in indications of gold ; that if these
indications prove correct, a new industry will be created
almost at her doors, and that, instead of sugar to Europe
she will be called on to send supplies to an inland
population, engaged in a more profitable occupation
than cane cutting at a shilling a day.
The old Dutch navigators worked their way up the
Essequibo arid its tributaries to within 60 miles of the
Caratal mining districts. There are three or four rapids
to pass, but, with the present engineering knowledge,.
these would soon disappear, or become navigable, either
by removal or by canal round them.
England's claim to the watershed of the Essequibo
has never been abandoned, and I fancy the time is near
at hand when more will be heard of this.
Nations now do not believe entirely in diplomatists.
who know nothing of geography. Men who occupy
land which they believe belongs to their country, will be.
disposed to hold, and, if necessary, fight for it, and
Governments, now, have to follow, rather than lead, the
opinions of the people they govern.
The province of Guyana, which comprises one half

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 83
of Venezuela, and is itself larger than the whole of
France, has a population of barely 50,000, and the
greater part of these are either engaged in the mining
district, or settled in the few towns widely apart, which
are scattered about the country. Millions of acres of
rich land in a fine upland, healthy situation, are abso
lutely without an inhabitant.
The authorities will tell you that they would gladly
welcome emigrants. One, or even two millions of such
might settle themselves and take what land they liked
without interference, or any rent to pay. Soil good,
climate healthy, perpetual summer, little labour required,
and, like the patriarch, the emigrant could see his family
grow up around him in peace and plenty. But no
fortunes, no large crops to be shipped and great profits
realised. I speak to those who, starving at home, desire
to get a livelihood, and are willing to give up the excite
ments and pleasures of civilised home life for a contented
and quiet existence under summer skies. Monied men
are at the bottom of most emigration schemes, and these
seek rather, after interest for their outlay, in the shape
of return from the regions they have populated, than
the mere comfort and settlement of the emigrant. His
health, and even life, are a secondary question to that of
getting rich tracts of waste land, able to produce sugar,
tobacco, cotton, corn, and other articles useful for home
trade. There may be fever and ague, but the land yields
heavy crops, therefore people are urged to go there.
Everyone hopes to escape the fever or ague, and to be

84 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
the one lucky enough to grow great crops and become
rapidly rich and return home. That is the mischief —
return home. The true emigrant should be at home
where he settles : for the future, that alone should be his
country. How few, out of the thousands of emigrants, return home
rich. How many are poor, disappointed, fever- stricken,
and broken down ; among these, the real settler, the man
who wants a home, a living only, has no place. Emigration
schemes on a vast scale, both in Venezuela and else
where in South America, have again and again failed,
and why ? The company, or originators, have selected
the mouths or deltas of large rivers as settlements, from
the richness of soil and proximity to the sea board. But
these deltas, although rich beyond all other places, are
also deadly beyond all other places. Raised to the rank
of land from the vegetable deposit of ages, brought down
by periodical floods, they are elevated but a few feet above
the level of the river itself, and often, during the rainy
season, reduced to a mere swamp. Covered with a
thick growth of rank vegetation, constantly decaying
and as constantly renewed, the)- form a true El Dorado
to the one emigrant, whose iron constitution enables him
to resist the deadly malaria, while they furnish only
graves for the ninety-nine who succumb to those malign
influences. The delta of the Orinoco, was made the scene of one
of these attempts, resulting in a disastrous failure. The
place selected was utterly unfit for Europeans to exist
in, still less to labour in, and the whole thing fell

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.

85

through, after a great expenditure of life, time, and
money, while, a hundred miles further up the river, lay,
a fair open land, rising from the river side to the distant
mountains, one thousand feet above, where the climate
was fit, the land good, and the inhabitants scanty. But,
the products required for the present, could not be grown
here, or, if grown, could not be got down to the sea at a
price to pay the speculator. So the emigrants died in
the mud, and the uplands remain uncultivated.

86 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.

CHAPTER VII.
JJAVING completed all our business at Cindad
Bolivar, we gladly bade adieu to that hot
city, and embarked on our old boat, " the
Bolivar," then about to make a return trip to Trinidad.
Although we were only proceeding as far as Las Tablas,
all the Custom House formalities had to be again gone
through, and a permit obtained for us and our effects to
be landed there. I shall have occasion hereafter, to
describe more fully this part of the river, as I was com
pelled later on, to return to Cindad Bolivar in an open
boat. Leaving Bolivar at 6 p.m., we reached Las
Tablas about i o'clock in the morning.
The town of Las Tables consists of an assemblage of
mud huts, on the bank of the Orinoco, which, at this
place, is very broad and very shallow. The ground
slopes gradually from the street to the water, leaving a
long reach of soft white sand, glistening in the fierce
sunlight. The steamer, although built expressly to
draw as little water as possible, cannot get near the
shore, so we, and our belongings, are transferred into a
flat-bottomed boat, and rowed a quarter of a mile, when
we are landed on the beach aforesaid, to be immediately
seized upon by another troop of soldiers and Custom
House agents, and marched away to a mud hut, in front

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 87
of which, hangs the Venezuelan flag (in cotton stuff),
guarded by a man and a Remington rifle. Here our
baggage is impounded till the morning, as the Chief of
the Customs is in bed, and is much too great a man to
be disturbed, so we are allowed to pass out, and obtain
shelter where we can. This, we at last do, in another
mud-built and thatched shanty, bearing the pretentious
sign of the English Hotel. Here, we obtain an empty
room, and swinging our hammocks (which a polite Cus
tom House officer had, after inspection and much
negociation, allowed us to take with us), we tried to get
whatever rest was possible, under a double infliction of
sand-flies, and mosquitos. Anything to eat or drink, at
that hour was out of the question.
At this hostelry, the only one the town of Las Tablas
contains, we found the highest charges, the worst living,
and the greatest dirt of all the high-priced, badly- con
ducted and dirty inns throughout the country. It
belonged, of course, to a General, in this case a black
one. After a sleepless night, we attended at the Custom
House, where, on the arrival of the chief officer, who
himself was very kind and polite, our luggage was
examined, and we were permitted to remove it.
As Las Tablas bears a bad reputation, even in
Venezuela, as a place where fever is always prevalent,
and where a new arrival generally catches it before he
has been there many days, we were very urgent in our
desire to leave, but it was necessary to obtain mules
forourjourney. These had to be looked for and caught on
t he savannah, some twelve miles off, and the hotel people

88 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
assured us it was impossible to get away until the next
day. However, by judicious bribery, and the influence
of one or two of the storekeepers, to whom our agents
at Cindad Bolivar had furnished us with letters of intro
duction, and perhaps better than these, because it was
known that we were proceeding to the mines, and were
sending up a large quantity of machinery through Las
Tablas, which they were very anxious to secure the
contract for, or for all these reasons combined, pressure
was brought to bear on the mule owners, and by noon,
some dozen animals were brought in for us to select
from. A more wretched set Inever saw. Sore-backed,
and with wrung withers, they stood with drooping heads
and starved bodies before us, but it was Hobson's choice,
these or none. The owner spoke in high terms of their
prowess and ability to do all we wanted, appealing to
the crowd of loafers around, who joined in a chorus of
praise. Mr. Matheson, one of the gentlemen to whom
we had introductions, assured me that, however wretched
looking the animals seemed, they were quite able to carry
us, and that they were in the habit of doing the same
journey with heavy loads once or twice every month, so
with his assistance, we selected four of the most likely-
looking, and hired them for the journey. We were
lucky in meeting here with the peon, who comes every
fortnight from Callao to Las Tablas with the mail bags,
and was then about to return, as we were enabled to
get him to go up with us, and to look after the animals,
regulate the journeys, &c, &c. We found hini a most
pleasant and agreeable, as weH as competent and active
guide. Riding his own mule, we were not under the

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 89
necessity of providing an animal for him, and he proved
of great assistance to us on our road. Having given
the animals a good feed of corn, which they devoured
as a luxury to which they had long been strangers, we
proceeded to get what we could for ourselves. This
was but meagre fare : very salt stock fish, cassava cakes,
which, at first taste, seem to be a mixture of oatmeal
and cotton wool, eggs, (mine was bad, and there were
no more), and the usual coffee. The black waiter even
seemed ashamed of the table, and deplored the absence
of his master, who had gone to Trinidad to see his
doctor. He was a General, as usual.
Rest there was none in this wretched place, hotter,
if possible, than Cindad Bolivar, sand-flies in millions,
and miasma in every puff of the hot, bad-smelling air,
and yet Las Tablas has a very large carrying trade.
All the goods, provisions, machinery, wine, spirits and
supplies generally, for the entire mining territory, as
well as for Guacipati, Upata, and other towns and vil
lages through the greater part of Guyana, are, after
passing through the Custom House at Cindad Bolivar,
brought back by water to Las Tablas, and sent from
thence by donkeys, mule carts and cattle waggons up
into the interior. This is the place whence the railway,
planned to go up to Guacipati, the capital, is to start
from, when it is made. Yet nothing can be brought
here direct. Bolivar is the port of entry, although a
hundred miles higher up, and the short-sightedness of
the Caracas Government, causes the price of every
thing to be nearly doubled by these vexatious restric-

-go VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
tions. Everything has to be landed, duties paid,
re-shipped, re-landed, again inspected by Custom
House agents, and certified as identical with the things
already paid for at Bolivar, before a single article can be
-carried inland. This entails delays of from ten to thirty
¦days, and. frequently causes the price of the land trans
port to be doubled. Roads, excellent to-day, in a
fortnight's time may be rendered impassable by the
rains, and then, instead of twenty days occupied by the
inland conveyance to Callao, it may take a couple of
months, and sometimes more. All this could be avoid
ed by making Las Tablas a port of entry for foreign
vessels, but then this would injure the vested interests
•of Generals having concessions or property at Cindad
Bolivar, and so the whole State of Guyana suffers.
On each side of the town of Las Tablas, along the
river-side run lagoons and swamps, covered with man-
.groves, while inland, for six miles, runs a flat loose
sandy plain.
Five miles further up another great stream adds its
waters to the great river, and about nine miles from the
junction, occur the famous falls of Coroni, which, in
extent and beauty are only surpassed by Niagara. Here
Raleigh landed and searched for gold. The noise of
these falls is plainly heard at Las Tablas.
At 6 p.m., after again attempting to appease our
hunger with the meagre fare provided, we made a start
from Las Tablas, determined not to pass another night
there. After half an hour's ride over the sands, the sky

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. gi
suddenly became overcast, and we had our first baptism
in Venezuela, being caught in a regular tropical storm.
The rain after an hour or more passed off, leaving us
benighted, without a glimpse of moon or stars, while the
lightning, with blinding flashes, still continued at inter
vals to light up for a moment every thing around,
leaving us again in total darkness.
No wonder then, that at last in an open sandy plain,
we managed to stray from a road, which, even in broad
daylight, is traceable only by the marks of the waggon
wheels. After wandering aimlessly about for a couple
of hours we literally ran against an old hut, or shelter,
consisting of poles stuck in the ground with a thatch of
palm leaves, anything but impervious to the rain. Our
guide, however, recognised it, and under his advice we
swung our hammocks between ;the poles, unsaddled the
mules and rested as best we could to await the break of
day. No sooner had the first streak of light appeared
on the horizon than we were on our feet ready to start,
mules were loaded and saddled, hammocks packed and
buckled on, and away we went. Everything seemed
fresh and pleasant after the rain. Our guide informed
us that we were at the edge of the forest, having
traversed the sandy plain, and were six miles on our
road. In half an hour we entered on the forest road.
First came our baggage mule, loaded up with port
manteaus, bags, capateros, rifle, umbrellas, &c, &c,
until the load seemed larger than the animal, and com
pletely covered it, except head, tail, and four feet. Then
followed our guide, riding a capital animal, with another

92 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
led mule, which was attached by its head-rope to the
tail of the one he was riding. Then our party in single
file; our engineer and superintendent, who had been
many times in the country, and had frequently travelled
this road ; then the millwright, who also was well
acquainted with the country ; then your humble servant ;
and last, my sporting coadjutor.
All dressed nearly alike, trousers tucked into our boots,
with huge spurs, flannel shirts, a la Garabaldi, with
leather belts, in which were stuck revolver, bowie knife,
and ammunition pouch, and, crowning all, great pith
helmets, the best shelter from the scorching rays of the
sun. In front of our Australian saddles were buckled
our waterproof military coats, while behind was strapped
a capatero (a coarse cotton bag like a pillow case, with
strings to draw up at each end), holding a hammock
and the usual necessaries to change at each resting
place. Our sportsman had, in addition, a pair of saddle
bags, holding ammunition, filter, cosmetics and sundries,
for his personal comfort. A queer-looking set we
seemed, unwashed, with beards sprouting, splashed
with last night's wet, hungry and unkempt, as we joked
each other about our personal appearance. Soon, how
ever, this ceased. Our thoughts were irresistibly drawn
to the scene around us.
Here, at last we were in the primeval forest. As the
dawn brightened, on all sides, rose the hum of insects,
the cries of beasts, and monkeys; the parrots and
macaws shrieked and chattered as they flew overhead,
while the huge trees rising on each side towered aloft,

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 93
their bare trunks standing up like stone pillars for
eighty or a hundred feet, and then covering over with
their dense top foliage the entire road, affording a
pleasant shelter to the traveller from the sun's rays.
Huge bunches of orchids and parasites hung from, or
twined on their branches, while many a liana or creeper
twisted and turned around them. Many of these trees
were quite bare, others covered with many colored
blossom, while others again, were clothed in foliage,
ranging from deepest green to bright yellow. Sometimes
at -little openings in the road would appear a perfect
mass of bright crimson blooms, then another tree,
covered with orange colored or mauve flowers, while
clusters of stephanotis shed a perfume over the whole,
that was almost overpowering. Little or no color was
on the ground, or near it, all was above on the tops of
these gigantic trees, not a bloom here and there, but
entire trees, covering many yards of surface. Ferns,
aloes, palms, &c. were conspicuous by their absence.
The gigantic denizens of the primeval forest left neither
space nor light for them to grow in. Here and there
where some settler had formerly cleared away a patch
which had been abandoned, we found them in profusion,
but among the great trees, never. Round such clearings
the creepers and parasites seem to have taken a stronger
hold of the trees and coated them with whole sheets of
green, hanging from their branches to the ground like a
great pall, while a few straggling branches above seemed
to struggle through them in vain endeavour to get, as it
were, a breath of air.

94 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
Through this^ forest, ever the same yet ever new and
changing, we rode on, silent and awed The road
(so called) was merely a wide track cut through it, the
dead and rotten trees lying on each side, while their
stumps stick up all over it, obliging the rider to pay
some attention to his animal or risk an awkward fall.
Now we would come on a wide and deep pool, round
which it was necessary to creep cautiously, presently a
fallen tree would obstruct the passage ; this must either
be gone round or cut through. Again, a mass of rocks
would crop up requiring careful riding and sure-footed
animals, or it would plunge suddenly down to where
some black-looking stream ran sluggishly through the
bottom and rise as abruptly on the other side. Here
you must hold on by the mane, there by the tail, at
another place lift your legs to the level of the saddle to
avoid being wetted by the stream into which your mule
would unhesitatingly jump. The best plan I found was
to trust entirely to my animal ; he knew the road, had
been that way before, probably many times ; I had not,
so I trusted him, and my confidence did not prove mis
placed. After a pleasant ride through this scenery, of about
four or five miles, we reached St. Jose, a collection of
five or six small settlements, where we obtained some
very good coffiee, mew milk and biscuits. Here our
young sporting friend again gave vent to his enthusiasm
expressing his disappointment at not having seen any
large game, and hoping soon to meet tigers or bears, or
other big animals. Being told that we might find

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. g5
something further on, the rifle was looked up, loaded,.
and placed ready for action.
After a short stoppage at St. Juan, we pushed on
again, passing by Corales, through the woods, for
Paradero (sometimes called Paradiso). Before reaching
this, we emerged from the woodland on to some savannah
or open land, covered with fine grass, and with clumps
of trees here and there, bearing a great resemblance to
a gentleman's park. Scarcely had we left the wood,
when we saw deer at no great distance, which, disturbed
by us, at their feeding time, were running to shelter.
A little further on, our guide, who was in advance,
threw up his hand and stopped. We all looked out,
and there, sure enough, was a fine buck, at 130 or 140
yards distance, standing perfectly still under a tree-
Our sportsman dismounted ; out came the rifle, and he
slowly crept forward to get a good, steady shot, while.
we remained watching, and anticipating how pleasant
an addition, venison steaks would be to the meagre
breakfast we were accustomed to. At last, after careful
adjustment and steady aim, " crack " went the rifle ;
we raised our heads and looked ; so did the buck, who
evidently not even alarmed, walked slowly three or four
steps. Again rang out the shot. This time striking
the ground some yards in front of him. His walk
increased to a slow trot, giving opportunity for a third,
and a fourth shot before he passed out of sight, into the
woods Our hopes of meat for breakfast were gone.
An expression of melancholy and disgust pervaded the
face of our guide, while the unlucky sportsman proceeded

g6 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
to dilate upon the difficulty of making good shooting at
uncertain and unknown distances ; that it was a new
rifle, atmospheric influences, &c, &c.
It was gravely proposed by one of the hungry lookers
on, that the peon should measure the distance to the
next deer we met, and chalk a bull's eye on his side,
when our friend would have a better chance. As for
myself, I mentally registered a vow that if ever the
meeting between the tiger and my sporting friend should
occur within measurable distance of myself, I would, as
the Yankees say, "make tracks."
Shortly afterwards, when passing through a belt of
woodland, just before reaching Paradero, a large bird
of the turkey species was seen sitting on the branch of
a tree, some hundred yards in the bush. Our Mill
Superintendent, who, I afterwards discovered, was really
a very keen sportsman, and an excellent shot, quietly
drew his revolver and fired. The bird dropped, but,
owing to the dense nature of the underwood, could not
be found.
We reached Paradero at eight o'clock in the morning,
a distance from St. Juan of eighteen miles. This is
another of the small village settlements met at intervals
on the road. From the nature of the wood and bush
round for miles, and the old and abandoned cultivated
land this was probably one of the stations of the
Capuchins, and a hundred years ago was thickly popu
lated, and well cultivated ; to-day it is occupied by half-
a-dozen Spanish and Indian, or half-bred, natives, who

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. g7
grow only just sufficient for their own immediate wants,
and levy a heavy toll on all travellers, in the shape of
charges for what they supply.
We rested, during the heat of the day, at Paradero,
when, thanks to our guide, who was well known, we
procured an excellent breakfast. Here we tasted for
the first time, a dish, peculiar to the country, called a
sancocho, being a sort of soup or stew made from fowl,
fish, and various kinds of native herbs and vegetables.
We all pronounced it delicious, and ceased to regret
the venison. After breakfast we slung our hammocks
and rested till half-past three o'clock, when the mules,
having been duly fed, and the bill paid, we started for
Upata, a distance of twenty miles, passing through
Altagracia, another small, straggling village or settle
ment. The distances from Las Tablas to Upata, with
the different stopping places, are, from Las Tablas to
Cherico, where we halted for the night, six miles, from
Cherico to San Juan four miles, San Juan to Corales
twelve miles, Corales to Paradero six miles, Paradero
to Altagracia twelve miles, and Altagracia to Upata
eight miles, making a total of forty-eight miles.
All the country through which we passed, with the
exception of the first six miles to Corales, which is a
sandy desert with only chapperal, a kind of scrubby tree
with leaves like sand paper growing here and there on
it, is very rich, and capable of growing cocao, coffee,
vanilla, corn, sugar, and vegetables and fruits of all
kinds in profusion. Traces everywhere abound of former
extensive cultivation. Coffee 'and vanilla is frequently

g8 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
seen growing wild. Most of the small villages we passed
through were formerly missions or convents of the
Capuchins or Jesuits, and were surrounded by a very
large population of Indian cultivators, but now all is
ruin, and the bush and forest are rapidly asserting their
dominion. Upata is a considerable town standing in a
plain surrounded by hills, and is 1,000 feet above the
level of the sea.
Here the climate is delicious, the air pure and cool,
and the temperature perfectly endurable to Europeans.
It is looked upon as a sanatorium. Here people resort
who suffer from the fever of the country, and cannot
shake off its effects. In this beautiful climate they easily
recover health and strength. There is a fine cathedral
and a cemetery about half-a-mile distant. This is well-
kept, and is filled with trees and flowers of all sorts.
Upata is a very old town, being mentioned by Raleigh
in his history, as being visited by some of his men under
Capt. Keymiss. It afterwards became a large mission or
settlement of Capuchins, and had then a population of
three or four thousand.
Upata, like all old Spanish towns, presents an appear
ance of cheerlessness and decay, very depressing to the
visitor. The houses all present their blind side to the
street, and the patio, or yard and garden, are enclosed
in the rear. We spent Good Friday at Upata in an
hotel of the usual kind, being provided with a room
containing four rings for our hammocks, and a jug and
basin ; but they gave us a very good breakfast, excellent

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. gg
bread, very. fine chocolate and coffee, and plenty of new
milk, so that we were not by any means badly off. We
were lucky also in procuring plenty of corn for our mules.
Here our sporting friend finished up his first mule, the
animal's back being so severely wrung that it was un
able to proceed. The guide managed, after much
running about, to procure him another, and his poor
brute was left, to be taken, at the first conyenient oppor
tunity, to Las Tablas.
Leaving Upata, on Saturday at five a.m., we rode
through a delicious country, always ascending, until we
reached the highest point of the range, 1,400 feet above
sea level. On crossing this, a magnificent view burst
upon us. Away below, as far as the eye could reach,
stretched vast undulating plains of waving grass, dotted
at intervals with clumps of splendid trees. Some in
bloom, others in leaf, and of every tint of flower or leaf,
from deepest crimson to palest yellow. Occasionally a
thin belt of forest marked the course of a stream, or a
¦denser mass of trees' shewed where lay a lagoon, while
in the extreme distance, grey against the crimson dawn,
rose the peaks of the distant mountains. This does not
open by degrees, but, on turning a corner of the road,
the whole panorama suddenly lies spread before you in
all its impressive beauty. I can never forget it.
It is at this point that the watershed changes. On
the Upata side, all the streams and rivers run to the
north, and empty into the Orinoco ; on the other side
all the mountain streams run to the southward, emptying
into the Yuruari, and eventually into the Essequibo.

IOO VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
I shall speak of this further on, when on the question of
boundaries. Our first stoppage was at La Florida, a
ranch or cattle estate, where we were very hospitably
entertained. The house, of the usual description, almost
unbearable, from its squalor and wretched appearance,
to an Englishman, but considered by the inhabitants to
be perfectly comfortable. The owners, I believe, are an
old and wealthy family. Here again our friend took out
his rifle, with a view to retrieving his reputation upon
any alligators, snakes, or birds he could see in a lagoon
near by. However, he returned without any results.
We have now decided unanimously that we cannot
trust to him for any additional supplies for our larder,.
and must procure and carry tinned meats in future.
After breakfast, and a good long rest, we left La
Florida at 3.30 p.m., reaching a ranch called Candelaria
at about 7, where we dined and stayed all night. Rose
at 4 a.m., and after a slight breakfast of milk, coffee and
aiscuits, started on our journey. The country still re
tains its character of park-like beauty. As we proceed,
the wood clumps increase in size and numbei , and the
soil is evidently very fertile, but there are no inhabitants.
We passed many very beautiful situations for farms. A
little further on, when passing through a belt of wood,
we were shown the place where the ambush was laid for
the capture of the gold coming from the mines, and just.
by, the spot, marked with a cross, where Mr. Bush, who
was in charge of it, was speared and killed. This
occurred in 1878, and was the first and only, time that.
any such attempt was ever made.

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 101
Upon the news reaching the mines, the population
turned out en masse, and parties scoured the country in
every direction. The perpetrators, six in number, were
very soon captured, and taken to Guacipati, where they
were lodged in jail, from here they were sent to Cindad
Bolivar with an escort of soldiers, but they were all shot
by the escort long before they reached that place. The
officer in command, on his return to Guacipati, reported
that they had tried to escape, and not having sufficient
men to prevent it, he shot them all. Their bodies were
identified, and they were buried where they fell, at a
spot not far from Florida. The officer was publicly
censured, but was afterwards promoted, and I heard
that he received some i ,000 dollars from the mines for
promptly carrying out the law. It was felt at the mines
indeed, that should any of these men escape through
family influence or bribery, as was only too probable, if
they were once out of the neighbourhood, there would
be no safety in future for the gold going from the mining
district to Bolivar, and as this is from 20 to 30,000
ounces of gold per month, representing about ,£"100,000
sterling, it was absolutely necessary that an example
should be made, and by their summary punishment,
others effectually deterred from like attempts. It was
often stated, however, before me, that the originator of
the robbery was a man of high position at Caracas, and
that, not being present at the actual attempt, he had
escaped punishment, but was eventually shot by some
unknown hand in Caracas. Passing this memorable
spot, we reached Platinal at 10 a.m. Our friend had
another shot this morning at an eagle, or very large

102 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
falcon, sitting on a dead tree, who flew away apparently
none the worse. At 9.30, before reaching Platinal, we
obtained the first view of the land where lie the gold
mines to which we are bound. Platinal is a very large
low house, thatched as usual with palm, with corral and
garden attached, and belongs to an old Spanish family,
holders of a great deal of land in the neighbourhood.
Here, after a glass of milk, we rested till 2 p.m., when
we started for Guacipati, which we reached at 7 p.m.
Guacipati is not so large or populous as Upata, but it is
the Capital and centre of Government of the State of
Guyana. Here lives the Governor, and all Government
officials. During our ride on Good Friday, at every ranch or
dwelling we passed, all the inhabitants, young and old,
male and female, were in gala dress, and occupied in
playing peg-top. They spun and pegged away in the
gravest manner. It was evidently a national pastime,
and was highly thought of, as a sort of ceremony especial
to Good Fridays and Saint Days, rivalled only by the
national sport of cock-fighting, which is carried on in
every town. The cocks are fought in their natural spurs,
reduced by scraping to the sharpness of needle points.
Large sums are constantly won and lost at these con
tests. The gaol, the barracks, the courts of justice, both
civil and criminal, and all the various offices for regis
tration of deeds, or titles, or powers, or agreements (for
everything has to be registered in Venezuela, and must
be on stamped paper) for receipt of taxes, dues, fines,

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I03
or other payments, and generally for the conducting of
the Government. Here also is a Cathedral, made out of
part of an old convent. Guacipati, like all other towns
on the road, is mainly dependant on the mining district
for support, and when the mines close, or are not doing
much, trade at Guacipati and elsewhere languishes. At
the time of our arrival everything was very dull, and
our enterprise was looked upon with great favor, as
likely to give an impetus to business generally. There
are several very good and large stores in Guacipati,
either branches of, or in connexion with the great
wholesale stores at Cindad Bolivar, whence they draw
all their supplies. During our journey to Guacipati
another disaster overtook our sportsman. We were
caught in a heavy shower, and were obliged to don our
mackintoshes. Mine was simply one of the military
cloaks as worn by the cavalry, and answered its purpose
very well, but our friend, disdaining such a common
article, had ordered one to be specially prepared for him
(all his things were special), with the addition of a large
hood to cover his hat. He had donned for his entry
into Guacipati, a very nice Tussore silk coat (light
yellow), over his shirt, and looked very nice in it.
When I saw the rich blue black cape unfolded, and put
on, with its hood, amply protecting hat and head, I felt
quite mean, and loathed my own rusty looking garment
with no head protector, but when, after the rain was
over, and we uncloaked, I saw the results, I became
quite reconciled. Whether the eminent firm who had
made the garment my friend wore, had been hurried in
their preparation, or whether they had thought it was

104 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
not likely to come back from South America, and so did
not mind,' they certainly had .not taken care in dyeing it.
When he emerged from its ample folds, at first I was
doubtful whether or no the interview between the tiger
and him had taken place, and the beast was there in
his stead, he was so colored ; long stripes and blotches
of black streaked his hat and face, while the coat had
become like Joseph's, a coat of many colors. I fancy,
from the expression of his face, that the eminent -firm
are likely to hear more of the matter.
We remained at Guacipati three days to settle our
business there, and everywhere met with great kindness
and hospitality.
On Easter Monday there was a great celebration of
some victory won by some one during some revolution,
but whether it was Bolivar or Blanco, or Crespo, or any
one else, I was quite unable to learn. However, dyna
mite .cartridges were let off every five minutes in the
Plaza, or square, then a man blew a bugle, then another
beat a drum, thirty men with muskets appear in front
of barracks, form in line, officer heads them, and they
march some thirty yards to the end of the Plaza, and
back again. Same repeated every two hours. Every
house has a flag displayed, some Venezuelan, some
German, some French, and some nondescript, while
three door bells, supposed to belong to the Cathedral,
rang at intervals during the day.
In the evening the inhabitants walk on the Plaza,
amid crackers, drums, trumpets and musketry, until
midnight, and then the celebration is over, and one can
sleep.

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I05

CHAPTER VIII.
|JE left Guacipati on Thursday, April 29th, at
2 p.m., and now considered ourselves as
|| fairly entered on the mining district of
Guyana. The country after leaving Guacipati
maintains its savannah - like character interspersed
with thin belts of forest, generally marking water
courses ; but the soil becomes more barren, the grass is
coarser, the patches of bare red earth and out-cropping
rock more frequent, while the land is either sandy or
gravelly. This appearance of sterility is increased by
the habit of burning the grass just before the rainy
season every year. After a pleasant ride of three hours
we reached the belt of woodland through which the
famed mines and town of El Callao are approached.
Passing through this and crossing the river Yuruari,
we reached El Callao about 5.30 p.m., entering through
the " Gate of Heli," and on our departure we had to
pass out through " Purgatory," two streets so named at
each end of the Town. El Callao is a veritable miners'
town, built without plan, and with materials of the
oddest description ; while, as it is impossible, on ac
count of earthquakes, to carry the houses higher than
one story, and space is very limited, they are all
huddled up together. They are all built either with

106 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
wood or mud walls, and roofed with galvanized iron ; or
in seme cases with empty provision tins, cut and
flattened out.
The streets are laid (not paved) with huge stones,
open gutters running down the centre, through which
runs the sewage. There are no sanitary arrangements
whatever, and after seeing the dirt, squalor, and close
packing of the inhabitants, the. comparative healthiness
of the place is surprising. It consists commercially of
about 20 stores, connected with the wholesale houses of
Cindad Bolivar, about 100 drinking shops, and 30 or 40
cafes, billiard saloons and gambling dens, all of the
most miserable looking sort ; but I was told that an)'-
one who had influence enough to get a permit to sell
liquor, and money enough to rent a single room to sell
it in, might, with no other stock than a deal board for
counter, and two or three empty flour barrels for seats,
two or three dozen bottles or jars of common country
spirit, and half-a-dozen glasses, make a net profit of
from ^2,000 to ^3,000 per annum. The rent of a room
of this sort, in a good position, would be ^400 per
annum. Parafine or petroleum is the only illuminant
used. The stores supply everything, and goods costing
one pcund in England or North America fetch here ^"io
or ^20, according to the quantity in stock. We were
received with great kindness, and most liberally enter
tained by Mr. Perkins, the superintendent of El Callao
mine, who showed us over every part of this vast
establishment. Mr. Perkins, who is an American of considerable

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 107
experience, has effected great reforms and saving,
with much increased efficiency in this mine. He
has introduced- and perfected here the use of Pneu
matic Drills, which had proved a failure in every
other mine in Venezuela which had tried them. The
secret of his success was the importation from Cali
fornia of experts accustomed to their use, and in the
case of a strike of miners which recently occurred, he
was enabled by them alone to keep the mills running
until the men gave in to his terms. One of these drills
properly handled will do the work of 10 miners working
by hand.
El Callao Mine. The richest in South America, was
originally a spot where miners, in consequence of
proximity to the river, used to dig the surface soil and
wash the earth, finding nuggets and gold dust in very
considerable quantities. The ground throughout the
neighbourhood is honeycombed with these pits, from six
to twenty feet deep, and this industry is occasionally
carried on at the side of the river, when it is very low.
In 1870 a small company was formed to dig down to
the bed rock and try for a lode, and the original capital
consisted of 12 shares, of 500 dollars each. In April,
1873, there were 39 shareholders, and by the end
of that year 106. At present there are 600. The
original capital was raised in the country, and they set
to work with varying success. Original shares now
worth between /6o,ooo and ^"70,000 each, were offered
in Trinidad for /200. At last, after proof that the lode
was undoubtedly very rich, more capital was brought

108 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
in, better machinery employed, and the mine progressed
until it now produces the enormous quantity of 19,000
ounces of gold per month. The share Capital of £"13,524
was subsequently raised, by subdivision, into 32,000
shares, of £"40 each nominal, the market price of each
share being now about £"80, and the dividend in August,
1886, was at the rate of 24 per cent, on that amount.
The nominal capital at present price of £"80 per share
is £"2,576,000, and there is a rumour of a proposed
subdivision again into £"io shares. At present the
produce is about i\ ounces to the ton, but there have
been spots from which six and even seven ounces have
been obtained for considerable periods.
El Callao, however, has, like other mines, had its
periods of depression. Extravagant outlays, superin
tendents addicted to profuse expenditure, some in
machinery, others in building, have more than once
reduced it to a low ebb, but a discovery in time of a
richer vein of paying stuff has always turned up to
assist it. The management in times past was princely.
Samples containing large quantities of ore were freely
given away ; instances are known of as much as 10 ozs.
of gold in a single sample, and £"50,000 per annum is a
moderate estimate of the loss to the mine through such
outgoings. Now all this is stopped, samples must be
paid for, even by the superintendent himself. I fancy,
however, the management is not quite so careful. It is
a mistake to have the board in Venezuela alone. The
interests of European shareholders are very large, and
they should have a greater voice on the board which at

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. IOg
present consists of four gentlemen (Corsicans), all at
Cindad Bolivar.
The gold in this mine is found in a fine white quartz,
is free gold and plainly visible, indeed I have seen a
sack full of samples in the office which, if assayed,
would yield hundreds of ounces per ton, but these are
of course picked specimens. In company with the
superintendent I descended No. 6 shaft to the workings
780 feet deep. Mr. Perkins afforded me every oppor
tunity and assistance for investigation, Callao is
undoubtedly a magnificent mine, and had the lode
continued to maintain its course with regularity would
be the best in the world, but of late there has been a
bend in the lode and a tendency to turn upwards
again. This may cease and the lode again descend ; if
it does not, then Callao's prosperity will quickly termi
nate. There will be a vast increase in the produce for
a short time when at the bottom of the pocket, and
then it will die away to nothing. Up to the present
time, although earnestly sought after, no fresh descent
of the lode has been discovered. In Mr. Perkins, the
superintendent, the directors have undoubtedly got the
right man in the right place. The lode in this mine
runs N. and S., in most others the lodes run E. and W.
The vast engineers' and carpenters' shops attached to
the works are all fitted with the best and newest
appliances and machinery, while at the mine itself
everything is studied for the comfort of the miner, and
wherever possible, labour is economised by the use of
machinery, and the huge storehouses are packed full of

110 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
every article that can by any possibility be required.
Their newest mill lately erected is capable of crushing
twice as much ore as the old one, with a staff of one
half the number of men and with the same steam
power, the weight of the stamps being greatly increased.
The residence of the superintendent and staff is the
finest building in the district, and the display of the
various woods of the country employed in pannelling
the office, and beautifully polished, is unique.
Notwithstanding all this, I would sooner sell any
Callao shares I held, at their present price, than buy
more. For market purposes they may be forced
higher, but in my opinion they are now fetching their
full value, and, if they fall, the fall will be great. Callao
is at present running 120 stamps, and the produce for
August last was, according to their returns, 19,000 oz.,
or nearly £"75,000 sterling.
During a recent strike of the miners, owing to a
dispute as to the number of inches to be drilled in the
rock to constitute a day's work, the men wanting
32 inches and the superintendent insisting on 40 inches
as the proper quantity, Mr. Perkins set to work eight
automatic drills, with which he succeeded in keeping
up a supply of quartz for the mills until the men gave
way. These automatic drills had before been tried in
other mines, but had invariably failed, owing to the
employment of average miners to work them. Mr.
Perkins brought over men from California specially
skilled in working these drills, and the result was a

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. Ill
great success, each drill doing in two hours the day's
work of a miner. The only drawback to the use of
these drills is the initial expense which is very heavy,
and the necessity of employing none but specially
trained men who are difficult to obtain.
At present El Callao is paying £"30,000 per annum
for fuel, having cut down all the timber near the
mine, so that it has to be drawn in by waggons from a
very considerable distance.
Callao Bis. We visited Callao Bis during our stay at
Callao. It lies at the top of the Town of El Callao,
and, like El Callao, is bare of timber, and will have to
buy in all its fuel, when required. This mine was
originally opened with the hope of coming up on the
same rich lode as El Callao, which, according to calcula
tion,, at the incline the lode lay, would somewhere or
other pass through it. There have been three separate
shafts sunk by different managers for this purpose, but
none of them have yet struck the lode. The last of
them, sunk by General Volveider while in charge, is the
deepest, and would undoubtedly have struck the Callao
lode but for the unexpected divergence from its former
dip. Assuming which at best, is doubtful, that it again
resumes its former dip it will pass through one corner
of the Callao Bis property at a depth between 300 and
600 yards. To cut this, if possible, Captain Richards,
the present superintendent, has commenced sinking a
new shaft at the edge of the property, which is now
down some 100 feet, and may, in the course of another

112 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
year, reach the lode, if the lode should run there. Capt.
Richards, undoubtedly, is conducting the work as
economically as possible, and it would be difficult to
find a better man.
There is another spot called the Azulas, which are
old Spanish works long since abandoned, on which the
Callao Bis Company are working, but no ore has been
got from them ; nor do I think they will ever yield
a paying quantity. Callao Bis has also a 20 stamp
mill erected, in such a position that as soon as it
commences quartz crushing, all the tailings will block
up the main street of Callao, so that, even if the lode is
cut, it will cost £"5,000 to remove the mill to a new site
near the river, if the Company can get one. I estimate
that, under the most favourable circumstances, it will
cost at least £30,000, before a ton of ore can be crushed
by the Callao Bis Company, and further, I do not think
it likely they will cut El Callao lode at all. An
arrangement was made with El Callao to work the shaft
nearest to. Callao Bis, on joint account as to expen
diture, with a view of ascertaining whether the lode
continued to run to Callao Bis, but for some time past
work has been discontinued there, and I do not think
Mr. Perkins the man to abandon a paying lode, while
half the expenses were guaranteed to him, and he took
all the produce. The closing of Callao works at this
point does not augur well for the future of Callao
Bis. No. 3 shaft on Callao Bis, now abandoned, is 200 feet

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. II3
deep, and is half full of water. All the shafts are in a
line bearing west.
The new shaft No. 4 is calculated to cost £"20 per
foot. It may therefore be looked upon as a mine now
about to be opened.
If the El Callao lode should be cut, I estimate
that it will run about 200 yards 'through Callao Bis,
dipping to 1,500 feet, and will then pass out of
it into El Callao again. The flat, or shift which
occurred some time ago, and which (if it ends by going
down), may at any time occur again, carries the lode
further and further away from Callao Bis. If it turns
upwards and does not descend, there is an end to
Callao Bis altogether. It may therefore be taken for
granted that the property of Callao Bis is entirely
dependent on the course of the El Callao Lode. If it
runs as hoped, it will take at least a year to reach it.
Then a mill must be put up in a different place before
the ore can be crushed, so that under no circumstances
can any dividend be expected from this mine for at
least two years to come, and £30,000 must be expended
in addition to what has been spent already. It is for
investors to calculate for themselves what dividend
thej' should ultimately get to recoup this outlay.
Caratal is the name of the district where gold was
first found by the explorers, and where quantities of
surface soil are still washed for gold, which is found in
nuggets. The Town is called Neuva Providencia, and

114 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
is a 20 minutes' ride from Callao. There is also a mine
of the same name.
Taking Caratal as a centre, the nearest group oi
mines consist of El Callao with 120 stamps, Callao Bis
with 20 stamps, both already disposed of. Then come
Cartago or Tigre, Nueva Providencia, Union with 20
stamps, Hansa also with 20, St. Louis, Panama with
60 stamps, Nagapai with 50, Santa Rosa 30, Potosi or
Peru 40, Chili with 60, and El Choco, about i\ hours
ride from Chili. Of all these mines Callao, Union,
Panama, Chili and Peru are either at work, or could
start at a days' notice.
The Cicapra is a rich deposit of what is known as
placer gold ; the mine itself is difficult to work on
account of its sulphurets. It has a 20 stamp mill, but
it would take some time to renew foundations, etc., and
get it ready for work ; and I believe it is in contem
plation to work this mine in conjunction with the
Union. The one having machinery fit to go and the
other an undoubted Lode ; and I am informed that
some parties from Venezuela are now in Europe trying
to form a company to carry on the works.
Eureka mine has a mill but no quartz, and is shut
down, but may some day be started again under a new
name ; and it is very necessary for intending investors
in foreign mines to be specially careful in their enquiries
as to the antecedents of the property, otherwise they
are likely to be saddled with a worked out mine, with
delapidated machinery, just started to run, in order that

VENEZUELA :, ITS MINERAL WEALTH. II5
it may be described as a mine in full equipment and
going order.
Santa Rosa has an excellent 30 stamp mill in good
working order and fit to start at a week's notice, but
from all I could learn I fear the Lode is very poor and
will not pay for working, nor do I think there is any
capital left to carry on with.
Chili, Panama, and Nagapai are so intimately connected
together through Austin's concessions, that I will leave
them until I give the history of the concession.
Union mine is now being run by the El Callao Com
pany. A new 20 stamp mill has been put up, but there
is little if any Lode on the property, and it would never
pay by itself ; it has of late been crushing Santa Rosa
quartz, but the yield has not been more than half an
ounce to the ton, and this will barely pay expenses
when fuel has to be brought so far. It is thought by
some that the chairman of El Callao contemplates
-selling this and Cartago, under a new name, to some
European company.
Hansa. This mine was at one time worked by
Americans or Germans, with a small capital, and with
undoubted success, but it afterwards was the victim of
¦extravagant management and so failed, as all the
capital was exhausted and no more was to be got from
the shareholders.
It has a twenty stamp mill, but constructed in such a
-stupid manner that there is no place for the tailings or

Il6 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
refuse to pass away, and the foundations are now quite
rotten, so that in any case the mill would have to be
rebuilt. The shaft is 150 feet deep and is now full of
water, which must be pumped out, and water in the
mine, in great quantities, will always be one of the chief
difficulties to contend with in working this mine, if it is
ever started again under a new name. There is an
undoubted Lode and gold in it. .How it can be made a
paying concern to shareholders is a different question.
Bolivar Hill. This mine is in this district. It belongs
to a French company, is now closed down and not
likely to start again, as the machinery has been offered
for sale in parcels.
I may here remark that two mines which have
been introduced to the English investors, under the-
alluring names of New Callao and West Callao are not
in the district at all, nor within 200 miles of the El
Callao mine, with which they have nothing in common
except the name ; they are situated on the other side of
Bolivar. No gold has ever been produced there, and
most people in the mining districts deny that they exist
at all as mines.
Milord is the name of another mine in this district
but it has no works, nor could I learn that it was ever a
paying concern.
Cartago, or Tigre, Mill and works are all in bad
repair and obsolete, but a lode has been proved to
exist.

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. II7
Neva Providencia has no works at all now, those that
were there have been sold.
At El Choco, or La Concordia, the works are old and
worthless, and many of them sold and removed. I
heard while in the country that some attempt was being
made from Trinidad to open up El Choco, and bring it
out as a new company, but the information was very
vague and may have referred to some other place of the
same name, as I could not get any one to tell me
exactly where the mine was situated, from which they
were expecting great things ; some called it New Choco.
In the neighbourhood of the mining district nothing
was known about it.
Of all these so called mines, El Callao, Nagapai,
Cartago, Chili, Panama, Potosi and Hansa have been
proved to possess lodes yielding gold in paying quan
tities, the others are in my opinion worthless, except to
people on the spot.
Nagapai. This mine borders on part of El Callao,
and at one time was a really productive and paying
property. It is necessary here to give a short sketch of the
property known as Austin's concessions, which have
been the cause of so much litigation and ultimate loss
to Nagapai, Chili, Panama, Potosi, &c.
Mr. J. B. Austin obtained from the then Government
of Venezuela a concession of a number of minas, or
hectares of land for mining. One of the conditions of

Il8 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
the concession being that works should be erected, and
mining work begun on it, within a given time. In the
concession no plan or place was given, and J. B. Austin,
who seems to have been a very cunning person, pro
ceeded to mark out his concession ; but instead of
taking one piece of land, as was evidently the intention
of the grant, he split it up into ten separate small
pieces, numbered i to 10, and took one of these on the
course of every lode that was discovered, thus : there is
Nagapai, with concessions 2, 3 and 10 surrounding it ;
Tigre, with No. 4, 5 and 6 near it ; New Hansa,
adjoining No. 10 ; Santa Rosa, beyond Tigre, with Nos.
3 and 4 ; Panama, surrounded with Nos. 7 and 8 ; and
Chili, which is next, joins Austin No. 9. The only
works erected, were at Nagapai, and eventually the
Government interfered and claimed the forfeiture of all
the pieces on which no machinery had been placed,
alleging, that the intention of the grant was, that works
should be ereected on each separate piece which, in
fact, constituted a separate concession.
Previous to this, however, Mr. Nicholson, while
manager at Chili, had purchased the concession Austin
No. 9, and proceeded to work it, and from this, Chili
mine has undoubtedly drawn a large quantity of gold.
Mr. Nicholson, some two years ago, was obliged to
leave the country owing to some difference with the
Government: It is believed that he headed some
rising of the miners, and at the last moment, when in
face of the soldiery, he hauled down the English flag,
which he had hoisted at Chili, and surrendered. Most

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. Iig
of the revolted miners suffered imprisonment, but
he escaped to Trinidad.
Consul Reddan, who was sent to the spot by the
English Government to enquire into the matter, made a
return on the subject. Mr. Nicholson now claims from
the Chili company the value of all the gold they had
extracted from it, alleging that he had purchased
Austin No. 9 for himself. This the company denied,
saying that he bought it while in the employ of Chili,
as the manager of Chili, and with money, &c, belonging
to the Chili company ; then Nagapai interferes, alleging
that no sale was made at all, and that it belongs to
Nagapai ; and so legal proceedings go on, ruinous to all
parties. One of the disputants (who it was is doubtful),
called the attention of the Government to these eridless
quarrels, and at last the Governor seized all the Austin
concessions on which no buildings were put, and
declared them forfeited. This had the immediate effect
of shutting off Chili from its richest source of supply,
and causing Nagapai to close entirely ; because in the
latter case all the works were on Nagapai, and all the
lodes on Austin, Nos. 10, 3 and 2, which they were
prohibited from working.
Nagapai was therefore closed in consequence of these
disputes ; and now the mine, at one time thought likely
to rival Callao, is full of water and, of course, after two
years' stoppage, will require a very large outlay to put
matters straight, the machinery in working order, and
get and keep the mine dry and fit to work ; £"100,000

120 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
must be expended, and that very carefully and
judiciously on it, to effect this.
Mr. Nass is at present in charge of the property, but
there were reports that a new Company were in
negociation for it. This Company, now called the
Venezuelan Austin Gold Mining Company, Limited,
have, according to the telegrams received from Mr.
Charles Oxland, who, I understand, represents them in
Venezuela, received information that the Company are
now in complete legal possession of all the ten Austin
concessions, including the famous Austin No. 9, situ
ated close to the Chili mine. I wish them every
success in, their undertaking, but a very large outlay is
imperative to set Nagapai at work again, and I cannot
understand what use Austin No. 9 can be to them,
or any one else, except Chili, that is, if it is not
worked out. Chili no doubt has had large quantities
of ore from it, but they believed, when I was in the
country, that it was worked out, and while at Chili I
had an opportunity of thoroughly inspecting it, having
gone through all the workings in company with the
Governor of the Province and the Inspector of
Mines, who were visiting it to ascertain whether it
was still being worked by Chili, and they expressed
themselves as perfectly satisfied that all workings
in that direction had long been abandoned, and
allowed to fall in. By what means any other
Company are going to raise quartz there and take it
away (if there is any), without infringing on the
Chili property, is a mystery to me.

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 121
I fear the attempt will only lead to more litigation.
The true course is to come to some arrangement with
the Chili Company, and hand it over to them. The
Austin Company will still have their hands more than
full. Chili. This mine has produced considerable quantities
of gold, the richest lode being Austin No. g. It has a
paid-up capital of about half-a-million, which is all
spent, and when I was in Venezuela there were debts
and liabilities amounting to £"30,000, owing to workmen
and merchants, consequently the mills and works were
closed. The superintendent, Mr. Rochford, a man of
great ability and judgment, had by singular tact and
management, prevented threatened foreclosures, thus
enabling the Company to send out some money to go on
with, and I understand that the mills have again started
and remitted 1,300 ounces of gold within the month,
but even this amount, if continuous, would not suffice
to pay dividends on the enormous capital. The works
are very large, and in good order, but the frequent
changes of management have been disastrous. There
is undoubtedly a good lode, and Chili has sent home
more than 2,000 ounces of gold per month, but even
that is not enough to make it a paying concern to the
shareholders. It is about four miles from El Callao, and
is completely equipped with a 60-stamp mill, on solid
stone foundations.
Shaft No. 4 is 900 feet deep, and shaft No. 1, or water-
shaft, 200 feet deep ; both have complete lifting, pump-

122 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
ing, and other machinery, either working or ready to
erect. M. Rochfort, who has now been twice in command,
was formerly commandant of the police in one of the
Indian districts, and is unequalled in the management
of the somewhat turbulent and restless natures he has to
deal with. He has kept this concern going through
some very troublous times. Chili has, as I have already
stated, the additional misfortune to be at loggerheads
with Mr. Nicholson, a former superintendent, relative to
the title and workings of Austin No. 9. Freed from
debt and law, and with a capital of £"150,000 at most, it
would be a paying concern and very valuable property.
Potosi or Peru is close to Chili. It has very extensive
works and machinery, and a capital of about £"700,000.
Like its neighbours, it has been to law, with no good
results, and was closed during the time I was in the
country. There is an undoubted lode, but it -gets lost
at times, and has to be looked for; a very expensive
process. There is a very large and expensive staff on
this mine.
Panama. — This mine is well stocked with machinery,
having sixty stamps in working order, under the
superintendence of Mr. Simmons; it certainly has pro
duced gold in very considerable quantities, but it is
loaded with a very heavy paid up and expended capital.
Latterly the lode has proved very capricious, becoming
poorer and poorer, and occasionally stopped by what is
technically called a horse, that is, a different sort of

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 123
rock intersecting or crossing the lode, which must be
worked through or round to find the lode again.
Sometimes these horses are so big that they cannot be
got through, and the lode is lost. At present there is
a diminution in the quantity of ore raised, and the lode
is not as rich as formerly. This mine also has a quantity
of sulphurets, which hitherto have baffled all endeavours
to get the gold from them, but at the time of my visit
Messrs. Fraser and Chalmers, of Chicago, had sent out a
Mr. Hill to try a new method, and this gentleman
expressed himself as confident of success. If so, it will
make a considerable difference in the quantity of gold
obtainable, but what dividend the mine will pay on its
large capital is a question for its shareholders, I am
not one. Since writing the above I learn that Panama
has shut down, on account of another horse, or cross
rock, intercepting the lode, but that Mr. Hill's method
of treating the refuse sulphurets has proved very
successful. La Victoria or Victory is about ten miles direct from
El Callao, but twenty-five according to the track, or
road for waggons, &c, across the savannahs. This
property consists of two separate grants, or concessions,
called La Victoria and Altamira, overlapping each other,
and the Company, to prevent future litigation and
dispute, wisely bought both, and incorporated them
under the title " Victory." The property is situated
on one of the spurs of the mountains, about 200 feet
above the level of the savannah. The situation is very
healthy, and the climate cool.

124 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
The entire property is covered with virgin forest,
affording facihlties for working enjoyed by no other
Company in Venezuela. A good deal of money was
squandered by the superintendent of a former Company,
but since the present Company has purchased the
property, it appears to be getting into a sound state.
The capital is £"175,000, of which only £"140,000 has
been called up. There are two distinct lodes on this
property running entirely through both concessions, and
crossing or intersecting each other about the middle.
There is no question as to the existence of plenty of
gold bearing quartz, which can be seen cropping-out on
the surface of the hills, while on the banks of the two
quebradas or streams which run through the property,
large lodes, one of 6ft. and the other 15ft., are clearly
defined and visible ; there is no doubt of their richness,
for the specks or points of gold can be seen by the naked
eye. On this property a twenty-stamp mill is in course of
erection, five stamps being already up, and the remainder
ready, and works of all descriptions, such as tramways,
saw mills, pumps, piping, dams, and tanks for water,
are being rapidly pushed forward.
The first five stamps started running in July, and at
the first day's trial, crushed seven-and-a-half tons of
quartz, yielding over an ounce of gold to the ton. The
cost of working the mills, owing , to certain favorable
circumstances of wood, water, &c, comes under half an
ounce per ton of quartz crushed, including all expenses,

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I25
up to the delivery of the gold bars to the escort at Callao,
so that, with a paid-up capital of £"135,000 only, I think
that, with careful management, it bids fair to be a great
success. It has in its favour a plentiful supply of wood
and water close at hand, and an unlimited quantity of
quartz in sight, without having to sink deep shafts.
In Venezuela, it was considered to rank next to Callao,
and many experts say that it will, in time, equal that
famous mine in the quantity of gold produced.
It has one great advantage over the majority of
Venezuelan mines, that is, everything is paid for, it has
no debts, it has capital in hand, and the subscribed
capital of the Company, £"135,000, is smaller than any
other there ; requiring only a moderate production to
pay good dividends. Let us hope that it will not, like
many other mines, be made a medium for Stock Ex
change speculations, which always prove so disastrous
to shareholders.
Before quitting this part of my subject, I would
observe that very incorrect notions of these gold-mining
operations exist in Europe. The woody district of
Guyana, extending down to the Essequibo and back info
Brazil and the banks of the Amazon, is undoubtedly
one of the richest gold-holding countries in the world,
and was rightly looked upon by the adventurers of old
as containing the far-famed El Dorado, but although
gold certainly exists in very large quantities, the recover
ing it in paying quantities is another matter. Indians
and poor natives are constantly seeking and finding gold

126 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
by surfacially digging and washing the earth, wherever
they can find water near enough for their purpose.
Nuggets of considerable value are constantly found.
-Caratal district is especially famous for this sort of
mining ; rich pieces of quartz are often picked up, which,
on being crushed by a hammer, will repay the individual
for the labour expended. But gold quartz mining is
quite another matter. A large outlay must be made
to erect valuable works and machinery, fuel for the
engines must be at hand, and water all the year round
without fail — given all these things, comes the last, the
most important, though least understood here, the
gold-bearing quartz lode. We are told of rich lodes,
and samples are produced, 'shewing plenty of gold.
Assayers proclaim a yield of fabulous quantities of
gold to the ton, and then come the calculations, shew
ing in the most irrefutable manner, that although the
samples show such immense quantities, yet that one
ounce only to the ton is sufficient to pay handsome
dividends, then sums such as : — If one stamp can crush
two tons in one day, yielding two ounces, how many
ounces will one hundred stamps produce in a year. All
this, although perfectly true, and perhaps issued in good
faith, is a delusion ; it is not from such rich lodes, or
magnificent specimens that great dividends are made-
it is from thick, solid masses of quartz with gold all
through them, not with a rich, thin streak in the middle.
A very rich lode may be a streak of gold (truly very
rich), but only half an inch wide, running through the
lode. But to obtain this it is necessary to get out and
crush the surrounding rock to enable the miners to work

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I27
The galleries must be a certain height and width, and
all the stone got out, must be lifted and taken away out
of the mine, or it would be blocked up, and it must be
put .through the mill and crushed, for when once blasted
no one could pick out all the rich pieces. So that the
enquiry of the investor should be, not how rich is the
lode, or what do the samples assay, but what is the size
of the lode, — does it yield gold all through, if not, how
does the gold lie in it, and is it free gold or sulpurets.
The other enquiries, as to capital, title, liabilities,
debts, &c, at home and abroad, most commercial men
can very well deal with.
Above all things, in entering into new undertakings,
no Company should make long appointments or engage
ments with its managing staff. It is too often the fashion
for sellers of such properties, to. get themselves or a
friend appointed to situations of trust, and emolument,
for considerable periods, generally two' or three years.
If success is ever to be hoped for, this should be pro
hibited and indeed no engagement should be for more
than one year certain, with a fair notice on either side
at the end of that time. I could name more than one
mine whose prospects have been entirely wrecked and
whose shareholders never had nor are ever likely to
have any dividend through the difficulties created by
the irresponsible holders of these original appointments.
Nor in any case should the directors have the appoint
ments at their discretion without advertisement for, and
selection of, the most fitting applicant, such applications
being open to the inspection of all shareholders.

128 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
After having visited the numerous mines, in the dis
trict, and completed successfully the work I had been
commissioned to do, I started on my return journey,
passing over the road already described, but at a much
faster pace, indeed, we rode the whole distance in less
than thirty hours to try and catch the steamer touching
at Las Tablas, on its upward journey to Cindad Bolivar,
but being disappointed in this, owing to the Govern
ment having requisitioned her for the conveyance of
troops to the place of some supposed outbreak, we were
compelled, on reaching Las Tablas, to hire an open dug
out native canoe, and proceed up the Orinoco to Cindad
Bolivar on her. How we succeeded in our undertaking
must be told in another chapter.

Since the foregoing report on the mines was written,
several events of importance have occurred which ren
der it necessary for me to add a few remarks, in order
to bring the position of affairs at the mining district up
to the present time, fully before my readers.
First, as regards El Callao mine. A report has re
cently reached England that a considerable portion of
this mine has fallen in. From what I saw while in the
mine, I think it is very probable that some of the old
workings, where the large masses of rock, called pillars,
formerly left, had been too severely cut down, may
have fallen in and come together; but although this
sudden closing of some part of the works may have the

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I2g
effect for a short time of diminishing the output, as it
appears to have done, to the extent of some three
thousand ounces of gold per month, yet it is of no per
manent injury to the mine ; the real point of Callao's
future success or failure being the continued dipping,
or rising of its lode. Capt. Richards reports, that at
Callao Bis, water has come into the new shaft, thus ren
dering the sinking more troublesome.
Union Mine. There is also a report, lately come to
hand, that on this property, now owned and worked by
the El Callao Company, a new and valuable lode has
been discovered, but, as yet,- I have heard of no gold
having been extracted from it, and until the news is
confirmed from more reliable sources, I shall continue
to believe that the report is circulated for the purpose
of getting a better price in the market for the property,
which the Chairman of El Callao is said to be in Europe
trying to negociate ; as well as to effect the sale to a new
Company, of Cartago and Tigre, notices of which have
lately appeared in several financial papers.
Panama Mine, with its large capital and great works,
has also, at last, found itself in liquidation. If this
Company is ever to be successfully reconstituted, it must
be with a very different capital, and with much more
economical and efficient management, both at home and
abroad.' Report also says that the Victory Company have had
proposals made to them for the purchase and working,

130 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
by another Company, of half their property. There is
ample room on this large and well-timbered estate, with
its two thoroughly-defined lodes running through it, for
two large establishments, working from sixty to one
hundred stamps each, and it would be many years before
either of them would feel the want of fuel. Both por
tions of the property have been well-surveyed, inspected,
and reported on, by a number of qualified men, including
General Volveider, Mr. Skertchley, the well-known
explorer, Capt. Pemberthy, of El Callao Mine, the la-te
Mr. Ness, Mr. Lambert, late superintendent of Victory,
and many others, who all unite in describing the rich
ness of the quartz, and the exceptional size and quality
of the lodes.
At last it appears probable that the long-talked-of
railway from Las Tablas to the mines, will be really
commenced. The Due de Morny has, I have heard,
taken up the matter, and it is hoped that the first sec
tion, as far as Upata, will be laid during next year.
This will necessitate making Las Tablas a port of entry
for shipping, which alone will be a great boon, and an
enormous saving to the population at the mining dis
tricts. I hope this time it will go beyond talking.
On October 22nd, 1886, there appeared in the London
Gazette, and published by the authority of the British
Government, the following notice, which I particularly
recommend to the attention of all would-be investors in
land in that part of Guyana, which is comprised within
the water-shed of the Essequibo : —

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I3I
" Colonial Office, Downing Street, October 21, 1886. —
Whereas the boundary-line between her Majesty's Colony
of British Guiana and the Republic of Venezuela is in
dispute between her Majesty's Government and the
Government of Venezuela ; and whereas it has come to
the knowledge of her Majesty's Government that grants
of land within the territory claimed by her Majesty's
Government as part of the said colony have been made,
or purport to have been made, by or in the name of the
Government of Venezuela ; notice is hereby given, that
no title to land, or to any right in, or over, or affecting
any land within the territory claimed by her Majesty's
Government as forming part of the colony of British
Guiana, purporting to be derived from or through the
Government of Venezuela, or any officer or person
authorised by that Government, will be admitted or
recognised by her Majesty or by the Government of
British Guiana ; and that any person taking possession
of, or exercising any right over, any such land under
colour of any such title, or pretended title, will be liable
to be treated as a trespasser under the laws of the said
colony." The dispute as to boundaries has been of long stand
ing ; maintained on the side of Venezuela, with its usual
inpudence and disregard of truth : while, on the part of
Great Britain, there has been the forbearance which
usually is displayed by the stronger party when in the
right. At last, however, a grant of 25,000 square miles
of primeval forest, running to the bank of the Essequibo,.
granted by the Venezuelan Government to one Mr.

I32 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
Fitzgerald without either survey, plan, or even a state
ment of its boundaries, has decided our Government to
act with firmness and decision, and the first result is the
notice above-quoted.
England might fairly and equitably claim the whole
watershed of the Essequibo, and this would cover the
whole mining district of Guyana, but, with the forbear
ance they have always shown in this matter, they have
confined themselves strictly within the limits, where the
Dutch, from whom their title is derived, have left marks
of occupation, and I have it, from undoubted authority,
that the British claim will not extend beyond the mouth
of the Orinoco, known as the Boca de Navios, in lati
tude 8-30, where still exists the remains of a Dutch fort,
called Barima, from a river of the same name". From
this point, the line of frontier will follow the Amicara
river to a chain of mountains, touching the point of the
Barima river, then from the Imataca mountain range to
Acrabisi river, following the Acrabisi to the Cuyuni
river, and this latter up to its source, and continuing
the same line through the mountain ridge to Brazil.
The total will be about 100,000 square miles, most of it
untrodden by man — none of it inhabited by any Vene
zuelan subjects, or likely to be, under its present form of
Government, for thenext fifty years, while, under British
rule, it will, in a short time, develop into one of its most
important colonies. Covered with the finest wood, with
splendid water communication to the sea, and soil that
will grow anything, from sugar and tobacco to wheat
and potatoes, the upper lands only require opening-out

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I33
to afford homes and occupation for thousands of our
people. Any Government who takes less than the ter
ritory now claimed, will be false to their country and its
best interests.

134 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.

CHAPTER IX.
1FTER a very sharp and fatiguing journey
from Guacipati, in the course of which we
rode one hundred and sixty miles in three
journeys of ten hours each, we reached Las Tablas at
i.o p.m., on Monday, May 24th, very tired, only to find
that we had been deceived as to the time of the steamer
touching there -on its road to Cindad Bolivar. Owing
to some fancied outbreak higher up the river, the
authorities at Cindad Bolivar had seized all the steam
boats there, including the one containing part of the
machinery for the " Victory " Company, and had sent
them to the scene of the supposed revolt with troops,
consequently there was no boat to or from Las Tablas.
There was, indeed, a rumour that it was possible a large
steamer coming from Caracas might touch there in a
day or two, but it was very doubtful if the Custom
House officials would allow any communication with
the shore.
The waiter at the hotel was very profuse in his
recommendations, that our excellencies could do no
better than stay where we were, until the steamer
" Bolivar," from Trinidad, called there, which would be
in three or four days time. As it was absolutely
necessary that we should be in Cindad Bolivar by the
27th, at latest, our excellencies did not appreciate the

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I35
full force of his remarks ; besides, the accommodation
at the hotel was so wretched and dirty, and Las Tablas
itself, such a fever den, that no person would stay there
a single hour more than he was obliged. Accordingly
we commenced making enquiries, and at last discovered
that, occasionally, the natives did go from Las Tablas
to Cindad Bolivar in their canoes, but that the passage
was dangerous, and that, white men, especially strangers
to the country, could not, without great risk, go in this
manner. The dews and malaria on the river were
dangerous, and the exposure, to sun and wet, likely to be
fatal. All the same, we went from one to another, and
at last found ain open dug-out canoe, which was about
to proceed up the river with a cargo of plantains for
sale at Bolivar and the other places on the way. After
some hours bargaining, we at last agreed with the owner,
who was also captain, and was a one eyed negro, with
a strong propensity for rum, a bottle of which was
always at his side, to take us and our belongings up to
Cindad Bolivar, in two days, for twenty dollars, we
providing our own food, &c, and we were to start the
next morning, as soon as the breeze set in. Having
completed our negotiations and ordered supplies of
meat, bread, and spirits to be put on board, we returned
to our inn, where we were looked upon as little short of
mad men. We retired, to sleep on the matter, but at
midnight were awakened by the steam whistle af a large
steamer. Sure enough, the steamer " Bermudas" had
arrived, but, before we could get hold of the Custom
House officer for a permit to go on board, she was off
again, so we had to fall back on our canoe.

I36 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
The next morning at 10 o'clock we went down to the
beach with our luggage, and there saw our ship — an
open boat, made out of the trunk of a single tree, about
twenty five feet long and five wide, without a cover or
shelter of any sort, with two short sticks for masts, and
a curious and primitive tiller; when loaded she was
about nine inches out of water, with a draught of some
two feet, filled with plantains and raw hides, on the top
of which we had to sit or lie as best we could ; forward
there was an old iron pot, in which the fire was put, to
cook coffee and other victuals. The crew consisted of
the one-eyed captain, another negro as mate, and two
colored natives. The passengers were myself and friend,
General Volveider and a servant, and when we were all
on board there was not much space to spare.
From 10 o'clock till 2 p.m. we waited for a breeze,
and when the long wished for wind at last began to
blow, the Captain could nowhere be found. In vain we
sent the police after him, and at last decided to start
without him, and had really got well under weigh, when
he appeared on the beach wildly gesticulating and with
a bottle under each arm. We put back and took him
on board, three-parts drunk, and the other part sulky.
He professed to know no English, and after raving in
Spanish at last declared, in that language, that he would
not go. General Volveider having interpreted his
determination to us, it was suggested by my friend, in
English, that as the man was evidently drunk, and
useless, our best course would be to throw him over
board and go on without him. Whether he had a

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I37
small corner left for English or not I do not know, but
he decided to go on, so at last away we went ; our run
during the afternoon was about 30. miles, crossing the
place where the Caroni joins the Orinoco. The Caroni
is a very swift river, and its waters are of a dark brown
colour, and for many miles the waters of the two rivers
can be distinguished running as it were side by side.
About nine miles up this river are the celebrated falls
of Caroni, which Sir Walter Raleigh visited, and where
he obtained several undoubted samples of gold, and his
followers collected vast quantities of pyrites which they
thought was gold. These falls are of great height and
volume, and their noise can be heard for many miles.
In a more favourable spot they would command as
many wondering visitors as Niagara.
We had hoisted two shoulder of mutton sails and a jib,
and while running across the mouth of the Caroni, were
caught in very nasty choppy sea. The captain, still
with a rum bottle in one hand, steered, but, from the way
the boat was yawing about, both my friend and myself
began to entertain great doubts of his ability, and by cau
tious enquiries conducted by our servant among the crew,
we found we were not alone in our estimate of his
prowess, and we learnt that he had only just
purchased the canoe, and this was his first voyage on
the Orinoco, a river which is one of the most difficult to
navigate,, even by experienced sailors, on account of the
ever changing banks and currents. Twice during the
crossing of the Caroni the boat was in danger of
capsizing, twice I had to put the tiller over to save her ;

I38 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
on the second occasion the savage went for his knife,
but a sight of my friend's revolver produced more
prudent thoughts, and he contended himself with a
string of Spanish oaths. At last we got across and
into plain water again, but the wind failing, we pulled
over to one of the islands and made fast to a fallen tree
for the night. Then one of the crew proceeded to make
some black coffee, and with some dried beef or tassejo,
stewed in the iron pot, and some plantains and rum
and water, we made a frugal supper, all sharing alike,
then we lay down on the skins and tried to sleep, but
sleep was impossible.
The island, luckily, was uninhabited, even by beasts ;
but from the distant shores rose the howls of the mon
keys, the roar of the puma and panther, with the chatter
and screams of thousands of birds. At last, all died
away ; a deep and solemn silence succeeded, while, like
a pall, rose on every side the white mists, heavy with
malaria, until we could not see a foot beyond the boat..
For myself, I tossed and turned all the night. I felt
was getting wet through, with the dew and mist, and
there was no remedy but to bear it. At last, about
3 a.m., we again started, the crew using their oars and
moving slowly along, till daybreak, then we stopped and
had hot coffee, a most grateful refreshment to our damp
and shivering bodies. I dosed my friends and myself
with ten grains of quinine each, having taken the pre
caution to bring a supply of that drug. After break
fast, the crew again went to the oars, till about eleven

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I3g
when a welcome breeze sprung up, and hoisting our sails,
we ran before it.
The breeze, at last, rose to quite a gale, and our cap
tain, as usual, half-drunk, lost all control. The tiller
slipped from his hands, or rather feet, for, half his time,
he lay on his back and steered with his foot, the canoe
broached to, and the gale, striking her on her side, fairly
laid her down, w ater began to come in at the side, and
I thought all was over, when the leg of mutton sail,
which was old and rotten, suddenly burst in two, the canoe
slowly righted, and we were saved. We all cursed the
captain, who, after this, was thoroughly cowed, and did
what he was told. It was a narrow escape. A little
more, and we must have gone over, and that, in a place
swarming with caymans and alligators; none of us, I
fancy, would have survived to tell the tale. Afterwards,
when talking of the escape, my friend remarked that as
we had the title-deeds of a newly-purchased estate in
our bags, it would have been a dreadful loss. I
thought my own loss would have been much more
dreadful to me.
At 4 p.m., we ran into a sort of cove to repair damages.
Here we found a colored settler and his family, and the
captain did some trade in bananas and skins. Sailed on
till nearly dark, then made fast to the shore for supper.
Same as last night, as to noises, c&c, but at last, lying
on the skins with an umbrella to try and keep off some
of the falling dew, fell into a troubled sleep. I woke up
suddenly hearing a sort of booming noise, and saw a
pair of great eyes blazing very near my face, I jumped

I40 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
up and heard a great splash, and then a crashing of
bushes, as if some beast was landing. On examination,
it turned out that we had had a visitor, but whether
panther, or tiger cat, Or puma, no one could tell. No
more sleep after this, so we started off, rowing as usual,
then breakfast at daybreak.
We hoped to reach Cindad Bolivar to-day, so kept
on urging the captain to go ahead, but he had been so
frightened by the last gale, that, as soon as the wind
increased a little, he ran ashore) into a sheltered spot,
nor could we induce him to move, until it had dropped
to a very gentle zephyr. He was evidently determined
to run no more risks. However, in the course of the
morning, he managed to run us aground on a mud bank,
and the crew had to jump overboard, and push us off
again. I repeated the dose of quinine again this morn
ing. We were now passing through one of the most
beautiful parts of the river, on either side we saw large
open glades, covered with the greenest vegetation, and
dotted with magnificent trees, while in the distance,
rose the forest deep and dark, here and there a tapir,
like a small brown cow, was to be seen, quietly grazing ;
birds of the most varied and beautiful plumage, stalked
along, or perched on the drooping boughs ; here a crane,
there a falcon, again a lot of ducks. Parrots, lories
and cockatoos, screamed and chattered, while close to
the water's edge, like great logs of wood, the caymans
wallowed in the mud, or lay dozing with their upper
jaw lifted, to catch the unwary insects entering their
mouths. Wild turkeys and pheasants flew from tree to

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I4I
tree, affording a good shot to the sportsman, but we
did not attehipt to disturb them. If they fell, we could
not get them, and it would have been but useless
slaughter. During the evening of our second day, we passed
several large tracts of forest-land on fire. This is a
magnificent and terrible sight: the roar of the flames,
the crash of the falling trees, followed by bursts of
flame, many feet high, all terrify and confuse the behold
ers. These fires are made by the Indians and settlers,
with a view to increase their clearings, and are gener
ally done at this time, so that the rains, which are now
expected, may prevent their spreading too far, but this
does not always happen, and sometimes very large
tracts of forest have been burnt down, and very great
injury has been done to mining property on several
occasions, from this cause, a great part of the wood
land on which they rely for fuel, having been burnt
down, through the carelessness of the natives.
The third morning came, and we started, as usual,
wet and cold from the night's dews, and much disturbed
by our unexpected visitor ; but this day the wind
failed us. No steady breeze as before, but only
occasional puffs, and as the river in this part winds
very much, what wind there was, was as frequently
against us as in our favour. At last, in the afternoon,
we got in sight of Cindad Bolivar, although several
miles away, and the captain decided upon stopping
again for the night. But to this we decidedly objected,
and appealed to the crew, offering double payment to

142 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
them, if they rowed us up to the city before night.
They eagerly closed with our proposal, and set to work
pulling with a will ; we had to keep the shore, as the
current in the centre was running between five and six
miles an hour ; with occasional pauses, and a slight
refreshment of rum at intervals, they continued this
work for hours, and at last about dusk, we reached the
commencement of the city, which stretches along the
river, but we could not land here, and were obliged
to go on to the extreme end where alone country boats
were permitted to touch the shore.
Again our captain took the helm, and in his endeavours
to steer a close course, plumped us on a rock. I
thought we were all over. To be wrecked in sight of
port,- by such a one-eyed imposter was too bad. It
was only the sight of several caymans swimming about
that prevented us from throwing him overboard.
At last by lightening the canoe forward, and pushing
with the oars, aided by the rapid current, she slowly
slid off the rocks. Now came the question was she
damaged under the water line, if so, we should have to
swim for the shore, with small chance of reaching it.
Hurrah, she is all sound and on we go, the crew pulling
viciously, and the captain superseded at the helm by
the mate. At last after another hour's hard work we
reach the proper landing place, but hardly are we made
fast, when we are boarded by a couple of soldiers and
General Volveider is marched off a prisoner. After
much negociation with an officer, my friend and I on
proclaiming our nationality, are permitted to pass to our

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I43
hotel, but every thing in the boat is taken charge of,
and we cannot even get our hand-bags out.
I land on the stony beach, and in the dark, grope
my way up to the principal street, where our hotel
stands. Crack, ping ! I hear a shout in Spanish, and
something whizzes by me. I push on ; the hotel is only
a few yards off. Crack, ping ! again. I start running
and soon get under shelter and up stairs to my old
rooms, where our landlord welcomes me with many signs
of joy. On my enquiry, as to the salute I was favored
with, he informed me that for two days Cindad Bolivar
had been panic stricken ; soldiers were posted in the
streets, with orders to arrest all who were found about
after 8 p.m., and that, no doubt, it was one of these
gentry, who, finding I did not answer his call to stop,
had fired at me, as they are all armed with Winchester
repeating rifles, I congratulate myself on my lucky
escape, greatly aided, I believe, by the man having
aimed at me, as they are notoriously bad shots.
We saw nothing more of the General that night, but
next day he turned up at our agents, having been in
confinement some hours, and eased himself considerably
by abusing the military authorities all round, as a set of
stupid blockheads.
I learnt afterwards that reports had been brought to
the authorities at Cindad Bolivar of a serious rising
higher up the river, near San Fernando, and the
Governor had seized all available transports, and
shipped off the greater part of the troops, at his disposal,

144 VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
to suppress it. Then a report came down that ther
was no outbreak, and that the troops had been got
away by a false pretence, to facilitate a rising in Cindad
Bolivar, so the remaining soldiers were set to work to
keep down any attempt at a gathering, and as our
coming up the river had somehow become known before
our arrival at Cindad Bolivar, probably by someone
who saw us rowing up, General Volveider (who was a
very distinguished officer in the late war)„ was supposed
to be in some way connected with this outbreak, and so
his arrest and detention was determined on. In reality,
the General, as well as ourselves, was totally ignorant
of the matter, he having come up at our earnest
persuasion, as his presence and signature was absolutely
necessary to complete the title to some property we had
purchased for the Victory gold mine.
For the first time, since my arrival in the country,
I was laid up by a slight attack of fever. Exposure
and excitement, combined with' the great heat, had at
last told its tale ; however, it was necessary to complete
our business, so I struggled on, and after some hours
with our agents, lawyers, and the other parties con
cerned, in which I was almost a lay figure, the business
being mostly got through by my coadjutor, we got every
thing satisfactorily settled. Our property and titles
secured, and everything paid for, nothing now remained
but to take care of myself for the one or two days
before the steamer started for Trinidad. After a good
day's, rest, my fever has gradually left me, and I saw
to-day the return of the troops, who had been up the

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I45
river, and also the shipment of the remainder of the
machinery for the Victory mine, and its departure for
Las Tablas.
Our own boat starts for Trinidad to-morrow, Sunday
afternoon, and our remaining time is occupied in
settling bills, packing up, getting some curiosities, and
obtaining passports, for, in this country, you must have
one passport to come in, and another to go out." They
are never looked at, or enquired after, when once you
have got them, and the Government has pocketed the
fees ; indeed, they are only a device for a little extra
taxation. We have been greatly assisted in all these
vexatious matters, by our agents, Messrs. Pietro,
Battestini and Co., one of the largest firms in Cindad
Bolivar, or indeed, in Venezuela. They are largely
connected with the mining interest, having subsidiary
stores all over the country, who draw all their supplies
from the head centre in Cindad Bolivar, and orfe, if not
more, of the partners in the house, hold large interests
in the great El Callao Mine.

I46 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.

CHAPTER X.
JJT last, all our work was done, and on Sunday,
May 30th, at 2 p.m., we left Cindad Bolivar
on our return to England, in hopes to catch
the steamer at Trinidad.
I was not fully aware how many friends I had in that
very hot city until the final handshakings took place ;
among them our friends the French explorers, still con
fident that on the following Tuesday they would start
up the river to penetrate its source.
Since our arrival at Cmdad Bolivar the first time, the
river has been steadily rising, and is now some 20 feet
higher than when we first arrived. Its maximum height
here is 80 feet, when much of the surrounding country
is under water. Even now, as we proceed rapidly on
our way, everything seems changed ; where, formerly,
we passed large well-wooded islands, now, a few bush
like tufts rise above the water. The river seems about
four times as wide, and <f a yellow, muddy tint, like pea
soup. Plantations, that seenied placed on hills, now
come down nearly to the water's edge. The great man
grove roots, through winch we peered in semi-darkness
to the swamps beyond, ate now quite submerged, and
the foliage above seems to rise sudden and sharp out of

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 147
the great plain of water. The currents, too, are quite
altered, and we seem to go along in a zigzag, aimless,
sort of way, although, in reality, running our true course.
At night, we touched at Las Tablas, no longer with a
long stretch of sandy beach before it, but with a rapid
stream rising to within some feet of its embanked street.
All the way down from Bolivar, clouds of locusts were
crossing the river, so dense as to obscure the sun, and
threw quite a shadow over the water. These pests have,
during the last three years, greatly increased, and eat
up almost every green thing. It appears that this plague
occurs periodically, and lasts from five to seven years ;
then, for a time, the country is quite free from them.
At present, it seems as if they were likely to continue
their ravages for the next two or three years.
Before reaching Las Tablas, the river appeared to
turn quite dark, owing to the influx of the Caroni, one
of its greatest tributaries, whose waters are black and
thick. This river would be navigable for many miles,
but for the falls, which cross it about nine miles from
its mouth, They are well worthy of a visit, and fairly
rival Niagara. We heard their thunder while still many
miles distant, and I greatly regretted not having an
opportunity of visiting them, while the river was so full
of water. After delivering the goods we brought from
Bolivar, at Las Tablas, an operation which took some
time, owing to their having to be landed in small boats,
we started off again, and reached" Barrancas about
4 a.m. This is a very old town, and is the place where
cattle are shipped to Trinidad. Far away into the

I48 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
avannahs behind, are large cattle-breeding establish
ments, and from these almost continuous shipments of
young beasts are made to Trinidad and other places.
Four hours hard work in getting two hundred, nearly-
wild, oxen on board, and away we go again. We swing
our hammocks on deck, under the awning forward, to
get what air there' is, and lie lazily watching the
numerous crooks and bends, with their ever-changing
scenery, as we scurry along. Occasionally, a fishing
Indian, in his canoe, starts up on seeing us, showing his
stock, with some idea of barter, but we dash by unheed
ing. These Indians were formerly in the habit of coming
on board and trading, and they were extremely expert
in bringing their canoe alongside while the vessel was
going full speed. Sometimes, however, one would come
to grief, and being caught by the paddles, canoe and
occupants got considerably mixed up, and would turn
up astern in a confused mass of legs, arms, wood, and
feathers, so that, at last, it was forbidden for any canoe
or Indian to attempt to board any steamer while in
motion. We are now running through the Delta, with its
swamps, primeval forest, wild beasts, monkeys, snakes,
birds, and alligators. At night, we pass the bar, where
the water is now deep enough for a man-of-war, and
about 12 o'clock (noon) on the next morning, we arrive,
and anchor off the Capital of Trinidad. As usual, we
are delayed here for a week for the Inter-colonial Mail
steamer. We contemplate a trip to Caracas to spend the week

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I4g
but the boat left the day before we arrived, then we
suggest Grenada, but the case is the same there. The
only place open to us is Tobago, but that is worse than
Trinidad, so we decide to stay there, and get through
the week as best we may. The Governor has left for
England, so Government House is closed, and lots of
the inhabitants, tempted by the cheap excursion tickets
of the Royal Mail Company, have gone to England to
see the Exhibition, so Port of Spain is not very lively.
However, it is Assize time, so we go to the Court daily,
and hear the coolies and negroes give evidence and lie
with a coolness, precision, and determination that fairly
astonished us. One would think, to hear the prosecutor
and his witnesses, in any case, that the whole matter
was perfectly clear, and there could be no defence, but
the defendant, when his turn came, quite as clearly
proved to demonstration, and, by a quantity of inde
pendent and seemingly respectable evidence, that he was
as innocent as a child unborn. I was fairly bewildered
at the amount of perjury, but the Chief Justice, who
presided, managed somehow, to distribute justice very
fairly, at least, that was the opinion of the onlookers,
who were used to the ways of the island. The Law
Courts are fine buildings, well ventilated and cool. I
afterwards went over the jail, through the courtesy of
its Governor, and was surprised at the cleanliness and
exact discipline maintained there. The prisoners, mostly
black, seemed to be made very comfortable, and hard
labour is only an expression.
I was, by the courtesy of several gentlemen in

150 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
Trinidad, made a member of the club, where I passed
several very pleasant evenings. At the news-rooms, also,
overlooking the bay, there was a capital reading-room,
with all the best papers and periodicals from England
and the United States, and a daily cablegram of news.
I went to see the waterworks, a well constructed
work, which keeps the town plentifully supplied with
good water, and the streets clean, by water running
along channels on each side of the road. Sugar estates,
cacao and coffee plantations, were in turn visited.
colored and coolie towns both came under notice —
at the last, the native jewellers, with the aid of a port
able furnace, a pair of pincers, and one or two tools,
like old nails, manufactured bracelets and bangles out
of the shillings supplied to them, while I looked on, the
price being exactly double the weight of silver manu
factured : thus, if the man made a shilling into a thin
bangle, he had another shilling for labour. I proposed
to him to make some gold ones, but the price was pro
hibitory, for a sovereign made into a bangle, I was to
pay another sovereign, and he could not, or would not
see the absurdity of his charge. I then proposed
copper, but he cleverly escaped the dilemma by saying
that he only worked in the precious metals (silver and
gold). The Chinese, who also have a sort of quarter to
themselves, are very industrious : they are the principal
fruit and vegetable growers, and many are seen all day
at work, in their little patches of ground.
I again saw the Venezuelan Generals en retraite, they
seemed mouldier and mustier than ever, perhaps the

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 151
rainy season, which was now on, had something to do
with it. While in Trinidad I had the pleasure of meet
ing Mr. Fabien, one of the most energetic gentlemen in
the island, and a very large proprietor. He owns a
considerable part of the town, where he is established
as a merchant ; he has large tracts of land growing
cacao, coffee, limes, tobacco, and fruits ; he is the
owner of some of the best race-horses, and generally is
to be found well to the front in every new industry-
While I was there, he was endeavouring to introduce
Trinidad tobacco more generally, and to that end, had
started a cigar manufactory, and imported skilled work
men. I tried several samples he was kind enough to
present me. with, and found them quite equal in flavour
to any Havannah. I understand he has sent some over
to the Exhibition, and hope he may succeed in estab
lishing a good trade in them. He has also made very
large plantations of limes, as many as 30,000 trees,
with a view to the manufacture of lime juice, in an im
proved manner, and to send the ripe fruit to England, if
a market can be found for them. Those who have ever
tried limes, will never use lemons, so long as the others
can be obtained, the juice being much more pungent
and of far finer flavour. The same gentleman is also
planting chinchona and nutmegs, on his various estates,
and a few more men of his stamp would have a great
and beneficial influence on the future of Trinidad.
Sugar is nearly played out, and with the present im
proved means of transit, other articles, not requiring
such an outlay for machinery, will certainly become the
staple produce.

152 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
After a stay of six days in Trinidad, we embarked
on board the Inter-colonial Mail steamer " Eden," on our
return voyage to Barbadoes, accompanied to the ship
by lots of friends, wishing us a pleasant voyage. The
steamer was crowded with Colonials, availing themselves
of the tourist tickets, at reduced fares, to visit England
and the Colonial Exhibition. The food on board these
steamers, and also on those from Barbadoes to England,
is very interior. In a voyage, where they touch almost
daily at some place, tinned meats and canned fruits
should not be used. Fruit is plentiful enough in the
islands, but the commonest hog pines, wild mangoes,
reeking with turpentine, and the coarsest sort of bananas
only, are supplied, and these commonly stale or rotten.
The cooking of the food, too, requires strict looking
after. Sour bread and confectionery, which might take
the place of encaustic tiles, are not .good for digestion.
Indeed, the entire cuisine and accommodation wants a
regular overhauling, or the passenger traffic will pass
into the hands of the Americans and Germans, who are
already running the Mail Company hard. The Inter
colonial boats, too, have not the best reputation in the
West Indies.
We reached Grenada the morning after leaving
Trinidad, and there embarked His Excellency the
Governor and suite, on a visit to St. Vincent, which we
reached the same afternoon. There was the usual parody
of state ceremonial ; eight policemen in one boat and
twelve more on shore, to fire a salute, &c., &c. to
welcome the officials, who are only a nuisance and bur-

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 153
den on these state-governed colonies. Leaving St.
Vincent with a fine breeze, we reached Barbadoes the
next day, and, as usual, visited the town, the ice-house,
&c, ate flying fish, drank punch, and went on board the
Royal Mail steamer " Para," in waiting to take us to
England, but when we got on board, we found, to our
disgust, that we were in quarantine. It appears she had
been to Colon, and there shipped a case of yellow, or,
as the doctor called it, country fever, which had resulted
in death. For this, she was put into quarantine, in
Jamaica, where, however, she shipped some produce,
but, as small pox was raging in Jamaica, and the Bar
badians have a great dread of that disease, she was
quarantined there for that disease. We were detained
two days, while the authorities arranged how to get her
stores on board, in accordance with the quarantine
restrictions. This having been, at last, successfully
accomplished, we started on our homeward voyage, two
days behind time. We had, however, a fine passage,
and at last reached Plymouth, within twelve hours of
our appointed time. Here I parted with my friends,
glad enough to get back to England safely and in good
health.

immm&

154 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.

CHAPTER XL— Conclusion.
JjEFORE leaving my subject and taking a final
adieu of my readers, I wish to add a few
words in conclusion. In the foregoing
chapters, I have endeavoured, to the utmost of my
ability, to convey truthful impressions of what I have
seen and heard. No venal report has sullied these pages ;
what I have said, whether good or bad, is my honest,
unbiassed belief. I may have been mistaken (most men
are, at times), but I have not wilfully misled anyone,
and if there is more vinegar than sugar throughout the
work, it is because the vices, misdeeds, and outrages,
were so flagrant. Sunny land, thrice-endowed by nature,
languishing under the vilest mis-Government, robbed
and outraged by those of its own people, who should be
foremost in its defence, who can look on thee without a
fervent prayer for thy re-habilitation. Here, into thy
lap, nature has poured her choicest gifts, enriching thee
with every variety, that man's wants can require, of most
fertile soil, and adorning thee with matchless beauties
to please his- senses. Here are the most magnificent
forests, and noble rivers, whose prodigious grandeurs are
unrivalled. Anything more rich than the luxuriant and
ever-varying foliage, with every tint of flower, every
fantastic shape of leaf and frond, every shade of green

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. 155
on which the eye can dwell for refreshment or repose, it
is impossible t'o imagine. The woods are literally ablaze
of orange, brown, yellow, lilac, white, deep red, and
flaming scarlet tints. The atmosphere seems filled with
splendour. No sooner has the sun set than the air is
peopled with myriads of fire-flies and luminous beetles,
and insects glancing to and1 fro, darting their soft flashes
of light from bough to bough, till they seem to illumine
the entire forest — lovely by day, not only from its
vegetable, but its insect wonders. The very flowers
seem to have taken wing, so great the number and
various the colors of the butterflies, fluttering about on
their fantastic courses, and glittering in the sun, with
all the varied colors of the rainbow, rose, orange, bright
blue, white, black, spotted, and striped, on wings of a
breadth and form unknown elsewhere, flit before the
eyes, and dart through the air in endless variety : but,
like the curse of misrule and oppression, with its fair-
seeming and rotten core, that sits like an incubus on
this fair land, here also abound the curse of all south
ern climes, the reptile and the insect ; rattlesnake, cobra,
copperhead, and a dozen other venomous and deadly
snakes infest the savannahs. The boa and python dwell
in the forest and the swamp, where, also, huge and noisy
frogs abound. The dreaded electric eel is in every
stream, mosquitos, wasps, and poisonous spiders are
frequent, and even the usually small and harmless
lizards here become huge, ugly, and sometimes danger
ous monsters. But as these natural foes of man, fall
back before the advance of cultivation, so let us hope
that the equally-dangerous and predatory classes, usurp-

156 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
ing power, may be compelled to retreat before the
advancing tide of knowledge and increasing civilization.
With respect to the mining district of Guyana, what
is most urgently required is federation between the Com
panies themselves ; united, they might resist all vexatious
imposts and exactions of the Government ; as it is, they
are utterly divided, and seek more to benefit, from the
misfortunes of each other, than to offer a firm and united
front to the power that is an enemy to all. Callao is
the chief offender in this matter, and has more than once
sought by concessions, at Caracas, to establish its own
supremacy at the cost of its rivals.
Since my return to England, there is one thing I have
learnt, viz : — That there are an immense number of
engineers and inventors, possessed of machinery, which
will crush infinite quantities of gold in the least possible
space of time, with results unequalled by any machinery
now in use, and I would earnestly caution Directors of
South American Companies to pause and consider well,
before adopting any of these new and ingenious com
binations. The machinery now in use, has been arrived
at, after long and laborious investigation and trial. The
cost of sending-out machinery (without including its
cost here) is between eightpence and ninepence per
pound, or from £"70 to £"80 sterling per ton, and failure
means financial disaster. No new mine, at first start
ing, should try any of these so-called improvements.
It is all very well for established and large dividend
paying mines, to spend some of their surplus cash in

VENEZUELA: ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I57
trying what, if successful, means increased dividends,
and if a failure, only a few thousands from the reserve
fund, but to young and struggling companies it means
ruin. The plan I have adopted, and recomnjend to
others, is as follows. — Whenever one of these new and
wonderful machines is brought before me, I offer its
inventor the following terms, viz : — That the company
is willing to try his machine, provided he will supply it
on the condition, ,that, if it does not do what he guaran
tees, it is not to be paid for, if it does, he is to receive
the price he asks, and the company will, in any case,
pay the expense of sending it out ; if a failure, he must
bring it home himself. In all instances, I have been
told, that " This is not business " ; truly, it is not, if
business means fees and bonuses for introduction, com
missions on sales, &c, &c, and final breakdowns. My
advice is, keep to the plain Californian stamp mill, till
you know what you have got, then spend surpluses as
you think fit. In every country there are different
forms and customs of labour, and machinery of any
delicate construction, in the hands of a black labourer,
is like an expensive toy with a child, he is never satis
fied, until he has broken it up, to see what is inside.
A species of mining, common in North America, has
never been introduced into Venezuela, I mean, placer
mining or washing,- on a great scale. I fancy the six
months dry season is against it, and further, that it is
difficult, at any time,, to get sufficient fall, and conse
quent force, for large operations, Washing by hand is
common enough, and large quantities of nugget gold

I58 VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH.
are constantly obtained, but it is by individual effort,
and on the banks of great rivers ; the soil is brought
down to the water, not the water brought down ro the
soil. Placer mining has this advantage over all others,
that no expensive machinery is required, consequently,
a very small percentage of gold pays large dividends ;
indeed, I know of no placer mine which has failed to
pay, provided it was fairly treated. I was asked to
undertake a visit to some of these mines near Denver,
in Colorado, while on my journey, but I was unable to
do so, much as I wished it, for I understand from very
good authority, that there is a prospect of some very
startling results being obtained there, from placers
newly opened, or about to be opened.
Venezuela, and more especially that part of it called
the State of Guyana, where thegold mines are situated,
is very little known or visited, because it is generally
considered to be so difficult of access, but this is no
longer so, owing to the increased, facilities for travel.
No more pleasant, or, indeed, cheaper trip can now be
taken than a six months' tourist's ticket by the Royal
West Indian Mail Steamers. For £"65, the tourist can,
during six months, visit Barbadoes, Antigua, Jamaica,
Havannah, Vera Cruz, Panama, La Guyra and Caracas,
Trinidad, St. Vincent, Grenada, Tobago, Demerara,
and other islands, besides having ample time at his dis
posal to make trips up the Orinoco and Amazon and
visit the gold mines of Guyana and interior parts of
Venezuela and other South American states.
For six months, during our winter here, he can wander

VENEZUELA : ITS MINERAL WEALTH. I5g
among the islands, living on board the various steamers
all the time, only paying extra when he goes on shore,
and coming back free of the fogs and damps of at least
one of our winters here, at a cost of somewhat less than
ten shillings per day, and for these trips little or no out
fit is required. Half-a-dozen sets of thin wool under
clothes, half-a-dozen very thin flannel shirts, added to a
man's general stock, will carry him through all. While
his mind will be opened, and his intelligence improved
by the sight of wonders, all the descriptions of which fail
to give an idea of their brilliancy and beauty. Go then,
idler, in search of pleasure ; valitudmarian, in search
of health; and sportsman, in pursuit of game ; see all,
and on your return, acknowledge that I have ." naught
extenuated or aught set down in malice."
VALE.

V

APPENDICES

A

APPENDIX A.
Report on the Federal territory of Yuruary, Guayana, and
Venezuela, by General Victor Barret de Nazaris, Minister of
War and Marine, of the Government of Venezuela : —
" Citizen-General, Constitutional President of the
United States of Venezuela.
" Sir, — The mission which you had the honour to
confide to my loyalty and my discretion has been
fulfilled with all necessary seriousness, and with results
which I believe satisfactory to the stability of the
national peace, and the security of the multiplied and
well-understood interests of Guayana and the Federal
territory of Yuruary.
" While resident in the territory I did no more than
fulfil the orders of your Government, attending with due
care to your patriotic sentiments and your sincere
wishes for the happiness and greatness of the country.
" My brief communications will already have informed
you, as well as the Executive, of my ideas as to the
condition and needs of those sections, called by
Providence to great destinies in the near future. But
notwithstanding these brief communications, I have
considered it well, thus fully complying with my duty
to the end, to put before you in this report a compact

APPENDIX A. 111.
result of my observations, as well as the useful reforms
which, according to my judgment, I deem are indis
pensable to the introducing of a definitive organization
of the Federal territory of Yuruary, so that it may
thereby fully correspond to the true ends of its creation,
and reach that transcendental prosperity, in favour of
which great and positive hopes will have to be developed
by fruitful acts ; not only for this mighty region of the
Orinoco, but also for the whole of the Republic of
Venezuela. " From the foregoing I hope the Government will be
able to form a correct opinion of the true political
situation of the eastern portion of the Republic, the
State of Bolivar, and the Federal territory of Yuruary ;
and if my observations, which obey no interest adverse
to my duty, should meet your approbation, I shall enter,
with greater satisfaction, upon the second part of my
report ; the most important, doubtless, as it is intimately
connected with the well-known prosperity and the
incalculable greatness of the mighty Delta of the
Orinoco, with which the great future of Venezuela is
really united.
" Taking the Federal territory of the Yuruary in its
entirety, from the banks of the Orinoco to the extreme
southerly limit of that part known as the mines, we
clearly see that the Yuruary in its source forms a line
of division nearly absolute between two groups widely
different : the first on the north, in which the granite
rocks abound, and the second to the south of the

IV. APPENDIX A.
Yuruary, characterised by auriferous veins more or
less deep, and under different forms.
" From the banks of the Yuruary to the confines of
the territory bordering on Demerara, it may be assumed
that gold abounds all over, so that we should not be far
out in affirming that here really exists the long sought -
for El Dorado of the Spaniards, which the industrial
and ruling spirit of the age can quickly transform in a
few years into a second mighty California, with advan
tages infinitely superior without any of its incon
veniences. " If the opinion of masters of science is to be credited,
there are not to be found in the whole world auriferous
veins equal in richness to those of the Yuruary.
" And this truth, already well known in the mining
world, is precisely the reason why, in England especially,
as also in all parts of Europe and the United States of
North America, the attention of capitalists is being
drawn more and more towards the gold region of the
Orinoco, and respectable enterprises are being formed
for the exploitation of the precious metals.
" The Government, fully informed of this, considers
it its first duty to devote its attention to the Federal
territory, and being disposed by all the means in- its
power to place it in such conditions of security and posi
tive guarantee, as will preclude all possibility of danger
to capital, following a lucrative opening and progressive
development about to be placed in the country.

APPENDIX A. V.
" The confidence inspired to the outside world by the
stability of the peace of the Republic is, without doubt,
the principal impulse to the enterprises, and which are
showing themselves disposed to favour us with eagerness.
•' And if the Government succeeds in strengthening
that confidence by protective measures, and a legislation
fully adequate to all the rights of the territory, without
any danger of disagreement, which the interpretation of
not well-defined mining laws frequently give rise to, it
is not to be doubted that we shall soon see large com
panies formed in the United States and Europe coming
to the Yuruary to give life to the many wonderfully rich
concessions which, unfortunately, up to the present,
have remained wholly unproductive, and causing in
numerous instances the ruin of their owners.
" And those laws and that necessary legislation will
on the one hand favour foreign interests, and on the
other tend to increase the national revenues to such an
extent as to be at present beyond calculation.
" Let us now see what the position of the mining
industry is to-day in the Federal territory of the Yuruary.
" According to data, which merit full credit, there are
in the section of Nueva Providencia, in which the
greater part of the enterprises at present in action are
situated, 104 concessions of 20,060-32 mines (a mine
equals 10,000 square metres, or about 2a. ir. 35P.) ; in
El Choco there are 30 concessions of 5,899-20 mines ; in
Cicapra 83 concessions, of 24,285-83 mines ; in Panama
four concessions, of 1,600 mines; and again there are

VI. APPENDIX A.
mines in La Victoria, Mexico, Caiguao, without count
ing those whose limits are marked, as in La Erica, and
the considerable number surveyed by that which was
the Guyana Company Limited, to the south and east of
Nueva Providencia, and towards the unexplored region.
" So that it is no exaggeration to suppose there are
approximately 80,000 mines (equal to 197,500 acres, or
3o8ff square miles) in the territory which give no satis
factory results either to the concessionaires or to the
Government. " To the concessionaires they give no results, as they
must pay a periodical tax to the Treasury on unpro
ductive wealth ; and as the resources of those are
generally limited, the result is, the payment of the tax
falls into arrears, and the concession is declared lapsed
on that account ; they being unable to find, within the
time allowed by their resources, purchasers for their
concessions who, under any form, would work them with
sufficient capital ; nor does the Government profit by
them, because, taking for a basis the return of the
revenue derived from the mines for the past financial
year, from July 1, 1883, to June 30, 1884, we shall see
that the amount collected for mining taxes is only
164,480 bolivares, or an amount equal to the tax on
10,965-33 mines, thus leaving 69,035 mines which pay
no contribution : some of these, by having obtained a
remission of the tax, others, through having been declared
lapsed, and again others whose titles have not been put
in order, and as many more through being unkno

APPENDIX A. VII.
" When in view of these results, by no means satis
factory, the National Government resolves to occupy
itself seriously in the decreeing of useful, measures,
which may save the Federal territory from the present
desperate state in which it is, and in which it will con
tinue until its present actual condition be modified, then
I shall place at the disposition of the Ministry, to which
such corresponds, the studies I have made, and the
projects with which I am at present occupied for the
consideration and superior judgment of the Executive.
" Meanwhile, and as a preliminary basis, I beg leave
to recommend the following conclusions to the Govern
ment : —
"i. The mining right should be thoroughly assured,
with great liberality and without any restriction which
might hamper its action.
" 2. The mining tax should not be imposed upon the
mine, but rather upon the yield of gold from the con
cession. " 3. The liberty to explore should be facilitated, by
the National Government giving the Governor of the
territory power to grant such liberty.
"4. The limited working of pits (" barrancos ")
should be allowed by empowering ihe Governor to grant
permission for such workings, with the approval of the
inspector of mines.
"In fact, 1. The insecurity or even doubt of the
validity of the titles of mining concessions begets want

yill. APPENDIX A.
of confidence, and consequently capitalists in Europe
and the United States, the only ones who invest in the
country, will not risk their money ; and to this may be
attributed the present actual prostration of the Federal
territory, in which, with the sole exception of El Callao.
whose yield is fabulous and gives for all, all the other
enterprises are battling with a million difficulties, buoy
ing themselves up with hopes for the future.
"2. To collect taxes upon a mine from the moment
a concession is granted, is nothing more than paralysing
successively the action of the various concessionaires
into whose hands it passes, for the money, which, as long
as they have it or can borrow it, has to be paid in taxes
On unproductive wealth, which might be made use of for
the purpose of forming companies to work the con
cession, and which would then pay the Government
what the concessionaire might or could not have paid,
and much more besides.
"3. The greater number of the lodes discovered in the
territory, according to information received, have been
by poor, industrious miners, working with borrowed
money. Now, as long as the law compels such men as
are wont to explore to make a long and expensive
journey to the capital, Caracas, in search of the necessary
permission, what is now happening will continue, and
that is that no one will explore ; and the consequence
will be that the region of new discoveries, so important
to the obtaining of new concessions and the later forma
tion of companies, will be completely forgotten.

APPENDIX A. IX.
" 4. The miners of pits (" barrancos ") are in precisely
the same predicament as the explorers, by being com
pelled to make a journey to the capital : an almost insur
mountable obstacle is put in the way of getting the
desired permission, and the result is that no one works
pits, and, if some do, it is only secretly and in direct
violation of the law.
" The foregoing conclusions, with the respective
concise observations thereon, will throw sufficient light
upon the pressing necessities of the territory of the
Yuruary with regard to the mining industry. And were
I to put forward here, as it is my duty to do, and
nothing more than the plain truth, the present great
stagnation prevailing in business, and in all the indus
tries of the territory, arises from no other cause than
that of crushing the mining industry by means of
restrictions which our present mining legislation
establishes. " Consequently, as soon as the National Government
takes such measures as will extend sure protection and
guarantee to the mining enterprises, ipso facto, all the
other industries of the Yuruary will be also favoured ;
and moreover the extension of the hamlets and villages
surrounding the various mining companies, which from
day to day have no other life than that which they now
enjoy from those enterprises, will no longer depend for
their existence exclusively on them.
" I shall here conclude this report, which I have tried
to make as brief as possible, and shall do so by affirming

X. APPENDIX A.
that if the National Government raises the Federal
territory to that position which its great resources and
importance as well as the national convenience demands,
it will undoubtedly be at no far distant day the land of
Venezuela's brightest hopes. (Signed) " V. B. de Nazaris.
" Caracas, September 16, 1884."

APPENDIX A. XI.

APPENDIX B.
The Congress of the United States of Venezuela decrees :
Code of Mines. — First Section.
Art. i. The branch of Mines comprises especially
all inorganic substances that may be worked, whether
they be metallic or combustible or precious stones, in
the interior of the earth or on its surface, in whatever
place they may be found and whatever be the manner
of working them.
Art. 2. In conformity with. No. 15, Art. 13 of the
Federal Constitution the Administration of the Mines
is committed to the National Executive, governed by a
uniform system of working according to the provisions
of the present Law.
Art. 3. No mine can be worked unless an act of
concession has been previously issued by the Federal
Executive after all the formalities prescribed by this
Law have been complied with, whether the mine be
found in private lands or commons.
Art. 4. A mine is equal to a hectare or a surface
of ten thousand square meters (2-47 acres). Mines are
determined on the surface by fixed landmarks and lines
and in depth by indefinite vertical planes.

Xll. APPENDIX B.
§ i. If one concession should be surrounded by
another, the owner of the latter is entitled to continue
the working of the vein which being struck on his
concession continues through the enclosed land, until
he reaches the other part of his own. The damages
arising therefrom will be fixed by experts.
§ 2. With regard to coal-mines the surface of one
square kilometer (250 acres) shall constitute a conces
sion or mine.
Art. 5. Besides the concessions of mines defined in
the preceding article, small concessions called "barrancos"
will be made for the working of the mines.
Art. 6. A barranco will be equal to a rectangular
solid of 10 meters in length and 10 in breadth, horizon
tal measurement, and of indefinite vertical depth.
Art. 7. Mining concessions cannot be granted for
less than four mines, nor more than twenty-five in
waste-lands or commons ; and the vein or veins of any
of these concessions will be worked by the grantees
along their entire inclined length or depth, without
limitation and undisturbed by anybody under any pre
text whatever.
Art. 8. Concessions for the working of mines in
waste-lands or commons cannot be granted for more
than ninety-nine years, nor for less than fifty ; these
concessions constitute a perfect right of property, and
the grantees, their heirs and assigns will be entitled
to preference on claiming the renewal of their rights
whenever the terms of the concession shall expire.

APPENDIX B. Xlii.
Art. 9. The small concessions called barrancos will
be granted for undetermined periods, but their respec
tive patents must be annually renewed.
Art. 10 The mines are considered to be immovable
property as well as the machines, apparatus and all
that may be placed and established by the worker in
order to work and improve the mines.
Second Section.
Art. 11. Whoever intends to work mines shall
give notice to the President of the State or Governor
of the territory, of the place wherein he has discovered
the mines, in order to have them entered on the register
kept for the purpose in the Secretary's Office of the
said Functionaries.
Art. 12. The petitions for concession of mines
will be entered in the order of their presentation on
the register mentioned in the preceeding Article, and
the day and hour of their presentation will be noted
down : and these formalities having been gone through,
they will be published once in the Official Gazette of
the State or Territory, or, in default of this, in the
newspaper having the greatest circulation, and in case
of there being no such newspaper it will be sufficient
to post handbills or advertisements during thirty days
in the Municipality wherein the mine is situated.
Art. 13. Those who believe themselves entitled to
oppose the petitions for concessions of mines presented
by others in virtue of the preceding Articles, may

xiv. APPENDIX B.
deliver their own petitions to the President of the
State or to the Governor of the Territory. These
petitions will also be registered in the order of their
delivery, and the day and hour on which they were
presented shall be noted ; and the only notice given to
the parties interested will be by publishing the counter-
petitions three times in the course of one month in
the Official Gazette or by posting the handbills and
advertisements mentioned in the preceding Article.
Art. 14. At the end of the thirty days and after
all the formalities prescribed by the preceding Articles
have been complied with, the President or Governor,
as the case may be, will decide on the petitions for
concessions, keeping in view the merits of the counter-
petitions in case there are any.
Art. 15. After this decision no opposition will be
admitted, and the successful party or parties shall be
authorized by the respective President or Governor to
begin and carry on the exploration and other prepara
tory acts until the documents are ready to be examined
in order to grant or refuse the concession, notice thereof
being given to the National Executive.
Art. 16. All petitions for mining concessions present
ed to the President of the State or Governor, as the case
should be, must express the number of mines applied
for, the District, Municipality or Settlement where
they are situated, whether they are in private lands,
commons or waste-lands and the name of the Engineer
or Land-Surveyor who is to make the measurements

APPENDIX B. XV.
and plans, and these shall be made after previous notice
of them has been given and published in the press for
the knowledge of the adjoining owners who have the
right to be present at the act. Surveys made by
titulary Engineers and Land-Surveyors, and no others,
will be admitted as authentic, nor will any others have
legal effect with regard to measurements and plans in
mining documents.
Art. 17. After making the measurements according
to the established form, the plans and all that may
have been done in the matter shall be delivered to the
Inspector of Mines to be verified by him and then
transmitted by the President of the State or Governor
of the Territory, together with the Inspector's Report,
to the Ministry of Fomento (Progress).
Art. 18. The Engineers or Surveyors shall be re
sponsible for any damages caused by faults or inaccura
cies in the performance of their duties.
Art. 19. The documents being thus prepared, the
Federal Executive will decide upon them whether the
concession asked 'for shall be granted or not. In case
of an affirmative decision the Executive will order the
proper title-deed to be issued and it will be issued by
the President of the Republic in the following form :
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC,
Whereas it appears that Mr. N. N. (or the firm of N.
N.) has petitioned the Government for the concession
of (so many) mines of the dimensions determined by

XVI. APPENDIX B.
Art. 4 of the Law (of such date) the boundaries thereof
being, according to the respective plan, as follows :
(state the boundaries); and considering that the re
quisite explorations, measurements, demarkation and
other corresponding acts have been performed so far as
to have obtained a grant : declares with the affirmative
vote of the Federal Council, in favor of N. N., his heirs
and assigns, the concession of (so many) mines in the
State (or Territory)  , District  , to
which the documents already examined and marked
No  refer. The present Title-Deed will be regis
tered at the Registry of the place where the mines
granted are situated, and it entitles the grantee and his
heirs to make use and have the enjoyment of said mines
for a term of (so many) years, while he complies with
the conditions prescribed in Articles 28, 29, 35 and 37
of the already mentioned Decree.
§ Should the mine be applied for by the owner or
proprietor of the land, it will be sufficient for him to
present the title-deeds and plans in order to obtain
the concession, and in this case the number of mines
may be unrestricted so as to cover the whole land.
Art. 20. The small concessions called borrancos must
be applied for to the Inspector of Mines, and in default
of the Inspector to the first Civil Authority, stating
the number applied for and the place where they are
situated. The Inspector will determine on the spot the barranco
or barrancos asked for, and will forward the respective

APPENDIX B. XV11.
petition together with his report to the President of the
State or Governor of the Territory who may grant or
refuse the concession.
Art. 21. The Inspector or first Civil Authority will
determine on the spot the barranco or barrancos asked for
and will grant the respective patent in favor of the
interested party. This patent shall be registered in a
book kept for this purpose by the said Functionary.
Art. 22. If opposition is made or better rights are
alleged by any one at the moment of giving possession
the Inspector will decide what he thinks just after
having considered precedents.
It shall be stated on the margin of the patents of
concession whether possession was given or whether
the patent was declared null.
Art. 23. The lawful possession of a barranco shall be
proved only by the patent and copy of title-deed
issued in presence of the adjacent owners.
Third Section.
Art. 24. Whoever shall have supplied any sums of
money for explorations and discovery of any mine, as
well as for works, machines and construction of build
ings, will have a right of mortgage on the mine. In
order to render this mortgage efficient, the document
must be registered in the Registry of the same locality,
stating the exact amount of the sums advanced and
the object for which they were employed.
Art. 25. The possession of the soil and subsoil goes

XV111. APPENDIX B.
with the concession of a mine and whenever the con
cession of the mine shall be made to any other than the
owner of the surface, the grantee must obtain the
owner's express consent ; and in case that they do not
come to an agreement, expropriation shall follow in the
form prescribed by Law.
§ i. Should the grantees of mines who purchase the
surface, make use of woods for the service of the mine,
the property acquired by them shall not be charged
with any national or sectional tax whatever.
§ 2. All the grantees who, until the promulgation of
the present Law, have held concessions of mines in
waste-lands or commons, may become proprietors of the
surface by paying in cash forty bolivar es (francs), for each
hectare (2.47 acres) ; and the surveys possessed by them,
and already approved by the Federal Executive, will
serve for the demarkation of the lands they purchase.
The corresponding title-deeds shall be issued in con-
mity with the said surveys.
Art. 26. The deed of concession shall be registered
in the Registry of the place where the mine or mines,
to which the said deed refers, are situated.
Art. 27. A fixed term of one year, counting from the
day on which the permission or authorization mentioned
in Article 15 of this Decree shall have been granted,
shall be allowed for the preparation of mining documents,
that is explorations, measurements and surveys so that
they may be presented in due form to the end expressed
in Article 19.

APPENDIX B. XIX.
Should the indicated documents not be presented
before the end of this term the petition shall be con
sidered null and void and in that case new applications
for the mine or mines included in the extinct petition
may be received.
Art. 28. The grantee must begin the working of the
mines conveyed to him within two years from the date
of concession, which may be extended to one year more
should the National Executive determine to do so with
a thorough knowledge of the case.
Art. 29. Should the term fixed in the preceding
Article and the extension of time, if any has been asked
for and obtained, expire before the mines have begun to
be worked, the title shall be forfeited and the concession
shall be declared null and void against the grantee who
has not performed his engagements.
§ The forfeiture will not take place if the machines
are set up and the working of the mine has begun,
whatever be the number of mines comprised in the
concession. Art. 30. The small concessions called "barrancos"
must be worked within four months from the date of the
respective patent, which will otherwise become null and
void. Fourth Section.
Art. 31. Any person of whatever nationality, legally
qualified to contract, may solicit the right to work the
mineral lands which are under the control of the
Federal Executive.

XX. APPENDIX B.
Art. 32. The right of applying for the working of
mines is granted to individuals and Companies, and
the Companies may be Corporations, Partnerships or in
"Commandite" (Anonimas, Colectivas 6 en Comandita)
National or Foreign, and they may have their domicile
in Venezuela or abroad.
Art. 33. National or Foreign Companies having their
seat in Venezuela must be formed and constituted
according to the regulations of the Commercial Code.
Companies in "Commandite" or Joint-Stock having
their seat out of Venezuela and wishing to work mines,
must comply in a precise manner with the formalities
enacted by Art. 224 of the Commercial Code before
beginning the works ; and must also legally appoint an
agent or attorney who will represent them and will be
directly answerable for the obligations contracted by
the said Companies in Venezuela. The agent's or
attorney's power must always be registered in the
Register of the respective Commercial Court, and shall
be published in full in the Official newspaper or in some
other belonging to the jurisdiction of the Commercial
Court where the Registration is to be made.
Should the Companies in " Commandite " or Joint-
Stock, . organized and resident in a foreign country,
neglect to comply with the conditions prescribed in the
preceding paragraph, the agencies or establishments
constituted by them in the Republic shall be considered
independent for all legal purposes.
Art. 34. Any properties, rights or shares possessed

APPENDIX B. XXI.
by Foreign Companies in this country are directly
answerable for the operations and transactions of the
agents of the said Companies in Venezuela, in regard
to the business of said Companies.
Fifth Section.
Art. 35. From the date on which a concession of
mines is issued, the grantee shall pay a yearly contribu
tion of fifteen bolivares (francs) for each mine ; and as
soon as the mills are erected he shall pay annually a
further sum of one thousand five hundred bolivares
(francs) for each five-stamp mill employed in trituration,
and no other national or sectional tax will be imposed
on it, nor on the mines, nor on the products, during the
time of the concession.
If any other machinery or apparatus than the mills
be used, the grantee or his assignees shall pay an annual
contribution of one thousand bolivares (francs) for each
machine or apparatus employed in his works.
§ The Inspector of Mines will inform the Executive,
through the Ministry of Fomento (Progress), of the date
on which the grantee has set up his mills, machines or
apparatus, stating their number and how many stamps
each is composed of ; the Inspector will see to this with
due vigilance and shall be responsible for any fault of
delay in his report.
Art. 36. The taxes prescribed in the preceeding
Article shall be paid in cash, each quarter in advance
and within the first eight days of said quarters, and the

XXII. APPENDIX B.
payment shall be made at the respective Collector's
Office determined by the Federal Executive.
§ Fractions of mines acquired in virtue of former
laws shall pay the duty corresponding to a whole mine.
Art. 37. The grantees of barrancos shall pay for each
barranco thirty bolivares (francs) per year each quarter in
advance to the Intendant of Finances in the Federal
Territory Yuruary, and at the Office determined by the
Federal Executive in other parts of the Republic.
§ Coal-mines are exempt from all contributions.
Art. 38. The non-payment of the contributions
established in Article 35 of the present Law renders the
grant void if said omission is repeated for two consecutive
quarters. In this case the declaration of nullity pertains
to the Courts of Justice after the hearing of adverse
parties with all the formalities of civil proceedings.
Sixth Section.
Art. 39. All mining documents, from the petition to
the resolution ordering the title of concession to be
issued must be in triplicate, one copy to remain at the
Ministry of Fomento (Progress), another at the Registry
where the title has been registered in order to serve as
a voucher, and another to be placed together with the
original title in the hands of the grantee.
Art. 40. The grantees must lay out at their own
cost the boundaries of their concessions. This shall be
done by means of paths two meters wide, placing at
the angles masonry pillars or squared wooden posts

APPENDIX B. XX111.
three decimeters in diameter, and on each one the
number of the concession bounded by it and the
grantee's initials.
Art. 41. As soon as the grantees of mines have
opened the paths mentioned in the preceding Article,
they shall give notice to the Inspector of Mines so
that he may ascertain whether the provisions of said
Article have been complied with or not and inform
the Ministry of Fomento (Progress) of the result of his
inspection. The Inspector is entitled to a fee of one bolivar (franc;
for each mine examined by him and this fee shall be
paid by the grantee.
Art. 42. The concessions of barrancos shall be
bounded at their angles by posts which shall be placed
by the grantee.
Art. 43. The paths that bound the concessions must
be cleared or cleaned once every year ; and the pillars
or posts, if missing, must be replaced and marked
with the initials of the grantee as prescribed by
Article 40.
§ The grantees of mines who shall not strictly
comply with the provisions of this Article shall pay a
fine of five hundred bolivares (francs) which will be
collected by the respective Collector's Office as soon as
the Inspector informs the Federal Executive of the
breach of Law.
Seventh Section.
Art. 44. Those who have obtained concessions of

XXIV. APPENDIX B.
mines by virtue of provisions of Law prior to the present
Decree and whose titles have been revised and con
firmed by the National Executive in conformity with
the Decree of 15th November 1883, shall remain in full
and legal possession of their rights by virtue of their
title-deeds. Those titles which have not been confirmed
in conformity with the aforesaid Decree are considered
inchoate and the interested parties shall comply with
the formalities prescribed by the present Law in order
to have their titles finally confirmed.
Eighth Section.
Art. 45. When two or more Companies or persons
apply for the concession of the same mines, preference
will be given in the following order.
1st. To the owner of the surface.
2nd. To the discoverer of the mines if proved as
such ; but should two or more dispute the discovery, he
who furnishes the best proof of his rights shall be
preferred. 3rd. To the national or foreign individual or
Company who offers the largest capital for the business ;
and 4th. To those who have incurred expenses for
measurements and plans in virtue of concessions,
although these may have been rendered void by the
expiration of the grant's term.
Ninth Section.
Art. 46. Concessions of mines may be totally or

APPENDIX B XXV.
partially transferred according to the following rules :
ist. The Federal Executive must be informed of
the transfer.
2nd. Should the transfer consist of a concession of
four mines, the said concession cannot be divided and
must be totally transferred : and
3rd. Should the conveyance consist of a concession
of more than four mines, then it may be partially
transferred with the only restriction that no lot can be
composed of less than four mines this being the minimum
established for all concessions.
§ Concessions of less than four mines granted in
virtue of former legislation, may nevertheless be
conveyed. Art. 47. The acquirer shall pay for the transfer of
mining concessions four bolivares (francs) for each mine,
and this tax will be received at the Collector's office of
the mining circumscription.
In the conveyances mentioned in the § of Article 46,
fractions of mines shall pay as much as whole mines.
Tenth Section.
Art. 48. Companies formed for the working of mines
must adopt regulations for their works, and will present
them for approval to the Federal Executive.
These regulations shall be delivered to the Inspector
of Mines, who will transmit them, together with his
report, to the Ministry of Fomento (Progress).

XXVI. APPENDIX B.
Art. 49. The regulations mentioned in the preceding
Article shall be presented to the Federal Executive one
month at least before being put in force ; and every
reform made in said regulations must also be submitted
to the Federal Executive.
Art 50. The person or Company who works mineral
lands without having acquired them in the manner here
in established, shall pay a fine of ten thousand bolivares
(francs) besides the damages that may be caused. The
fine will be imposed by the Inspector of Mines, and in
this case the works established in violation of the rules
shall be stopped and notice will be given to the Federal
Executive. Eleventh Section.
Art. 51. Questions relating to servitudes in mining
concessions shall be governed and determined in con
formity with the provisions of the Civil Code.
Art. 52. The damages caused by the works of one
or more mines to other Companies or persons shall be
determined according to the ordinary rules of Law.
Art. 53. Works of investigation or exploration are
forbidden in public buildings or roads, in the interior
of squares and of towns and villages, and also in private
buildings and lands the gardens and surroundings there
of, within a radius of one hundred meters, the proprietor
alone having a right to execute such works.
Art 54. The Federal Executive has a right to name,
at any time it may find convenient, special inspectors

APPENDIX B. XXV11.
for mining enterprises and will determine their functions
as well as the term of their employment.
Art. $5. In proportion as mining enterprises increase
in the country, the Federal Executive will establish the
necessary circumscriptions in order to render more
expeditious the general administration of mines. Each
circumscription will comprise the mines that are worked
in each State of the Federation ; and in Federal Terri
tories the respective mining circumscription will comprise .
in its jurisdiction the Territory itself.
Twelfth Section.
Art. 56. The Inspectors of Mines, named by the
Federal Executive in conformity with this Decree will
discharge the following functions :
ist. Publish notice of surveys to be made as stated
in Article 16 of the present Decree.
2nd. Make the report mentioned in Article 17.
3rd. At the end of each month inform the Executive
of the state of the mines worked within their respective
jurisdictions ; and mention in the report the system of
work adopted.
4th. See that the contributions established in the
present Decree are duly paid.
5th. Promote the nullification of concessions whenever
the grantees leave off paying the taxes they are obliged
to pay, as well as in the other cases determined by this
Decree.

XXV111. APPENDIX B.
6th. See that the works in the mines do not, under
any circumstance, endanger the lives of workmen, and
for this purpose the Inspectors may order examinations
to be made and even stop the works whenever they
think fit to do so, and they will submit to the approval
of the Federal Executive whatever they do in this
regard. 7th. See that all the enactments contained in this
• Decree are obeyed and oblige the grantees to keep clean
the paths that bound their concessions and also keep
clean, well drained, ventilated and strengthened the
galleries wherein the works are carried on.
8th. Give notice to the respective first Political
Authority of the slight offences that occur in the mines,
and demand assistance so that his orders may be carried
into effect.
9th. Inform the Ministry of Fomento (Progress) of
all the transfers of mining concessions made according
to this Decree.
10th. Demand the execution of Articles 48 and 49
of the present Decree in order to see that the Companies
started for working mines present their respective
Regulations to be forwarded to the Federal Executive.
nth. Prevent any disorder among the workmen in
the mines and protect the mines against mutinies or
riots. In such a case the Inspectors will demand assist
ance from the first political Civil Authority of the place,
and as soon as order is re-established they will submit

APPENDIX B. Xxix.
the matter to the competent Judicial Authority so that
it may proceed in conformity with the Laws relating to
the case.
1 2th. See that the salaries of the workmen are duly
paid, and that nothing shall be retained from what is
due to them, unless it be for motives expressed in the
Regulation of works approved by the Federal Execu
tive.. 13th. Send to the Ministry of Fomento (Progress)
at the end of every six months a report containing the
statistics of the mines within their jurisdiction, and all
that may lead to the improvement of the administration
of this branch and to the removal of the difficulties
found in practice.
14th. Send to the Ministry of Fomento (Progress) a
monthly account of the gross product of mining works
under their inspection.
Art. 57. Any person infringing the rules herein
enacted for the good order of the mines shall be pro
ceeded against in a brief and summary manner by the
Inspector who will inform the Federal Executive of each
case that occurs and his report will be approved or
rejected as may be according to its value, and the original
of this report will be kept at the disposal of the Ministry
of Fomento (Progress).
Art. 58. The Inspectors of Mines will have a salary
assigned to them by the National Executive besides the
fees for examinations to which they are entitled accord
ing to Article 41 of the present Decree.

XXX. APPENDIX B.
Thirteenth Section.
Art. 59. Gratuitous concessions granted by virtue
of former legislation and not worked in due time, are
considered null and void or shall become so at the time
fixed in Article 29.
Art. 60. Void concessions shall be considered as free
lands and will under no circumstance be added to
concessions granted by contract.
Art. 61. The Decree of 15th November 1883 relating
te mines and all previous National or State Legislation
on this subject is hereby repealed.
Given at the Palace of the Federal Congress at
Caracas on the 21st of March 1885, in the 22nd year of
the Law and on the 27th year of the Federation.
The President of the Senate.
R. Gonzalez.
The President of the Chamber of Deputies.
Domingo A. Carvajal.
The Secretary of the Senate.
M. Caballero.
The Secretary of the Chamber of Deputies.
J. Nicomedes Ramirez.
Federal Palace at Caracas on the 23rd of May 1885,
22nd year of the Law and 27th year of the Federation.
Let it be executed.
JOAQUIN CRESPO.
Countersigned.
The Minister of Fomento. Jacinto Lara.

APPENDIX C. XXXI.

APPENDIX C.
Extrad, from report by Vice-Conml Reddan of the Trade and
Commerce of the Port and Great State of Bolivar, and
of the Five Federal Territories, Alto, Orinoco, Amazonas,
Caura, Delta, and Yuruary for the years 1883 and 1884.
Previous to the year 1881 the Republic of Venezuela,
which occupies the northern part of South America,
was composed of twenty States, one Federal district,
one colony, and four Federal territories.
The total area of the above-mentioned States, &c,
was estimated at 439,119 square miles, and entire
population at 2,075,245 inhabitants, or about 4-06 souls
to the square mile.
On the 27th of April, 1881, the constitution of the
Republic was reformed by Act of Congress, and in
conformity with the new constitution the political
division of the country was reduced from the above-
metioned twenty States, one Federal district, one
colony, and four Federal territories, to eight great
States, one Federal district, two colonies, and eight
Federal territories.
From the data given in statistical annuary of the new
territorial political division of Venezuela, it appears that
the area of the Republic has increased from 439,119

XXX11. APPENDIX C.
square miles in the year 1881 to 632,705^- square miles in
the year 1884, or somewhat more than one-third. The
writer of this report is unable to account for this great
increase of territory in the Republic, as he is unaware
of any recent survey of Venezuela having been made in
any other way than by supposing that the area of the
various territories in dispute between Venezuela and
the countries of Brazil, British Guayana, and the United
States of Colombia, has been added to the amount
previously given as the area of the country. The
population has also increased from 2,075,245 in 1881 to
2,121,988 inhabitants in 1884, showing an increase of
46,743 souls during the past two years.
That the supposition expressed in regard to the
present extent in square miles of Venezuela is not
altogether unfounded may be judged from the map of
the Republic, specially got up in connection with the
before-mentioned "Statistical Annuary" of President
Guzman Blanco, and which shows with greater clearness
the new territorial political division of the country,
described as Central States, comprising Guzman Blanco
and Carabobo ; eastern, Bermudez ; western, Lara,
Falcon, Los Andes, and Zamora; and the southern,
Bolivar, with its five immense territories. The above-
mentioned Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern
States may be considered as the four great territorial
divisions into which the Republic of Venezuela, not
alone politically, as it is, but also from an industrial
and commercial point, may be said to resolve itself.
The Southern or Great State of Bolivar, and the five

APPENDIX C. XXX111.
immense Federal territories, are comprised between the
parallels iu and 8° north latitude, and 6i° and 71° south
longitude, and are bounded on the north and north-west
by the States of Bermudez, Guzman Blanco, Zamora,
Los Andes, and the United States of Colombia ; on the
south-west by the United States of Colombia ; and on
the south and south-east by Brazil and British Guayana,
and occupy the whole of the southern part of Vene
zuela, being situated principally on the right banks of
the Rivers Orinoco and Apure.
The area of this mighty region is estimated, according
to the " Statistical Annuary," at no less than 428,376
square miles, or more than two-thirds of the entire of
Venezuela ; and its population is given by the same
authority at 822,768 inhabitants, or somewhat more
than one person to the square mile.
It may, however, be safely affirmed, notwithstanding
all that has been written about the former province of
Guayana and the valley of Orinoco, allowing at the same
time all due consideration to the data published recently
in the " Statistical Annuary," compiled by order of
President Guzman Blanco, that comparatively little is
known either of the geography, history, or productions
of this the most important section of the Republic of
Venezuela. Very few, indeed, outside of Guayana, unless they be
South American travellers of some notoriety, have any
idea that this State and the five Federal territories
therein included have an area three and half times

XXXIV. APPENDIX C.
greater than that of Great Britain and Ireland ; that
the climate, in general, though exhibiting in the highest
degree both the equatorial and tropical character, is by
no means so unhealthy as is generally believed, but
rather salubrious ; that they are watered by the
magnificent flow of the Orinoco and other great rivers,
whose sources, imperfectly known, lie far away in the
unknown and untrodden regions of the great Empire of
Brazil and the United States of Colombia ; that the
Orinoco forms the highway of communication of the
whole of the Republic, uniting, as it does, the northern
to the southern part ; that the Orinoco and its tributaries
form a network of internal navigation, unrivalled in any
other country on the face of the globe, and flow through
thousands of miles of virgin forests, teeming with the
most precious woods, through the vast Federal terri
tories abounding in varied and innumerable tropical
productions, through immense plains on which numerous
herds of cattle roam, through soils of the richest fertility,
though different zones of great heat, a genial springlike
temperature, and extreme cold ; that the flora and fauna
of the valley of the Orinoco is unrivalled, though but
known in a very limited manner ; that the mineral
resources are immense, as shown by the production of
nearly 2,000,000 ozs. of very fine standard gold, from a
small corner of one of the territories, embracing not
more than a twelve mile circumference ; and lastly, that
this mighty region may be considered as a vast solitude
very little of it being either cultivated or settled.
There is no doubt that the State of Bolivar and its

APPENDIX C. XXXV.
five Federal territories must be regarded as the most
important in Venezuela. It is by far the largest and, as
already observed, is permeated by the magnificent flow
of the Orinoco, by which and its tributary rivers the
whole continent of South America might almost be
crossed from east to west, being joined on the south
west by the River Meta, to within three days' journey
of Bogota, capital of the United States of Colombia ;
while on the south it is joined by the Casiquiare to the
Rio Negro and the Amazon, thus rendering the Empire
of Brazil accessible to ships from the coasts of Venezuela;
and again, as already noted, on the north uniting the
whole of the States of the Republic, and forming the
grand highway of communication to all the interior of
Venezuela. Indeed, it might be said with truth that
the River Orinoco, which principally flows through the
State of Bolivar and the Federal territories therein, is
the key to the whole of the vast continent of South
America ; and it requires no great stretch of imagination
to suppose that the commerce which will one day be
developed in this State and the Federal territories by
means of this noble river will unquestionably be of vast
importance. The State of Bolivar is divided for its
administration into districts and municipalities.
The criminal returns of the State for the year 1883
speak well for its morality. Only 92 criminal cases
came before the various tribunals of the entire territory,
of which number 24 were for murder, the remainder for
less grave offences.
Cindad Bolivar, formerly known as Angostura, and

XXXVI. APPENDIX C.
capital of the former province of Guayana, has become
since the year 1881 the capital of the great State of
Bolivar, and is the port of entry for the whole of the
southern part of Venezuela.
It is situated on the right bank of the river Orinoco,
in latitude 8° 5' N., and 620 41' W. longitude. Its height
above the level of the sea is about 187 feet, from which
it is distant 395 English Miles.
The city is built upon a hill of solid rock, and com
mands an extensive view of the Orinoco and the wide-
stretching plains on both sides of the river. The streets
run at right angles and parallel to the Orinoco, but are
very steep and wretchedly paved. It contains a hand
some cathedral, being the see of a bishop, built in the
time of the Spanish colonists, and restored and beautified
some years since by a former president of Guayana.
There is also a large and spacious Government house,
in which a fine collection of documents relating to the
history of this section of the Republic are kept in
excellent order ; a Federal college of the first class, one
of the first founded in the country, and which possessed
a respectable revenue derived from the lands of the former
missions of Guayana until last year, when the national
Government took the direction of the college under its
own administration : it has a decent library, and under
the direction of a staff of competent professors about
128 boys receive a good liberal education ; a public
square well kept, in which a noble statue of the Liberator
Bolivar, stands on a handsome marble pedestal  this

APPENDIX C. XXXV11.
was the first monument raised in honour of the hero of
the country in Venezuela, and was erected during the
presidency of Mr. J. B. Dalla Costa in the year 1869 ;
two hospitals, one for men, the other for wemen ; a
masonic lodge, an excellent market-place very poorly
supplied, together with a beautiful and remarkably well-
kept cemetery, to which a smaller one is attached,
equally well looked after, and which is destined for the
interment of deceased foreigners and others not profess
ing the Roman Catholic religion.
The Orinoco, whose general breadth in front of the
city does not exceed from 1,200 to 1,500 yards, narrows
considerably near the ancient forts of San Gabriel and
San Rafael, and may be said not to exceed 850 yards
from bank to bank.
Here also rises in the middle of the mighty stream the
immense rock called " Piedra del Medio," surmounted
by a large cross. Notwithstanding the great annual
rise of the river, which may be calculated at from 45 to
60 feet, this rock has never been completely covered. It
serves as an excellent meter to guage the rise of the
Orinoco. Cindad Bolivar is the entrepot of the commerce of
the Orinoco, Barcelona, Guarico, Portuguesa, Zamora,
the south-east part of the United States of Colombia by
the River Meta, and the north central part of Brazil by
the Casiquiare, as well as the State of which it is the
capital, and the five Federal territories therein included.

XXXV111.

APPENDIX C.

Imports.
These consist of British French, German, and Ameri
can manufactured goods ; French, Spanish, and Italian
wines, oils, and fruits ; German beer and fancy articles ;
and from the United States flour— of which from 12,000
to 15,000 barrels are annually imported — lard, cheese,
rice, tinned provisions, together with large quantities of
machinery, principally for the gold mines of the Yuruary.
Provisions are also imported from the Island of Trinidad,
not, however, in any large quantity, as the obstacle of
30 per cent, extra duty renders trade with that colony
rather unprofitable at present.
The following table shows the total value of imports
in bolivares or francs, the duties paid thereon, and
countries whence imported at this port, for the years
1883 and 1884:—

Names of
Countries.

Tear 1883.

Tear 1884.

Total Duties
Paid in 1883.'

Total Duties
Paid in 1884.

TrinidadGreat Britain
Germany France ...
Italy ...
DemeraraUnited States

Bolivares. 6,407,678-67 386,845-94
1.971,321-991,172,146-44 126,856-00
2,207,352-54

Bolivares. 4,974,797-833,383,051-53 800,300-00 5,623-20
2,597,485-59

Boli

vares.

Boli

vares.

Total
Or About

12,272,202-08
£490,888 Is. 6d.

11,761,258-40 £470,450

3.342,008-83
£133.680 7s. 6d.

3,683,105-58
£147,324 4s. 6d.

From the above returns it will be seen there is a
decrease of 510,943 bolivares 85 fr., or about ,£"20,437
15s. 6d., in the value of imports for the year 1884, as
compared with that of the year 1883. This, however,

APPENDIX C. XXX1X.
is not due to any falling off in the imports of general
merchandise, but rather to the fact that less coined gold
has been introduced for the use of the English mining
companies established in the Federal territory of
Guayana. All considered, however, I am inclined to
believe that quite so much, if not more, specie has been
brought here in 1884 tnan m z883, but as it pays no duty
the Customs authorities do not trouble themselves as to
the way it may be introduced : though, it is to be
observed, the high freight of \ per cent, charged from
Trinidad to this port by the Orinoco line of steamers
may have something to do with the introducing of it.
Though at least half the manufactured goods imported
are British there is no direct trade with Great Britain ;
nor is there more than one English- commercial house
established here, all the trade being in the hands of
French and German merchants, and British manu
factures are brought here in vessels with assorted cargoes
from Germany.
It is satisfactory to observe, however, that though
the exact value of the total amount of imports from
Great Britain is not to be attained, the amount coming
through and from the British colony of Trinidad, not ¦
withstanding the great obstacle put in the way "of direct
trade with that island and this section of Venezuela of
30 per cent, extra duties on all goods directly imported
therefrom, is far in excess of the value of imports from
any other nation to Cindad Bolivar ; indeed, the amount
is nearly equal to that of all the other countries put
together.

xl.

APPENDIX C.

The annexed table shows the total amount in value
of imports from all countries to this port, and the duties
paid thereon for the following financial years : —

Year.

Value of Imports.

Duties Paid.

£

s. d.

£ s. d.

1873 and 1874 

117,016

4 0

47,381 0 8

1874 1875 

193,854

0 0

88,918 17 0

1875 1876 

385,750

0 0

85,384 1 0

1876 1877 

308.383

0 0

81,999 2 6

1881 1882 

162,956

4 2

109,542 15 0

1882 1883 

466.672

4 10

142,738 10 6

1883 1884 

551.830

0 0

139,395 3 4

The increase in the trade of this port is clearly shown
from the above table ; and it will be further apparent,
if we consider that the total value of imports for the io
years, from the year 1850 to 1859, was only £"863, 593,
of which amount £"303,729 came from Great Britain
and the colonies, and for the 10 years from i860 to 1869,
£"894,153, of which £"183,633 came from Great Britain
and the colonies. It is much to be regretted that it
was by no means possible to obtain the return of the
value of imports for the few years from 1870 to 1879,
no data respecting such existing in this city. But
taking the above-mentioned seven financial years we
shall fjnd that they give the respectable total o
2,486,461 13s., or nearly one-half as much again as
the total amount in value imported during the 20 years
from 1850 to 1869 ; and of this amount it is no exaggera
tion to state that fully three-fourths came from Great
Britain and the colonies.
It is but fair, to acknowledge, however, that . notwith-

APPENDIX C. Xli.
standing the reliable sources from which the foregoing
data were attained, I am unable to credit them as satis
factory, being fully assured they by no means represent
the true and correct figures.
There is no doubt whatever but that the trade and
commerce of this section of Venezuela has increased to
a very great extent during the past thirty years ; and
this increase is principally due to the development of
the gold mines of Guayana. Exports.
The exports consist of gold in bars and nuggetts from
the Federal territory of Yuruary ; Tonquin beans, the
fruit of the Dipteris ordoratu, of a peculiarly agreeable
odour, found in a wild state and growing abundantly in
the immense forests of the territory of the Caura ;
tobacco, cotton, cocoa, coffee, and indigo, from the
State of Zamora, on the left bank of the Orinoco ;
cotton from the State of Portuguesa, but not of so good
quality as that of Zamora ; cattle from Guarico, Barce
lona, and Maturina ; hides, deer skins, wild animal
skins, balsam copaiba, turtle oil, fish, cheese, and
various other articles from all parts bordering the
River Orinoco ; and from Rio Negro and the United
States of Colombia considerable quantities of grass
cables, chiquichique, caoutchouc, mahogany, coffee,
hammacks, and vegetable oils arrive at this market,
where they find little difficulty in being disposed of.
The gross value of exports for the year 1883 was
£"815,883, and that of the year 1884 was £"1,006,558,

Xlii. APPENDIX C.
which, as compared with the year 1883, shows the large
increase of £"190,675 in the export trade. Though this
increase is principally due to the greater yield of gold
from the mines in the year 1884, it cannot be denied the
crops of cotton, coffee, tobacco, &c, were very good,
and the exports of hides and cattle considerably in ex
cess of the year 1883.
It may be said that the years 1883 and 1884 have
been the two most favoured years, both in regard to the
import as well as the export trade, that the State of
Bolivar has experienced.
And if, as it is to be hoped and expected from the
report made by the Minister of" War, who visited this
State in July last, the National Government turn their
attention to the great wants of this State, and do some
thing to lessen the many difficulties under which it at
present labours, particularly in regard to the nearly
insuperable obstacles placed in the way of the trade and
commerce of this section, by far the most important in
Venezuela, there need be no fear that not only will the
trade of the past two years be well sustained, but far
surpassed in commercial activity in the future; and
Cindad Bolivar, which ranks to-day as the third port of
the Republic, would quickly be on a level with the two
principal ports of Venezuela, namely, La Guayra and
Puerto Cabello.
Trade with the British Colony of Trinidad. — For the year
1883 more than seven-eighths of the total value exported
passed through the British colony of Trinidad ; and in

APPENDIX c. xliii.
the year 1884, with the exception of the quantity
exported to the United States and Germany, which
amounted to £"89,849, the entire bulk of exports from
the State of Bolivar and the five Federal territories,
amounting to the large sum of £"916,709, passed through
that colony. Now if we consider that, according to
{he official return of imports from the whole of
Venezuela for the year 1883 to the colony of Trinidad,
the amount is given at £"914,278 (see Trinidad Official
Almanack, 1884), and of that amount more than seven-
eighths, as before remarked, or £"729,229 7s. 6d., was
from this section of Venezuela, we shall have an excellent
proof of the importance of that colony in connection
with the commercial relations of the State of Bolivar.
And when it is considered that Trinidad has always
been the market not only for the whole of the southern
portion of Venezuela, but also of a great part of the
coast, embracing the ports of Guiria, Cumana,
Barcelona, Maturin, and Campano, that importance is
considerably increased.
That the Venezuelans themselves fully recognise the
importance of Trinidad, as regards its commercial
relations with the Republic, may be readily inferred,
otherwise it is not to be supposed they would continue
to trade with it to the extent shown in the returns for
the years 1883 and 1884, considering the disadvantages
under which they are compelled to do busiuess with
that colony at present.
It is worthy of note that, notwithstanding this great
obstacle placed in the way of the trade of Trinidad with

xliv. APPENDIX C.
- Venezuela, viz., the 30 per cent, extra duty on all
goods directly imported from that island, the general
trade of that colony, if I am correctly informed — and I
must say with respect to the information I made every
effort to vertify it, but failed to do so — has not decreased
since the decree establishing the extra duty in the year
1881. From my general knowledge of Venezuela, and of
this section of it particularly, I have no hesitation in
saying that I consider the trade with the British colony
of Trinidad and this, the southern part of Venezuela, a
necessity, and certainly a great advantage to the whole
of this sparsely-populated section of the Republic.
Were this part of Venezuela any way reasonably
populated, I will not deny but direct trade with Europe
and the United States might be productive of many
advantages, but in the present conditions I fail to
perceive such advantages, if they exist ; and most
assuredly no disadvantages to the State of Bolivar and
its territories in trading with the colony of Trinidad.
It is next to impossible to obtain correct data of the
value of imports, the Custom tariff being so excessively
high on both imports and exports as to present serious
difficulties to commerce in general; and it is not to be
wondered at, in view of such an obstacle to trade, that
a systematic evasion of duties is carried on, as the
reports of the various Administrators of Customs, who
have been resident here at one time or another, very
conclusively show.

APPENDIX C. xlv.
And here it may be observed that it is in a great
measure owing to' the high revenue tariff that contra
band trade prevails in all parts of this section of
Venezuela, for which the greatest facility is afforded by
the immense network of channels all over the Delta of
the Orinoco running into the Gulf of Paria, and by
means of which small craft, coming from the Island of
Trinidad, are enabled to carry on their law-evading
traffic to the great injury of the honest merchant.
Notwithstanding the efforts constantly made by the
National Government to stop this clandestine trade, so
far they appear to be utterly powerless to do so.
It may be questioned how far such a high tariff tends
to increase the import trade of a new country like this,
from which the revenue of the country is mainly derived;
but as that is a matter which concerns the authorities
of the country, who, it is to be presumed, have given it
all due consideration in connection with the interests
and development of the Republic, it does not concern
the writer of this report to enter upon the question
further than to note that this high tariff, to which 30
per cent, extra is added, bears hard on the trade of the
colony of Trinidad.
The import trade of the year 1884, which is
unquestionably the best year that this section of
Venezuela has ever experienced, scarcely represents
1 os. per head of the population given for the State of
Bolivar and the five Federal territories therein. Indeed,
if the various States on the left bank of the Orinoco,
which do considerable trade with Cindad Bolivar be

xlvi. APPENDIX C.
taken into consideration, as they really should, the
import trade of the year 1884 would not represent one-,
fifth of 1 os. per head of the population.
That contraband has increased immensely during the
past three years, dating more particularly from the time
the National Government established the extra duty of
30 per cent, on all goods from the Antilles, I have the
strongest reasons to believe.
From what has come under my own observation
during the time I have been resident at this port, I am
led to believe that though contraband trade strikes at
the root of legitimate government, by defrauding it of
its revenues, deeply injuring the honest trader, and
thoroughly demoralising those engaged in it, it is,
nevertheless, not looked upon by the poor ignorant
inhabitants of the Delta and the coast as a very grievous
sin ; nor, indeed, even by their masters, if one is to judge
from the number of cases of smuggling reported in the
official organ of the Republic during the past year,
which were brought home to parties of position and
intelligence. That smuggling has always existed in Guayana is
well known, and that it has much increased is generally
admitted. The writer of this report, when on a visit to the
mining territory in 1883, was much surprised on finding
many articles which the revenue tariff prohibits or
renders nearly impossible to introduce owing to the
high duty, selling openly in the shops of the different

APPENDIX C.

xlvii.

villagers, and at fairly reasonable prices ; such as white
loaf sugar, manufactured tobacco, Havannah cigars,
brandy, and woollen goods, which are not to be obtained
in Cindad Bolivar.
The following extract of the tariff of imports is taken
from the English translation of the " Statistical
Annuary," 1884 : —
"Extract of the Tariff on Imports. — The articles imported
from foreign countries through the Custom-house are
divided in nine classes, say :

ist free of dutieg.

2nd

pays per kilo B.

o-io

3rd

11 11

,, ...

0-25

4th

II 11

II

0-75

5th

II II

II

1-25

6th

II II

II

2-50

7th

II 51

11

5-00

8th

II 11

II

10*00

9th

11 11

11

20-00

" To the first class (free of duties) belong
" Machinery, instruments, and tools for agricultural
and mineral works, weaving, sawing, foundries (excepting
stills), carriages, utensils and material for railroads and
telegraphs, live animals, printed books on sciences, arts,
and trades, newspapers, printing papers and utensils,
live plants, bridges and their accessories, passengers'
baggage, samples of dry goods and others not being fit
for sale, gasometres and accessories, fish hooks, coal,

xlviii. APPENDIX c.
cement, wood for shipbuilding, ordinary woods for
building purposes, machinery for arts and trade if
imported by the respective tradesmen themselves,
springs, axles, and other utensils for coachbuilding,
maps, geographical and astronomical globes, ice, guano,
eggs, rennet, and plant seeds.
" Duties are charged on the gross weight.
" Importation of the following articles is prohibited : —
" Cocoanut oil, cane, rum, raw cotton, starch, indigo;
sugar, cocoa, coffee, honey, wooden toys for children,
match splints, salt, tobacco twisted for chewing,
sarsaparilla, foreign silver coins not included in the
monetary convention of 1865, and coining instruments if
not for account of the nation."
That the articles under Class I are all free of duty is
quite true ; but that there may be no difficulty about
the introduction of such articles, it is essentially
necessary that the permission of the National Govern
ment be previously obtained.
Besides the before-mentioned duties, according to
the extract from the Customs tariff, there is a further
duty of ii\ per cent, called a transit duty, which must
be paid on all imports.
To enumerate every article specifically, it would be
necessary to write a medium-sized volume ; but it may
be remarked here that an average cargo of general
merchandise coming from Europe pays from 50 to 60
per cent, duties, and an American cargo, consisting of

APPENDIX C. xlix
machinery and provisions, pays no less than from 35 to
45 per cent. duty.
American flour pays 5 dol. 30 c. gold per barrel duty ;
American tobacco, 1 dol. 8 c. per kilo, duty ; American
rough lumber, 2 c. per kilo. ; kerosine, per bag of 10
gallons, 2 dol. 5 c. duty.
I have been informed by the United States Consul at
this port that the American brig "Anita," which arrived
here in October, 1883, Paid no less than 14,000 dol. gold
duty on an average cargo of machinery and provisions ;
and on her outward voyage, in November of the same
year, 12,000 dol. gold were paid on a cargo of hides,
deerskins, Tonquin beans, caoutchouc, coffee and
balsam copaiba, though, as he observed, those articles
are admitted free of duty into New York.
Export duties are divided into three classes, which
are as follows : — ist class, coffee, cotton, cocoa, hides,
and indigo pay 5 c. per kilo, gross weight ; 2nd class,
2 c. per kilo, when shipped to ports in the Republic,
7^ c. per kilo, when shipped for foreign ports ; 3rd class,
all articles belonging to this class are free: there is,
however, a certain amount, according to the value, for
the stamped paper, on which the permission to ship the
articles is given by the Customs authorities, and this
pertains to every article exported — even passengers'
baggage is not exempted therefrom. Tonquin beans
pay the very high duty of 35 c per lb., gross weight.
The rates of exchange vary very little : bills may be
obtained on London, at the rate of 6 pesos 25 c. per £

1. APPENDIX C.
sterling, and on Paris, at 3 fr. 95 c. per peso, of the
value of 4 bolivares.
Money pays from 1 to 1^ per cent, interest monthly.
I have been informed that the Government of Colombia
does not show itself favourably disposed to the developing
of the transit trade by way of the Orinoco and Meta ;
and this is not to be wondered at, as it is to be supposed
that the merchants residing in Barranquila, the principal
port of entry of New Granada, would strongly oppose
a trade so unfavourable, as they consider, to their
interests. ¦
Navigation of the River Orinoco. — Although the Orinoco
rolls its vast volume of waters through numerous
channels, strictly speaking there are only three of them
available for navigation : — The Pedernalez Channel,
which falls into the Gulf of Paria, about twelve miles to
the southward of Soldiers' Island, only navigable by
small vessels ; the Macareo Channel, bearing N.N.W.,
half west, from Point Icacos, the bar being about twenty
miles from the latter, and from there to the nearest point
of the river about five miles.
This channel is navigated by steamers of the Orinoco
Line, running between Trinidad and Bolivar. The
privilege of navigating by this channel was exclusive,
but by decrees of the Executive of the past year, 1884
similar concessions to that conceded to the Orinoco
Line have been granted to two other companies, and
are available for vessels drawing from 8 feet to 9 feet of
water; and lastly, the " Gran Boca," or ship channel

APPENDIX C. H.
situated between Cape Savaneta and Burima on one
side, and several low islands to the northward, the
outermost of which is called " Caugrejo," or "Crab
Island." The entrance to the bar requires careful navigation,
as the land is very low and similar all along the coast ;
and it is only by constant sounding that the right course
can be ascertained, as both to the windward and lee
ward a hard bottom is found, and at the entrance or bar
soft mud. When all danger is past the pilot comes on
board. During the rainy season, when the river is high, the
voyage to Bolivar can be accomplished without danger
of grounding ; but the navigation is tedious, and occupies
much time, owing to the contrary winds which prevail
at that time of the year, together with calms and a
powerfully strong current. There have been cases where
sailing vessels have taken upwards of fifty days to reach
this port.
In the dry season, or during the season of low river,
the voyage can be accomplished in eight or ten days,
but then it is to be observed that the navigation is
attended with much more risk, especially for vessels
drawing more than 10 feet, as they are very liable to
ground at the shallow places, which are the pass of
Yaya, a short distance from the village of Barrancas,
on the north side of the river ; Mucura, near the forts of
Old Guayana and the Isabella, above Port Las Tablas ;
and lastly, Panapana, a short way below this port.

Hi. APPENDIX C.
At no season of the year could vessels drawing more
than 16 feet pass the bar safely. Of one instance I have,
however, heard. This was H.M.S. "Hydra," whose
draught was somewhat more than 16 feet ; but in passing
the bar she had to force her way in several places
through the soft mud.
The river begins to rise in the month of March, and
continues rising until August, when it is at its highest ;
it then commences to fall until February, in which month
it is always lowest.
The distance from the " Gran Boca " to this port may
be estimated at about 320 miles ; and from Port of
Spain, by the channel of the " Macareo," at somewhat
under 400 miles.
Pilots can always be procured at Port of Spain, both
for the navigation of the " Gran Boca'' and " Macareo "
channel. With regard to the risk which vessels incur in the
navigation of the Orinoco when it is low, it may be
said that wreck or serious damage is of rare occurence,
unless such happen through culpable negligence. Of
the former a case did occur in the month of October,
1883, to a German brig called the " Bolivar," at a point
named Aramaya ; and notwithstanding the prompt
assistance rendered by the steamer " Bolivar" and the
Venezuelan gunboat " Reivindicador," she had to be
left to her fate, it being impossible to get her afloat.
The cargo and ship's effects were all saved.

APPENDIX c. Hii.
Grounding, however, is of very common occurrence
when the river is low, and ships are often detained
thereby for a considerable time, being compelled to
unload to enable them to float and continue their
voyage to Bolivar.
Wharves, properly so called, there are none ; the great
rise and fall of the Orinoco renders the erection of them
nearly impossible. It would, indeed, prove of incal
culable benefit to shipping, and considerably lessen the
great labour and heavy expense incurred at present in
discharging and loading, were it possible to arrange any
contrivance as a substitution for wharves.
When the river is high the difficulties are not so
great, as ships are able to come close to the quay and
discharge from the deck thereon ; but when low, the
steepness and irregularity of the immense sand-bank,
which exists at that part of the port where foreign
vessels have to discharge, makes the use of carts quite
out of the question, and renders the work not only
expensive but very long. The cargo has to be carried
piece-meal on men's shoulders from the brink of the
river to the Custom-house, and costs at the rate of 6d.
per i2olbs.
The following extract of the Code of Finance taken
from the " English Translation " of the " Statistical
Annuary " for the year 1884 will be found to contain
very important information to shippers and masters of
vessels coming to this port, and which, if observed, will
be the means of freeing both from much vexation and
annoyance : —

Hv. APPENDIX C.
"Extract of the Principal Enactments of the Code of
Finances., — The ports of La Guaira, Puerto Cabello,
Cindad Bolivar, and Maracaibo are without restrictions
open to the foreign import and export trade ; and for
the importation of only their local consumption and for
exportation, those of Sucre, Pampatar, Carupano,
Guiria, Maturin, Guzman Blanco, and La Vela. The
Customs of the ports solely opened for the importation
of their internal consumption cannot issue permits for
foreign goods to be taken to other ports, whether open
to commerce or not, with the following exceptions :
Puerto Sucre can do so for Cariaco, Carupano for Rio
Caribe, Guiria for Irapa, Yaguaraparo and other places
having river communications with the Gulf of Paria,
Pampatur for the whole Island of Margarita, and the
port of Guzman Blanco for that of Piritu.
" The inland town of Tachira is open for imports and
exports with the United States of Colombia, and that
of San Carlos on Rio Negro for the importation of its
consumption, the exportation of its products, and
coasting trade.
" Any vessel of whatsoever class or nationality, leav
ing foreign ports for Venezuela loaded or in ballast,
must bring a proper clearance and be duly despatched
by the respective Venezuelan Consular agent for a port
of entry, and are not allowed to touch at any other on
the coast of Venezuela but that she is bound to.
" The captains or supercargoes of vessels loading in
foreign ports for Venezuela must in each respective port
present to the Consul of the Republic a duplicate mani-

APPENDIX C. Iv.
fest ("sobordo"), signed by himself, of all the cargo
received, and containing in consecutive order, clearly
expressed, the following data : —
Class, nationality, tonnage, name of the vessel
and captain.
The name of shippers and of their respective
consignees at the Venezuelan ports and the bills
of lading duly numbered.
The marks and numbers of each package, classi
fied, as boxes, bales, barrels, trunks, kegs, &c.
The number of packages for each port and the
totality thereof destined for Venezuela.
" The captain of a vessel receiving a cargo in the
West Indies for Venezuela, besides the manifest
("sobordo") and other documents, must present to
the Consular agent the duplicate bills of lading that he
has signed for each shipper.
" In the manifest of cargo that a vessel brings for
Venezuela must be expressed the part, if any, which
she takes to foreign parts ; and if the vessel should only
touch, without bringing cargo for Venezuela, a copy of
the manifest in which the marks and numbers of each
package are expressed must be presented certified by
the Consular agent. Established lines of steamers
calling at fixed ports connecting the commerce of sundry
nations are exempted from this requisite.
" The shippers of goods in foreign ports, not West

lvi. APPENDIX C.
Indian, destined for Venezuela, must hand to the
Venezuelan Consul triplicate signed invoices in the
Spanish language, expressing the name of the remitter,
to whom remitted, the place of embarkation, port of
destination, description, nationality, names of vessel and
captain, the mark, number and kind of each package,
its contents, gross weight in kilogrammes, and value.
Packages of same contents, size, weight and kind, such
as bags, boxes, barrels, &c, under the same number
and marks may form one item. Packages containing
merchandise belonging to different heads of the tariff
may be shipped ; but in that case each package will be
appraised according to the highest taxed class of goods
therein contained.
" At the port where goods destined for Venezuela are
embarked for transhipment to another vessel at another
foreign port, the invoice and manifest relative thereto,
stating the port of transhipment, must be presented to
the Consular agent.
" The captain of the vessel into which the merchan
dise is being transhipped will present to the Consnl the
closed and sealed despatch forwarded by the Consul of
the original shipping port addressed to the Collectors of
Customs of the port to which the goods are consigned,
and besides the manifest from the original port of ship
ment with a note at foot signed in the Consul's presence,
stating that the packages expressed in the manifest
have been transhipped to his vessel, and the name
description, nationality, tonnage, and destination thereof.

APPENDIX C. lvii.
" In the West Indies transhipment must be made
from ship to ship, and if the merchandise be landed it
will be considered as proceeding from there, and then
the formalities of the case must be complied with.
Merchandise from the West Indies are burdened with an
additional duty of 30 per cent, on the ordinary duties.
" Consular agents are bound to show gratis to all
persons calling on them the Venezuelan Custom laws
and the forms of manifests and of invoices with the
necessary explanations and information.
" In foreign ports where the Republic has no Consular
agent, the documents demanded by law will be presen
ted to the Consul of a friendly Power, and in the
absence of such, or his refusing to certify to the above-
mentioned documents, two merchants may do so, their
signatures to be authenticated by a local public
functionary. " On arrival of the Custom-house visit on board of a
vessel from a foreign port, the captain must deliver : —
ist. His clearance.
2nd. The certified manifests.
3rd. The closed and sealed despatches.
4th. A set of the bills of lading he has signed.
5th. List of spare effects for ship's use and pro
visions.
6th. The register and list of articles for the use of
captain and crew.
7th. The list of objects as ballast.
8th. The correspondence for Venezuela.

lviii. APPENDIX c.
" Within two days after the visit of entry, the captain
of a vessel that has arrived in ballast must state in
writing to the Customs whether he is going to take in
cargo for re-export, and if not going to do so, he must
leave the harbour within the following 24 hours.
" Men-of-war belonging to friendly Powers are not
subjected to any kind of formalities unless bringing
cargo for private persons, in which case they shall be
submitted to the same rules as merchant vessels.
" After the entrance visit passengers may land with
their baggage to be examined at the Custom-house,
whatever be the vessel in which they arrive, be they
men-of-war or transports, national or foreign.
" All that is evidently for the use of the passenger is
considered as baggage, less furniture, which will pay its
respective duties with allowance made for use.
" Passengers cannot bring in their baggage unused
foreign effects, the duties of which would exceed 500
bolivares, and when in ex'cess of this sum thd effects
causing such excess will be confiscated,
" Baggage from the West Indies are subject to
further requisites than those mentioned, such as the
presentation by the passengers of a manifest from the
Venezuelan Consul, giving the number of packages,
weight, and list of unused objects they bring. This
manifest must be presented at the Custom-house ; and
should it not be presented, the passenger will be subjected
to a fine of 100 to 1,000 bolivares, and to the loss of the
unused effects. If after the presentation of the manifest

APPENDIX C. Hx.
there should be a difference of over 10 per cent, in
weight, a fine of double the duties on the difference of
the class of effects paying the highest duty will be
imposed, and when packages be missing, even should
the weight be exact, a fine of 50 to 500 bolivares will
be imposed for each missing package, without prejudice
in either case of the penalty established when the duties
on the unused effects exceed 500 bolivares.
" The baggage of immigrants coming to the country,
free of duty, is clothing, furniture, domestic animals
tools or professional instruments, but not articles
or objects of commerce that they may bring.
"To enjoy these exceptions the immigrant must
present at the Custom-house a certificate of the respec
tive Consul of Venezuela, stating that he comes, to be
domiciled in this country, and besides a Consular
invoice, in which the objects composing his baggage be
expressed." Agriculture.
The agricultural products of the State of Bolivar are
of so insignificant a nature as to count for little. A
great part of the territory of the Guayana section of the
State of Bolivar consists of pasture land ; that of the
section of Apure may be said to be exclusively so, it
being the principal cattle-breeding State of the Republic'.
From the dependencies of the State are produced all
exportable articles, such as cotton, coffee, cocoa, indigo,
tobacco, Tonquin beans, c&c.

Ix. APPENDIX C.
The climate of this section of the Republic is much
too hot for the growing of wheat ; and as flour pays the
high duty of more than £"i sterling per barrel, bread is
consequently so dear that the labouring and poorer
classes are obliged to use Cassava bread as a substitute.
Although, as noted above, the greater portion of the
State consists of pasture lands, still as the territory of
the State is immense, considerable tracts well adapted
to the culture of cotton, cocoa, coffee, tobacco, sugar
cane, and other produce are to be found ; but then the
population is so sparse, and the difficulties of com
munication with the interior are so great, only very few
comparatively speaking devote themselves to the cul
tivation of the soil. Besides, it is to be further observed
that since the development of the Guayana gold mines
all other pursuits have been in a great measure forsaken
to go in quest of the precious metal.
Manufactures, &c.
Manufactures, &=c., consist of common soap, tallow
candles, rum, Cassava bread, cheese, and coarse brown
sugar, which are only produced in limited quantities.
During the year 1884 the National Government con
ceded to Messrs. Frustrich Brothers, of this city, a
special privilege for the manufacture of dynamite.
This privilege, which is exclusive, is for the term of
twenty years, and has been granted ostensibly for the
purpose of supplying the gold mines of Guayana with
dynamite. Messrs. Frustrich Brothers have transferred
the concession to Messrs. Nobel, of Paris, who have

APPENDIX C. Ixi.
formed a company under the title of " Sociadad Anonima
Nacional Venezolana de la Dinamita Nobel," with a
nominal capital of 400,000 bolivares, or about £"16,000.
The capital is said to have been subscribed by a group
of French and Venezuelan investors, and the prices
fixed for the sale of the " Nobel" dynamite in this city
are — for No. 1, 2s. 3d. per lb., and for No. 2, is. 3d. per
lb. Emigration.
Emigration from the British West Indies to the mines
of Guayana m the Federal territory of Yuruary con
tinues. During the year 1883, 1,684 British subjects
arrived here from Trinidad en route for the mining
district ; the number arrived here during the year 1884
was 1,741. These numbers do not include the native-
born Englishmen, of whom a large number came for
the different mining companies.
In connection with emigration it may be well to
observe here that National Government issued a decree
in the month of July to the effect that all passengers
coming from the West Indies to Venezuela must be
provided with passports ; and this same regulation
applies to passengers from Europe if the vessel touch at
any of the West India Islands.
All persons coming to this section of Venezuela must
necessarily pass through the Island of Trinidad, unless
they come direct from the United States, or in sailing
vessels from Europe, and consequently are bound to
provide themselves with passports, not, as many imagine,

Ixii. APPENDIX C.
to be obtained from the authorities of that colony, but
from the Venezuelan Consul resident at Port of Spain ;
and it is well to mention that the decree relating to
passports refers not only to entering the country, but
also to leaving it. And for the information of all those
coming to this section of Venezuela, I consider it necess
ary to state that the passports to be procured on leaving
the country are not obtained from the British Vice-
Consul, as numbers of persons come to the Consulate
in search of them on the occasions of the sailing of the
steamer " Bolivar " for Trinidad, but from the President
of the State of Bolivar.
As the agents of the Orinoco Line, both in Cindad
Bolivar and in Port of Spain will issue no ticket to any
one not provided with a passport from the Venezuelan
authorities, information relating to the procuring of them
may be obtained at these agencies.
Indeed, I am of opinion that passports are never
examined by anyone , connected with the Government,
the simple reason that the agents of the Orinoco Line
appear to undertake that work, both in regard to issuing -
tickets and admitting passengers on board the steamers.
I here speak from actual knowledge, having come from
Caracas to this city a few days after the decree relating
to passports was issued by the Ministry of the Interior
in the month of July, 1884. Railways.
It was noted in the report on the Federal territory of
Yuruary, 1883, that a railway had been projected, and

APPENDIX c. lxiii.
surveys even made, from the Orinoco to the mining dis
trict ; but so far nothing more has been done in con
nection with the matter, and it is presumed the enterprise
has fallen through.
Credit and Trade Systems of Cin-dad Bolivar.
That credit stimulates trade there can be little doubt,
but when not based on good principles it often results in
serious disasters, and leads to much evil. In this
section of Venezuela people are by no means adverse to
credit ; indeed, owing to the competition which exists
to-day, and the eagerness to obtain customers, particu
larly among the shopkeeping class, it may be said to be
universal in the State of Bolivar. The poor as well as
the rich succeed in obtaining credit from the shop
keeper, butcher, baker, grocer, tailor, and apothecary ;
and were those parties to try to act on the cash principle,
they would quickly find out that their business was
being much curtailed thereby. Of course, responsible
people are more or less adverse to credits ; but in a
country like this, in which one has to pay very high
prices for all imported articles, and even for those
articles produced for consumption in the country, the
cash purchaser has no advantage over those who buy
on credit, particularly in regard to the necessaries of
life — although such a purchaser may receive some
favour when buying large quantities of merchandise
from merchants, who, no doubt, would find it to their
interest to allow the cash purchaser 10 to 12^ or more
per cent, discount.

lxiV. APPENDIX C.
As far as I am aware, there are no sumptuary laws in
Venezuela for regulations concerning credits. The
Government exercises no vigilance over the private
economy of the people, nor does it pretend in any way
to regulate their expenses.
From conversations I have had with various
merchants of this city, I have learned that credit
prevails, in proportion to the amount of business done,
to the extent of from 80 to 90 per cent. The bulk of
sales are, as a rule, made on credits from six to twelve
months and longer ; the immense distances at which
customers live from Cindad Bolivar, the entrep6t of
trade for the whole (if the southern part of Venezuela,
and the want of ways of communication, having much
to do with such matters. Cash transactions in the
wholesale trade are rare ; and it may be said that,
owing to the long credits granted by commercial houses
in Europe and the United States to merchants in this
country, they (the merchants) do not appear to be par
ticularly solicitous on that point. It might be inferred
from the conditions of the country that the percentage
of losses incidental to business is very large, and yet
such is not the case. If I am correctly informed, it
does not exceed 10 per cent. The immense profits
made on good sales allows of a very wide margin in this
respect. In this section of Venezuela the consumer pays for
all, and on that acco-.nt the importer or shopkeeper
finds that it is to his interest to be somewhat indulgent
in the matter of credit.

APPENDIX C. lxv.
Mechanics and labourers have all the benefits of
credit, and when they are steady and industrious credit
is never refused them in relation to their wages.
There is no interest demanded on time accounts, but
it is to be supposed that such interest is more or less
made up for in the prices of articles sold, the length of
time and class of customers being considered.
The evils of credit are most conspicuous among the
working classes, and among people in general who
exceed their incomes ; and among the mercantile class
they are most apparent in those who buy from the
importers for the purpose of trading with the interior.
The produce of the country is at all times sold for
cash, and is always sure of finding a ready market ;
imported merchandise is sold on time.
Credits of record (mortgages, judgments, &c.) are not
prevalent in this city, nor in the State, as far as I am
aware, but are affected in the following manner: — A
party having property, say a house worth £"4,000, and
being in w,ant of money, pawns the house to another
who is disposed to accommodate him, say for £"3,000,
with the agreement to pay the amount borrowed, with
interest of 1 per cent, a month, within a certain time ;
which failing to do, the house becomes forfeited to the
party advancing the money thereon, without any ne
cessity of recurring to courts of law to recover such
money.

Ixvi. APPENDIX C.
Persons failing in business, provided they act fairly
with their creditors, have no difficulty in resuming such
business again ; the only obstacles to be met with in so
doing being the re-establishing of their credit.
Bankruptcy is not frequent, and occurs principally
among the shopkeepers of the interior. Merchants in
Cindad Bolivar as a rule do not like to carry a man
failing in business through the courts. They prefer to
give him time to realise as much as possible, and then
make the best arrangements they can according to the
circumstances. It cannot be said that fortunes are either readily lost
or made in this part of the world. A respectable com
petence is always to be made in business, provided it be
conducted with judgment and prudence. It is quite
true large sums of money have been made in connec
tion with the gold mines some years past, and even at
present some few there are who draw magnificent
incomes from the wcrld-famed El Callao gold mines ;
but fortunes as understood in Europe and the United
States in the nineteenth century, are extremely rare in
this quarter of the globe.
The general effects of the credit system in this section
of Venezuela are beneficial, I think ; and I am of
opinion that the great increase in business at this port
during the past five years is principally due to it.
The foregoing remarks referring to the credit and
trade systems of Cindad Bolivar were suggested by
seeing a circular from the Department of State

APPENDIX C. lxvii.
Washington, U.S., to the American Consul at this
port, asking for information thereon.
Contracts, &=c. — Since the year 1881 the National
Government, in its efforts to promote the development
of this section of the Republic, has entered into
contracts with various parties for the purpose of
colonising the State and territories, building railroads,
establishing lines of steamers on the Orinoco and its
tributaries, promoting foreign emigration, bringing
coolies to the country, establishing various classes of
industries, &c, of which, however, up to the present,
not one, and there are quite a number, has been carried
out. To give a complete list of all these contracts might
possibly be of some interest to parties in England ; but
as there have been numerous modifications in some, and
others having lapsed through not having been carried
out within the time specified, and again a number of
others extended as circumstances required and it not
being possible to keep track of all these changes, I have
consequently considered it better not to insert such
contracts in this report, lest by so doing, for the above-
mentioned reason, they might not be given with accuracy.
A few, however, may be noted as of particular interest :
one, a contract for the navigation of the Rivers Orinoco
and Meta by a line of steamers. This was made with
Mr. Simon B. O'Leary in 1881, and was extended for
another year in August, 1883 ; so far nothing has been
done towards the carrying out of it. Another, entered

lxviii. APPENDIX c.
into with Mr. Esteban Ibarra Heirera in July last, and
approved by Congress this year, 1885, for the purpose
of founding a colony, constructing railways, telegraphs,
and exploiting of all metals in the lands belonging to
the Government in the Federal territory Yuruary. This
contract is for the term of 99 years, and bears a strong
likeness to that entered into with General Pulgar, but
which was annulled. A third is that of the great Delta
of the Orinoco. A fourth is that of the Federal territory
Caura, with Messrs. Polly, Aurrecoechea & Co.,
And a fifth for the manufacture of dynamite, with
Messrs. Frustrich Bros., of this city, specially noticed
already in this report, and which, as an exception, has
been carried out.
Considering the exclusive privileges conceded to the
holders of contracts, and the length of time for which
they hold good, it may be said that private enterprise
is completely set aside in all parts of the State of Bolivar
and the Federal territories.
It is to be sincerely hoped, however, that some good
may accrue, sooner or later, to this important section of
the Republic, from the generous and praiseworthy
efforts made by the National Government, by the
making of these contracts, to develop the former great
State of Guayana, for by this name the whole of the
southern part of Venezuela is best known to the outside
world. Locust Plague. — In the month of December this State

APPENDIX C. lxix.
was visited by the locust plague, which has caused and
is still causing the greatest ravages all over the valley
of Caracas and State of Carabobo.
Although it is next to impossible to give an idea of
the countless myriads which passed over this city in
January and February of this year, still some faint idea
may be formed from the fact that for three weeks so
dense were the masses to be seen all over this neighbour
hood, and as far as the eye could reach over the Orinoco
and the plains on both sides of the river, that between
the hours of three and six in the afternoon the light of
day was obscured.
They did not remain very long about here, probably
due to the fact that little was found of their accustomed
food to devour. The direction of their flight was due
east towards the coast.
I am enabled, through the kindness of a gentleman to
whom the State of Guayana and particularly the gold
mines of the Yuruary owes much, to give the following
extract from a letter written by a gentleman of much
experience in mining, and one holding a prominent
position in connection with one of the most important
companies of the mining district at present : —
" I think' that a mining law, if one is enacted, should
be based on the Mexican law, or upon that of the United
States, which is copied from it.
" The main and important feature of the* law is the

lxx. APPENDIX C.
facility and cheapness with which it enables a prospector,
or discoverer of mines, to secure titles to them, which
hold gOod as long as the prescribed amount of work is
done upon the mines ; and if the work is not done the
title to the lode reverts to the Government.
" The granting of large concessions of mining land
should be prohibited ; those prevent the developing of
the mines.
" Titles should be granted only to lodes with sufficient
land to permit their proper working. All timber on
Government land should be declared free to the mines,
to use for mining purposes. A law of this character
would by its encouragement to the prospector . hasten
the development of the lodes of the country, and the
Government would reap more benefit by the increase of
population and the attraction of foreign capital than it
can by direct taxes upon the mines.
" Although there are in Venezuela vast areas of
unprospected mining ground, at present prospecting for
gold mines is almost abandoned, for the reason that it
is so difficult and expensive to obtain titles to a lode
when it is found. No poor man — and prospectors are
usually poor men— can afford to get a title to a mine in
this country ; therefore why should they spend their
time and energies in looking for them."
The foregoing is so thoroughly in accord with the
views -expressed in the report of the Minister of War,
that little room is left for doubt as to the necessity of

APPENDIX G. lxxi.
something being done by the National Government for
this very important section of Guayana.
Roads. — The different roads from Guacipati to the
port of San Felix, Cindad Bolivar, by way of Guri, and
that leading to Callao, as well as the various others to
different parts of the district, are in the most wretched
condition. I really believe they have never been looked
after ; they are so frightfully cut up, and even dangerous
to travel over in many parts.
The. one leading to Callao, being the shortest and
most frequented, has had my first attention. It has been
well repaired, and no difficulty will be experienced for
some time to come by the heavy bullock- waggons in
getting over it. This work has been carried out without
encroaching in any way on the revenue of the territory.
The roads leading to the port of San Felix on the
Orinoco and Cindad Bolivar being considerably longer,
will require funds to put them in a proper condition.
It is unnecessary to observe that these works are of
the utmost importance and greatest necessity to the
mining district, and the repairing of those principal
routes of communication to the territory will be the
means of diminishing the length of time now taken in
transporting machinery and merchandise to the mines.
A dministration of Justice. — Although a great deal has
been done in this branch of the administration, it must,

Ixxii. APPENDIX C.
however, be confessed there still remains much that
requires serious attention and consideration.
One very important point in connection therewith is
that there exists .no superior court in the territory,
wherein all civil and criminal cases might be tried with
out the necessity of having to send, according to the
code which governs here, such cases to the capital of
the Republic, which causes them to be prolonged to an
interminable length, besides the great cost, vexation,
and trouble which such a mode of proceeding necessarily
entails. In view of such considerations, and of others which
will not escape the penetration of the National Govern
ment, I consider it indispensable to the better adminis
tration of the territory that a superior court or courts
be established here for the trial of all cases, both civil
and criminal.
It is also well to mention that although the petty
courts of the territory are all presided over . by honour
able judges, the salaries of those gentlemen in no way
corresponds to the duties and responsibilities which such
high offices demand.
Indeed, it may be said that the amount paid them is
not by any means sufficient for their most urgent
necessities, as living here is exceedingly dear. I am
consequently of opinion that more adequate salaries .
should be paid, so that the very shadow of temptation
may not come in the way of those administering justice.

APPENDIX C.

lxxiii.

And this also refers to the prefects of the various dis
tricts and officials of the Government, who are all
underpaid. I do not think it is possible to have men
qualified for their duties, who will wholly devote them
selves to the interests of the Government, for the
insignificant and certainly not sufficient salaries they
now receive.
Postal Service. — This branch of the public service in
the Federal territory, so important and delicate, is in
the worst possible condition. The conditions of good
postal communication, so essential to commerce,
industry, and society in general, consist in the security
and due regularity of the receiving and transmission of
correspondence. And these are exactly what are want
ing in the postal service of the territory.
The mails are carried to and from this city to the port
of San Felix by men on foot, who, unable to carry such
a, heavy load, as the mail from the terrritory generally
is, are compelled to leave a part behind ; and even then
it is not always the man arrives in time for the steamer.
The result is much serious inconvenience is caused, not
alone to the inhabitants of the territory, but to those
outside of it, who naturally look for their correspondence
on the arrival of the steamer either at Cindad Bolivar
or Trinidad, as the case may be.
And this state of things must continue as long as no
proper and well-organised mail service exists.
The law which governs the territory does not allow

1XX1V. APPENDIX C.
of the expense necessary to remedy the evil, and on this
account I beg leave respectfully to recommend the
matter of the postal service of the Yuruary to the
serious consideration of the National Government, in
the hope that something may be promptly done to better
the present bad postal system.
To make any comment on the concession of the
Grand Delta of the Orinoco is quite unnecessary. I
shall only add that, although this grant be of immense
extent, it does not appear to include the whole of the
concessions granted to Fitzgerald by the Venezuelan
Government, if the news which I received here in the
month of November can be relied on. It is that the
above-named gentleman has obtained another grant,
which comprises all Venezuelan territory (?) from the
Essequibo to the Gulf of Paria, east of the 620 of
longitude. This concession, the report of which is said
to be published, although I have not seen it, is said to
comprise no less than 25,000 square miles, and lies
principally between the parallel 40 and 8° north latitude,
and 6i° and 630 south longitude.
According to the code of organisation of Federal
territories decreed by the illustrious American, General
Guzman Blanco, President of the Republic, dated
August 23, 1882, the territory of Amazonas was divided
into two territories, called Alto Orinoco and Amazonas.
The territory Alto Orinoco is comprised between the
following limits : Amazonas and a part of Guayana on
the south, Brazil on the east, United States of Colombia

APPENDIX C. 1XXV.
and State of Apure on the west, and north the River
Orinoco and Guayana.
It is divided into two departments, namely San
Fernando and Yavita, and one district called Vichada.
The capital of the territory is San Fernando de Atabapo,
with a population of about 400 inhabitants.
The extent in square miles of the territory, according
to the "Statistical Annuary," 1884, is 124,124 miles,
and its population, as given by the same authority, is
18,230 inhabitants, of which number more than 10,000
inhabit the Vichada and Muco.
To give an idea of how little of the vast region which
forms to-day the territory Alto Orinoco is really known,
it will be sufficient to quote the words of Mr. J. B.
Dalla Costa, a former President of the State of
Guayana, who visited this territory some years ago ;—
" In the visit which I made to the department Alto
Orinoco, I was greatly surprised to find that even the
oldest inhabitants of that part of the State were com
pletely ignorant of the topography, nature, and other
conditions of the lands which lie to the south of the
different ridges of mountains, some leagues distant from
the Orinoco, in the interior of the districts Urbana,
Caicara, and Cuchivero."
And it may be affirmed, notwithstanding the efforts
made by General Guzman Blanco to obtain a thorough
knowledge of this region, that little or no exploration
has been made up to the present day of the interior,

lxxvi. APPENDIX C.
and consequently no information is to be obtained of
its supposed great wealth of minerals and vegetable
products. From the report' of the Governor to the Minister of
the Interior for the year 1884, no information relating
to explorations, &c, is to be obtained, the whole of the
report referring principally to the local administration
of San Fernando de Atabapo and a few adjacent
villages, which has little, interest for persons outside of
Venezuela. The general health of the territory has been good
during the year ; a new cemetery has been made in
San Fernando, and a church is being built in the same
place. There are three Federal schools in the territory,
which were opened in September, 1884, and show an
attendance of only 39 pupils out of a population of
18,724 inhabitants, according to the latest returns 1883.
Cindad Bolivar, May 12, 1885.

appendix c. lxxvii.

APPENDIX D.
Extract from Convention between Great Britain and
Netherlands, signed at London, August 13th, 1814.
Article I.
His Britannic Majesty engages to restore to the
Prince Sovereign of the United Netherlands, within the
term which shall be hereafter fixed, the Colonies,
Factories, and Establishments which were possessed by
Holland at the commencement of the late war, viz., on
the ist January, 1803, in the seas q.nd on the continents
of America, Africa, and Asia, with the exception of the
Cape of Good Hope, and the settlements of Demarara
Essequibo and Berbice, of which possessions the high
contracting parties reserve to themselves the right to
dispose by a supplementary convention hereafter to be
negociated according to their mutual interests and
especially with reference to the provisions contained in
the 6th and 7th Articles of the Treaty of Peace signed
between His Britannic Majesty and his most Christian
Majesty on the 30th of May, 1814.
Article III.
The places and forts in the colonies and settlements
to be ceded and exchanged by the two high contracting
parties shall be given up in the state they may be at
the moment of signature of the present convention.

lxxviii.

appendix c.

Additional Article.
In consideration, and in satisfaction of the above
engagements, as taken by His Britannic Majesty, the
Prince, Sovereign of the Netherlands, agrees to cede in
fall Sovereignty, to His Britannic Majesty, the Cape of
Good Hope, and the settlements of Demarara, Essequibo,
and Berbice. Extract from Treaty of Paris, May 30, 1814.
Article 6.
Holland, placed under the Sovereignty of the House
of Orange, shall receive an increase of territory.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

V

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