Now that the fortune of war has handed over the sovereignty of the Philippines to an enterprising and energetic race, I cannot doubt that the mystery of centuries will be dispelled.
Amongst the Californian, Colorado, or Nevada volunteers, there should be men having the courage, the knowledge of prospecting, and the physical strength necessary for success in this quest, if they can obtain permission from their superiors to attempt it. The prospects are so good that they should not have any difficulty in getting capitalists to finance them.
They will require to go in a strong party to prevent being cut off by the savages, and to escort their supplies of provisions.
As deer and wild pig abound they will be able to supply themselves in a great measure with meat by sending out a couple of good shots to hunt.
For such as these gold mining ought to be most remunerative, and enable those who survive the many perils to retire with a fortune after a few years of hard work. But so far as I know there is not at present sufficient information about any mines in the Philippines, whether of gold or any other metal, to warrant the establishment of companies for purchasing and working them.
Mining claims can be staked out and registered under the present laws by natives or foreigners, but in limited areas, and placers or river beds can be worked by all without leave or license, and cannot be monopolised.
I wish to avoid prophesy, but I shall be much surprised if the Philippines, in American hands, do not turn out in a few years an important gold-producing country.
Copper.
Native copper has been found in several places in the islands, amongst them are Surigao and Torrijos in Mindoro.