The Argentine Republic has not yet given much signs of mineral activity, but there can be no doubt gold exists, as well as silver, in the Andine Provinces, and when the railway is carried on to Cordova we may hear a good deal more of the San Juan silver mines, to the development of which Major Rickards has devoted himself for so many years.
In the Banda Oriental gold has long been known to exist in the mountains of Canapiru, and the indefatigable Mr. Bankhart has succeeded in forming a company of Monte Videan shareholders to operate there. He is now in England obtaining the needful machinery and securing workmen for the mines. If successful it will be a great boon to the country, and may assist in providing a future metallic currency, from lack of which things now appear to be at a deadlock.
It will be seen from this short summary how closely our commercial interests are identified with those of the countries referred to, and how desirable it is, as at present, that the most friendly relations should be maintained with them. Nor are these likely to be again disturbed. In every port and city in South America are to be found British merchants and representatives of the country, the latter placed there, not, as previously, with a view to cavil, find fault, and threaten, but to see fair play and justice impartially administered to British subjects. The doctrine of non-interference in the political squabbles of other countries is now generally adopted, diplomatic meddlers are discouraged, and the post of foreign minister in South America is much more agreeable than formerly.
[6]. It may be interesting to show the progressive nature of them by taking the Board of Trade figures in connection with those countries for the previous four years as follows:—
| Brazil— | Imports. | Exports. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1863 | £4,491,000 | 4,082,641 | 8,573,641 |
| 1864 | 7,021,121 | 6,369,359 | 13,400,480 |
| 1865 | 6,797,241 | 5,771,024 | 12,468,265 |
| 1866 | 7,237,793 | 7,358,141 | 14,595,934 |
| River Plate— | |||
| 1863 | £2,460,280 | 1,897,164 | 3,357,444 |
| 1864 | 2,285,486 | 2,788,653 | 5,074,139 |
| 1865 | 2,263,540 | 2,824,823 | 5,088,363 |
| 1866 | 2,613,263 | 4,250,470 | 6,863,733 |
[7]. The “sailed” are toneladas of 1,728 lbs.
THE RIVER AMAZON.
As it has not been my good fortune to visit this mighty stream, I cannot, of course, speak of it from personal experience, but the Amazon is exciting so much attention in various parts of the world in consequence of the late voyage of Professor Agassiz that a brief notice may not be out of place here.
Most persons have read Mr. Bates' very interesting work, “The Naturalist on the Amazon,” in which he has described in so graphic a manner the wonders of that country in the shape of animal and vegetable life. Since it was written a great change has taken place in the future prospects of the Amazon by the politic step of the Brazilian Government in throwing open its waters to the flags of all nations, from which will result much valuable information, if it is not immediately followed by commercial progress to the extent that some sanguine writers have foretold. This act has called forth in Europe and America the most gratifying tributes in commendation of the unselfish attitude thus assumed by Brazil towards the commerce of the world. The American journals are especially unstinted in their praise. With regard to the probable consequences of this measure one writer, the Rev. J. C. Fletcher, states as follows:—