Correspondence and Negotiations concerning the Probable Gold Fields located in Peru by Thomas Nelson Berkeley Noland and others, 1899-1900

A packet of typed letters translated and bound together with the notation “C” on the back include the following correspondents and topics: Manuel Santillan wrote Alexander W. Thornely about the opportunities for mining the riches of the area of the Marañon River region of Peru, including gold dust, rubber trees, and chocolate (February 6, 1899).

Abraham Madina wrote to Manuel Santillan about the danger from indigenous peoples in the region creating difficulties in harvesting all the riches of the area but also emphasizing the richness and health of the region (February 4, 1899). Maximiliano Kabsch to Otoniel Melena, describes the situation along the River Napo, mentioning both “civilized” indigenous peoples accustomed to working with foreigners and other indigenous peoples, not used to working with foreigners but who were peaceful. He also mentioned the requirements for successful navigation of the river and other financial opportunities in nearby Ecuador (February 1, 1899).

Otoniel Melena to Alexander W. Thornely, described an expedition to the upper Marañon River region, the source of much gold, but also containing rapids and a large whirlpool. The whirlpool resulted in loss of life to San Ramon and several indigenous laborers on the expedition, when he disregarded their advice to avoid it.

During another expedition in 1890 led by an American, Mr. Walf, and a German naturalist, above the Pongo de Mainique (a water gap or canyon) of the Urubamba River, a group was visited by members of the “Nautipus” people who invited them to stay in their village for a few days (February 4, 1899). They brought twelve of the indigenous people with them back to San Antonio, Peru, including a chief named Wamba.

Melena also shared what he has heard about the headwaters of the River Napo and its prospects for mining. He suggests that Noland come to Peru accompanied by a naturalist and mining expert by way of Colón, Panama, then Guayaquil, Ecuador, to Quito, Ecuador. Once in Quito, he should visit Dr. Mestanza and get additional information about the voyage down the Napo River to Iquitos, Peru, Borja, Peru, and the upper Marañon region. (February 4, 1899).

Also present at the back of the group letters is a copy of an undated account of one of the expeditions in search of the historical gold mines of Morillo or Cerro Angaisa by Jose del Carmen Vasquez. This expedition began on August 1, 1882, when he left Moyobamba for the upper Amazon, taking with him fourteen well-armed men. He secured the services of several villagers from Aripari and interpreters for the languages of the “wild tribes.”

He described their first encounter with the “Chunchos” indigenous people, a Peruvian Spanish word for the Asháninka people, who occupy the upper region of the Potro River. He sent interpreters to the tribe to ask them to supply canoes for the journey.

They traveled in the canoes to the Asháninka village where they prepared food for the trip, chiefly sweet potatoes, and he insisted the Moyobambinos with him make clothing for the tribe as they typically wore no clothing. Vasquez and his group stayed with the Asháninka people for eleven days.

He mentioned one of the Asháninka by name, Huapi, who indicated that gold could be found in a distant canyon, but no one else in the expedition was willing to continue at that time. Vasquez and his men had been traveling for seventy-nine days on this first expedition. He briefly described three additional trips which provided more information about the area, but no gold.

Translations of two letters (4 copies):

Manuel Santillan to Mr. A.W. Thornely, April 16, 1899, reporting that the port of Iquitos had recently seen its first American Man of War, the gunboat “Wilmington,” believed to be in the area to investigate the reports of the wealth of the products of the upper Amazon. He also mentioned Mr. Bruner and a company of Americans exploring the placer mines of the River Napo.

Colonel Fisher, former American representative to Chile, on behalf of Thomas Nelson Berkeley Noland, to Don Alvares Calderon, Minister Plenipotentiary of Peru, August 1900, wrote concerning the possibility of opening up the mining district of the upper Amazon by a Special Concession to a company in the United States associated with Noland for hydraulic mining of gold to make it easier to raise capital for the venture.

Also in this folder is a draft undated memorandum of agreement between Carl H. Nolting, Louisa County, Virginia, and Noland, and a letter from J.F. Spofford to Noland about the rates of passage to Peru, October 9, 1900.