Jalan river concession and contract; official reports, engineers reports, also statements with descriptive maps

JALAN RIVER

CONCESSION AND CONTRACT

Official Reports, Engineers Reports

Statements \yith descriptive Maps

TEGUCIGALPA

State of Honduras.— National Printing Office, 3rd. Avenue E., N

.897

JALAN RIVER »

CONCESSION AND CONTRACT

Official Reports, Engineers Reports

ALSO

Statements with Descriptive Maps

i
TEGUCIGALPA

State of Honduras.— Nationaf^Printing Office, ml. Avenue E., N.

1897

Concession and Contract River Jalan

Contract dated September 27th., 1886.— Approval by Congress, February
10th. 1887. Decree N.* 15. '

Paid in advance for the exclusive right to extract gold
from the bed, bars and banks of tin River Jala:i, 12 annual
payments of 1.000 pesos per year, for the construction of an
Industrial School, to Jacob Baiz Consul General New York
and President Bogran.

''Report of the Director General of Rents of Honduras,
for the jear 1888-1889. Exhibit II. E. A. Burke delivered
to the Consulate of Honduras in New York in virtue of a con
cession $ 12.000."

From the 10th. February 1899 the concession will pay
each year $ 1.000.

— 4 —

( Translation)

f)t tr/tic// /.s a

DECREE N.° 16

•ntracf <-(>.l t'br&ted by the Executive
irith Mr. E. A. Burke.

THK PHKSIDKNT OF THE REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS,

To TIIK I'Knl'LK, I5K IT KNOWN :

That the National Congress has ordered as follows:

DLCREE N.° 16.

The National Congress, in view of tlie contract which
literally says:

"Alberto Membreno, Chief Secretary of the Minister of
I'oinento, in representation of the Government of Hon-
duras, lor one part, and for the other Mr. E. A. Burke, citi-
/Hii of the city of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, in the
Cnited States of North America, have agreed to celebrate the
following contract:

Let.— The Government of Honduras concedes to Mr. Burke
the exclusive right to exploit and extract minerals and pre
rimis metals from the beds, bank*, placers and veins of the
River known by the names of Jalan and Teupasenti for the
width of six hundred "varas" on each side, measured from a

:al linn established over said river, in distances of 1.000

• -\aras," varying with th^ course of the same and as near as

may be practicable, commencing at a point in said river, a

mce of six 1- from the town of Guaimaca, following

down the river, until its junction with the Guayape.

L'nd. Th"iv is granted to the entei prise of Mr. Burke all
the priviN-'.-s an 1 i-x-mptions conceded by the existing min-
inu' 1 L by the decrees \\hiclireferto the Department,

issued th»* isih. (,f November of iss-j aifl the ?th. of February

Mr. Bulk*- has tli.'iii^it to introduce fiee of all
I, Ti>cal ormunicii)al, tb- machinery, tools, or other mater-
ials necessary for th* exploitation and extraction of minerals

and precious metals embraced with the limits of the land that
is given him, and the exemption from existing taxes, »or any
that may hereafter be imposed, for the products that may be
exported.

4th. — The workmen and other employees, permanently in
the enterprise, shall be exempt, in time of peace, from oblig
atory military service: and the Government will name a Com-
mandante in order to drill the men subject to militia duty at
the place where the works are situated, provided no expense
is incurred by the State.

5th.— Mr. Burke may transfer, lease or sublease all or
part of the rights and privileges that ar£ embraced in this
concession, but the obligations which are imposed by it shall
always le complied with by those to whom it pertain.

6th. — The rights and privileges granted by this contract
are without predjudice to those legally acquired by other
persons: but all right or concession over minerals or precious
metals which shall be forfeited, lapse, or be abandoned with
in the limits of this concession, shall revert to the benefit of
Mr. Burke, his associates or assigns.

7th. — The rights above described, privileges and exemp
tions are conceded to Mr. Burke, his asociates or assigns, in
consideration of the sum of $ 1.000 annually which he is
compromised to give to the Government of Honduras, in the
following manner, and during the existence of the works.

8th.— Considering: that the Government desire to com-
mence the construction of a building for the establishment of
an Industrial School, during the coming year, Mr. Burke is
obliged to pay to the person that the Government may design-
ate, the sum of five thousand pesos, within twelve months,
five thousand more within eighteen months, and two thousand
more within two years, counting all these installments from
this date: which amounts shall be as an anticipation of the
money which Mr. Burke has to pay in the first twelve y^ars.
After the expiration of twelve years the annual payments
agreed upon, shall be paid in the month of July of each year
to the person that the Srovernment may name.

9th. — Natives of Honduras, who have heretofore wash-
ed gold by the system of "bateas" as their patrimony, in the
River Jalan or Teupasertti shall not be prohibited1 from
continuing in the said occupation, in the same manner, but
they may be prohibited from doing so, in the distance of 50U

"varas" from where Mr. Buike is actually working, without
his previous special permission, the same also, if the Hondu-

ans cure t<> wa*»h gold by the sy>f»-in of boxes, machinery
^imilar apparatus.

li»th. — A failure to comply with allf of the payments to
which thi* contract ivfers will lender it, null and without any
value.

llth. —After the capital invested, opera ting expense?, and
1<> PHI- cent of dividends have been realized by the enterprise,
there shall be paid to the Government for the benefit of the
aforesaid Industrial School, the sum of two and a half per cent
of the yearly nett profits of the minerals and precious metals
extracted from the zona.

The annual payments to which article 8.° alludes shall be
invested also in said School.

12th.— The amount of the 2£ p.g shall be payable an-
nually in the month of June, and if not paid, it shall b->
d^tHi-mined according to the terms of this contract and j-hall
1)^ recoverable according to law.

l^th. - In case of the transfer or lease of any pait of this
• n. each lessee shall separately be obliged to pay his

ita of said percentage.

14th.— All disputes or questions that may arise as to the
interpretation <»r compliance with this contract, between the

Lea, shall 1»- i ^.solved by arbitration composed in the
following manual :

The two contracting forties thai 1 each select, a person

rompetent and of good reputation as abitrators to decide the

di-putn>. and incuse of discord, the aibitrators

-hall naniH a third. * The Judgment of this Tribunal &hall not

\^ apealable.

In faith ol which and witness thereof both contracting
two of likn tenor in the city of Tegucigalpa, on
th"*J?th. day of the n.onth of S*-ptt-niber 1886.— Albei to Mem
breiio. — E. A. Buike.

Vowing the aforementioned contract, celebrated between
Messrs. the Ohief Secretary in th" IVpartment of Public
Works, Licenciado don Alberto Membreflo and Mr. E. A.
Burke, and which consists of fouiteen articles; and consider-
ing: thiit the d»-srrib»(l Chi-f S-(Vtary has observed the
instructions, which to that effect were communicated to him.
Therefore, the President, DEOKKK-: -That it is approved in all

— 7 —

its parts.— Tegucigalpa, September 27th. IS8(>.— Lns BO<;KAN.
-The Secretary of State in the Interior Department. —C. Go-
mez.^

DECREE:

Article 1.°-— To approve the Contract previously described.
Given in Tegucigalpa, on the loth, day of the month of
February 1887.

MAKCIAL VIJIL,

i). i>.

JESUS INESTROXA, S. MARTINEZ,

I>, 8* D. S.

•

To the Excutive Power.

Therefore Excutes:
Tegucigalpa, February 18th. 1887.

LUIS BOGRAN.

The Secretary of State in the Department of Public
Works.

FRANCISCO PLAXAS.

State of Louisiana. ) Q Q
Parish of Orleans. \ "

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS

That 1, Edward A. Burke, of New Orleans, in the State
of Louisiana, for and in consideration of the price and sum
of ten thousand dollars, to me in hand paid in cash by John
A. Morris, of New Orleans in the State of- Louisiana, receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged and due and full acquittance
and discharge granted therefor and other valuable consider
ations, I do by these presents grant, bargain, sell, transfer
and convey unto said John A. Morris, his heirs and assigns,

All my right, title and interest of every nature and kind
whatsoever in to and of the following concessions together
with all the privileges, benefits, exemptions and emoluments
thereunto appertaining or {herewith connected, to wit.

The concession made to me said E. A. Burke by the
Government of the Republic of Honduras of the exclusive

— 8 —

of extracting, an 1 working, and improving minerals and
precious, metals on the banks, beds, bars, placers, veins or
rnineralogical somces of the Jalan <fr Teupasenti River and
commencing at a point on said River six leagues from the
town of (Juaimaca and extending to thef junction of said river
with the river (luayape estimated as a distance of about
eighty miles in Hunting length and extending six hundred
"vans" on either side of a central line which shall be
eM ibli-hed by Surveyois at a distance of one thousand "va-
varying in direction with the course of said vein.

Said contract was approved by President of the Repub-

I Honduras on the 27th. September, 1886, was ratified

confirmed and approved by the National Congress of the Re-

public of Honduras as per official ratification of the State De-

partment of said Republic, dated Tegucigalpa, February 10th.

7, and survey ordered.

All of which right*, benefits, privileges, etc., are set forth
in documentary evidence which has been furnished an deli-
•d by me to said John A. Morris.

T«> have and to hold said lights, benefits, privileges,
etc., unto said John A. Morris, his heirs and assigns forever,
and which I hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors, and
administrators to wanant and defend unto him and them
against thn lawful claims and demads of all persons whomso-
ever.

In witness whereof I hereunto sit my hand and seal this
fifteenth (15th ) day of June, A. D., 18S8.

(Signed) E. A. BURKK. (Seal.)
Signed, sealed i nd delivered in presence of

•"•I

JKI i. (\ \Vi N< K

Signed

W. RENAUDIN-.

accept th* foregoing sale and transfer made

n

\Vitness my hind and seal this 15th. day of June, A. D.

1888.

(Signed) JOHN A. MORRIS. (Seal.)
Signed and sealed in presence of
JEFF. C. WKNCK,— \V.

— 9 —

State of Louisiana. } a a »

Parish of Orleans. \ k ,

BK IT KNoWN,

That on this fifteenth day of June, A. D., 18SS, be-
fore me, John Bendernagel, Notary Public in and for the
Parish of ( )rleans, State aforesaid, duly commissioned and
qualified, personally came and appeared Edward A. Burk*1,
and John A. Morris, to me known, the said Edward A. Bur-
ke as the person named in and who subscribed the foregoing
Deed and Conveyance and the said John A. Morris as the
person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing acceptance
thereof and they severally acknowledged that they signed
and executed the same for the uses and purposes therein set
forth.

In faith whereof, I hereunto set me hand and seal this
18th. day of June, A. D , 1888.

(Signed) J. BENDEKNA<;KL,

Notary Public.

Tegucigalpa, June 18th. 1890.
John A. Morris Esquire:

The following decree his been issued to-day:

-
"SECRETARY OF STATE IN THK DEPARTMENT OF FOMENTO

(PUBLIC \VOKKSI

Tegucigalpa. June 18th. 18!><».

In view of the proceedings of the survey practized by the
Engineer don Jose Esteban Lazo on the days 13th., 22th., 24th.,
25th., 26th., 28th., 29^. and 30th. of April, and 22th. and 23th.
of May previous, in accordance with the decree of the 7th. Fe-
bruary of the present year, by which he was commissioned to
Survey the concession 01 the Rivers Jalan and Teupasenti,
granted by contract made on the 27th. September 1880 to Mr.
E, A. Burke, which contract was tranferred to Mr, John A.

_ 10 —

Morris on the 1.~>th. of June 1SS8. Having seen the Report of

the Specific Kevisor and the opinion of the Fiscal General of

the Treasury: and \\heivas, although the Survey has not been

luted over all ill- .-xt^nsion granted, the operations prac-

1 by Engineer Lazo are in accordance A%Uh the geodetical

principles and also with the laws on this branch; and as the

^rnment can, since there is no prejudice to a third party,

its approval to the partial survey executed; therefore

the President

DECREES:

1st.— To approve the survey lef erred to, in accordance to
la\\ and under the abov?e terms.

•Jnd.— To extend in favor of the interested party the par-
tial attestations lie has petitioned for. The final title shal-
be issued when the Survey has been completed. Be it known
and registered. — Signed by the President.

l.y illness of the Secretary of State the chief clerk.—
Julio Cesar Duron."

In communicating the above to you for your information
and other effects, I subscribe myself, your obedient servant.

(Signed) Jruo CKSAK DURON.

:;M:m:i. i ^ a

KNo\\ ALLJIKN BY THESE PRESENTS,

That I, .John A. MonK of NYw Orleans, in the State of
Louisiana, have made an appointed, and by these presents do
make constitute and appoint Edward A. Burke, at present
residing in NYw Orleans aforesaid, to be my true and lawful
Agent and Attorney in fact, for me and in my name place and
stead to sell, transfer, convey and assign for such price and
-ideration in cash, stock, or on such terms and conditions
as he may think proper.

All my right, title and interest of every nature and kind
whatsoever in to and of the following concessions together
wtih all the privileges, benefits, exemptions and emoluments
thereunto appertaining or therewith connected to wit;

— 11 —

The concession which was made to said Edward A.
by the Government of the Republic of Honduras o* the ex
elusive light of extracting, working and inip'oving minerals
and precious metals on the banks, beds, bars, placers, veins
or mineralogical soiyces of the .Jalan or Teupasenti River and
commencing at a point on said river six leagues from the town
of Guaimaca, and extending to the junction of said river with
the liver Guayape, estimated as a distance of about eighty
miles in running length and extending six hundred "varas"
on either side of a central line which shall be established by
Swrveyors at a distance of one thousand "varas" varying in
direction with the course of said rivers. Which contract was
approved by the President of the Republic of Honduras on
the 27th. of September 1886 and was ratified confirmed and
approved by the National Congress of the Republic of Hon
duras as per official ratification of the State Department of
said Republic dated Tegucigalpa, February 10th. 1887 and
survey ordered.

All of which rights, benefits, privileges, etc., aresetfoith
in documentary evidence in my possession. And for the
purposes aforesaid my said. Attorney is hereby authorized and
empowered to make, sign and execute the necessary deeds, con-
veyances or other instruments of writing necessary to be signed
and executed in the premises with full power of substitution
and revocation hereby binding myself to ratify and confirm
all and whatsoever said Attorney or his substitute shall law-
fully do or cause to be done in virtue hereof.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal at
New Orleans in the State of Louissiana this twenty ninth day
of January A. D. 1889.

JOHN A. MORRIS. (Seal)

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of
A. W. COCKERTON.— DAVE H. MORRIS.

State of Louissiana. ) R q "*
Parish of Orleans, f °'

BE--JT KNOWN

That on this twenty nioth day of January A. D. 1889
before me, John Bendernagel a Xotary Public in and for the

— 12 —

Parish of Orleans State aforesaid, duly commissioned and
qualified personally came and appeared John A. Morris to
me known as the person named in an'd who subscribed th/3
within and foregoing power of Attorney and acknowledged
that he signed and executed the same for, the uses and pur
poses therein set foith and expresed.

In faith whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this
•Jt»th. day of January A. D. ISSi).

Notarial seal.

J. BENDERNAGEL,

Notary Public

El Vicecdnsul de Honduras,

Certih'ca: que la firma de J. Bendernagel, Notario Publi-
co en New Orleans, que autoriza este documents, es autentica
y la que usa en todos sus actos.

Para los usos legales, expido el presente en el puerto de
Nueva Orleans, a los treinta dias de Enero del ano 1889.

(Seal)

E. HERNANDEZ,

Vice-consul de Honduras.

I In- tt rid 't/i ic

Consulate New Orleans.

.1. A. de G. de Fonblanque, Esquire Her Majesty Consul
for tli^ port and District of New Oleans in the United States
of America. <•

Certify: that John Bendernagel Esquire whose true sig
nature and seal are respectively subscribed and affixed to the
in-trum»'iit hereunto annexed was on the day of the date
thereof! Notary Public in and for the State of Louissiana
duly commissioned and sworn to whose official acts full faith
and credit are due in court or thereout.

In testimony whereof I do hereunto ^et my hand and seal
of office at the city of New Orleans this :30th. day of January
in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
eighty iwne.

(Seal) A, DE Gr. DE

II, B. M Consul

Stamp
One shilling. § *

I, GEORGE FREDERICK WARREN,

Of the city of I^ndon, Notary Public by Royal Authority,
duly admitted and sworn do hereby certify to whom it may
concern, that I have carefully collated and examined with the
originals the foregoing copies and I further certify that the
same are true and faithful copies of the said originals and
agree therewith in every respect.

Whereof an act being required I have granted these
presents under my notarial firm and seal to serve and avail
when and where need may require.

London, the sixteenth day of October one thousand eight
hundred and eighty nine.

(Seal) G. F. WARREN,

Notary Public.

El infrascrito, Consul General de la Republica de
Honduras en Londre?,

Certifica: qne la tirma y sello que anteceden y que son al
parecer los que usa en sus actos oficiales don George Fre-
derick Warren, Notario Publico de esta ciudad, cuyos actos
oficiales merecen y se les da entera fe y credito, tanto en jui
cio como fuera de el.

Dado bajo mi mano en el sello de f.ste Consulado General
hoy dia veinticinco de Octubre de 1889. ?

(Sello) W. HINNKV.

El inj'rascrilo, Secretarto de Estado en el Despacho de Re-
lac tones Enter lores del Gobierno de Honduras,

Certifica: que la^» firma que antecede del senor Consul
General de la Republica de Honduras en Londres, que dice:
"W. Binney," es autentica.

Tegucigalpa, Agosto 12 de 18(.C>.

(Sello) CESAR BONIKLA.

- u-

[Translation]

Tegucigalpa, 13th. of August, 189.").
Mr. E. A. Burke.— Presente.

Today there has been issued the decree which says:
r Tegucigalpa, 13th. of August, 1895.

In view of the previous petitions in which Mr. E. A.
Burke asks that the Government shall recognize him as the
Agent of Mr. John A. Morris, in respect to the concessions of
the River Jalan and the River Guayape approved by Congress
in favor of the former, the 10th. of February 1887, and trans
i-irt'd to rhe latter the 15th. of June 1888, and considering
that the documents presented by the petitioner are according
to law, and that the opinion of the Attorney General is favor-
able, the President

DECREES:

To ]<•<•< >^nize Mr. E. A. Burke as such Agent of Mr. John
A. Morris, in all that concerns the concession referred to, as
fully as authorized.— Communicated and registered.

BONILLA.

retary of State in the Department of Public

E. Constantino Fiallos.
Comiiimiirnted to yon for your information and other

\Voiks.

servant,

. < '<mx tan lino Fiallos.

Jalan River.— Guaimaca Section

•

TRANSLATION
of certificate of town, authorities.

At a meeting of the municipal authorities of the town of
Guaimaca on the Jalan River in November 1896 in response
to a request for information from the Scientific Commission
of France, a certified statement under seal of the Municipal-
ity was given to the effect of that:

1st.— They ratified and confirmed the opinions or infor
mation indicated in the public document made before the Jus-
tice of the Peace, by the authoiities of the town January 27th.
1890 and in addition testified:

2nd. — That the river Jalan and many quebradas are
auriferous. In parts coarse gold is found, in other parts the
gold is fine:

3rd.— That above Guaimaca is found the Quebrada *'Ti-
grilla" in which is found coarse gold in abundance, the grains
frecuently having particles of quartz attached, there is also a
quebrada or creek in front of the mine "Nana Julia,'1 from
which coarse gold has been taken for many years in abund-
ance; this quebrada flows East, until it enters the quebrada
"La Mansion" which enters the Jalan: ?

4th. —Below the town of Guaimaca and above the "Ba-
rranca Rica" or "Rich Bank," near the Jalan River, exist the
old mines "Belen" and "Patastera,'' also others, the names
of which are not known.

The Patastera is said to contain a very rich "hilo" or
vein of gold, and below this mine is found the "Barranca Ri-
ca," large banks which many of the "gold washers" of this
town have visited.

These banks contain coarse gold in abundance and are
famous for their richness? but the distance from tlvis town
being about 7 leagues, and there being "Tigers" in the local-
ity the gold washers of this town only go there occasionally.

— 16 —

TRANSLATION

••fifu-dtt' of town authorities of Guaimaca made 27th. of January
. ratified by town autorithies Noven&eT 1896 at request of
nt (tic Commission of France.

The river passing Guaimaca is and always has been called
the Jalan proper. Therefore in this description will call it
the Jalan.

Head waters of the Jalan rise in "El Tom ate," drains all
of the country between mountain range which forms Nord-
western boundary cf Guaimaca valley to the foot hills which
form Eastern boundary. The creeks "Santa Teresa" and
"Peralta" empty into Jalan about one mile and 1£ miles
above town as shown in map. The creek "Lologuara" emp-
tys into creek Barnis near town, creek Barnis flowing into
Jalan about H mile below town.

From crossing of river Jalan to a small cannon about 500
feet long, called "El Cliorro," a distance of about 1£ leagues,
the river averages from 100 to 150 feet wide flowing through
level country and having high banks of gravel red and yellow
• lay and quartz formations. Flow of water from 5 to 20 feet
wide, differing in depth and rapidity.

El Chorro Cannon (canon) is about 20 feet wide at its head,
and 1 t<> i; iwt wide at its mouth;— below "El Chorro" has
'••imed a -mall bur from which the women have washed gold,
also two more bars below "El Chorro" are known as having
been washed by women.

Above "Kl Choiro" emptys quebrada "Tule" which rises
near "Ci^ualtHr.-r I A leagues from town emptys creek "Gua-
fchnalia."

Kroin cannon "El Chorro" the river enters virtually into
foot lulls and i- very winding, Conning numerous bars of
email dimensions.

Thf .Jalan juM above win- re eivptys "Rosario" is about

1<> > IWt wide, the Kosaiio. at its mouth being about 7;") feet

__ 17 —

Just below where the Rosario emptys into Jalan, the river
is about 200 feet wide forming on South side of riv^r a large
bar of 500 feet long by 100 wide; also bank about 30 feet high
from which the women have washed gold. (This information
was taken from people who live in ranch at the mouth of the
Rosario).

The quebrada uSan Marcos" flowing from San Marcos
Mountains, is only creek emptying into Jalan between Rosa-
rio and "Rio Aba jo." At junction of Rosario, the country
on South side of river is level rolling country back to about a
distance of one league, North side being hilly.

The Rosario rise about 7 or 8 leagues South- West of
Guaimaca, draining all the country S<?uth and West of the
head waters of the Jalan and the mountains Agua Fria, Za-
pote and Caliche.

The creeks San Diego and Cigualteca are only streams of
importance emptying into Rosario from valley on left hand
side. The creek "Charcos" emptys into Rosario from valley
on right hand side and forms at crossing of the "Camino Real"
a distance 6 leagues from Guaimaca. The "Caliche" rises in
the Caliche Mountains, and emptys into the Rosario from
right hand side, about 2 leagues above mouth of Rosario, it
and its mountain branches carry gold and are being washed at
present by women. "Los Coralitos" one of its principal branches
rising in foot hills is being washed by women and they taking
up from * 0.50 to $ 1.00 per day with "bateas." From the
house of Rosa Rodriguez to Caliche colors are found in river
and some of the small branches. The first creek emptying
into Rosario from right hand side is Agua Fria about J league
above its mouth. The "Agua Fria" ri^es in the mountains
of Agua Fria, receiving the creek "El Zapote" which rises in
the mountains of El Zapote. Creek "Zapote" and "Agua
Fria" are noted as having been washed by women. (This
information in regard to gold having been washed was given
by people who live the mouth of Agua Fria).

The Rosario flows principally between high and rugged
banks, varying in bmath from 15 to .">() feet and is noted for
its boulders.

The distance from Guaimaca to Barranca Rica is about 7
leagues and from Barranca Rica (Rich Bank) to Te^pasenti
is about 6 leagues. Distance Guaimaca to Teupasenti l:i
leagues.

— 18 —

REPORT •

>'//?////, on the (hi a in tar <i Section, Department of Te-
tjiicifjalpa, Hirer Jal<i,i Concession, from*' El Tomate" or head

of Ike n'c IT fn Harr<inra liicn, (Rich Bank) about 11 leagues.

From "El Tomate" to "Barranca Rica" some of the banks
prospect gold. All the bars down to "El Chorro" 1J leagues
below Guaimaca profpect fine leaf gold. "El Chorro" is a
narrow canon, 5 or 6 feet wide, perpendicular walls of hard
rock, h'ne place for dam, large bar below, surface prospects
well.

Rosario River, or Quebrada k2i leagues below Guaimaca,
pans tine gold, large bar below mouth of Rosario in Jalan
better, from f>o cents to $ 1.00 per cubic yard, Rosario
large stivam.

<,)uebrabra<la San Marcos, enters Jalan from San Marcos
mountains on South side, good sized stream, pans fine gold,
large bar at mouth, about 3J leagues below Guaimaca.

(Quebrada Guayana, South side, 3i leagues from Guaima-
ca very fine gold.

yuebradas Palomas and Guamilas, latter flows into Jalan
from North side, line stream of water, large bar prospects
well, mars^r gold, X'i leagues from Guaimaca.

(^iiebrada Tule, enters from North side, carries fine gold,
dry except in wet sec.son.

Rio Aba jo is near here, where lives Ignacio Mejia on
North side, other houses and small ranches on South side,
below this a large bar which pans tine gold.

niielua.la Hahlonado, small stivam from South side shows
••rs. about one mile below Hio Aba jo.

Quebrada A^ua Frin, North sid,\ good stream, about 4
• i • l^ ; leagues below (iiiaimaca, la)-g«> bar, women washing
ootnei ^"11. About J league up thn Fno the "Quebrada del
< )ro" •(.!•(;,, M ('reek • comes from Cerro Bonito range into
the Fri<» pans coarse gold. Said £o be rich and good for

ind sluiciriLC P>etween MaMonado and Frio lives Deside-
rio Jimene/, a good guide.

— 19 -

La Tumba, about 1£ miles further down, gravel bunks i:>
to 20 feet high, on North side of Jalan. 3rd. crossing from
Mejia's house. Hydr^Vilic ground.

Quebrada Mojastre, good stream, South side, from Chile
mountains, pans yeV, large bar below mouth, about 5j
leagues below Guaimaca. Say 26.000 "varas," and 51 .000
"varas" from head of Jalan.

Belen Mine, old mine, East and West vein, dip to North,
bounded on North by River Jalan, East by "La Patastera
Mine/', South by Chile Grande Mountain, West by the "Que
brada Mojastre," carries gold and silver. Shaft 18 feet, 4
feet wide all in ore. (Samples) N.° 6, reddish; N.° 7, blun
jabon; N.° 8, rose colored; N.° 9, dark ^ey and bluish.

La Patastera, old mine, reported as being rich in gold,
300 yards up from river, about. Shaft 40 feet deep. Drift
from bottom running East, shows 4 feet ore in heading, hard
smooth foot wall, could not determine hanging wall. East
and West vein.

Samples from heading in sacks N.° 11, N.° 12 to Retiro.

Tracing vein over East ridge samples in sacks N.° 13
and 14.

Lower Patastera, East and West vein about 150 yards
below the Patastera. Old shaft 12 feet, with 9 feet drift.
Vein in heading over 6 feet. Samples from heading in sacks
N.° 17, N.° 18, N.° 19, N.° 20, yelow, red tinted.

Mammoth, large East and West vein or deposit, about
200 yards from river Jalan, South side, enormous outcrop.
Samples N.° 15, N.° 16.

(Note. — Assays of this "deposit" ran about $8 gold.
Mr. Gifford was much interested.)

Barranca Rica (Rich Bank). — River h is great fall, banks
i nd bars pan coarse gold, famous resort for gold washers,
who often come from Guaimaca 6 leagues to waeh gold here.
Excellent place to dam or hydraulic.

Here may be said to commence, coarse gold in Jalan and
about here ends the Guaimaca Section which has a length of
about 12 leagues or 53.000 "varas."

ABOVE GUAIMACA.

Mr. Smith reports on various streams flowing into the
Jalan as follows:

"Quebrada del Cnmino R^al de Onca" a little fine gold in
some of the banks, very little in the Quebrada.

Quebrada "La Calera," no gold.

Quebrada "El Misoco," no gold.

Quebrada A/acualpi, coarse and fine gol 1, for near one
league, there lose gold in main stream and find it going up
East branch to hill carted "Nana Julia."

Quebrada "La Mansion,-' in places find "quartz gold"
this quebrada heads in hill, "Nana Julia" or Grandmother
Julia, reported to be a very rich gold mine, once worked by
an old woman named "Julia."

NOT K. — I have prospected the "Old Ladys Mine," out
good, can trace vein quite a distance, old shaft caved,
filled nearly to top. Evidently worked for a rich soft streak,
ore or dirt carried down to foot of hill where there is a fine

am of water for I should say 20 stamps, marked on my
list for prospecting later on in Olanclio zone.

Higher up the mountain are fine quartz prospects, and a
rave of beautiful white marble.

Ir is my opinion that the Guaimaca Section contains en-
ormous deposits of gravel carrying fine gold.

From "El Tomat*1' the head of Jalafi to "El Chorro" I
do not think there is sufficient "fall" in the River to dam and
flume, or room for tailing*, but there is pay gold in many of
these banks, and some fine large streams of water coming
down from mountains near by having 4.500 feet elevation
above sea level, and the "tine gold saver' or Amalgamator
will reap a rich harvest. The section h is not been thoroughly
prospected. %

The Archeologist \vill be interested in this section, as the
vast number of mounds, and finds of pottery marks the site
of an ancient city, near the present town.

E. A. BURKE.

Paraiso Section of River Jalan

REPORT

of the Governor of the Department of El Paraiso
on River Jalan

To the Supreme Executive Power:

The subscriber Political Governor of the Department of
El Paraiso, in compliance with your order of the 27th. of the
past month, and conforming to the data which has been fur-
nished by persons that merit faith, extend the following

REPORT:

1st. — To AVest of the town called "La Puerta'' known as
the limit between the Department of Tegucigalpa and El
Paraiso, and from this point down the River Jalan as far as
the Puerta, we have to reckon about 6 leagues of national
land, (surface) and another league of municipal land.

In this tract is to be found a place called "Patastera"
crossed by the Jalan River where there is to be found gold
washings and several known veins, bearing lead and silver,
and also the Quebrada "Los Montones" which is auriferous,
and there are places for washing gold in its confluence with
the Jalan.

It runs from South to North in national lands, where
timber is to be found, and also precious woods of various
kinds, on both sides of the river.

2nd. — From the Teupasenti village down said river to th«
North, there are more or less eight (8) leagues of land private
property (surface) and about eight (8) national, until the "Ca
nas" which is the lir\iit of the Department of El Paraiso,
dividing it from Olancho.

In the same land is comprised one league and a half be-
longing to the municipalland of said village.

3rd.— The river and quebradas that go to the Jalan by
the North are as follows :

— 22 -

TheQuebradasChupadora, Colina, Jugilate, San Antonio,
El Cacao, El Frijolar, Agua Fria, San Rafael de la Lauguara,

l\\o of them Irive g«»ld although there ere no washing places
because their course runs through lands of private property,
bat in national lands are to be found the quebrad.-is Carrizo,
Agua Fria, La Aguja, Zarcil, Boqueron anfd Lis Cafiitas.

There are no veins of gold or silver in exploitation, but
there are washing gold places without excepting the Jalan,
whose broad playas (buiks) are well known as auriferous.

EXPLANATIONS I

The Zone (Olancho) pertaining to the Jalan in this De
partment, measures indts length from West to East about 25
leagues, in a straight line, and following the course of the said
river, which forms a curve, may have about 30 leagues, and
from South to North about 10 width, said land in its greatest
part is wild, that is why, my opinion is, that if the Govern
ment thinks it convenient they should accept the proposition.

Yuscaran, February 24th. 1890.
CAYETANO BONILLA, EDUARDO BONILLA,

Governor. Secretary.

NOTE:— The Report indicates the distance from La

Puerta to Teupasenti 7 leagues.

Teupasenti to Canales 16 ,,

Making the Paraiso Section a distance of about. .23 ,,
The Guaimaca Section, or Tegucigalpa Depait

ment^ is about 11 ,,

The Olancho Section, from Canales to junction,

about 45 miles or 15 ,,

This would make a total length of about 49 ,,

It is my impression that the distance is over estimated:

Ma yes measured Olancho Section about. . 45 miles.
Lazo measured Guaimaca Section about. . 28 ,,
To be measured, Paraiso Section, ab^ut. . 30 ,,

Total 103 ,,

I prefer to keep on the safe side ^>y saying from 75 to 90
miles,

E, A. BURKP.

'HIV MR. .IALAN

«

KL PARAISO ol» TKl I'ASKN I I s !•:< I I <

( Translation )

Teupasenti, the lOtli. of February

Hon. Governor of this Department.— Yuscaran.

>

In answer to your two comunications of the :ird. an. I
Oth. instant I have the honor to report you as follows:

1st.— The river passing through this village is callnd ,Ja-
Ian from "La Puerta" to "Las Canas," limits of its jurisdic-
tion between the department of Tegucigalpa and Olancho.

2nd. -From this village up, there is one league of mun-
icipal lands and five leagues of national Ian N.

3rd. — There are placers or gold washing places on both
sides of the river until "Patastera,'' and there are also several
mineral veins carrying silver.

4th.— The qnebrada "Los Montones" is very aurifemus
and the gold washers exploit it at its confluence with the Ja-
Ian river. It runs from South to North in national Ian U

5th. —There are abundant precious and building woods
on both sides of the river.

6th.— From this locality down to the North, there is one
extension of about seven leagues belonging to the individuals
and seven of national lands to "Las Canas'1 limit of the de-
partment of Olancho. The seven leagues belon. th*
individuals are distributed as follows: <>n<> l^n-ii'- and a half
to this Municipality, limited by the property of Mr.
Moncada which extends one leagtiH and a half to "Kl
lar;" — from this point to the "Olingo" th^iv are four l^;i.
belonging to M. M. Hojas and Padillas

7th.— The rivers and quebradas which tlowd into th- .la
Ian on the same North side areas follows: in the lands of this
Municipality, the quebraflas "Chupadero" and "Colirta;" in
the properties of Mr. Ramon Moncada are the quebradas
"Gnajilote," "San Antonio,- "Ei Cacao" and "Frijolarj1'-

— 24 —

in those belonging to M. M. Rojas and Padillas are the
quebradas "Aguja," ''San Rafael" and "Guangara,'' the 2nd.
and I-ird. dairying gold, but never beer* washed;— in national
lands are the quebradas "Carrizo," "Agua Fria," "Zarcii,"
"Boqueron" and ''Las Caiiitas," all these carry gold in
abundance. '

8th.— There is no gold veins in explotntion nor known; but
very rich placers, not excepting til** Jalan river, whose wide
banks, without any doubt are the focus of unexhaustible
richness.

Wh.— From uLas Canas" to South up river there are the
following quebradas 'k/apote" and "Cullamapa," which rise
in the mountains of* "Olingos" and flow always over na
tional lands, both are auriferous and principally the 2nd.,
which became famous since the last year on account of its
rich gold placers which are considered almost as fabulous.
The quebradas "Carpules" and "Las Animas" are in the
properties of M. M Rojas and Padillas. The quebrada ''Ya
nmguara" tlow.s over lands, belonging to this Municipality
and to Mr. Ramon Moncada. It is reported that in this que
l'iada exibt coal veins The 4'Pava'' flows in municipal lands
and "Veiarru/" in lands [t^rraining to Mr. Oamilo T. Duron.

loth.— This Municipality has in thn South side of the
river, lands twenty leagues long and seven and a half wide.

The mountains of k'El Pueblo'' and kiEl Chile'' surround
this village as well as the "Santa Rosa" mountains which
runs toward East when enters in the Department of Olancho.

This is all I can now inform you about the subject you
referred to and I have the honor to be, etc., etc.

Sf al of the Municipality
of Tcupnscnti.

(Signed) RAMON MONCADA.

Olancho Section, Jalan River

FROM CAftALES TO JUNCTION OF Tin-: (H'AYAl'K

Retire: January 4th.
Major E. A. Burke.— NeAV Orleans,

Dear Sir:

As soon as I got well I started for Juticalpa to get money
for Barnhart and myself, but, owing to the absence of th^
merchant I was directed to, could not obtain any, and after
losing four days in telegraphing, I started for Jalan. I at
once started up river in a canoe taking with me a "bat-
man and tools, tent, etc, proving and prospecting banks and
bars as I went. The river was still deep and T had con-
siderable difficulty in getting up stream, having to walk
almost all the way over rocks an 1 cutting through brush.

The name Jalan, signifies in Indian dialect, beautiful,
and it is indeed a beautiful river. Th-> South side as far as I
went is an immense virgin forest mountain, somewhat in-
clined to flat, with good aluvium soil extending a distance of
forty miles from North to South, and about sixty miles East
and West, all national and unoccupied land. A most
delightful climate, the temperature at 6"a. m. is 62*, and at
12, 80°, F. The river rises from 900 feet at La Jagua to 1 .'.no
feet in 40 miles, and the general height of enclosing moun-
tains is from 1.000 to 4.000 feet. It produces everything
abundantly, and has plenty of wild cocoa growing near the
rivers on the hill sides. It is well watered, has the beautiful
valley of La Azacualpa on the South and East side, and the
river Jalan on the No^th and West. The river has a general
depth at this time of the year of about 8 feet can 1>
navigated by pitpans if a few obstacle? are removed.

I prospected the secoild bars as far as I went, rfnd ob-
tained generally from 20 to 40 colours a pan or "batea,'? and
even 300; much richer than Guayape, and it has scarcely

— 26 —

been worked, but seeing the difficulty of ascending the river
aud consequent loss of time, and having to look after Minas
de Oro, iTreturnad here. •

As I could get no reliable information to depend on and
having no data to furnish you with I took considerable time
and trouble to find out particulars. *

The Jalan mountain is just the place to place a colony,
being only occupied by tigers, deer, tapirs, monkeys, pec-
caries, wild boars, wild turkey and other game. The river
has plenty of fish.

The expenses, as is always the case here, have amounted
to much more than I anticipated, owing to the many enter-
prises on foot, labour*is both scarce and costly, at least double
of what it used to be.

On my return to Comayagua will send you detailed ac
count of all expenses, which, though much higher than I ex
pected, will meet your approbation, I trust.

Neither Mr. Barnhart nor myself have received any letters
from you since you left Honduras, still we trust everything
is all right with you.

Yours truly,

EDWARD P. MATES.

OLANCHO SECTION

ENGINEER MAYES' REPORT, WITH MAP

Comayagua: January 17th. 1897.
Major E. A. Burke.— New Orleans.
Dear Sir:

I commenced sketch survey of River Jalan at La Jagua.
In the first twelve miles up river, the ri\ter is about 500 yards
wide in parts, running through sand bars, although the stream
is only about 100 yards wide generally in the flood season.

"Cbmayagua brook," 8 miles begins to be seen bed rock,
and about here are some old workings, which only gave a few
colours to the pan.

"Las Tinajas," in miles, is a considerable ll.tt,
colours to the pan, but the brooks, Oropenduln^ Paya,
Comayagiiela, and UisisiM have occasionally been worked.

"Cajon del Higuerito" is I ccnsiderth^ beginning ()f ,1,.},
part of the river, as from here up more regular work has been
done.

"Sara," 17 miles, up to here I invariably obtained fail-
results from the bars and brooks, but owing to the amount of
sand and depth of river could not calculate its probable worth.

At 20 miles are rich bars and banks, particulary at "Cacao
Colorado" an extensive Cocoa plantation; I consider it an
extensive and deep placer, and it ought to be at once prospected,
the banks of Jobo, Sara, and Tamagacefc being favorable for
sluices. Up to Sara the rocks are entirely conglomerate, but
from there up is mica schist.

"Pozo de Funes" bar, 22 miles, I tested, and it gave me
an average of 30 colours to the pan. This bar has a fall of
six feet, and is very favorable for sluicing. It could at once
be worked. The gravel consists of moderate sized stones.

At 24 miles is a considerable bar and small island which
prospects oO colours the pan. From here up all of the banks
and bars are rich, literally full of gold, though generally very
fine, still not flour gold;— the natives never work the bars and
banks but get down to the centre of the stream to bed rock
and obtain very coarse gold by diving under water in the pits
in river, but this can only be done during one or two months
in the year.

At 29 miles begins "Cajon del Oro Menudo" it is a rocky
cannon or narrow part of river about two miles long. It is
deep and rapid and dangerous for canoes. * The river has large
rocks in the stream and on each side, which no doubt cover
up in many parts old river channels, which ought to be rich:
above this the river widens, is shallower, and has considerable
bars and shallow places, which with good machinery ou^ht
to produce excellent results.

"El Mejicano Ford" at about 37 miles commences to be
found larger colours in the bars and banks where I tested
and it gave me an average of 10 and 20 moderate sized colours
to the pan. Mr Barnhart was with me on the last six miles
of river sketch. There still remains sixty miles more o'f river
to sketch in, Mr. Barnhart promised to continue up river
with me, but as it is all foot work, it is rather hard work,

— 28 —

The bars are colored yellow, and the banks green, (on map)
but the ^shallow parts are every few hundred yards;— ma-
chinery can be brought up river mifch easier than on the
Guayape, and the river being as yet riot worked, for at least
60 miles up there is every hope of success^.

Just at the end of "Cajon de Oro Menudo" 29 miles, is
a small bar ou the S. E. side of river, which I prospected,
and it gave me from 100 to 300 colours to the pan on the
surface. I consider that no washing should be allowed
except you get up some enterprise, as any laborer with a
single rocker ought to make good wages. It is only through
the fear of snakes and tigers, and the entire absence of
population and inaccessibility of river that has kept back the
"batea" workers, but once you begin to work, hundreds will
flock. I think a census should be asked for and taken of
the population who are supposed to work on these first 60
miles, so as to prevent others pretending. At present only
about 10 persons down at Sara, and now and then a party
above,— the washing taking place above the first 60 miles.

That gold in large quantities exists in the Jalan there is
no doubt, but it remains to be seen if it can be profitably
worked. In a few months I expect to be able to send you
samples of Jalan coarse gold out of bed of river which some
women intend washing for me with "batea.'' The river has
a much greater fall than Guayape River.

fours truly,

EDWARD P. MAY IN.

P. S. — I enclose produce of 2 pans which I obtained at
small bar at Cajon del Oro Menudo.

Jalan Cqncession and Contract

EXPLANATION

Contracts were made with the Honduras Syndicate of
London, led by Messrs. John Taylor's Sons, Mm : the

Mysore Gold Fields of India, and of tl.v South Al'iirai,
ploration and Mining Company (Limited) for preliminary
works on the Jalan River Concession, and. based up«,n -
factory results, agreements were entered into for tin- formation
of about 16 companies, that is to say; the Syndicate \\
have a preference selection of 10 miles, and Sub compani
be formed for each succeeding 5 miles, each company to have
30.000 pounds working capital, promoters or undeiuiit.
per cent of shares, vendor 40 per cent in shai tee Exhi-

bit F.)

Engineer Henry \Voolcock of Grass Valley. California,
was ordered from Peru, arrived in Olancho in January.

Derricks, materials and supplies were ordered from <
fornia, roads were made, houses built, plant transported.
lumber gotten out, dam constructed, and river put in a thune
by April, when washing of top gravel began.

The work had been started too late in the season, as e\
thing should have been ready by Nove'mber. The sj
rains came on, a log was carried into the finme carrying
away part of it.

The Superintendent was absent when thil
cabled to London an exaggerated repoit <.f the , in

dicating that the works were destroyed, by the time here-
turned and correct information could be cabl- 1 ;i\
lor's Sons cabled orders to suspend, being of the opinion thut
the flood season had set in, and that the ri
to justify the expense of repairs.

Mr. Burke cabled a proposal to lease th- irorks, $*J all
expenses and pay them a royalty or divide profit*. \vhi»-li
accepted.

Burke became dangerously ill in Tegucigalpa, was short
of competent men, could only concentrate his work on saving
the large works on the Guayape m;r Retiro, when out of
danger from his illness, he gave orders for repair of Jalan
flume, but in August 25th 1890, the Guayape works were
destroyed, and on the following day the telegraph brought
news of the destruction of the Jalan flume.

The dam had been anchored to bedrock and remained
intact for two years, but Mr. Burke could not take advan
tage of this fact, as his resources had been exhausted in Gua
yape work, and he had become interested in the Monserrat,
Opoteca, and San Marcos properties.

The financial pa^iic which swept down the firm of Bar-
ing Brothers, London, panics in Australian and Argentine
shares, demoralized the London market, and the rebellion of
General Sanchez in Honduras rendered it impossible to float
any Honduras mining enterprise in London.

A recent examination of the gravel on the claim shows
pay gold.

The Syndicate house built from one large cedar tree,
four rooms, is in a good state of preservation, and on arrival
of the French Scientific Commission last November the only
guardian, a tiger, evacuated the premises.

The expenses connected with these works, as per Mr.
Woolcock's statement, were 32.000 "pescs" or say $18.000
gold, including plant, houses, excessive salaries, etc.

The same woik can be done within $ 10.000 gold now.

Results were only reported to Taylor's Sons. The only
reports published show from top gravel about 60 cents per
cubic yard. Bedrock was not taken up.

It is notorious in the country that the coarse nugget gold
was appropriated by employees, ounce nuggets were common,
and much larger ones were found.

Mr. \Voolcock was concientious in his work, but frequent-
ly absent and it is quite safe to say, Taylor's Sons never
received one half of the product of the claim.

My own opinion of the Jalan River Concession is, that the
quantity of auriferous gravel is less than in the Guayape
Concession, that is to say; the placers are not so extensive,
but I believe the gold is coarser, affd the ground very much
richer than the Gun yape, especially the Paraiso Section
which is famous for nugget gold.

— 3t —

The statements which 1 make over my signature are hased
upon documentary evidence and reports, they are subject to
examination and verification, and of course, I expect any
negotiation effected in respect to these properties to he based
upon a confirmation of th-* mit-«rial f.u-ts us sut-d by me,
over my signature.

K. A. BURKE,

Tegucigalpa, May 20th. 1897.