sel was a small one, and the staff con sisted of an astronomer, botanist, and navigating lieutenant, whose names are fo .'gotten. The party went in their largest boat about 15 or 20 miles up a river, which is described as having deep water all the way, the banks clothed in luxuriant vegetation. Here they landed and made a camp, wherefrom they made incursions into the interior in different directions. All the more hilly parts of the country through which they traversed were described as being of highly auriferous character, indications showing for gold and cop per ; so much so that, by the directions of the geologist, they were induced to try the sands of a large creek run ning into the larger river. The pro spects gave better returns than (as stated by the geologist) the gold work ings of Peru and Mexico. It was stated that they stayed for over a month prospecting th§ various creeks, in order to ascertain the general value of the country all around as a gold working. That the indications were of rich gold in nearly all the streams, as a proof of which they obtained many pounds weight of the metal, described as being of a coarse shotty character. So much did t!iey value this discovery that they resolved immediately to set sail for Spain and make report. They accordingly set sail, and owing to con trary winds, struck the eastern shores of the gulf. After this they struck the shore to the north of them (pro bably New Guinea), which gave some perplexity of being inlocked, navigation in those days not beiug so perfect as now. A description was taken of all the bays, islands, and headlands, but apparently without latitude, lougitude, and not many bearings. The vessel arriv ed safely in Spain. The news created much excitement. The result was that a large vessel, with the same staff of scientific men snip's crew, with 200 or 300 miners, were despatched by the King within 12 months of the arrival of the smaller vessel, for the new Eldorado, to work the gold-mines, and take possession of the country. That was the last that ever heard of the vessel. One year, two, three, four years passed, and no tidings of the expedition; nor from that day to this. 