New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-07-06
CIlENLYRi.
Chsgres- General A4pects-rhe Vandalin.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.

ChcGrsS- General AApects-The Fandaha.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
CA.GREs, May 30, lsa3
That part OF the globe denominated Chagres,
at which shadow OF place the United States
Corvette Vandalia has the misfortune now to lie,
is believe also part of that shadow of a Gov
eminent which was searched for so earnestly
and unavailingly by our friend Stephens, at the
time he stumbled over these queer pictures trans
ferred to his octavos, so much to the amusement
of the public and the profit of our said friend
This Chagres, destined the crcdulous will
believe, to become the halfway house in the high
way OF nations, 10 perhaps one of the most mise
1able of all possible places or conceptions. 1t
ought TO he remembered that there is rirer
called Chagres and T0,cer @ called Chagres.
The river has mouth II feet deep by perhaps
double that width and an equal length, perhaps, If
weincludeo considerable strip ofswamP-mud. The
Tower is composed Of terrific looking fort, capa-
bic Of accommodating 100 guns amounting SIX
and two or three Dozen husband boasts popu-
lation of three big black rogues with ounces,
caps standing on the top OF Their wool, no shoes
on their feet, and only one leg 10 each pair OF
IrOWScTS, no coal utt.c III va
OF shirt; one old negro with feet exactly like an
elephants; one other negro in authority; one
collector, one governor Of very questionable blood
or color, and one Russian, who is dying on a
speculauon-being now blind, with every promise
OF ute. deafness soon. He is a recent acqui.
sition, having immigrated year since IN robust
health TO wait Tor the canal and a fortune. Be-
sides those enumerated Chagrcs affords ) little
negro girls, each - years old, and each and
every one perfectly innocent OF any thing in the
shape Of iroch or other article OF dress one
would suppose, upon curSory view, that these
little negroes were spontaneous parasites, but
upon entering the streets, sundry queer fish are
discovered, which indicate an unmlstakeable re-
latonship TO the locomotive Charcoal samples re-
ferre6 To-.
Seriously, however Chagres is one of the most
wretched places on The globe. Independent of
the poverty and artificial disadvantages of the
place, it is naturaly-or ather-unnaturaliy-a
plagae-spot whatever touches 1t IS diseased
The very air has death IN it-and smells putrid.
the Vs,ndalIa now lies a nile from the fort, and
the land breeze carries stencil 10 us intoera5!e,
penetrating as II docs INTO every apartment and
corner OF the ship. We have rain two or three
times day, butt produces no refreshing effects
and vet We must lie here Tor >everal days. Com
Panama on the 26ih inst. we having arrived On
the oath, after an extraordinary passage of Is
days-we shall wait here week or so for orders
from him and act according TO themwhen received.
We shall probably run down to Carthagena and
thence to Cauagoa, 10 occupy the next SIX weeks,
which time perhaps is about ali we shall spend III
WAITING for Commodore JONES' Unfortunately we
missed the schooner FIrt, by q few hours-she
having arrived here and left the same day that
we came 10 anchor.
The Brig America, Captain Wade, lies in the
mouth of the river, but viii not sail for some
time.
The health of the officers and crew is so far
excellent, as every precaution has been taken by
the Captain Tor that effect If this putid breeze
does not SOW death seeds amongst us, we have
little cause for fear IN regard TO sickness on board.
Strictly sPssNi4s chagres belongs 10 New Grenada
yoyntnnsat psp some,sha, respectable than thar
OF Ceaui AInericI" bu, much better defined either
relatively in tie abstract.