The daily union., 1846-05-02
NATIONAL INSTITUTE.
Letter from Mr. Js,0sii, .ia,syiean charge fqGrss IN
PsrI''on the best route and modes Of travelling from
the United States 10 he Pacific, &c., &e"i

LIMA, Peru Dec l6, ls45.
FRAScB MARKoE, esq, corresponding secretary ol
the National Institute, Washington.
Sin: The National Institute having elected me
one of its corresponding members, il will give me
pleasure TO communicate 10 its members, and the
people Of the United States such facts in reference
TO this country as may believe will be interesting
and not inconsistent with my relation the govern
ment Of the Unued States and the republic Of Peru
and at such periods as may find leisure to devote
to this purpose
But before giving any description of this part Of
South America, which has come under my own OBJ
seryation, will give you my views Of the route foI
travellers from the United States TO Peru and the
western Pacihc shore across the lsthmus, and the
information necessary TO render a passage expedi-
uous and safe TO life and property. am induced
10 do this, because hope It may be Of immediate
USE and Of much advantage TO persons whose duties
require them come to this part OF the CONTINENT as
between the time ofmy appointment and sailing from
Norfolk, | could find but two persons who could
give any valuable orTsliabLs information upon the
subject
Myself and family were seyenty.four days from
Norfolk to Callao across the isthmus-to-wiE twen-
ty-hye days from Norfolk TO Chagres-two in a
canoe, ascending Chagres river To Gorgona-one
from Gorgona 10 Panams-hve at Panama-and
forty-One from Panama TO Callao. This was a
long passage on the water each ocean, but is, in
my opinion, altogether the best route for ladies' or
gentlemen to this shore Of the Pacific from the Uni
ted States. We arrived at Chagres the first day of
June, two or three weeks after the rainy season,
so called, had commenced; and although it rained
every day but one after we took the rade-winds at
27o north latitude, which was the 18th or 10Th Of
May, I'LL the 9Th June, the day We len Panama,
yet the water had not become so abundant as 10
great incon nvenenee in Chagres river or in the
| fha IN and h..
low fever at Chagres and Panama had not increased
under It's influence. The "rainy season" commences
about the middle Of May, and terminates the frat
part Of December in that latitude and eopous show
ers may reasonably be expected during this period
every day. and yet no traveller need be exposed TO
the wet more than one day, which Is in passing
from Gorgona, or Cruzes-a village five or six miles
further up the riyer-to Panama. But the heat is
greater during this period; and | therefore regard
that portion Of the year commencing with December
and terminating with the FIRST part Of May, as the
most propitious for crossing the isthmus; but |
think, by exercising great and prudence in
every respect II may be crossed in any month with
very itle danger unless the traveller should stop at
Chagres or Panama in the siekly months, in which
event. the chances are, perhaps, even that he would
be attacked by the yellow fever or dysentery. Such
is the atmosphere and condition Of the huts at Cha
gres, that to remain there a single day in the warm
est part OF the year would be a great exposure Of
life. At Panama there ia less dagger because the
atmosphere and houses are better; but no person
from the United States ought TO attempt to re-
main in that city many days in the sickly season,
which is the warm season.
The distance as travelled from Chagres to Panama,
is, as think, about sixty-hye mes-to wit: forty
TO Gorgona, and thrty-hye from thence to Panama;
but as no native can give any information upon
this subject il is impossible to be accurate The in
habitanls Of the banks, &c, measure distance by
IL. II
en- distance; and eight leagues ga miles) is days
Journey for man and mule the land; and any
distance up or down the river which requires one
day TO traverse, will be ceed about eight leagues
From Gorgona to Cruzes is about two leagues;
but as the water high, and the current strong,
when we arrived at Gorgona, they called it eight
leagues to Cruces and eight to Panama; because
each distance would then require one day for pas
sage over it. II being days journey from Cruces
TO Panama, was informed at Gorgona that il was
twice far from that place TO Panama, by way Of
Cruces direct through the forest and so il
proved to be practically, although the distance
is not more than two or three miles greater. am
thus particular upon this point because every per.
| son who undertook to give me information upon
this subject directed me to 90 to Cruces; and made
| my contract with the boatman accordingly; and it
was on our way up the river, and at Gorgona, that
| we found we could save one day by stopping at
Gorgona, and have a more agreeable route through
the forest. 1t may be that, during the highest
| floods, during the most violent part of the rainy
season, the streams flowing across this route
would be swollen, and the mule path be very muddy;
but the traveller always ascertain the facts at
Gorgona; and unless this difficulty exists, he will
frequently one day by this route, and be sure
Of a more level and agreeable track. The accommo-
dations at each village will be substantially the
same; a hut constructed Of bamboos, with the
ground for floor, and we'll filled with children;
that at which we stopped having eighteen, the
mother Of whom appeared to be about thir-
ty-6ve years old AT either of these villages
the traveller will be provided with very good
meal, which will be the first he will get after he
leaves his ship. At Chagres, and on the river, he
must provide for himself and family if he has one
with him; and on the whole route, from Norfolk to
Calao, except at Panama. where there is a very
good public house recently fitted up, from some old
building, he must provide his own bed and bed
ding, or 60 without any; and he will do wisely to
add those stores, including the necessary and agree
able which are a comfort in sickness and in health
during long sea voyage, although he will some
times find them amply provided at sea, by the com.
mander, as we did during our voyage across one
corner of the Pacific; for which return my thanks
to Captain Howison, of the United States schooner.
of-war Shark.
When arrived at Chagres from the United States
let the traveller trust one but himself in seeing
his canoes are ready before he takes his family or
| baggage from tne vessel, WnlCn must ancf0r some
distance from the shore; otherwise, he may find him
self and family left on shore by the commander, ir
the rain and night with only kind of hovel fol
shelter, or the covering over part of the canoe
fastened to the shore, exposed to the miasma Of
that sicky place, and surrounded by natives, speak
ing, with one or two exceptions, only the Spanish
language, and taking their ewn time to get ready to
move up the river, knowing that the vessel which
conveyed you there has gone to sea, leaving you
and your baggage entirely in their power. By re.
naming board the vessel at Chagres till the boats
are ready, and then stepping from the ships boa,
into the canoe, which is to transport you up the
river all danger Of contracting any disease is avoid
ed, and risk Of thef except from the boatmen, from
whom, with ordinary care, consider there is little
or no danger. BY recollecting this latter matter
wisdom in your case may not be purchased by ex.
perience.
There are two classes Of canoes at Chagres, large
and small, and which designed to be adapted to
states of the river. The largest are the most com.
Portable, and safest for passengers and property
But in the small canoes, when the water is low, O
single passenger can be transported to Cruces in
twenty -four to twenty.sx hours, and the boat
men will work all night But when the water is