Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-12-30
THE ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA.
Journey across the Isthmus of Darien-it
..... Dangers and DIFFICULTIES.

In the present excited condition Of the
public mind regarding California, and the
various routes by which that modern Ophir
can be reached, it is matter of serious i'm
portance to the crowds of our fellow-citi-
zens who are hurrying off, to be aware of
the precise nature Of the difficulties they
will have to encounter on the Panama
route, for which, on account of the great sa-
wing of distance, many are about to start
We therefore copy from the .New York
Herald, the following information regard
ing this route, written by gentleman,
who, from heightened residence at Pa
mama and frequent journeys across the 18TH
mus, that paper deems fully competent to
give clear and correct idea of the route
and its difficulties:
THE TOWN OF CHAGRES.
This town, as it is usually called, but in
reality a village or collection of huts, is,
situated at the mouth of the river Chagres,
where it empties into the Atlantic ocean.
1t is but small village, and the harbor is
likewise OF narrow neck of land, and is
defended by the castle, which is built on a
high bluff on the other side. The village
itself, is merely collection of huts, and is
situated in the midst of marshy land, and
the continual rains which prevail at Chag-
res, keep It in swampy condition; so
much SO, that logs of wood are laid along
the centre OF the streets, to enable passen-
gers to avoid the deep mud which is always
to be found there. Chagres is inhabited by
colored people entirely, with the exception
of some few officials at the castle and in
the custom-house. Its population is about
500 souls. Its climate is the most pestifer-
Gus for whites in the world. The coast of
Africa, which enjoys dreaded reputation
in this way, is not SO deadly in its climate
as Chagres. The thermometer ranges from
78 deg. to 85 deg. all the year, and it rains
every day. Many traveller, who has
incautiously remained there for few days
and nights, has had cause to remember
Chagres; and many gallant crew, who
have entered the harbor in full health, have,
ere many days, found their final resting
place on the dark and malarious banks of
the river. Bilious, remittent, and conges-
tive fever, in their most malignant forms,
seem TO hover over Chagres, ever ready to
pounce down on the stranger. Even the
acclimated resident of the tropics runs a
great risk in staying any time in Chagres;
but the stranger, fresh from the North and
its invigorating breezes, runs a most fearful
one. The trade at Chagres has hitherto
been limited to the forwarding of goods
across the Isthmus small shop or two be-
ing sufficient to supply the inhabitants of
the village itself with their scanty clothing.
The produce of the Isthmus, consisting
chiefly of gold dust, hides, Indian rubber
and sarsaparilla, is sent down the river for
transshipment TO the United States and the
neighboring West India Islands. Thus
Chagres is but depot, and no real business
is transacted there.
THE RIVER JOURNEY.
The traveller, who for the first time in
bis life embarks on South American river
like the Chagres, cannot fail to experience
a singular depression of spirits at the dark
and sombre aspect of the scene. In the
first place, he finds himselfin small canoe,
SO small that he is forced to lay quietly in
the very centre of the stern portion, in or
der to prevent il upsetting. The palm leaf
thatch over his portion of the boat, shuts
out much of the view, while his baggage,
piled carefully amidships, and covered with
oiled cloths, is under the charge of his ac-
tive boatman, who, stripped to the buff,
with long pole in hand, expertly propels
the boat up stream, with many cry and
strange exclamation. The river itself is
dark, muddy, and rapid stream; in some
parts quite narrow, and again at other points
It is from 300 to 500 yards wide. The
journey TO Cruces or Gorgona from 40 to
80 miles,l is not a long one. A light ca
zoe, with two active boatmen and but one
passenger, will reach Cruces in ten or
Twelve hours, whilst heavier one might
require thirty-six hours to accomplish the
passage. The passenger must take his
nraviSion. with him nc nnne are 10 be had