The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-16
Very Interesting Intelligence
PROM TIE
tSTHMUS OF PANAMA.
Our GorgeHa Correspsmdonce.

Rdhscdy Reconsideration to a Ball bv the
Gocfrnor-V'sn to Wedding The Queen of
Sheba miring Sherry Co6dlers, in Sp,cfao.s-
Interesfing and Nopa Particulars a6ou. tL-
Mandingo Indians, &C., &C., &c.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ESQ.,
Here am, and in excellent company. fell N
with Col Hughes, engineer-in-chief of the Panama
railroad, few days since. ! am, by his kindness.
to accompany his party on an expedition to Man
dngo Bay, Isthmus of Panama. For the LOCALITIES
Unjust refer you to the map, which will save me the
trouble of describing places.
In the company are VIM. II. Sidell, Esq.-he 10
the chief engineer of the Panama division; VIM.
Norris, Esq, who is chief engineer OF the Cha
gres division and DR.. M B. Halsted, surgeon and
naturalist.
! will give you some account of their scientific
proceedings.
COL Hughes, among his numerous Investigations
as to the various routes from the Pacific to the ATTAIN
nc, obtained information of the existence of a route
through the Domingo country, which was repro-
scented as having only eight miles of land carriage
Upon obtaining this information, he decided to BRO
coed and examine this route IN person. Accord
ingly, on the 18th April, left the harbor of Cha.
gres in the steamer Orus. Captain Tucker, whose
skill as navigator, and his attentive civilities to
the party, will long be held in pleasant remeE-
brance. Col Hughes, taking advantage of this
good opportunity, ordered the steamer to course
around the shores of Lemon Bay which is stuat-
ed some six miles from Chagres, IN a northeasterly
direction. This noble bay is about four mites wide
at Its entrance, and about three miles in length. On
the eastern side the island of Manganilla is situated
containing about 900 acres of high and dry land.
twelve feet above high tide, affordng an admirable
position for large city At its southern extremity
n passage of about sixty feet separates 1t from the
main land. On its eastern side, the sheet of water
which divides 1t from the main is about half
mile in width, from three to five fahoms deep. Thus
surrounded by the sea- and open to every breeze 1t
cannot be otherwise than healthy. COL Hughes
having previously selected point Coco Solo in this
| bay as the Atlantic terminus of his railroad, was
| well pleased to find that the information he had
gathered at home, on which he had based his
original instructions to his engineers was correct
in every particular.
lie found here an admirable terminus a safe
harbor of sufficient capacity to contain 300 sail. the
best anchorage, with depth of water from five to
seven falhoms in the centre, and from two to three
fathoms in some places within ten feet the shore.
This splendid harbor requires no breakwater. 1t
can be entered with safety in any wind. This is
the opinion of Capt. Benjamin Tucker, and also Of
other experienced navigators.
After leaving Point Coco Solo, we shaped our
course to Porto Bello, meeting with some turtle
fishermen on the beach of Margaritta Island, their
nets expanded and numerous decoy turtles (made
of wood to represent the female,) floating few
inches under water. Green turtles are not 50
abundant as last year, nearly every fisherman ha-
wing forsaken his calling to become bOatman or
carrier upon the Chagres river, in consequence Of
the treby advanced prices for labor, induced by the
influx OF California emigrants.
The coast, from Lunar Bay to Porto Bello, is
highly picturesque the lofty submits of the Cor
dllleras-the boundary OF two oceans-prOcaim
the grandeur of their creation:-
aHcre hills on hills in solemn grandeur rise,
Rocks rich in gems, and mountains big with mines,
Whence many bursting stream aurferous plays"
Early in the afternoon we arrived at the old
Spanish city of Porto BelIo. Captain Tucker had
decorated his ship with flags on every mast, and,
upon rounding to, fired salute All the vessels
in the harbor displayed their colors among which
habitants crowded the ramparts and hills, and we
were soon assured of hearty welcome.
The object of Col. Hughes visit to this city was
to examine into the merits of route to Panama,
which had been peculiarly extoled by the govern
or of Porto Belo, and it resulted in the appoint
ment of an assistant engineer, John May, Esq, to
make reconnoitre of the same.
Aboat put Oft from the citadel, bearing the COVER
nor and suite, who were received on board with
due honor. After an hours conversation, we were
invited on shore, and proceeded to inspect tho
once powerful water batterles-nOw, alas In decay
The splendid brass guns lay UNDECIDED on the
ground-a splendid wreck of Spanish pride. Tho
cannon balls, yet in artistic piles, resting to their
centres, were, this occasion, used by the gallant
captain of the Orus, his equally gallant brother.
and the amiabe surgeon, as bowls, upon the prone
made of the battlement, which thus was made
spacious bowling saloon.
An aId-de.camp OF the Governor waited upon
Colonel Hughes, with an invitation for hun and
suite to d ball to be given that evening, which
having been accepted, we proceeded at the ap-
pointed time, in body, to the Hotel and Cafe dR
Grand Monarque, to make our toilette. The bar
of this cafe is superintendent by Queen Of Sheba,
in silver spectacles, who, assisted by her four
amable daughters, Prcsides with great dignity
drinks. While discussing the merts OF cool
lemonade, we adjourned by invitation to a we'd
ding, just then being celebrated, in a neighboring
house, where we were received with much CT
Witty and distinction. The bride, Of course, was
blooming and budding. Thence we repaired
to the Governors mansion, in tn the grand ran plaza.
s Mfr wealth 0a Of the e ey We could not hep re-
marking that, although the city and its ramparts
were fast Wondering TO decay, yet the sparkling
| eyes of the seDoras, with Cupid's bow figured on
each lip, gave no evidence of decay in its in
The following morning, at daylight, we pro-
ceeded TO Alandingo Bay, arriving about noon Ut
one of the centre islands This bay is said to
contain lib islands, which held IN the sole pos
session of the Mandngo Indians, who do not per-
nit the residence therein of any human being, not
OF their own tribe and lineage, very little is known
of their history, and as they themselves are either
none communicative or ignorant, and, as il is be-
lieved, keep no record of anything, their origin
may perhaps never be discovered. They i've
among themselves, some occupying the islands
some the main and-but all firmly united as a
band, obeying one chief, or sold man," who is
believed 10 be endowed by God with all wisdom.
might, and power. The government is patriarchal.
The 90 old man. the suirifuaI as well
chief Judge of temporal affairs. He is powerful
In mind and body, and all his faculties are ever
green. God endows him with peculiar health He
is acknowledged and regarded by his people tho
viccgcrcnt OF God, and all his orders are obeyed.
lie is also the great medcine-the cure-all; La
cases of sickness or infrmiiy, they apply to HIM,