The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-17
Correspondence Of the Newark Daily Advertiser
PANAMA AFFAIRS.

PANAMA, March SUth, lslg.
We are nxionsly waiting for the California which
has been due some time, TO get of 10 San francisco
Mr.. Nelson, our American Consul does every thing
possible to relieve our anxeties but hope deferred
you know makeih the heart sick, especially in such
uncomfortable circumstances these. More than
hundred emigrants took passage Yesterday in the
British steamer for Valparaiso, going down the
coast In search Of vessels for California as few ever
come In here, which is 500 miles out Of their way
Col. Zabriskie, his family and party, chartered a
schooner OF 50 ions paying 5000 EACH after the Ore
gon left. Aboft.500 more have secured passage in
some half dozen other coasters AT like prices, biil
over thousand of us remain living in hope. Some
having tickets for the California sold them at an
enormous advance on the cost.
Mrs. Col Fremont, Coils Weller and Emory, with
their suites, are among the patient walters upon
Providence. DIR. LOweree, of your city, has some
idea of practising here, suppose r I'M the fact that
he is attending number OF patients with the fever
OF the country, brought by the change of crcnm.
stances. But the place Is healthy, and the Consul
assures me is so generally, notwithstanding the re-
ports abroad. But the unwhoesome rainy season
is about 10 open, and the Is,hmus win soon be i'm
passable. So that emigranls who have not started,
would do well To take some other route. The rains
continue for over three months. They commence
usually In the first week Of April.
Al present the weather IL warm and delicious and
the scenery Is beyon description beautiful The
town occupies commanding site in a bold promon-
tory. The spacious bay in font and around is stud
dcd with picturesque islands, that furnish The mar
ket with the most luscious tropical fruits and vege
while the shores in every direction sprnkled with
vine covered palm huts, surrounded with uxurant
and fragrant vegetation. The American flag Is oa,-
ing from high mountain in the rear and IA crun,-
bling old wall encloses the ruins and remains OF what
was once splendid city. is, indeed, an enchant
! ing scene.
The old city, which built al the beginning Of
/ the 10Th rentury, about miles from where am
| writing, is now u melancholy whs,e having been
made heap Of rubbish by earthquakes. The old
paved Spanish causeway remains, but the temples
and walls that once echoed 10 human voices nre all
covered with the dust OF centuries and dense thick
ct of bsiars and s;incd vegeaton--the home Of rep
tiles and vermn, Our visit there was fraught with
melancholy Interest; not lille increased by n
strange contras-the presence Of innumerablc birds
of rich song and puniuge. Lizards, allgators, and
| insects also abound, and hear that panthcts are
numerous In the surrounding forests
| The present city was first built In 1920. II has
been twice sacked and burnt, and now retains but
melancholy .ves.iges Of former grandeur The raw
ages Of time every where visible. Many houses
are entirely unoccnpicd, and walls, churches, and
Qualifications are crumbling away. The vast Cathc-
drul Is the only OF the churches that has en-
tire roof and II Is still imposing building, though
detorlned with all sorts Of architectural and preat
cnfoies and ncoagrnlties. The twelve bells In its
huge towers rnng every day and numerous priests
IN their robes mny be found at its affairs and confess
SIGNALS at MI times. Some Of hom rich, and at
truct much attention in the streets by their pctur-
esquo costume--fiowing black satin gowns lined
with scarlet white irowsers, and shovel hats Tho
ancient monastery Ia heap Of runa, but the nun
merry Is still Inhabited by remnant Of the old sister
1 hood
The two hotels on the principal street, called Gale
&c Ia Mdreed urc pretty well Kept. We 1.-Two al the
Hotel Americana, the other being Ere nch house.
and are well served in spacious well ventilated apart
inents, with cool stone wnlke, al about 81 a week
each. Oranges, bananas, pine apples, &C. are
abundant and cheap. We breakfast at on choco-
late and fruits dine g. poor meat and good We.
getabes take tea III O. and retire when we please Bui
with oil this heartily tired Of tho place The
greater part OF the people black and though there
are few cultivated families here, and In tho haeou-
dae OF the nelghboihood we can have no aQreea ble
intercourse Take my advice and stay al home