The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-10
Our GOrgone Correspondence.
GoIGoSA, Isthmus de Panama, !
March 81, 1919.

March Il, lS49
IdfTea,ance of the Io,es, of Gorgoaa Peaceful
Opposition of the Nattres-d,~dcr ola Native
Enterprise of the Yankees, &C., &c.
Who is it in the United States that has not
heard of the little cane village of Gorgona! and
who does not know that it stands upon an elevated
plain, some thirty-five miles up the river Chagres,
in the direction of Panama. The followers of
mammon, in their needless and headong race to-
wards the goal of all their aspirations and hopes of
future greatness, have unconsclously given noto-
riety to this isolated hamlet and its unsophisti-
Gated community. The fame of Gorgona with its
cane houses, and its myriads of spectre dogs, its
ant-eating hogs, and dwarf horses, will soon over
shadow the far-famed city of Thebes with it's
hundred gates 1t is certainly most surprising that
this interesting place should have remained UNI
noticed until so late PERIOD and that antiquaries
and learned men should have remained so long
silent upon Its actual position and existence. Its
isolation can only be accounted for by the want of
a Strabo or BeZoni, whose genius would have
given niche in classic lore to rare antiquities.
Gorgona is in all respects quiet, orderly and
religious town, and Its local affairs, for the most
part, uninteresting to Americans, except so far
they have reference to travellers. Much of the time
of the people, particularly the women, given to re-
lglous observances This being the festival Of Lent,
all, men, women and children, congregate nightly
at the place of worship, and with tinseled images
OF the most favored saints perambulate the streets
with burning .tapers In solemn procession. As
these pecullarltles are SO well known to all who
have read the history Of Spain her dependencies,
will not venture further, but record the few events
identified with our own people.
The greater part of the passengers by the steamer
Northener have come on, and passed through on
their way TO Panama. There are not more than
two hundred here, all of whom are we'll, many are
encamped on the outskirts of the town, while others
have their abode in the habtaons of the natives
There has been some sickness among the emf
grants, and also some quarelllng. quarrel took
place few days since between young man from
New York and some Of the natives, when one of
the latter lost his life. The American fled in dis
guise 10 Panama, though l doubt if they would
have molested HIM even had he remained
The authorities are very lenient to Americans, so
much so indeed, that many from the United States
are permitted to indulge in the most atrocious acts
OF violence and brutality.
There has been altogether eight deaths at this
place, and regret to say six at least of this
ton Of all kinds. The country itself is somewhat
everlsh but diseases peculiar to the climate are in
nine cases out of ten, contracted through care
leeeness: The common intermittent is most pre-
valent, but occasionally severe bilious remittent
occur, or rather one runs into the other after form
ing complicated cases. Those cases of deaths
were, In many instances, owing to mal-treatment
and want OF prudence IN the absence of medical
aid.
Cne Of the divisions of the surveying party is
quartered here. The headquarters of the expedi-
tion still remains with their little hospital at the
head of which is Doctor Halstead.. This gentle
iiIH Hdb DccH VI iHuHllte bcINlCc 10 eHllHTdnte
independent of his duties at camp and through the
various divisions, he assumed the care of dozens
of his countrymen, administering aid and noursh-
ment, wherever il was needed, freely and without
recompense. The members of that expedition
pleased report, are all well, and are most as
sduous in the prosecution of the fresh work for
which they were sent out
The road to Panama from this place is in such
excellent order, that nne-tenths prefer walking.
Three or four American gentlemen have taken
the exclusive trade of the road, and are collecting
from the surrounding country all the best horses
for the purpose of making regular line between
many excellent horned cattle for the baggage and
merchandise. The horses will be kept in good
order for the saddle.
The troops, numbering about two hundred, that
were garrisoned at Panama, were ordered some
few weeks to assist the Engishmen now at work
repairing the Cruces road.