Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-01-11
PracticIe Directions to Persons
about to cross the Isthmus of Pana-

Mds
l. Ascertain from the Consul of New
Granada, in this city, whether a passport
is necessary. About three years ago, the
Granadian government issued a circular
to all its agents abroad stating that such
a document was i~ndispensibleto a foreign
Or wishing to land in the republic.
2. Upon your arrival at Chagres, take
your baggage at once to the custom-hOuse,
where you will experience but little delay
Then hurry out of the village which is
pestilential. Hire your canoe, which,
for expedition, ought to be of small size.
This is called a "piragua," is about twen-
ty feet long, and navigated by a steersman
and two rowers. The cost of boat-hire
and men ought not to exceed $l2, unless,
indeed, au increased traffic may have the
effect of raising the prices.
3. Before leaving the vessel in which
yo" arrive at Chagres, get the steward to
provide for you a basket of provisions suf-
%ficient for two or three days-such as
cold fowls or other poultry, hard boiled
eggs, fresh meat, bread, a little tea, sugar,
salt, etc. Milk may be produced at the
huts on tile river. Take with you an
"Etna," or machine for boiling water, a
tin emp, a knife and fork-in fact bear in
mind that you are to be wholly dependant
on your own resources.
4. Avoid spurious liquors and sailed
meats. A few glasses Of good wine, to
those who have been in a habit of using
it, can do no harm.
5. | would recommend every one to
take from two to four grains of quinine,
the first thing in the morning, in Il glass
of wine, whilst on the river. Should you
be detained in Panama, take a similar
dose once or twice a week. This is the
advice of the most eminent physician IN
England.
6. Do not sleep out of your boat, un-
less yon happen to reach a settlement at
night; bear the heat bear the musketoes;
do anything rather than expose yourself
to the night air, which is the source of
every ilIuess in that climate.
I. There are two places on the river
Chagres, from whence d road leads to Pa
mama. Gorgona is the first at which you
arrive. Cruises is about five miles high
er up. Your boatman will probably try
to induce you to disembarke at the for
mer place do not he persuaded to do so.
1t is further from Panama: the roads are
worse ; the beasts are worse and dearer;
make them take you to Cruces.
s. Take special care that your bag
gage be reduced into the smallest com
pass. A mule load consists of two trunks,
one ON each side of the animal, and you
can put a bag or gun case between the
two. The whole weight of the cargo
must not exceed 23O lbs. Do not take
large chests ; they have to be packed
crossways on the mule, cost donble, aud
from the arrown of the path, stand
a fair chance of being knocked to pieces
against the rocky sides.
9. THIS riding mnles will be hired to
you with saddle and bride, and the car
60 beasts with their packs; so that you
need not provide yourself with either.
The proper price is 81 so for the one,
and 81 for the latter: resist giving more.
10. There is but one hotel in Panama:
the accommodation it affords is wretched,
and %ruinously dear, the first charge beiog
81 a day there ale, however, many fa-
miles who receive dodgers for So per d.
EN-, or even for less; these you will find
out by inquiring Of any respectable for
eign resident, of whom there are several.
Do not attempt to camp out, or live under
tents ; they have. no idea of the climate
who suggest such a proceeding. Even
the months of January, February,
and March, which are dry and compare
lively pleasant, the attempt would amount
to madness.
IL. The patriot doubloon is worth at
least $40 in Panama; do not take less
for it; the integral parts of the coin, of
course, are valuable in the same proper
lion.
IL. Bear in mind these general rules.
Avoid the sun keep within the house
during the day; eschew fruits, even
rspo . oroproe ~ pooJorofion ~o-