The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-12-20
CALIFeaall CoRaEspoIpgsCE.

ClLlFoaalA CoRaESPoIDENCE.
The letter from which We are permitted
to mako the following extracts, was written
BY gentleman who formerly resided in
This vicinity, whose veracity cannot be
questioned. A notice Of the detention Of
the brig, fears Of her loss and her final ap-
pearance at San Francisco, reached US
through the prints prior to the reception Of
this letter.
BRIo PaGrIxt April Sd,
Lat 9 deg. 10 min. N. Long. IS.
DEAR BRoruER:-l left Davenport JAM
29,h, made very good time 10 Chagres, ar
irving February 9th, since which time
have me. with many delays. The istbmus
was literally crowded with oil classes Of
people on their way to gather the precious
metal. Its very difficult on this side to
procure passage. have known Steamer
Tickets to sell for $500 whom the original
price in N. York was but $500. l bought
. ticket on the Phoenix for $500 and could
have sold il the next day for SO per cent
advance. Getting passage tickets here is
about like throwing 40 apple ia crowd Of
boys-its the lucky lad who gets the apple.
II vessels do not come in faster than they
have, at least one-third Of the emigrants
will be bound to return home or take some
other route. Board in Panama is $2OO
per day. Provisions are becoming very
scarce, many are returning home already
being nearly out Of funds; some have start.
ed with an insufficient sum, whilst others
have los. 81 they bad by gambling, which
i carried on at every atopping place on the
isthmus and in every variety Of ways. The
health Of Panama, in fact | may say Of the
whole isthmus, is yet very good, aud A. to
Cholera there has not single case come
under my notice since left homo. Il is
true, there have been number Of deaths,
bu, that you would naturally expect amongst
such a number Of emigrants, oil unaccus-
toned to camping life and the most OF
whom have been Transferred from an ex-
IRENE cold climate and thrown under the
scorching rays Of tropical sun. There
have also been several drowned in ascend
ing Chagres river, and several have been
wounded, two or three MORALLY, by the i'm
proper use Of FIRE arms.
We left Panama March 18th, went up to
robsgo Island to take in wood and water,
weighed anchor the ooh and proceeded on
our trip. We had fine breezes for several
days, since which time W have met with
some Gains, gales and storms which We
were told were all very common in this lat
i,ude At this season. We are longing to
get to Rialgo where We are bound TO put in
to do some repairs to the ship and take in
some provisions, when Intend mailing my
letter, after which place We will look for
more regular winds. Our passengers num-
Der rs. So you know our accommodations
are no where enviable, although We try to
make ourselves az happy as possible under
such circumstances. Our amusements are
playing q, chess, checkers and backgam-
mon, with occasionally game Of cards for
a bottle Of wine, OF little fruit. Others
will be keeping time to we'll played VIC
lin. You will see others sitting or stand
ing in groups. some singing tho we'll known
song, 20 carry me back to old
Virginia Shore" You will hear others
telling in what way they intend investing
their funds on their return home, building
large castles in the air. ] have noted the
lat. and long, that by referring to your map
sou will readily see where this letter was
written. A breeze begins to stir, 20 !
close.
R1ALso, Nicaragua, April 8.
Since writing the above we experienced
a heavy gale and will be obliged to remain
here two weeks to repair damages. This
Is q beautiful Spanish City, containing
about 10000 inhabitsnts. ! yesterday
rode out to Chinendagua, distance about
ten milss,--a still larger and more beauti-
ful place than this. Tho people are very
civil ihd courteous, particularly the dear
ladies, who follow you around the streets
like SO many boys to see on elephant. To
night we attend fandango got up for our
(especiaD benefit.
April 20th.-Ths Steamers have not