The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-07-05
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
PANAMA, NEw GRENADA, s. A., I
May 23d. 1840.

nish you some account Of the passage Of the
lsthmus from Chagres TO Panama, subon from
notes and recollection the following brief
sketch.
IL will be unnecessary for mo TO contradict
the terrible stories that frs, prevailed in reference
to this interesting route; il 10 suflicien. 10 say
that they IRE all imaginary and the reality only
furnishes I'm agreeable disappointment to those
who anticipated such fearful obstacles.
To commence with Chagrcs. This now no.
ted town hid from view at the anchorage ground
by steep, rocky promontory, set off with an
old Spanish Fort; tho river entrance is directly
at the base Of this, nnd in the low ground on the
same side fronting the last curve Of the river is
situated the town. II consists OF some $50 bam-
boo, palal-thatched houses, or sheds, shaped like
old-iashioncd hay-ricks and swarming with
dusky forms, in every variety Of garb from neck
lace to complete .fomced dress!
We engaged Yankee to take US up the river
to Gorgona in pjtals boai, and starting the even
ing Of our landing, rowed up the quiet stream
winding through low aluval, toTdcrcd with
the most profuse and varied foliage ever had
witnessed, We camped for the night some eight
miles up at place called Bitoon, where coffee
aud chocolate may be procured, will, the luxury
OF hammock, to those who prefer swinging in
tho Dir to reposing on the ground. by early
dawn the next day we started and by 10 A. NJ.
reached the present head OF steamboat naviga-
ton, some IA miles from the mouth.
Above this, the aluvial gives place to gravelly
banks deposi.ng bars and Sings in the bed Of the
river, now flowing with swifter and clearer
current. Proceeding upward the scenery in
crcascs In bodncss, and oars are exchanged for
poles, BY which our progress is somewhat cnliv-
ened. Camp early on . high bluff under the
shade Of q calabash grove. The cocoa-nut palm
has been frequent to-day, and the trees border
ing the river ore variously adorned with singular
parasites.
For the rest Of tho distance, steep bluffs ap-
proach the river, and the current 10 broken into
rapids, which we surmountcd with difficulty,
starting the streams Of sweat profuseIy from tho
bare backs Of our native steam engines. BY sun
set Of the third day we reach Gorgona, stated
TO be CD miles from Chsgres by the winding Of
the stream, hut in reality only IS. This point in
the dry season, 10 the starting place for land
transport to Panama. In the rainy season Cru
ces, some mles farther up, takes its place a. il
boasts pared road! and the same cause which
makes the road from Gorgona impossible, raises
the river, 10 that it il readil, navigablc to this
higher point, which is abou, ono mile nearer
Panama.
Gorgona 10 situated on high bluff, composed
Of bamboo hu,s with . mixed population Of
mules, horses, jackasscs and natives. The for
mer class Of population are Of the most misera-
BILE character, small, lsntern-sided, raw-boned;
the "beau ideal" OF a'scrow-bai,. To call any
one "Panama jackass" would be Of oil cp,hess
the most opprobrous.
There 10 . forwarding house established q.
Gorgona who receipt baggage and transpor, to
Panama in good condition for 5000 per 100 lbs;
BY small additional premium il 10 insured
against loss or damage. This 10 the preferable
way Of sending baggage.
A riding mule can be procured for 80. Those
that have good legs Of their own, will find is easi-
or to walk, the distance 10 about Is miles.
On first leaving Gorgona tho road 10 success
sion Of hills and dells; the ground stiff, reddish
clay, in the dry season firmly packed bu, show
ing evidences OF the effects Of rain in deep, dry
gulIics. As you proceed the road becomes more
even. During the early and later part Of the
day fine shade protects the iravclcr-,hc pros
Pect, except in ono or two points, entirely shu,
outby tho deep forest. Occasional rivule.s cross
the path; in about miles you come out upon
rancho where reireshment can be got. Abou.
l2 miles from Gorgona, after crossing several
sharp spuTs, you come upon rocky knoll, called
"The Halfway" reaching which you stand on
the dividing ridge between the Atlantic and Pa
ci6c. Beyond this the path is more broken and
the sharp knobs give more force to the rains in
washing gullies and exposing the pebbles, tina.
bed the more scanty soil. Six miles from Pana-
ma the GorGona unitcs with the paved road from
Cruces-a pavement that would dcligh, the al Oh,
Of shoemaker or blacksmith, but furnishing o,
least landmark TO the traveller, who is so un-
fortunate as to make the passage in the season Of
mud and rain.
Approaching Panama the country becomes
more open and over the broken ewels Won catch
view Of the Cathedral towers ruined haaendas,
or country houses, appear and soon entering the
suburbs, You find yourself in Panama, with an
occasional view Of the Pacific waters-snd here
with some general items of information mus,
leave you for the present.
According 10 tho measurcmt nts Of the Rail
Road Survey, now about completed, the distance
Of their line from sea TO sea will be about 45
miles; no insurmountable obstacles exist. The
general course from Chsgrcs to Panama 10 south
east. Tho expenses Of crossing will depend a.
together on tho notions Of the individual, also
somcif' { upon the season. Where there il no
specisl .indrance, oil the necessary expenses Tor