The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-29

sr.AMsu,r ORrsor, Hanson OF San Bias, I
MEXICO. March "a, 1840


Geld Hunters the Lthmns Of Pana'Ss-.a Word Of
.edriee to California Emgrants-7rip Of the Oregon.
Presumng your hundred thousand readers will all be
glad something about the first trip Of the
ship Oregon from Panama to California, write you
from this point though there Is little stirring in
these dgrngs and precious little air Cooling zephyrs
you mutt know, are Of quite much consequence to
as particularly in these ATTITUDES
The Oregon, Capt. Pearson arrived ut Panama the
night Of the 23d Feb, her running time from New
York being only 65h days At Panama she took In
coal water, and $50 passengers77 in the cabins and
l73 in the steerageand sailed San Bias Tuesday
the 18th inst at O'Clock, M arriving here to-day
at o'clock p. thanks to the energy aud attention
Of the chief engineer Mr. David Levitt, an excellent
officer and most worthy man
On leaving Panama we first proceeded to the island
Of Tabega a distance Of about nine miles where two
hours spent in getting in water. In
der some wicked, discontented wag remarked that
the gold seeking ban rieants might have enough mix
with their brandy. The aqua Of raboga proved, how
tasting, to be OF very brimstonsh, sulphu-
character; and after making wry faces for ~
or two The teetotaers. even.mght have been mix
ing drop of the cIathure'' with the awful stuff
AS for the gourmands their decanters, black bottles
and glasses have circulated pretty freely thus far
assure you.
AT Panama we left about 200 unfortunate Ameri-
cans waiting in fear and trembling for passage up
the coast At Chagres there a number Of sailing
sells full Of passengers; the town OF Gorgona was
crowded, and there is doubt but mt the time the
Oregon sailed there 1000 Americans on the
Isthmus, bound for California How they will get
there IL is impossible To imagine There are no
Of transportation ut present At Panama there
only two barks one small brig, aud two small
fchoonors-both of which, by the way worthy
These vessels would take more than 1870 persons
leaving on the Isthmus of Panama AT least 1920
provided with means Of getting up the coast. The
steamships Falcon and Crescent City, and great
number Of sailing vessels expected weekly to arrive
ut thagres, with eager gold seekers from the United
States Probably 800 or 200 strangers will be
added to the present population previous TO the st Of
April With this addition and the baleful influences
Of climate &c, 1t Is almost certain that epidemic
diseases must prevail to an alarming extent and our
too ardent counrynen be swept away the dry
leaves before the autumn wind. On the isthmus the
cost Of living Is always very great and the climate Of
the most en.rvating DESCRIPTION Cbagres- whatever
may be said to the contrary--is n very unhealthy
unsafe climate for strangers Gorgona and Cruces are
not quite so bad but here there odatons
III all for anything like the number OF persons above
mentioned AT Panama the climate is much better
than at either place. but there /, absolutely
ior 2oCo or 5000 strangers, who as things 60 must
remain several weeks Here, with crushed hopes in
many Of these bold pioneers will find their grave. I'm
like Moses Of DID, they will not be permitted to enjoy
even sight of the promised land Alas there is no
Psgah hill from which to gaze on its fair fields and
golden fruits.
These sad forebodings trust may no.be realized
it is possible they may not. The British steamer
which left Panama the 2Sth of last month, carried
the news to nearly all the ports the Pacific coast
persons in waiting DESTROYS Of obtaining passage
TO California, and willing to pay almost any price for
it. 1t is well known that number of vessels
how many already chartered for other voyages is
Of course. unknown and whether the owners or cap
tans would be willing TO the risk Of losing their
crews and the chances of profitable voyages elsewhere
by going to San Francisco at this season. say the
least very questionable On the other hand vessel
which can carry 200 could easily obtain f
she were now at Panamn) Mt least $4,000 passage
money and many Of these craft old they might
afford to lose vessel and crew for that sum-
have no doubt but in tho course Of three or four
months there will be than enough vessels
at Panama to supply the demand, and that the
$780, to $50 or $75 for passage to California But
whether there will be enough during the next three
months to avert the threated calamity, Is certainly
problematical desire to give you all the facts In my
possession concerning this matter and you and all in
terested can OF course, draw your own conclusions
ought to mention in this connection though that the
rainy season. on the Isthmus commences in April
and continues until January For persons of good con-
ktitutions, accustomed to fatigue and hardship who
take proper of themselves don't think there Is
anything very alarming to fear then, under ordi-
nary circumstance; but huddled together worried,
sent state Of things continue the rainy may
well prove fresh cause Of alarm In relation to the
this, too, viz they will, Of course, be very much
crowdedthe price Of passage being from $3.50 $780,
they will be poorly htted out for the trip the food will
be bad the water scarce, the sleeping arrangements
quite shocking, to say nothing Of the smell of bige
water, &c. Under u broiling, baking, burning sun
from thirty to hundred days the passengers will
End their position anything but pleasant one As
for the famous trade winds" can you they
are not to be relied on. Gains for days, and even
weeks are things OF common occurrence, when ships
make only five, ten or twenty miles day. Tn
der these circumstances, would strongly advise oil
persons DESTROYS Of visiting California during the
months to select some other route than that of the
lsthmus Of Panama, unless they obtain in New
York before leaving tickets for the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company's steamers. II they thus provide
themselves, the lsthmus route is unquestionaby the
best at a Of the year 1t is shorter time
sidered. cheaper; and notwithstanding the climate
safer and more agreeable but always provided the pas
rage Of the adventurer IL secured the Pacihc in
steamer If this is not practicable Cape Horn tho
Rnnkv MnrInf ain Il, raki
Those coming by the way Of Chagres must also be
careful and bring as little baggage possible Two
trunks, weighing $50 pounds each Mt the outside
Thousands Of dollars worth of baggage was lost by tho
passengers who came out in the Falcon and Crescent
City | am personally acquainted with gentlemen
whose losses in this respect exceed $4,000 Upon ar
irving at Gorgona, they found 1t very difficult either
to obtain mules or men.
Baggage it must be here understood, is almost NJ
ways transported the backs Of men called "peons,'
one Of whom will easily carry $50 pounds The gen
temen above referred to, however, their beloved
this manner but alas only small portion Of 1t
came to hand. The rascally poems - had not been
heard from when the Oregon sailed though a strong
armed force was out in pursuit of them. One of Lieut.
Ham mersy's trunks was seen floating down the Cha
river red Of its contcnts few articles were
found lying on the bank but all that valuable had
tamosed. The natives as body however, to do them
justice are remarkable for their honesty and integrity
For more than century, goods, baggage and specie
have been transported across the shmus the backs
OF mules and peons and losses have always been of
rare occurrence The British steamship company have
though millions OF dollars are yearly transported, |
believe there never was dollar lost The laws of the
country are very severe relative to theft and Justice
though slow, is remarkably certain. But fear the
influences Of INSCRIPTIONS Christian
white men has perverted the natives, as it has the
Of other countries Their present dis
honesty is to be accounted for in no other way.
7. S.-We shall remain here day two taking in
coal. shall write you again before We leave.
w. A. b.
SAs Bias, (Mrxrco) March 81, 1S49
Tmpori0nt from California One Million Of Dollars in
Gold Dust at San Ffaneiseoqrrirol Of tie Cayuga at
San Bias, Merico.
The steamship Oregon Capt Pearson arrived at this
famous port Of the old Spaniards Thursday after.
noon, the odd inst at o'clock. We left Panama on
Tuesday, the 18th inst, at 8 o'clock AM, with $50
in the cabins, 173 in the Storage.
Upon arrival, found in port the Prussian ship
Emma Heyn, Smorcr, master, from New York, loaded
With coal for Pacisc Mail Co.'s steamers and also tho
orig Cayuga Capt. Savige, from San Francisco Cali
rvia Iicbv hall fto xtaQ tb ,it hi