The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-08

Our Isthmus Correspondence.
CHAeRKs, Jan. q, lS49.
The Pa~ama Railroad The Survey of the Rowts,
&c. &c.
The steamship California before reported IN the
Htraid) arrived at Panama in the neighborhood of
the 9h INST, in the rapid run of iity.two days.
running time, from New York-the quickest, by
many days, ever performed between the two ports
She was detained in the Straits of Magellan four
days, and at Valparaiso eight days She came
into the port Of Panama IN excellent order not the
slightest arrangement having occurred to the ma
ch,nery or hull, and left for San Francisco on the
18th, with $50 or 1870 passengers. This is GER
tainly gratifying to the company, but more espe
cially to the energetic and accomplished ongl-
nator, Mr. w. II. Asp'nwsl, to whose eaterprlse
the country Is indebted for the completion OF a
work destined to add very materially to our
already rising credit. The enterprise of the COM
Pany headed by MIR: Asplnwall does not end here;
they have now on board Of the Tempeton, ready
10 lend, some forty persons, among whom Is Mr..
Norris. the celebrated engineer, Of Philadelphia
Capt T!ghman, OF the army; and several other
eineers, who will commence immediately the
survey OF the Isthmus. Their duties will be moet
arduous, and, perhaps, dangerous; but, if may
Judge from the various characters, as they have
may safely predict speedy and satisfactory ter
mination. The survey W II probably occupy four
months, and, when completed, the work upon the
road VIII be at once undertaken. The expedition
engineers and surveyors, and Is furnished and
equipped with everything cessary. They have
their surgeon (Dr Harms, of the army, servants,
snS 81 Or leu 1t is the inten
Tlshman to quarter at Gorgono, where the va
nous sections will organize, and start for their
respective localities. They are under the Jpretec-
ton of the Governor of New Grenada, who has
undertaken to render the expedition every facility
the country affords
GoRaoNA, February Is, lS49.
Lnc,aents ofa Trip across the DESCRIPTION
of the Country, &c.
We lett Chagres tor this place on Thursday, the
18th instant, at A P. M; came, twelve miles and
passed the night at the house OF native; took
bowl Of coffee, for which we paid ten cents, and
twenty cents for lodgings. Rose at 2 A. M. and
started on our journey. Our party consisted of
eleven We came on Friday about twenty-five
miles, and stopped at a hacienda, or farm house,
and procured a tolerabe good dinner for which
we paid rs cents each. When night came, we
spread the few blankets we had, and encamped on
the banks Of the river. l suffered considerably
from headache, in consequence OF exposure to the
excessive heat of the sun. Being greatly tatleued
soon fell asleep, having only, for the first time ia
my lie, inc canopy Vi ncdVcu IOI SOciteI. III
the morning, when my turn came for being on
watch, at O'Clock, l found the blanket with
which was covered completely saturated with
dew. Nothing disturbed us at night except the
bowling OF wild animals In the distance, and the
splashlng Of water, occasioned by alhgators jump
ing from the banks Of the nver. The natives who
accompan,ed ue, lay directly on their faces. with
nothing but a blanket over them They possess
great muscular strength, and can endure great
fatigue. They have the reputation Of being strictly
honest, and 60 entirely, without arms.
We arrived at this place at IL o'clock, the DIS
lance from Chagres being iorty-tive miles. The
country Is rch undulating, and the most beautiful
that my eyes ever beheld, the whole adapted to
cultivation, producing cocoanuts, bananas, pine
eS s sad bs We
saw great number OF parrots, birds OF paradise,
and others of the most gorgeous plumage,
and quite number OF monkeys. The latter are
have had much to enjoy. The river has a rapid
current; the steamer Orus is entirely too large
navigate It; she can come up only 10 miles; The
cheapest and best way lsto come the whole DIS
incdentals, from Chagres here have been ell.
Mules from this to Panama are $40 each; baggage
can be carried ou the backs of men for IS per cwt
! am now boarding at the best house at this place
for 81 per day, 1t will cost me about $50 to get
across the Isihmus. If should walk, which l
shall probably do, the enure expense will not ex
coed $40 from Cbsgres to Panama The weather
Is warm and pleasant, and walking good.
IANAhAs rcD' II, Iof0
arrived at this place on the 10th inst, IN good
health and spirits. / came from Gorgona entirely
on foot, with only an umbrella to protect me from
the hottest sun ever experienced. The distance
by the mule road Is 80 miles-in q straight line al
miles, The path is in many places very narrow;
the ascents and declivitles steep, yet no more so
than have often travelled in New Hampshire.
The country Is beautifully diversified with hill and
dale The soil 10 very fertile-every foot, so far
as have seen, adapted to cultivation 1t abounds
IN springs OF as delicious water a. lips ever slipped
have been happily disappointed with the general
features OF the country, the character of the ma
tives, and the difficu ties and hardshps attending
crossing.
He is an unpre tending man OF good common sense.
We encamped at the same place on Monday night,
the 10Th instant. Mrs. s. complained much
Of fatigue, having rode all day on a mans saddle.
Captain s; engaged four negroes to bring her on
litter she soon found this way Of travelling SO
fatiguing, that she preferred riding. Part Of the
way, she walked. should much prefer walking
1t is attended with less fatigue and risk, and can
be performed IN short space of time.
Yesterday, felt much like sleeping all day to-
day, / feel better--having an excellent appetite,
iad s
are the finest ever have tasted they are twice Is
large as the ordinary size, and are very sweet;
they are sold tor ten cents per dozen. Tropical
Is worth e2s per barrel brandy, $40 per gallon;
board at the hotel, from el 50 to q per day. am
lodging at the Washington Hotel, and take my
meals at the yestawranf, kept by a New Yorker.
The whole expense does not exceed e6 per week.
l would advise all who are coming this way, to
bring hve-franc pieces, as they pass here for one
dollar and twenty five cents. The number Of
Americans now waiting, cannot be less than twelve
hundred. There is no mode Of conveyance before
the steamer arrives Some will be detained many
weeks. have known only one case Of sickness;
and he 10 not very Ill. We are daily expecting tho
arrival of the Oregon / hope she will come soon,
as cannot bear the idea OF remaining at this hot
place any length Of time.
PANAMA, Feb. "a, l84o.
The steamer Oregon made her appearance in