Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-02-17
Arrival Of the Falcon at New Orleans from Chasres

We learn from the New Orleans Delta, of The
10th. that the fine steamer Falcon, the first of the
regular line of packets to Chagres, arrived al
New Orleans the morning of the 9th, on her re-
turn trip. The Falcon sailed from Chagres on
the lst inst. and reached the Balize at P. NJ.
on the S;h. though burning but half an allowance
of coal for portion of her trip. The Della says:
After pleasant and most propI;ious passage
out, she made the port of Chagres on the 9Th
uIl.. thus performing :he trip in eight and half
DAYS. though having the wind ahead for great
part of the way. She brought here the following
passengers: Mr. Foster, Of Boston Capt. Baker,
of the bark Undine and MAJOR Harris, Agent Of
The Steamship Company. .......
Notwithstanding the reports, as stupid as they
were malicious, which prevailed here shortly
after she left, in relation 10 the epidemic being
boa rd. only case OF sickness occurred during
The voyage, and that party was fully restored 10
his health before she reached Chagres. Had II
been otherwise. every precaution was taken by
securing the services OF an experienced surgeon.
and providing the vessel witha supply of medicines
before she left here. On their arrival at Chagres,
The passengers lost time in securing small
boats and proceeding up the river in them they
are. oubress, ere this. at Panama. .-.-. 20.
Messrs. Agnew. Keys and one two other ST..
Louis gentlemen. Gen. p. F. Smith. and large
number of passengers, were on board this vessel.
reference
TRANSPORTATION across the Isthmus, Mr.. Harris
states that. "Passeugers and freight 60 from Cha
gres up the river of that name some twenty miles
In boats of which there are many on the river,
some of them of ten 10 fifteen ions burden.
Freight is at the rate of about 81 80 per barrel.
and passage from So 10 any amount above that.
which the boatnan can contract for. he land
route from the river 10 Panama is by either the
Gorgona road, which is low and muddy during
the wet season, or by The Cruces road. which Is
high, rocky and rough. Pack mules can be OBJ
tained at from five to ten dollars for the trip
across the Isthmus, which is thirty six miles by
one route. and thirty by the other. The mules
are capa bic of carrying $50 pounds each. Mr..
Harris engaged over three hundred mules for the
use of the passengers OF the Falcon, and sent two
expresses to Panama for more but as one
thousand trunks were TO be transported, two trips
would be necessary. The steamer california
was not expected at Panama before the 5tb ulmo
which would give them ample time to effect their
crossing. Mr.. Harris represents the Chagses
river as one of the most beautiful he has ever
seen, with a quick current, and not less than
eight feet water between the mouth and Cruces.
The little steamer Oris will soon be plying on
the river. having been sent from New York for
that purpose, and will greatly facilitate transport
alton across the isthmus. A week would be
sufficient to trim away the branches that overlap
the river, and then there would be nothing TO
impede the navigation, as there are no snags nor
shadows in the stream. Mr.. Fl. says the country
is very beautiful. and that 100000 would make
an excellent carriage road across"
There was no sickness at Chagres, except on
board one vessel. The bark John Benson arrived
there two days before the Falcon, with fifty pas
sengers. The British mail steamer lay arrived
at Chagres on the 2Sih ut., and left on the 3oth
with ST 100000 in specie, and few passengers.