The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-02-18
Our Panama Correspon,$ e"cs.
PANAMA., New Ga >sAoA,
Jan. 8, l84Y-4P.h .
Ho /! for Caiiformia.

Jsn >, iosS-4 r. b.
Ho! for California
A schooner Of 80 tons leaves here ON Wednes-
day, with some forty passengers One hun
bred days will be good passage. Two of
Howland Il Asp,nwalPs ships have arrved--one
names are the Philadelphia aud -. Their
agent told me TO day that they would probably be
up Tor California soon; the cabin Passeugere at
$3.50, and steerage at 800 The lsthmus wlll be
steamer Isthmus, and must close.
STEPHEN II. BRANCH.
PANAMA, N. c., Jan. 10, ls40.
Nsscs awd hactdewts, &C. Appsara~cs of Pawama-
Female Bsauty-Dsaths among Em,grants.
Messrs. fowler, Lieutenant Williamson, and
Fox, son Of Mr.. Fox of the firm OF Fox and Living
ston. have arrived. They came up the river in a
boat they brought from New York in the Crescent,
but were obliged to abandon her on the river. All
the money of the world could not get her through
the narrow mountain pass between this and Cruces
Poor Taylor's grave was dug with the plckaxe
and shovel with which he expected to realise
handsome fortune in California. Alas the phan-
toms Of the world!
On entering Panama, some three miles from the
city, you first see two spires of the largest and
most imposing cathedral here--larger than any
dilleras and the Andes, towering high up towards
the glorious sun, the COrdill~ras come citing the
Andes with the Rocky Mountains. As you near
the city, you find yourself gradually led upon
fend, under whose superintende nee the path from
this to Cruces was made, through which, and
especially his terrible band,tti, Pizarro often
passed. On entering the CITY, the natives outside
honor of some festival. Boys were flying their
kites on the road, which they seemed u ENJOY
much. Their kites were made In the form OF a
coffin, OF paper, frnged on the sides, with tail &c.
The more genteel female natives had a white
dress and Panama hat. These hats not made
n Panama, but at st. Helepa and OF er places on
the coast, which was news tor me, Panama con-
tanning an impoverished population, their leading
mainte nance being Jew me. chants Of very little
energy, who deal In British drlllings and m anu
features of various kinds. There are some choice
selics OF the old Castillans, who are seldom or
never seen in the streets by day, but who some
times walk out their rear balconies in tile
evening, to lnhale the open air. the female Cas-
tans ale said to be very beautlful--as lovely as
the Georgians and Circassans--but who do not re-
.cognise the natives, nor even the Americans or
English, or the arlstocracy or nobility OF any ma
tioH, as their equals.
had the good luck, through influential letters
to q large mercantile house here, get intro
ductlon to Castillan family, few days since,
and have an invitation 10 attend social gather
ing of the friends and relatives OF this family
which, when it COM of, will give a particular
ever saw is the daughter Of the gentleman who is
at the head the family. TO attempt description
ct her accomplishments and eXtraoi binary PERSONAL
fascinations, would be as utterly impossible as to
describe the horrors OF trip up the Chagres, ana
especially the defiIe from this to Cruces. which
.stll haunts, and will continue to haunt me, for
long period. The best description or idea can
convey to my countrymen OF the river Chagres, IS
mountain, and muddy and rocky deile, you can
form faint conception OF, II you ever heard real
old fashlcaed illiterate person. picture purgatory
with all Its ntolerab!e, horrible, burning fortunes
And you can appreciate the lOvehaess OF this beau.
tiful Castan female, by fancy that she the very
prototype, in point Of intellectual and personal
charms, of the unearthly Cleopatra, the accom-
pitched and captivating queen OF ancient s Egypt
Thirty In number,) whose glowing .eloquence aud
brilliant eye, majestic form and perfect symmetry
in mind, body and feature, only could have won
the elegant, rich, and noble Antony from his am
bition of military glory and his love OF his native
country.
Csptain Marshall, late Of the Natchez, supersedes
Captain Forbes in the active command OF the Calf
fornia; and Captain Brooks, an old wha,er' VINO
came passenger in the Crescent, vii, be the asss-
tant OF Captain Marshall. Captain Forbes Will go
to San Francisco, as nominal commander. with
these skltul navigators, th1k with ord nary luck,
we shall reach francisco in safety. Messrs How
land and Aspinwall, as you readily perceive, de-
serve great credit for their arrangements TOT the
convenience and despatch OF passengers IN these
far regions. The Humboldt will probably 60 to
Francisco if she have passengers sufficient to war
rant her dong SO. -,
/ cannot close this letter without speaking in
terms of high commentator OF the house OF Ia
crisson, Nelson & Co., Messr.. Rowland Aspln-
wallis agents. who have certainly done all IN their
power to render the passengers comfortable and
happy MIR. Nelson is the consul, and has been
untring in his efforts to pease and relieve the
passengers IN their sckp n renaTy and a'% Nos
Lewis, is most able man, and perfect gentleman,
and has been consul fifteen years at Panama, hav-
ing resided twenty years near the equator ln-
asmuch as my letters are very 'ong-preventla;igi
me from writing TO my friends.l do hope you VIII
not forget put my name 10 all my letters, so that
all my friends may learn from mr. through the
Herald. STEPHEN H. BRANCH.
Grant, whom saw to-day, whose eyes are as
bright and cheerful ever. l passed last evening
with him, and happy and merry evening II was.
Jem goes out IN the California or fniiaoe,pnla-
probably in the former. He passed a glowing
euoeium upon you-saying that you haC gwen
him lettcre of recomme ndatlon that night be OF
great benefit to him IN California: Jrm says he
will write you soon ne says tue ptaugue mas oesn
has not been exactly in the vein to write you; but
that he will write shortly. SO your readers. and
the fre nds OF Jem, may prepare Tor some
choice letters from him. ). II. Is.
PANAMA, January IL, 1919.
Death of Mr.. Myers-Siekness Among the Nat,ves
old Panama-Gcn. Smith Postage-Mode of
life in Pamama--ReptIes and Vermin.
Mr.. Myers, Of the Crescent, died yesterday,
dreadful DEATH shortly after attacked II is Aslatlc
and no mistake He was fellow OF ",ntinite
Jest" He was -four merchant In Broad street,
and formerly lived in Poaghkeepsie.
The cathe dral Is about $50 feet wide, and 200
long 1t looks dIngy, and very gloomy. All the
bells are cracked, which gives them doleful
sound saw the leading priest yesterday, who
seems very old and infrm. In front are the twelve
apostles, with the Saviour The spires are deco
rated with pearls with which this country abounds
.cemented. | have visited the temples aud Ja,ls,
walls, churches, old governors palaces, trenches,
s&c., and must say that my curiosity was h'ghIy