The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-08-03
Interesting from the lsthmus.

| We find in the Lincoln Courier an interesting
! letter. written by J. Fesguson. Esq, Of CASTOR
county. in This Stale. dated at Panama, APri
23d, ls4s, and addressed TO his friends Messrs
J.R. & Andrew N. Falls. who are residents oil
the above mentioned county. from which we oHsl
10 our readers some extracts. which We trust will
more than compensate for their Perusai. The
letter is very long one. and wo shall not DO able
10 give this week all the extracts we propose OF
ferng-ths extracts arc copied as we find them
The following relates to Chagres and lis vicinity
i The city Of Chagres is situated in a very low
snd unhealthy place. the Notifications beautifully
situated, but much dilspidated. The houses Is
principally built OF cane and covered with
palm tops The people both male aud female IN
considerable numbers is clothed only with Rlr'
ole about the loins, while they sIe wsrhing they
stand in the river, Use cold water without any tub
and baitl.s the clothes on dat rocks. Ihefe IS
many small towns on tho river; it has four fold
the richest land that I ever seen, /: affords the
most beautiful. sublime rich growth by far that
ever seen, the cane stsnts in darkening ranks as
thick as mans leg and from 50 to hity feet high
the rich variety OF growth on lis banks Is Won
derfully enchanting TO the eye, such Is the
Or.npe, Cocoa nut, Banana, Ac. We IRE.
auen,ly went cut OF the canoes TO view the soil
and growth--all four examined one tree rese'.o-
ling The Carolina water oak, that would have
measured 20 feet in oi,metcr, A.. X. and Y. seen
ono At another lime, they told me Iha, II would
have mi assured 30 feet i'll diameter. On cur way
up tho river We saw many aIilga,ors Summing On
the banks. as large rs man lizards from twelve
10 eighteen inches long. spiders as large Is =
mans fist.
Respecting the route .cress the isshmus. he
says:
Aswc passed over the Is'hmu., We often cross
ed the staSed route ior the Railroad, the Engln-
eers have now got through since we came here :
twill cost vast sum 10 make il through these
mountains in this hot torrid zone. as the natives
of New Gran,da can live on the spontaneous pro-
ductlons Of the tsFih they are accustomed TO The
climate and need hnt very little clothing or hre.
have MT seen, either IN this city or on our way
across the lsthmus, chimney, horse stable or
fence rail. Many of the houses stands on posts
covered with cane or pslm leaves, the under part
enlirtly open many have hammocks hung up TO
sleep in, while i, is very common for the dogs,
hogs and chickens 10 stay under the same build
ing both by day and by night; many CT tho dogs
common forests abounds With an abundance OF
cane. grass and other heritage, yet the horses cat
tie hogs, Digs and goats all are Of very small
growth ! have not seen cne sheep on the 18th
uus,
There is engaged. at this lime, in the tran'Por.
tation OF em'grauts and baggage across the 18th.
mus, ahc ut 1000 hors.s, mules and oxen, also a.
bout 500 pa,Ivcs. most otthen carry ng freight on
their backs from Go-gpna to Panama; the dis.
iancc is abou, twenty two miles the natives car.
nv about leo lbs each. in about two day., at This
season Of the year il is &c" he dry season, and
there has been no rain for several months the
wet season. ,hry say. will commence 10 few
days and commonly continues for about months.
Dutrg the rainy season the road becomes desPe-
ratcly bad, the travelling very severe, and regh.
across the l,hmus extremely high. The houses
be tore mentioned Is al Chigres (ovei the 18th.
mus and in the suburbs Of this city. but within
this ancient looking city there Is as many large
three.story buildings made Of stone, brick and
line. without either chimneys Or glass windows
the root being 6tc proof made Of burnt earth tina,
lasts Tor long ume--tte streets all paved with
rock, and lowest in the middle.