Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1849-01-16
he mud holes and swanipy places to be cross.

the mud holes and swanipy places to be cross
ed are very numerous. Those who here in
New York, talk saiy of walk across the
isthmus, as if the road were as plain and easy
as some of our macadamised turnpikes, would
alter their tone little, could they see the
road as it is. AS for Shooting game on the
route, the same difficulties present them
selves as on the river, viz: the wild beasts
and reptiles with which the bush, or monte,
rs it is termed, abounds, besides the great
ri SIX of losing ones self in the woods. Ger
talnly with pheasants, guinea-hens, parrots,
macaws, and variety of splendid birds,
unknown in tn csc ATTITUDES, do abound in
the wids there; but the difficulties in hunt
ing them are such as make it impossible FIR
any, SAFE the native Indians, to follow it
with any success.
The most rational, and indeed the only
safe plan for the stranger to pursue, is TO
carry his provisions with him. That is the
plan universally adopted by the natives,
who would look on any one as insane were
he to propose to depend on chance game for
his meals on the journey. Ham, biscuit,
sausages, preserved meats, and such kinds
| OF portable provisions are the best to carry
AS for walking from Cruces to Panama, in
case mules are scarce, the feat is by no
means impossible, provided the traveller ar
rlves in Cruces in good health, and has but
little baggage. 1t might easily be done
with the assistance of guide; but let no
stranger, unacquainted with the language,
and new to such countries, attempt it with
out guide. Having then fairly started
from Cruces, cithe, on horse or on foot, afte r
tollsome journey of some eight or ten
hours, the savannah Of Panama is at last
reached, and the sight ofthe broad and gilt.
tering Pacific ocean, and the white towers
OF the Cathedral of Panama. which arc seen
at the distance of about four miles from the
city, give the now weary Traveller assurance
that his journey will shortly end: and ano-
Their hours toll brings him to the suburbs of
the famed city Of Panama.
lie Will find, however, that with this, Us
with most other South American cities,
| "'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view,
And clothes the mountains with an azure hue"
The city Of Panama is situated on the
shores of the bay of that name. and most
beautiful bay it is, too. What is the num-
Der ct the present population, canno: say,
us it is doubtless filled with strangers--it
formerly contained from 5000 to 1000 in.
habtants, and was quiet, still city, where
during the day, nought but the sounds of the
convent and church bells disturbed the hor.
ses OF the citizens in their cravings in the
public squares. which were all oYcrgrown
with grass. The trade carried on consist
ed in importing dry goods from Jamaica, Cor
the supply of the 1sthme mans; the neigh
boring produce of Veragna. the pearl ISL
ands, the towns Of Chiriqui, David, and
their vicinities, and the various little inland
towns. Goods we're also sent down TO the
ports of Payta, in Peru, and Guayaouil, in
the Ecuador. The returns made for these
goods consisted in the produce of the 18th
mus, such as gold dust, hides. India rubber,
pearl oyster-shells, from which the mother
OF pearl of commerce is made,) sarsa parlla,
&c. &c.
Agriculture is at low point on the 18th.
mus, as not enough sugar was raised to sup.
ply the city OF Panama, and they depended
or.their supplies ofwheat, flour, salt, sugar
and groceries, on Peru, or Jam ,ica, on the
Atlantic side. The climate is warm. say
from 80 to IS dogs. all the ear round-the
rainy season long and severe. The nights
IN Panama however, are much cooler than
usual in tropical climates.
Its market and accommodations are Door
On account of the extreme heat, fish tina,
are caught in the morning are soft by the
afternoon. Beef, goats flesh, and pork
must also be eaten Immediately after kill
ing, or else they will spoil Fowls and
chickens are dear; vegetables, such as vans
ukars, and the various fruits of the tropics
are scarce and dear. Tea and coffee, as
we'll as chocolate, are expensive; and wines
and liquors, on account Of the expense Of
I lo Je4h
wise dear and of inferior quality. REGARD.
ing accommodations for travellers, am un.
able to say what they are at present. In
former times they were very scanty. 1t is
only within few years that public hotel
has been established; previous to that, ira
vclers had to depend on the hospitality of
those to whom they carried letters of in
PRODUCTION. 1t there is any extraordinary
influx OF strangers at Panama, Of course
prices for accommodations will rise.
The healthiness Of Panama is far greater
than that Of Chagres. With due care, a.
voiding all excuses and the night air,
person can preserve his health; still the
heavy rains and continual damp atmo sphere
ronder it necessary to take every precau :
ton; for though healthy, when compared
with Chagres. it is by no means safe place
for unacc!imated strangers from the north.
Ana now, having taken the traveller for
California across the isthmus, let me con-
clude by giving word of advice. Ifhe has
passage engaged through to San Francis
co, the isthmus route is decidedly the quick
est, and, all things considered, the least
wearsome.
But~-and ! speak now more particularly
to those who have a limited amount OF funds
just sufficient to carry them through San
Francisco without any stoppages--lct these
travellers beware how they try the sthmus,
if they have only engaged passage as far as
Chagres; after their toilsome journey to
Panama, (if they escape delay and fever at
Chagres,) they may have to wait weeks for
passage to San Francisco, and when the
long wished for opportunity occurs, they
will find themselves unable to take it, as
their expenses in Panama will have ex-
aausted their means.
Thus situated in strange, unhealthy
country, moneyless and friendless, their
spirits depressed by their situation, it re-
quircs no prophet to predict heart-rending
termination to their golden schemes Trust