The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-23
steamer California AZ Acapulco.

l.,
We arrived at this place on the Sth inst, being
eight days from our watering rlace near Panama.
We have on board three hundred and eighty pas
sengers tor California, among whom are General
POs,masters, English Consuls, &C., &c. The
health OF the passengers varies with the day. We
have at times twenty or more on the sick list,
sometimes not more than ten The Buffalo people
stand the change OF climate wonderfully-but one
Of them sick, (E. G Andre ws.) he being confined
TO his bed with the local fever OF Panama, resem-
bling very much the fever and ague of our own
latitude. l should Judge there were about ten
now suffering from the same disease on board.
No deaths have occurred since leaving Panama,
yet 1t would not be at all surprising If some
TO, before reaching San Francisco, so many of us
being crowded into such small space. The stories
OF the imme nse amount OF gold In California grow
larger as we near This great deposlte OF the wealth
OF the world. Many OF the natives have left this
place months since tor California, and perhaps an
hundred are now waiting for passage hence to
San Francisco, and 1t is said that many more are
waiting at every port on the coast. We (the ia
vored ones) will be among the first, If not the first
arrivals from the States Many who left New
vessels, are yet at Panama, but few having been
able to procure passage OH board our steamer.
This il small and lovely place. / think Its
harbor cannot be equal!ed IN the world there are
many larger. but for depth ct water, and safety
from winds, it cannot be equalled. Avessel draw
ing twelve feet water can anchor within fifteen
rods 0f the shore, IN any Iart Ut the harbor, with
cisco up to Christmas, and it ID said nothing will
be done at the MINES until about the LIST March,
owing to the unhealthlness OF the valley OF Sacra
mentO, on account Of the prevailing rams We
expect to reach San Francisco about the 18th inst
presume but few OF our countymen will attempt
the passage across the lsthmus for several months
to come; the fact OF the prevalence OF the cholera,
together with the mauy other usual and natural
disadvantages OF crossing, WI deter them from It,
That the chUera does exist, is apositlve fact and
that numbe r. of the natives are dying with it, Is
another positive fact, if the statements OF Docts
Haley, Jones, and Clemens, (whO are with us,)
be relied upon, who state that very many OF the
soldiers and citizens OF Cruces and Panama were
daily dying OF this fearful epidemic add to this
my own knowledge OF the symptoms OF this dis
ease, and am enilrely satisfied that It does prevail,
even 10 fearful extent, although but few OF
sOuntIymen have yet fallen vlctImst to it. would
advise all persons who intend coming to California
before January next, to come across land-the voy-
age around the Cape is 50 tedious (unless made In
steamcr,) that 1t amounts almost to an absurdity
to attempt lt-besdes which, you have not that
variety OF scenery and excitement of travelling
through prairles and forests, over mountains and
across valleys, that one would have In crossing
frem Folt L@avenworth to Fort Hall and the Sa-
cramentO- The trip could be performed in seventy
days, at an expense far below that OF any other
rOute--the route across the Isthmus has the ad-
vantage Of being made much more speedily, but
with much more risk-lnd vdually, with my ex.
perlence, would come Via the Isthmus, but at the
same time would advise my friends to take the
land route.
We touch at Mazatlan, San Diego, Monterey,
from one Of which places, should anything new
occur worthy OF note, will write YOU will write
from San Francisco and the valley OF the Sacra.
mento, or wherever may fluid myself located, and
give you the facts Of the find them. To.
day, (oeing Sunday,) we are crowded with the
senOras and senorltas of Acapulco, who visit US
on board to view the "Vapor California;" some OF
them are quite pretty and Interestiug-but their
tawny sk ms, coal black hair and eyes, cannot pre-
sent that lovely appearance that never tails to at
tract the attention Of q real Yankee, when visited
by the real white lady OF his own countTy.-Bufa-
10 Commercial AdpetIse