The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-02-28
4n1Sseag00,e01s>
INTERESTING LETTER.

CIla1rcs. is the one mat we IND IN the Mer-
Ger Press. from Mr.. Pntcheltc, Secretary Of
the Governor of Oregon, now on his way
10 his far-western destination. He says,
among other things:
The coast OF this portion Of the continent
is the most strikingly beautiful that my eye
ever rested upOn--a succession Of hills, or
miniature mountains in form and arrange
mcnt, rises range after range inland, covered
to their SUBMITS with the most luxuriant
vegetation, whilst the margin casts back the
sea in long lines Of snow-whitc foam from its
rocky lcdges.
The harbor OF Chagres is not more than
mile in length, and a half quarter in
breadth, across the entrance to which is
shoal with here and there show OF breal-
er. As you approach from the north SAN
dy beach presents itself on the left hand,
with a low back ground of oriental magnif-
cence, where, towering over most uxnri-
ant vegetation Of every variety of foliage,
rises III graceful pride the triumphant palm.
On the right, bold and rocky height,
crowned with an extensive fortress, black
with the night Of ages, rears itself abruptly
from the sea, said TO have been built three
centuries ago by the Spaniards. Immense
labor has been bestowed upon the work, and
the expense must have been enormous. 1t
is now dIsmanted-lhe few pieces of ord
nance which remain are of extraordinary
size; ono piece of bIass, which examined
was decorated with The arms of CASTLE, and
in length must have exceeded Ten feet.
The town of Chagres is built ut such
place can be called town, or such s,ruc-
lures be said to be buil,,) on what is called
in The West Hut, in the East piece Of
meadow land, through which little tribu-
tary to the river Chagres runs. AT rough
guess. the whole area of the town and the
surrounding land to the hills on the left and
before you, looking from scaward. and to
The swamp beyond the tributary to the right,
cannot exceed 100 acres. The dwellings
arc single story frame of canes, placed on
end, touching each other, The interslices
closed with clay, which is as white as lime;
the roofs are ,halch Of the palm leaf. They
number | am told. three hundrcd--two
hundred, should think would be large es.
innate. The population is said to be about
1000 souls; it is negro and muat,o, the lat.
ter cross with the native Indian.
All the pecullari,cs Of the negro race are
here pparcnt--ille, coGlcn,cd and vain.--
while at work Qor which they cannot be
sufficiently paid 10 satisfy lhcm) they are ma
kcd, except a brccch cInth; The little chl
dren are frequently quite naked. The wo-
men arc fond Of fncry, aud many of their
dresses arc costly with lace and ,rInkets -
There is but little exposure Of their persons,
though saw one sitting the other day in the
creek, pouring water over her head, which
she doppcd from the stream with gourd.
Buzzards on the ground, ON the trees, and
in the air, are innumerabc-so tame are
they that the children push them out of their
way. The Pelican abound here asn, and
are wheeling in continual flight over the bay
and ploughing in search of fish in its waters.
Parrots, ofmost extraordinary SIC and mag.
niiccnt plumagc Muscovy Ducks, called
Plata by The na,ives and variety of other
birds abound in The neighboring forests. Par.
rolS and Pclicans are eaten here an have
been told that some of the natives of the
coast consider stcwed Monkey their most
delicious dish. Fish are abundant in the riv-
cr and bay, and are Of fine quality. Ii
yards and Sharks are numerous race in
these "diGgSns." The edible Lizard (Gua.
no) is found here. am told, as well as Gro
crodilcs and AIigators. The animals have
seen are few cows, and few hairless
dogs, and some few goats.
The most curious insect that | have ob-
served is the AM. 1t is of small size, yet
SO numerous that they have worn paths the
18th of an inch in depth and Two inches in
width. have seen them at work, carrying
leaves twenty times larger than their OWE
bulk, and as they follow each other along
their trail, each with leaf, they remind you
of The Roman soldier advancing To battle
covered with his shield. One had flower.
bearing it erect and alolt--lhat mus, have
been the standard. bearer.
The voyage hither by steam has been te-
dious, and the number Of passengers which
disembarkcd has quadrupled the price ofev-
eryhing.
The canoes Of larger class are followed
ou, from immense trunks of the mahogany
tree, and are Of considerable capacity.
Thcr were used as lighters to land The pass.
cngcrs and cargo from the ship, which lies
a mile and quarter from the shore-shc
drawing too much wafer to get over the
bar. 1t will cost passenger, with an or.
dnary amount of baggage. twenty-five or
thirty dollars TO reach Panama from this
place.
EXTRAORDINARY DEvELoPMENT.-TheN New
York Commercial Advertiser has the following
| statement:
DIPLOMATIC SMUGGL1Nc.-We have seen u
letter from one of the Northern European capi.