Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-01-31
Correspondence OF the burlington Hawk-Eye.
p.r.,,. New Granada, 8. America,

! p.x.m,, New Granada, 8. America,
| Dec. 29th, 1879 noon!
| Dram srp:-Ileft New Orleans the evening OF thu
| ,,,h inst. on steamer Alabama, and arrived OF
Chagres, the morning Of the 22d after passage o.
| IL days, having seen land only once-ProVl'ehe'
Island, about $50 miles from Chagres. The three
first days out, we had very rough sea and most OF
the passengers suffered severely from sea sickness
The appearance the coast at Chages is very beau
tiful as far as the eye can see rises in the form
Of conical hills, covered with luxnrian vegetation
to their SUBMITS. The old Spanish Fort, which
crowns the hill at the entrance to the river, has
very romantic appearance, although the tooth OF
time is making rapid inroads on the walls; some OF
the guns still frown from the battlements, others
lay Frustrated the rocks below, now laved by the
tide. The Americans have erected some buildings
on the south side of Chagres river, but the native
town is opposite, and their huts present singular
and romantic appearance, the roofs are covered with
a species of Palm, and the sides, if any, are cane
| standing on end, and sometimes slightly daubed
with cement, generally none; they are well adapt
ed to the climate and simple wants Of the natives
Ihired three natives to take myself and four 9TH
ers UP the river in a canoe. We paid $40 each to
Cruces, which is about 60 miles, and in one OF the
| fastest canoes we were over 81 days making the
trip, leaving Chagres at of the 22d, reaching
Cruces the 25th at 10 A. NJ. The scenery on the
river is beautifully and the current increases rapid
ly it is ascended-the first 30 miles, it is deep
enough for any boat, after that rapids occur which
must prevent 1t from being navigated by steam ex-
cept at high water. The Orus which was first sent
out to navigate this river total failure, and
abr thn
ers to the town. The other steamer, a small stern
wheel boat, saw aground on bank 20 feet above
the water few miles below Gorgona. In passing
up the river carried grub with U.S. being only
able to procure cup of coffee at the towns ran
chercs at which we stopped. At Gorgona we found
hotel called the Panama Rail Road House, kept by
an American-meals rs cents and sleeping on cot
SO cents--he is coming money! and his house seem
ed to us an Oasis in the desert At Cruces, miles
above Gorgona, found an American house kept by
very contrary unaccommodating Dutchman, did
not trouble him long, but made immediate arrange
ments for getting my baggage to Panama. hired
an Indian. They carry according to their size and
strength, from so to go lbs weight on their back
as fast as man can walk, and one of the most
execrable roads that ever was traveled-the dis
lance is about q milesI eIed it foot and ar
rived here at P. the 26th, having torn my boots
all to pieces and being so foot sore that could
hardly walk. The city of Panama is beautifully To-
Gated, range of mountains on one side and the
sea on nearly the whole the other three sides. The
buildings and walls appear to be rapidly decaying-
in many places the walls have fallen down and no
effort appears to be made to repair or prevent de-
cay. The Americans thronging here give the city
busy appearance, otherwise it would be very
quiet and dull place. Panama hats are manufactur.
ed here by convcts in the prison and by the natives
in great numbers.
There is no tickets sold here for the Steamers
except second hand ones which sell at enormous
prices-thc Company price is $500 cabin, $3.50 steer
age, from this to San Francisco. Steerage tickets
for the Panama which will sail this month, sell at
$3.50 to $685. and for Cabin ticket have just paid
$780, this being my only chance, unless took sail
ing vessel which nearly all the Iowa boys here viii
do. There is here from Iowa VIM. NJ. Traer, Geo.
Funk and d. M. sherman, who have been my trav-
cling companions thus far; all of them expect to
leave on the bark Corbia in few days--also Hutch
inson aud slower of Iowa Ci,y silas Brown arrived
here some days before me, and has not yet made
any arrangements for leaving. Those who wish to
go through by the steamers, must procure their
tickets in the States, and parties have sent
back from here. Those who willing to go on
sailing vessel and be 80 days (an average rip,)
deck in scorchng sun can get away from here
without delay. but there is great risk about getting
a good and sea-worthy vessel--many have been inn |
posed upon and many more will be.
Amongst The Americans two rohberics have oc |
Cured since came, Of 800, another OF $780, |
Many are here without the means ofprogressing Ell /
Their backward or forward. To ak would say. if |
you must go to California go any other route than |
this, and save your money--but if you will come |
this way, get through ticket from New York, be-
fore you start. You cannot get to San Francisco on
sailing vessel from this place in less time than
to landsman the land route is much the most COM
Portable.
The following will give an idea of the cost f.rav.
cling this route from New orieaus the passage is
in steamer cabin $50, ID cabin $65. steerage $l5;
cost say 81 each to land at Chagres $40 passage in
canoe up the river, provisions etc. the way So;
if you ride from Gorgona Cruces $12, if you goon
foot your provisions will be the only expense say
81 fyou have any baggage you will have TO pay $40
Der 100 lbs. weight. and perhaps more on sailing
sci I'm this place, passage say 5000, expenses
o.o 90. The above estimate is for passenger
vtbou IN, oush 'cket on the steamers, and it will
e found correct unless the passenger should be
anle, in great crowd, when the rate would be in
reased. Two persons tina, came up when did
aid $ae each.
1t is understood here that the Rail Road WI be '
nenced about the first OF next month"; but many jou ILL.,
nd think moi without That this will continue
length Of tmc the great tfofoughfare for Ameri
that wish reach California, do not believe, and
ad time would give some reasons, but the mail will
e closed in few moments, and write in much greater
aste than wished, and cannot say much that would
Respectfully, yours, F.
FIRE.--At about II A. NJ, on Saturday last, the
outh half of Rev. j. II. Goodrich's new brick build
NJ on Locust street, took fire in consequence Of
oals having fallen from a stove used in the premi-
es, upon mass Of shavings. In a short time, that
ortion of the building was in ruins. The north
af was preserved through the energetic and praise
vorthy exertons of the citizens. Evenssthe boyso
roved highly serviceable, for once, in public
ause-they having rendered material aid in pump
ng and passing water, &C.
Mr. Goodrich's loss is about $500.
Here is fresh snudge' at the elbows of our
leepy citizens, to bestir themselves in procuring
lie more engines, and organizing Fire DEPART