New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-12

the river. At the mouth Of the San Carlos there
are bills 4000leet high, and the river is much con
tracted The entrance OF the passage between
them from the west, somewhat resembles the
opening OF the highlands Of the Hudson from the
north
The banks Of the river are in some places
rocky, elsewhere they are far from being as
c1umbing as those Of the Ohio and Mississippi
and other rivers Of the western States OF the
Union. THIS is perhaps, due in some extent, to
the roots Of trees and plants which penetrate and
bind the earth in al directions. The bed OF the
river may be regarded as essentially permanent;
If nevertheless abounds in islands, OF which there
are hundreds. Some Of these are low and covered
with eon,alote, or with canes; but most are az
high as the banks Of the river and wooded IN like
manner. ,l
The width of the river varies from one hundred
TO four hundred Yards and its depth from two to
twenty feet ! should estimate the average vol
ume uf water ut about that Of Hudson below its
confluence with the Mohawk. The bottom seems
generally to be gravel. There are four consider
able rapids, where the bed is rocky and the water
shallow, these will be noticed hereafter In detail
The current from the mouth Of the river to the Del
Torois very rapid With the water at medium
stage, in aiight bungo and with stout crew OF ten
men was six DAYS in passing from San uanto san
Carlos. The men labored hard at the oars and
gettingIoles from long before daylight until alter
dark each day, We passed other bungos which
earded as one OF extraordinary rapidity. From
these facts, some idea may be formed OF the
strength Of the current. Bulow calculates the tall
of the stream at twenty inches per mile except
at the various rapids, where ii is more.
The banks Of the river are totally unlnhablted,
norris it known thats any one has penetrated the
country in either direction. A small garrison is
stationed at Castillo Vngo about twenty-five
miles below the lake, at the Rapids Del Castillo.
There is no doubt that the entire reg ion is emf
nently fertile, and capable OF producing all the
fruits and staples in the greatest abundance.
The accompanying map NO. 2 OF the san JUAN
is corrected from that constructed by Baron BuloW
in l847 upon the basis of a MS map made Messrs.
Rouchaud and Dumartray. Bulow descended the
river in July, when the water was at its highest
stage his bungo was fifty feet long by nine broad,
and had freight of five tons and thirteen persons,
the boat drawing about four feet OF water His
notes, as far as they were confirmed by my own
observations, are imboded in the sUbjoined eX-
plantations OF the map.
The fort of San Carlos, at the head of the river,
is a collection of some fifteen or twenty canebuilt
houses, occupied by perhaps one hundred people
The defenses were formerly considerable, but have
Of late years been allowed to fall into decay. The
position is strong one, and the old works might
soon be put in a condition to control the entrance
of the lake A small Of body troops is maintained
here, and here also, since the seizure OF the San
Juan by the English are the officers of the Gus
toms for this department.
The water of the lake opposite the fort and
fronting the opening Of the San Juan is very shall
low, not exceeding six or seven feet in depth for
the distance oil q mile and upward from the shore.
Near this point the Rio Fro Gold River
comes in from the south. 1t is large stream,
and is represented to have two fathoms water for
distance OF forty miles from its mouth, tribe
Of Indians called the GuatoSoS live upon its
banks who refuse all intercourse with the whites,
and permit no ingress into their territories.
Some explorations were undertaken up this river
by Don Trinidad Salezar, Comandante OF San
Carlos, in the early part OF the year l849, but he
was attacked by these Indians severely wound
ed, and compelled to return
The opening OF the San Juan is probably two
or three hundred yards broad, which width the
stream maintains with great uniformity to the
Rio SaValos, distance OF twenty miles for this
extent the current is sight-according to Baron
BuloW not exceeding one and q halt miles the
hour. The channel is wide, and the depth of the
water from two to four fathoms. The banks are
low and the back country fiat and swampy.
Some sluggish streams come in from both north
and south, but they are almost hidden by the
overhangipg trees.
At the Rio Savalos commences the R0pideS del
I0ro which are about three fourths OF mile
long. The water, OF course varies IN depth with
the different seasons of the year. At the time
of my passage, it was, certainly Tor most OF Its
extent, less than fathom in depth. The banks
upon both sides are firm and hlgh and the PAIN
gives place to other and larger trees. Bulow
gives the current at 100 to 200 yards per minute
but esteem it something more From this point
to the RapideS del Castillo is six miles The IN
tervening banks are high, and the land well adapt
ed for settlements. At the rapids considerable
ridges come down to the river on both sides
Upon the extreme point OF that upon the south
bank is situated the ruins OF the old castle 81 san
Juan, now called the " Castillo IaGo. The emil
nence upon which it stands resembles that OF Che
~, nrtTIi neC1Xr nd M
posing At the base of the hill are the remains
of the water batteries the works completely COM
manded the river. This position was captured by
the English in 1880 Lieutenant (aiterward Lord
Nelson participated in the attack. The rapids
here are short, but swift-better deserving the
name Of falls than rapids. Bungos cannot ascend
loaded when they have cargoes part ofthe same
has to be removed and carried past the falls.
The boats are then tracked, or pushed up against
the current, by main force My bungo was up
ward of three hours getting us many hundred
wards This rapid, without artificial modlica'
tons would present nearly an insuperable o0sta-
Gle to all kinds of navigation deserving the name
1t might be made practicable, with little trouble,
for small steamers OF light draught, such as are
used upon some OF the small western rivers.
Three or four miles below the Rapldes del Cas-
tillo are the R0pideS los fai0S and Aic0, which
may, however, be regarded as one, The current
here is 900 or 500 yards per minute the bottom
rough and rocky, and navigation IN bnngos dlil-
cult. The water does not appear to be more than
five or six feet deep for any considerable distance
the banks correspond with those above the castle,
To the Ropides Of tie Mackuca, the present
limits of the English claim. the last largest and
worst the river is deep and free from obstruc-
tons These rapids. says Bulow, who is dis
posed to represent the capabilities OF the river in
the most favorable light, are worst OF all the
water is more broken from running over rocky
bed stones and rocks project above the surface
for a distance of 600 yards and great attention
is necessary in passing the channel 1t may
nevertheless, be passed by small steamers
From this point to the San Carlos the rveris very
fine, the banks high and studded with beautiful
trees, The current IS regular, but the depth of
water variable. Bulow states the depth at from