Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-01-31


eight hundred men from California since start
ed. The steamers from California bring down
as many as they carry up, that is, they crowd
full both ways. Two steamers have come down
since arrived on the Isthmus. presume
have converscd with more than hundred men
from the mines, They look hard and worn down.
and say it is almost impossible fora man to stand
it to dig gold for any length Of time, and the
chances aiejust like lottery. Many curse the
country bitterly, while there are others that in
tend returning in the Spring. They all say
there is gold enough there; but that the most
robust get sick with the scurvy or dysentery
who venture to the mines. | have noticed that
those who were at the mines but four or six
weeks, are the loudest in their dpnunclations of
California. My mind is made up that will new
er trouble myself about the mines. Those
whom have conversed with say, that trades
men will probably do well, and advise me to
stay in San Francisco by all means. Wages have
come down for common laboers, more than one
half from what they were last Summer. It is
all folly for man to think of getting $500 per
mouth, or any thing near it. If a man is com
ing 10 California thinking to dig gold for for
tune, | should advise him to stay away if he can
get living somewhere else. The money that
it will cost him to get there would start him well
along in buying decent farm in Vermont
There are many here who are so unfortunate as
not 10 have money enough to 60 up to Calfor
mia, or get home either. Probably speak safely
when say that so men returned to the States,
soon after landing at Chagres, who came down
on the " Faicon," and did not cross the Isthmus
at all and from so to 100 have gone back after
coming up here. was bound to see the d" Ele
phant" when I started, and think | shall pro,
ceed as long as health and money hold out. NY
health has been remarkably good, have gained
seven pounds since | left home. Carter IS as
fat as seal. He is at work at his trade al
$3.50 per day.]
| am well satisfied that you get but one side
of the picture painted m California, iu the States.
For every man who is lucky, and returns from
the mines with fortune, there are one hundred
who do not, which is heavy Offset. The men
WHO were contented to take sure wages in the Cit
les of California last Summer, appear in good
health, and say they have done well, much bet
ter than those who went to the mines.
Perhaps you would like to know something
of this place and its inhabitants, and will try
to give you such information in regard tt it, as
| at present possess. The climate is warm and
probably good for consumpve people. Sudden
changes in the atmosphere are very rare. Or.
angcs. Lemons, Lines, and other topical fruits
grow in abundance. The thermometer has ran
ged from so to 80 deg ever since have becI
here. The city of Panama is situated on the
Pacific: but the harbor, if indeed it can be call
ed one, is miserable there are no wharves
md vessels are obliged TO anchor four or fiv'
miles from the shore. The city shows signs o
having once been quite place. There are
large spacious two and three story buildings
built of stonH and brick, and cemented over
and paved streets; but it looks az though it hat
been deserted by those who built it, as ever,
thing is crumbling to decay. The Americans
are making it quite business place, Stores
Tavcrns, Victualing houses and Dram Shop
meet you in the face every rod throughout.th
whole city. The population of the city of Pan
ANA is about 5000. It has five Catholic church
es, one Cathedral, a College, and Prison :
these comprise all the public public buildings.
In 1921, the "Republic of Col'mJ,a' wa
proclaimed by Simon Bolivar, The great cham
pon of South American Liberty. Under tn
Presidency of this great man, the Republic
modelled after the United States, hourished wit
great vigor and prosperity but internal divis
ions arose, and tn patriot and hero became IN
popular. He was banished from power an
died poor and broken hearted in 1890 In few
years after the death of Bolivar, Columbia wa
divided into three Republics, viz: New Grena
da, Ecuador and Venezuela. New Grenada
divided into three Provinces or States, viz:-
Panama, Veraguas, AMI ALAMO. The Provinc
Of Panama contains 10000 inhabitants, an
there are 10000 moe in the two other Provir
ces. The city of Panama, at the present timt
is healthy but it was very sickly last summe
and have been informed that more than 20
Americans, bound for California, died here; an
the natives died by the scores. The buryin
ground tells sad story to the American VIII
visits it, and sees so many of his Countrymen
graves, yet fresh, in a foreign land. The cho
era ragged hero then; but there is nothing of
here now. Now and then there is a case of fe
yer, but 'ny only wonder is that there are ne
more. The streets are filthy; und all the off
and filth from the houses are thrown into th
streets; besides there are sights of green fres
fruits, and plenty to cat them with little or n
caution. | should not like to stay here nm
great length of time and shall not, that is quit
cert ain. The natives on the Isthmus are mix
ure Of Spanish, Negro ana Iua;an sho,,
Judge. They speak the Spanish language, nm
are simple, eneryate and harmless people,
without enterprise or much knowledge, gene
"a all speaking.
have felt considerable interest in informin
my self in regard to this place, since have bee
here, as it was part of the Republic of Cour
bia. which, in 1928 our lOmented Gen. Harris'
yos sent out to, as Minister Plenipofentlary'
! q Adams. Gen. Harrison arrived at Bog
IA and wrote his celebrated letter to BoliV'
when he was recalled by President Jackson W
Iappointed Mr. Moore, of KY, to succeed nm
This is the city TOO, where the Panama Co
or,ss Of Nations was held. In Dec lo@o'
think, President Adams, in his annual messal
t. recommended sending delegates to Congr'
of Nations at Panama. and John sargeant'