The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-08-24

from which we had to eXtricap ourselves
by crossing one stream twice up our neck
in the water; after wandering about for
hall an hour, in fru,tless search for the
right path. We accIdrntly met another
native who conducted US to the place we
were IN search Of Our boat had arrived
before us, and all hands safe. We put
up mere for the night, and Gorgono is de-
cIdedly the best place for accommoda-
tons on the river. We left Gorgono the
next morning at 7 O'clock and arrived al
Cruces at IL clock
This place and Gorgono are the start
Ing points across the Isthmus to Panama
at this season. The Cruces road is said
to be the best; the distance ACROSS is va
riousIv estimated; it is called 90, 81, &
81 miles, the latter is the most probable.
This being Sunday we laid by tor repairs,
our tent was thronged with natives who
wished to be employed to carry our bag
gage over to Panama, and it is almost IN
credulous 10 believe the amount one man
can carry. They have something in
shape and look like the back of an old
fashioned Rush Back Char, TO this the
baggage is tied and by straps confded to
their back; they will take from $50 to 200
pounds, and 90 through to Panama in one
day, we preferred taking our baggage
across on mules Alter getting rested
we went up into the town and contract
ed with a native to have our baggage de-
livered in Panama, for which the ten OF
us was to pay $50, this was very cheap,
but our foresight saved Ills both our NON
ey and baggage; we entered INTO a writ
ten contract, in which he was bound to
deliver it safe from any other charge, on
Monday morning we set cut with every
thing packed on five Jacks instead of
Mules, but had not proceeded more than
two miles when three OF them gave out,
here we had to unpack them and return;
leaving two OF the Native to watch our
things. The native with whom we con-
tracled, had it intimated that if cur bag
gage did not go according to contract tina,
the Alcalde would be made acquainted
with the proceedings, upon this hint he
sent out and had il brought back, and
then hired of another native four mules
for which he had to pay S36 out of his
own pocket; we again set ont on Tuesday
ats A. NJ stopping at Spanish Ranch,
distant 8 miles from Panama. on Wednes-
day morning we started at 7 A. NJ, and
within quarter OF mile from this Ran
che we were shown in bye-path, the
place where some person had been muir
drred; some of his effects were lying on
the ground among which we found his
money belt, purse and sore papers, one
addressed to Jas. c. McBulloch. Los An
gelos, California, and Signor Nath Ben
toh: these papers we have, copy of
which accompanying this We send You,
we arrived in this place (parama) on
Wednesday al III A. NJ, we would here
were it possible TO do so, give descrlp-
ton of the road across the Isthnus, but
we assure you that neither pencil, pen or
tongue can describe it, nothing short OF
actual experience will give any one the
faintest shadow OF an idea IN regard to
the difficulties to be overcome
1t is not our object to say any thing dis
couraglng to those who wish 10 see the
elephant, bu, we will say one thing, when
you start to come this way make up your
minds not only to see but TO fight the ele-
phan'; for you will surely have it to do,
and without energy and perseverance no
one can ever expect TO pass his trunk.
Panama is the darkest, dirtest. cut
throat looking place any christian need
ever wish to see; as to the morals OF the
people in the place, if they ever had such
thing, they have long since departed with
the former glo:y OF its commerce. Panama
has once been magnificent city, but all
that was once grand is now crumbllng in
ruin and decay. We are still in company
with the South Carol,nians. rooming to-
gether for which we pay four dimes per
day, and our meals we get as We want
them, at the following rates; beetsteak,
five monthluls, dime. coffee, the worst
kind, J dime per cup, chocolate, telerably
good, I dime, chicken water, miserable,
! dime; 2 eggs IL dimes; rice water, about
ten spooniuls, ! dime; ham aud eggs !
dimes; roast chicken, the size OF a part
ridge, 10 dimes; washing and ironing q
dimes each piece. Every one coming
from the States should bring their money
in dimes, if they do not, from the time
they touch steamer; until they arrive in
California, they will suffer a shave of 90
per cent. We are in excellent health and
expect to leave here on Wednesday next.
We must now close or miss this mail and
bid you all adieu for the present, wishing
all health, happiness, &c.
We remain as ever,
POOLE & FOARD,