Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-07-11

Nudity of natives and tntlf degradall0n
Enthusiastically of sOil-Reflec-
lions, sc.
PANAMA, MAY 81, 1850.
DEAR TINES My former communication
closed as our ship dropped anchor of Chagrcs,
The arrangement to land passengers and bag
gage at the ships expense is carried out in the
most annoying manner so annoying that
three fourths of the passengers, seeing no 9TH
er way of getting off in any decent season, are
almost sure TO step into the native boats and
land for one dollar each. The vessel anchors
about one mile from the landing, the current
setting out very strongly, SO that experienced
boatmen often find difficulty in entering the
channel. Chagres is just the dirtiest, most
sunken and God-forsaken place this side of a
certain region described in popular theology.
would not stop there week for half the gold
in the California placers. The water Of the
river is nearly level with the banks. On the
right hand is the American settlement, consist
ing of number of rough board sheds, canvass
tents and matched bamboo tents, three or four
of them rejoicing in such names as u. S. Ho-
tel Irving House, Taylor House. &c
They are only the lowest, flthiest kind of rum
holes, in which mixtures the most vile are
served out. and TO which the emigrant cannot
give too wide BERTH On the left hand is the
negro or native side. passed along its prin-
cipal path, and had full view of its offensive
ness There is but one frame building on this
side the others all being of bamboo poles set
close together in the ground, and the roofs
matched with leaves of the cocoa or palm
The natives nearly naked, children entirely SO,
dogs of most cadaverous look, hogs too lean IN
flesh TO cast shadow, carrlon OF every descrlp-
tion hens without feathers, buzzards, mud and
animal excrements, all these and other untold
things of similar sort, mixed up at the very
doors of the huts, go to make up the attractions
in the midst of which the Chagres bellies and
handles live and make love, and the venerable
sires watch over their opening buds of promise.
The attempts heretofore to navigate the
Chagres river BY steam have proved abortiye,
the steamers brought out all being Of too heavy
draught of water The Oras, brought out
from the States for this purpose, draws not
less than five feet of water, and is quite as
large as the Lawrence which was intended to
ply on your river. A large boat-the Tele-
graph-appeared to have bilged IN the mouth
of the river, and lays there on her side, with
her starboard bulwarks entirely under. A
smaller boat was also there, but did not appear
to be in running order. From my own obser-
walton | am of opinion that powerful boat,
drawing not over eighteen inches of water
might do a smart business on the river, and
could go up high as Gorgona or even Cru
ces Such boat, however, should have side
with double engines, and shafts dis
so that she might be able 10 turn
around without moving ahead, or she would
find it difficult TO follow the serpentine river,
and round all the short bends without going
ashore The navigation of the river is now
carried on by canoes and boats, some Of them
of the rudest construction, and few having
been imported from Jamaica or the States
These boats are propelled with paddles, oars
and setting poles, by from two to eight or ten
men, according to their size. The native
boats are invariably dug out of logs-the red
cedar. have seen some Of them at least six
and half feet inside, and they range from
twenty-five to forty feet in length. The aver
age price of conveyance with baggage, is from
ten to fifteen dollars, the lowest price named
being about the average fee to Gorgona, the
latter the fee to Cruces. These sums, how
ever, if paid in dimes amount to only eight and
twelve dollars American currency. In pro-
curing boats would advise every emigrant to
make his own bargains, independent of the
American sponges which have now squat upon
the river, and endeavor to thrust themselves in
between the emigrant and the natives. Be
ware of all such. They are mere shavers,
who live by practising upon the Ignorance and
incredulity of those who are so unfortunate as
to fall into their wiles All the way from
Chagres to Panama, the traveller will meet
with these extremely disinterested personages
whose sole object in leaving the States and So
journing upon the fever shores of the Chagres
is TO benefit the emigrant without any refer
ence to selfish consderations-pure philan-
thropists, martyrs in the cause of human i'm
provement but however much of ingratitude
the caution may shadow forth must advise all
who may have occasion to travel this way to
avoid them with even more care than they
would the natives Of the stream-the alligators,
sharks and jiggers. They will warn you
against the natives-their deceit andtreachery,
and use all sorts of arguments to prevent you,
while at Chagres, from going over to the ne
gro side; but you have only to cross over to
become satisfied of the secret motives which
govern them. No sooner do you get out OF
their influence, and begin to dicker with the
natives than you are perfectly satisfied to allow
your philanthropic and disinterested country
men to bestow their favors and expend their
philanthropy upon others. At the stopping
places on the river you will find these fellows,
always ready to furnish you with muddy coffee
at dime per cup, while right along side Of
them, as general rule, you can procure a
larger cup ofbetter coffee at half the price
AS make no charge for the tribute which
pay TO them cannot afford to devote any more
time or space TO their interests. u1
The navigation of the Chagres is by no
means child's sport, neither is it attended with