New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-19
NICARAGUA.


Beautiful VaIley-The Crater-Vlew from
The summit Curious sulphur Springs
German EmiRratiOn-The Ocean High
way, &c.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
GRANADA DE NICARAGUA, Saturday, Febs
MEssRs. EDIToRs.-I trust you have received
my letter written towards the end OF December.
Since then | have in some degree naturalized my
self here, having made several journeys through
the State Of Nicaragua, which have considerably
increased my knowledge of the country. The last
of these excursions led me to Leon, the capital OF
the State where l remained two weeks On my
return, took longer road in order to visit the
stream which Joins the two great Lakes-the Rio
dc Tipitapa-and its cascade, the SdltO dc Itp'-
tara. To my establishment, however, found no
river but only rocky channel, filed with sepa-
rate pools Of standing water. Ilettthe place with
the opinion that during the dry season the river
disappears while in the rainy season 1t forms
considerable body of water, which, falling over
perpendicular wall Of some twenty feet In height,
and foaming further down wild bed OF rocks, be-
tween the thick foliage of its banks, would be
very picturesque object. have since learned that
the river has ceased to exist, for six years past,
in consequence of an earthquake which occurred
in the year 1914. 1t is therefore geographical
fact, which have never seen stated that there IS
no connection betreeH the Lakes Of Nicaragua
and Leon or ManGgua.
Since this change, the latter lake appears to
have ahrunk from its former boundaries and TO be
still slowly sinking. | perceived distinct traces
of this fact as l rode along its shores between
Matyares and Nagarota. Without doubt it has
received subtenanean outlet, which carries of
more water th an it receives from the small streams
which descend from the mountains OF Matagalpa
and the rains of the wet season. This circdm'
stance is unfavorable to the projected ship'canali
since, if the diminution of the shore should con-
tinue to increase, the canal would be next to an
impossibility, there being no stream on the route
sufficient to feed it.
In other respects the Salt0 is an interesting
point Above and below the rocky wall, over
which the river formerly plunged, there are hot
springs of various temperatures. Some gush up
in the midst of the cold water, heating it to SUCH
degree that the springfield cannot be reached,
as there is no boat, and the feet unable to bear
the heat at the distance Of IS to 30 PAGES The
pool of water at the foot of the rock although OF
considerable size and very deep, filling circular
rocky cadron, is Of the temperature OF al ordinary
| warm bath | was about TO make use OF the ln-
vtiug opportunity, but noticed, just In time, sew
era small iagard0s, (alligators) hardly large
enough TO deyour n an, but quite capable oLepEes
! remarkably In the warm waves. | therefore re
| stricted myself to taking seat on rock at the
waters edge and splashng the Hood over my
! effect alter a ride of % miles in the hot sun.
A strong boiling spring gushes out Of the earth,
at the edge OF the rocky bed, about twenty leet
above the level Of the warm pool. Ii depOsites
and ulnbu a IN orua
the air around has a strong smell OF orlmstone-
The soil in its vicinity is hot. The water has
weak taste OF sulphur with strong smack OF the
well. known teshy flavor common to many hot
springs drank it in large quantities, with the
! most beneficial effect and consider it a valuable
medicinal spring. In another place | found a
spring OF pure, crysta.clear distilled water, which
! it was luxury 70 drink, This .pace is also a
rich field for the sportsman, Herons, cranes,
ducks, water hens OF splendid plumage, and other
| birds, are found in immense quantities along the
! rlver-chaInei, while the woods and thlckets on
| the banks abound with deer and other wild game.
| / saw an iguana, nearly the length OF man,
perched on a high rock. Parrots and pigeons Of
all sorts I'LL every Dough; the latter in Incredible
! Quantities The wild turkey OF Central America
called pava to distinguish it from the pavoB Of
Peru is found ia small hocks in all parts Of the
forests, and its cry, even more horrible than that
Of the peacock, resOunds every morning and eve
ming, between the croakings Of the great red par.
TOts, in all directions.
Lake Managua, with the group of lofty voca-
noes which spring up on its Western Shore pre-
! sents a magnificent scene. Nevertheless l am
not sure that Lake Nicaragua is not more beauti-
fu still The finest view is that Of the volcanoes,
flom the shore OF Matyares or between that town
and Nagarote. The island Of MomotombitO,
a cone covered with vegetation, lies Just opposite
10 the shore. Behind it rises the majestic Mono
tombO, around whose summit plays occasionally
light wreath of smoke. On the left appear the
bills of Las Pilas, at the opposite foot OF which,
! the side towards Leon. is the newl yfOrmed era
ter which Messrs. Squer and Livingston visited
with some risk Further 10 the left rises the
/ peak of Assososca, then that of Tecs, which |
sscerded from Leon, and pale in the farthest
distance the volcano Niejo, which is visible far
out 10 sea, serving a landmark 70 vessels ap-
preaching the harbor of Realeio.
My principal design in visiting con was to be-
come acquainted with the political characters Of
the country The most capable OF them all is
General Munoz, with whom l had much inter
course. Next TO him, | saw most OF DR.. Juares,
a man OF much influence and intelligence, who
exhibits great interest 10 every branch of science
! From the Comma Of Leon, Don Francisco
/ Dias Zapata, | received very valuable intOrma-
ton concerning the mineral district of New Sc.
/ eovia, on the borders OF Honduras and San Saliva.
/ cor. lam also indebted to Don Nazario Escoto,
for many facts in relation 10 the still more inter.
estug district Of Matagaps, the villages and
/ hacieI das Of which extend far into the region,
claimed for the so.called King of Mosquito by
! the English Government, with as much geogra.
/ pbical ignorance as political pretension. Along
the Nv ers OF that region which here how through
rich Savannss. there press themselves through
mountain ranges, lie the paieHques villsgesl Of
! different Indian communities, which have never
beard Of the existence Of the ridiculous govern.
ment Of Blewhelds, but are in continual commu-
nicstiCn with the inhabitants of the pueblos and
hsclendss OF MstagSl pa A mountain chain which
] ra lfDy fha lor Hiytdt -
vsnnas OF the Interior from the coast.lsnd, is here
the geographical az well as political boundary Of
the British policy aRd where English maps show
the coors OF Mosquito. the alcsldes, projects and