The New York herald., 1851-12-20
ON THE PACIFIC SIDE.

These steamers run from Panama TO San Fran
cisco, carrying the United States mails, and touch
ing at the different ports along the coast. The two
lines, If they may be so called, are compacted by
contract well as mutual interest, both with each
other and with the United States government, 80
that they are essentially and In fact but one line
a. much 90, indeed, as the Albany and Syracuse
and Syracuse and Auburn lines Of railroad are In
separsbe portions Of the Albany and Buffalo route
In sddition to the vast facilities Afforded for travel
spd transportation by this incompatible array Of
magnificent sea steamers transient steamers belong
ing to other companies private parties are con.
stantly finding their way to Chagres, the Allan
tic, and to Panama on the Pacific. The competi.
tion thus created, frequently causes . reduction in
the prices Of passage and Of course preves an es-
genital benefit to the travelling community.
Ihe barber at Navy Bay, whore the steamers
now land, Is as safe as the harbor Of New Yorx
The rise and fall Of tide Is orly eighteen inches,
and passengers get ashore drectfrom the ste am
er, upen dock similar to the docks Of this port.
The harbor ofPanama Is teo we'll known for safety
to require any notice here. The time occupied in
crossing the isthmus, from port to port, whether
operation from Navy Bay to Millers Station, three
miles beyond Gatune, or By the river all the way,
need not exceed two days. 1 have crossed II In
twenty hours, and IL has been done many times in
tance from port to port does not exceed eightyfve
miles, which will be reduced 20 forty.fve BY the
completion Of the railroad to Panams. Along the
whole line Of the route, from the moment of land
Panama, there Is an abundance of stopping places,
furnished with provisions and all the traveller may
require. When once in Panama, good hotels, and
An abundance Of them, restaurants Of very supe-
rior character in abundance, plenty to eat drink,
and wear, and In fact everything 20 supply every
want, may be found without difficulty. Health,
too, which is one Of the frst great objects Of lfe is
here protected, and safe from innovation by fell
disease, or, in case Of sickness, az good medical
tkll can bo procured at . moments notice, as can
be found in any city Of equal size In the United
States. Steamers are always in port, ready to de-
part at days notice, or upon the arrival Of pas
sengers thus avoiding any detention on their part.
The total expense Of crossing the 18th mus Is thirty
Eve dollars, except where the traveller has un-
usual amount OF baggage, Ia which case II will bs
proportienalIy increased.
These are among the facilities possessed by the
Panama route, affording safe, speedy, and cheap
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, and conveyance for passengers and freight
from any Of the Atlantic to any Of tho Pacific ports
especially those lying north Of $50, and south OF
~ north latitude, between whi;h the connecting
lines extend.
In considering the condition Of the San Juan
route, End, at the outset many serious objections
and difficulties to be encountered The natural OBJ.
stacles TO safe, speedy, and regular communics-
tion, are altogether the most serious, and may be
enumerated as follows -
lst The want Of safe harbor at San Juan del
SIR, ard tbe necessity fer epe
I'd The inpesibiity Of navig ating the San Juaa