The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-14
interesting nom Central America.
EXTRACT FROM A pRIyATE LETTER.

EXTRACT FROM PRIVATE LETTER.
SAN JUAN DE NicARAcrA, Feb. 10. 1851.
The Norlg0tton Of the San Juan Rtusr-T The Re-
sources o. Ce~trsi Amertca-The Kels of Mos.
quito, &C., &c.
gather from your remarks, in Jour last, that
you entertaining very erroneous opinion with
respect the relative position Of this town to the
interior Of the country, well as the present con
di,ion of the cosntry, the manners, customs. and
habits of the people, Just cast your eyes for mo-
meat on the recently published map OF the country.
and you will discover the ST. Johns tSan Juaz>
river, running ninety miles, until it reaches the lake.
with current varying from three to six kn OTIS per
hour, and at come seasons OF the year the water
shoal to sixteen and eighteen inches Of water in
some parts the river, full OF shifting qucksands;
the lake you will notice rapids, the nost important
of which are the Viego (old) and MucLaGa (crush~
ED, and you will form an idea OF the dlfhcui'y at
tending the ascent Of the rivey The voyage 10
Grenade, port on the lake, was performed IN
species of boat styled bungay, manned by twelve
men, and occupied from fourteen to twenty days,
Director at Granada; but now the majority of the
bungays go no furthar than San Carlos, the town
al the junction of the river with the lake, and
thence take the passengers and bring them to this
town.
The people are picayune set of m-n--ao enter
Prise nor energy nor perseverance,, nor knowledge;
81
countries where the Pope is governmentaIly recog~
nized as the head of the church. The sol! j. as
fertile as any upon the face Of the globe.
tobacco but once In six years, the fnaest in the
world. Fine apples, oranges, and lemons, such as
you never saw, grow spontaneously but the peo-
Business is very limited. My business relations
are radiaing throughout the country, the States
OF Nicaragua and Costa RIGA, rich coast | ] beg
Costa Rice. Il is that country to which business
is ntrating. Costa RIGA is the richest State
Of Central America Costa Rica coffee is famous
throughout Europe Costa RIGA silver has fixed
value throughout Europe, and in your own Wall
street the commerce Of Costa Rica is, and always
has been, in the hands of British merchants. Some
Bhtish merchants are abeut sendiae steam tug =
TO the San Juan river, leading out Of the latter at
a point about twenty.elght miles from this town.
and running about thirty five miles into Costa
as the San Juan river. Now that this port has
become free. the exports and imports of the State
OF Costa Rica are expected to pass this port
Heretofore, they have entered the port Of Salt
Creek, little Indian town about sixty miles to the
southwark of this.
San Juan is situated just at the gates oil Paradise.
and il is destined TO become second Chagres,
only more respectable, the police regulations Of
this town are very strict and good. public meet
ing has been held with reference to procuring a
church and market house, &c. This town is os.
King Of all the Mosquitoes, but it is really under
the dominion OF Queen Victoria, whose officers
assume the privilege of dspen sng the Law for this
atupid negro King, who has 40 more sense than
Lots wife, and whoee taste led him to stop in the
streets of Port Royal and play with the naked ne
groes; and yet this black shadow Of royalty is
tire Ated with as much difference as any European
monarch. He he's European tutor, who is his
Prime Minister.
TIL. conduct Of the British authorities here,
who dispense the law for the Mosquitoes, has
hoa Cttfy au1p e--dio ia he fah
government, to the officers who executed it, as to
the American government to permi. it, AZ an ex-
ample, short time ago wealthy gentleman OF
Grenada, of an ancient Spanish family, BROUGHT TO
this place bungay, loaded with mere handise
from the interio- and upon his arrival acre he was
80 well pleased with the narr~1os (sailors) that
matter OF course, they all became intoxicated AMI
while in that state they exposed their intense
hatred of The British by saying, damn the
Queen" and IA compliance with the orders Of the
Captain Of the Port, Jdmaic, halfbrerd, they
were ARRESTED, and punished with forty lashes with
81 iron raInrtd Their employer protesting against
such nhuman treatment Of his men, was hinse!f
arrrs ID md puaisht d in the same manner. The
carv.s, wren they meet stronger say, ia the IN
ter, getve t0-e, "Anglsss, Snor? 4 The reply is
in b. alfiraadse, they hold Up both hands, con-
teri their faces, a1d cry out. mnctO nsaio, Every
bad): but il the reply should be, no. Scsor, dsasv,
cano, they will cry out Ioyfuly, "Mpcao 6a,so,"
ard shake hands gladly.
Inow have a building by myself have aban.
donei the idea Of building for the present; had
commenced dri'ing the pues when the col)t
arose about the validity of title 10 the and. IN
view Of claim held by Capt. Shepherd, of tins
town, 10 the entire coaet, end which Is 10 be adJu
dicsted In LONDON IN Fetrlary next The BRUSH
government dispatched special agent 10 this
country 10 examine his sitle, and he returned and
pronounced IL, according To his opinion, good.
Since then the British government have offered
three THOUSAND POUNDS sterling for the claim,
which was rejected. Capt. Shepherd holds this
claim by virtue Of purchase made b. him any
years ago Of the Mosquito King.
We cannot send letters by the British rail from
Mere with any assurance hat they will be for
waided from Chsgres.
II my next letteEto yod will endeavor TO for
ward you q plan Of this town we have St.
Georges square, QUEEN Victoria square, &c, &c.
IL Il. :