The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-29
Our Pacific Ocean correspondence.
On BOARD STEAMER BOLIVIA,
Pacific OcraN March Il 1851.

PACIFIC OCEAN, March D. 1871.
Tie English BIaR Steamers IN the Pacyfc.-An,as-
cans in South Am1ica-ShipmetS Of Specie
Iahatua,ts-IHe English officers.
On the 10Th ultimo l found myself passenger
from Valparaiso, on board, bound for Lima; and
supposing that a few notes from the stray leave.
of Yankee traveller might amuse some of our
friends at home, / have again made an ediert to
address you.
This steamer has been on this station about one
year. and is ma efficiently fitted up, and complete in
every respect. | have heard many complaints pre-
vousy, of the fare this English line of vessels be-
tween Valparaiso and Panama, but am sure if the
living in this boat is specimen Of the whole, they
are utterly groundless. The steamer leaving Chile
the 10Th of every month carries the English mails,
and proceeds direct to Panama, still calling at ali
the intermediate ports IN Chile, Bolivia, and Peru.
We arrived in Callao OH the sth.
The climate on this coast is the most beautiful Of
any have ever seen; but when you have said this,
you have said all. As far as have had an oppor-
tuni,y ofjudgng Chile appears to be far fertile
than either Bolivia or Peru, but not equal to our
own highly favored land. | found that in Chile
nearly all those engaged in the Touring mills are
Americans. Some of them have realized large for
tunes, and all doing well. In fact, the larger
portion of the business of all kinds transacted here
is effected by foreigners. The German, English,
and French, have all Of them large houses here, and
lattery, we Yankees are coming in for our share.
A few years will make vast difference in this
respect =, ,o.rs .monn. ., .,,vo- II ;.
and specie, intended for England. This company,
until recently, has had the exclusive right to run
steamers this coast; but this monopoly is now
done away WITH and in short time the natives hope
to see few American steamers on the same sta-
ton. The price Of passage, few years ago, very
extrayagant: but recently more liberal tariff has
been adopted. Wepay new $40 from Valparaiso to
Callao, and $40 thence to Panama. We left port
apo, CHILEAN port and where the silver mines are
very rieh but at all the ports in the Southern
Pacific large shipments are made Of either copper or
silver.
was much disappointed in the appearance of the
natives in Peru; especially the women, are very
dark, there being a considerable adnixturs Of
Indian and negro-the former | thiuk an adj
vantage, but not the latter. We have all the
fruits Of a tropical climate in abundance and cheap
but for . stranger, this il u very expensive quarter
Of the world. A great number Of Californians have
been down on the coast the last few months, TO es
cape the winter there, most of whom have now
returned. Competition is much wanted here; and
werea line Of American steamers established here
II is the spinon Of many influential merchants that
they would obtain large share Of business, for this
company IL not In as good repute as IL might be-
for more reasons than one and justly go too. All
the officers this line British subjects and
they have not the urbanity and kindness towards
their passengers, for which onr Yankee captains
are 80 justly celebrated. OF course, now | only
speak from my own personal observations, although
i have heard the same remark made by every
American who has ever travelled by these boats
with the exception of the captain, (who promenades
the poop before breakfast, with his kid gloves, all
slick and tight, never dcgning TO exchange n word,
except with privileged few, and Englshmen) no
boat could possibly have finer set Of officers tia
We have. Mr.. Joy, the first officer, and Mr.. Aber-
crombie, the purser, are at all times attentive to
the wants and wishes Of all.
Our captain, Captain Williams) ] am informed,
proceeds to England Immediately, to bring out a
new steamer for this line.
scarcely know how to convey to you an idea Of
the sterility Of the whole of this coast, far
have at present seen IT, | can say that nothing
grows upon il, for leagues and eagues-not n tree
or shrub Of any kind In the port of Coauimbo
there is not yestige Of anything green, and very
little water. In some Of the Peruvian ports, they
have no water, except what Is brought from great
distance from the interior and during the whole
year Il never rains Still, the people appear to be
happy and the priests fat aud good natured,
and to stranger, will extend every hospitality and
Kindness.
On board we have, as passenger, Senior Don Ber-
nardo Toro, minister from Chill TO Peru; speaks
English, and is, without exception, of the most
perfect gentlemen have ever met with ; resembling
much / am told, the Chilian minister at Wash
ington.
With the exception Of California, there is no
place | have seen where enterprising men can
realise 80 much money AZ they can in these ooun-
tries Of the Pacific. In few years we must see n
very great change. Amcri cans are gradually com
ing into these parts, and wherever they settle down.
their influence IL felt, and they arc respected With
few exceptions, they all do we'll, mechanics cspe-
cialy. Peru is dependent upon Chilli, almost
entirely for her -four althou GA at the present time
a few mills erecting in Peru, but the wheat Is
chiefly imported from Chili
Our steamer il Of 80 tons burthen, and Of 27j
horse power; but eight knots, or eight and half
is much they can possibly get out of her. Two
engineers have been sent from Glasgow. where the
boat built 10 ace If they can improve her speed