The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-19

remarks while here they will in few weeks do--shd
shall have running, upon the twelve miles OF road,
RACES IN which comfort we'll despatch will be real
zed The whole trip from the Atlantic TO the Pacific, and
e.ts versa may be performed in twenty hours, and
70 hs traveller with the means. OF degree OF Interest
ana delight IN scenery during the larges, portion OF the
in our own country.
OF the objects oineresi at the rapids OF vego Castillo
a. Inc Machucsa, and other points upon the rver San
Juan need not speak YOU having recently twice passed
the entire length of this nobs ryer doubtless already APP
pre- cate them From Virgin Baya beautiful little inden-
alion on the west coas OF the lake, alordng from the
well selected site OF our worthy host Captain CAVITY Tor
the erection OF extensive public house, already com
meheed, an extensive and admirable view OF the lake. lis
islands, &cthe road passes through the old Spanish
improvements in country quite level and little varega
ted save by the quite numerous small conci elevations,
the bases of which made available in furnishing
more dry hard. and smooth surface Tor the road dis
lance OF 81 miles the Paianar-a small though exceed
ing pure aud failing stream. having It's source near
the summit Of low gap Crossed by the road) IN the
great ridge which divides the waters flowing into either
Ocean From the first crossing OF the Patasar the road
follows up the principal ravine IN which this stream
flows now gently winding around q spur Of The bill,
short though deep ravne. and returning HE opposite
side to traverse another segment OF circle around sue
ceedng spur Thus continuing lis path around the success
sion Of spurs and short deep ravnes connecting nearly
at right sngl.s with the main rayne--n which, and
at many places far below the traveller, the Plaanar
in lis snuous course, and with its Wild cascades,
HoWS-lHe ntaf'y ascent
reaches the summit distance from the first crossing
OF the Patanar OF IA miles. rom this summit the wild
and grandeur OF the rough mountain scenery down
s a ous ' he psSs d h a,s a"d ks
the picturesque plain extending 10 the lake and the
beautiful island of Oma,ake about fifteen miles in length
with lis two rocanic regularly formed Cones Zone upon
either end said 10 be 5000 1000 feet in heghythe
running up apparently perfect point aud sncst
constantly capped with clouds assuming now The form OF
Chinese hal, then Turkish urban, an umbrella, or
1 SONIC anita
furowed sides appealing ss though lava IRON It's crater
bu, yesterday ceased TO howoge'hef with the broad ex
panse OF the lmpid waters OF the lake. and the sparstly
improved sections and apparently segmetftal undula
tons OF the surface uCh Tic opposite side scarcely as
whole exceed in the beauty of lis aEdscaDe are from
this summit distinctly visible IN the distance And now
sir, however little interesting you, from the Imperfect
description given, may regard view from this position
hazard little in saying that every intelligent traveller,
whose eagerness and haste 'g sasp hls share OF the
treasures OF California not great AZ to prevent IL,
will llnger awhile at this charming spot.
Descending from this summit to the itch gravey loan
e ,es H. BY
moderate inclination down lie face Of the hilsboundng
the deep ravine which flows the brook Chotrsrs also
small and durable stream, with perpendicular fall IN
full view from The road Of IS to 80 ieet The principal
ravnes on either side OF the summit falling away 80
much more rapidly than does the road leaving the latter
TAT above on the face of hills Of very irregular foma
ton, and extending still much higher give majesty
and grandeur TO the scenery highly Attractive Having
reached the plain, the road extends III All almost per
fsctly straight line, on gravelly soil, through bea
full forest, though being rapidly away, 81 miles
10 the harbor OF San Juan del Sur The surface of this
horse shoe form Of bay, dung my stay there, although
with high winds. was sufficiently smooth 10 admit the
smallest canoe to pass over with entire conJsnence
and from appearances this placid sheet of water has
depth sufficient 10 admit ocean steamers without the
OF whaves to approach within dozen rods OF its shores
have omitted TO mention that the surface OF the road,
for width averaging about 81 or yards. is what the
natives call swept this is doue by the machetta, while
cutting The brush and leaves the road amos. free from
Sticks dry leaves &c, is the surace Of OUT northern
plank roads This, to me, heightened the pleasure Of
the ride over IT, And were II not for few trees OF the
larger class. and occasionally smaller stand
ing within the limits OF the sweeAng-also the necessity
OF bridging the Plaanar and the channels OF two other
small streams, now dry OF reducing the inclination OF
their banks, TO furnish more easy descent and ascent
in crossing them, increasing the width OF the present
grading OF the mule road the summit RIDGE and low
erng few feet, at two three points. the whole width
OF the road make the inclination somewhat less-car-
riages might now with full loads very readily pass the
entire length Of the road All this, told. will soon
be done.
Although there was bu, single vessel-a brg-lyiBg
in the har5or, and the cutting out Of the road but just
completed there thus early much strife for the most
eligible building lots the harbor and clearing the val
! ley, two three miles back, making brick, tile,
&c. has already commenced, and other preparations Tor
erecting additional houses for the accommodation OF uav-
ellers are IN progress
ride from Virgin Bay 10 this Spanish town--a dis
lance OF only eight miles, fair road, leading portion
OF the distance along and IN view OF the lake, and
through improved fields OF cacas, panalns, &c.-woud
| richly repay the traveller Of few days leisure.
| have already extended this communication beyond
what had intended. and probably beyond wha, may be
interesting TO you. Regarding the cst shmen OF your
new transit line as great public benefaciion, have only
| TO wish you the most speedy success.
| Very respectfully, &c,
c. c. Vanderbilt esq. President OF the American Al,
lan,ic and Pachc Ship-Canal Company