Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-05-25
From the Panama Herald.
Costa SsiCa.

that constitute the important section of Cen
trail America In McCulloch's Geographical
Dictionary edition of 1882 it is no, even men
toned under that head; but a slight notice i
given Of it under Guatemala, which is about
correct as If the United States at the presen
time was included in description Of 6rea
Britain
From some notes kindly furnished to us b,
Captain Dornin, Of the United States sloo2.o o
war Portsmouth. and from material that W,
have collected fls1N other sources during tn
a 'Aat awo ysAsa~ wSSse saahled "a complete Il,
following. which we trust will be found Of i'd
terest to the readers Of the Hcr,sld.
1 Costa Rica extends from he boundary o
New Granada on the south to the Rio del Salt
on the north, which separates it from Nicara
qua. The boundary lines are as yet underlined
and large tract of land is still in dispute a
10th ends; nor does there appear any proba
bili'y o! their being for some time to come def
nilelv settled. The eastern boundary is tn,
Atlantic ocean. whilst the Pacific forms tn.
western The total breadth from ocean to ocea,
may be taken at an average of 60 leagues. and
its length from New Granada to Nicaragua may
be about l60, which would give an area o
$4,000 square miles, lJuarros The popula
tion in isI0 was estimated at 1000 Of which
1876 coo were white, and 5000 native Indians
(McCulloch.) This would give an average OF
about four persons to the square mile in a cuun.
try capable. from its rich soil, climate and
productions. Of easily supporting ten times
that amount Of population. On the Pacific
the Gulf Of Dulee, deep inlet that extends in
length about thirty miles, by six in breadth
and at its further extremity is smaller gulf
admirably suited for all the purposes Of trade
and capable of conta:nnga very large feet 0
ships Numerous small ports exist all along
the coast, to which a trading business, in
small coasters, could with facility be establish
ed.
| The government Of Costa Rica is more I.m
ly established. and less disturbed by party
faction and poltics, than any of the other Cen.
tral American States. The government is free
from deot and with a surplus revenue; it's con.
due. is in all respects liberal Public schools
are maintained at government expense, and
pubic Improvements. roads, bridges, dc, arc
vcsy creditablc. tDornin)
The principal occupation is agriculture, tc
which 10th the soil and climate are admirably
suited yielding neat prost osao to so per cent
The principal produce is coffee, which CON
nands in the english market higher pric,
than either the Vast Indian or Brazilian ea.li
ties, nnd IL considered neIt in quality to the
far famed Mocha. Iu lsS5 .he quantity ex
ported TO England was 5000 quintals, valued
$50. .0f0, (McCu'loch,) and though wa have no
later returns at hand to consult, we think il
may be fairly assumed that the export is now
nearly doubled.
Dyewoods, sarsaparilla, hides sugar, and
gold, are also exported. In 1853 the total
export was estimated at $GGC 900, (McCa..
loch } 1t is now calculated ut $500, 900,
tDornn,) and this we are inclined to believe
to be rather too low.
Rice is also produced Of very good quality.
and without artificial irrigation Cotton, To
tacco, or indigo, cocoa, Of a very superior de.
scription. sugar, and many other tropical pro-
ductions. flourish in perfection, while mahog.
any, logwood. ebony. cedar. sandal wood,
live ok, and numerous other trees, including
many that produce valuable guns, resins, aud
balsams are found al over the country.
The mineral products. including gold, COP.
per, lead. and iron. zinc, and aniimony, are
found, says McCul.och in grea. abundance
and the same authority quoting Alcedo, says
that i'om the gold mines Of Tisin.aI not less
riches have been extracted thaa from those Of
Potosi, in Peru" Coal has also been found
over large tract Of land, and is said to BE o.
superior quality.
The principal trade has been 70, some time
past in the hands Of the English, but of late
years the commercial intercourse with the
United States has muc, increased. -Four or
ave vessels arrive annually from that country
with fuii eargoes-about two rom France and
one from Spain. The Imports consist pr:nci
paiiy OF cotton aud woolien goods of ordinary
descriptions, wines. spirits; furniture, machi
merry. implements, hard ware. with small as.
sortment Of French aud German goods.
The popui ation is industrious and enter.
prsing. The executive and judicial officers
are elected from among the merchants and
practical men-the people hayiDg an objection
to military rulers in civil affairs The soEs Of
the highest officers found rs clerks in stores
and managers on farms, and trade and agricnl
ture is represented as in dourishing con.
diLion. Some idea may be formed Of the lat
| ter, when it is stated that thousand wagon
loads of coffee have arrived ut Punta Arenas in
one day. 4 light house has also been ere cted
at the entrance Of that port, being the second
put up the Pacific coast
The laws are represented as liberal and IA
vorable to foreign settlers; the natives are hos
tptable and well disposed, and crime Is rare
An efficient police preserve the public peac,
| without the intervention Of the military. Tho
| government are anxious to establish n steam
comnun'sation between their ports and Aca
| puleo and Panama, and have offered gran,
Of $500 year and certain privileges to an,
company that will undertake to open such
| line.
In conclusion, the climate of Costa Rica /,
healtby' and in the highlands of the interior
temperate The dry season lasts from Octobe,
to May; and during the renainde. Of the year
IN what is called the wet season, it only rain,
at night. and the days are fair and cloud!ess.
ITThe following occurred the other day il
India street, Boston and the marine man Of tn,
Boston Post, made note of it.
"a thirsty one saw butt Of gin
| Fail Diump n an hn 0rnu,,I tn, a -, l.. -