The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-18
TIE Pacific Csasting Trale.

We have frequently hitherto called attention to the
importance Ofthe trade on this coast, and appears
to US strange that matter Of 80 much interest to the
lected.
It is gratifying to learn that at length the subject
has met with some attention, and we are assured,
from reliable source, that wealthy and well known
firm of this city have al.y ordered out suitable
steamer for the trade, with all possible dispatch
Hitherto the trade of the interior and the coast
with Panama has been limited, very materially from
the fact that facilities Of transportation have
existed between the various points, beyond the slow
and uncertain communication carried on by few
rotten old Canoes and ten or twelve miserably
constructed and unsafe schooners.
Notwithstanding this, it is astonishing how the
traffic between this place and the ports within hun
dred leagues of Panama has increased within the
past three years. especially when it is borne in mind
that the trade has always been left in the hands Of
the natives, who have neither the enterprise nor
knowledge to extend it, sufficiently to meet the
actual necessities of the country.
We know several persons engaged in this trade
who have made large sums Of money, and we are
convinced from personal experience, that il steam
er suited for the trade placed upon the route she
will in very short time, return large profits to the
owner.
Within three hundred miles of Panama, there are
no less than eleven ports, all of which are doing
prosperous trade, and most Of which would very
soon, under favorable circumstances, treble quad
ripple their commerce. The majority of these ports,
or the towns Immediately connected with them, con-
there are numerous villages in the neighborhood which
are also well populated, and which have no other
market than Panama in which to dispose Of their
produce and cattle or to procure their supplies At
the present time there are no vessels sufficiently
large to convey cattle lumber thus preventing the
possibility Of opening large lumber trade, which
might otherwise be.eficaciously carried on and COM
polling the Of cattle to send their large droyes
to this market overland, distance Of nearly five
hundred miles, occasioning them considerable loss
and detention, and rendering the animals almost
unfit for use on their arrival here.
The principal cargoes procurabe along the coast
consist Of rice sugar. salt, corn, coffee sarsaparila
cocoanuts chocolate. dried beef, vegetables, hogs,
mules, poultry cattle, &C., besides which large
traffic might be carried on in lumber hides, pearl
shells, India rubber, dye woods and other articles
which abound along the coast, if enterprising men,
with CAPT al, were to direct their attention to the
business.
The opening of steam communication with the
neighbOring coast is also matter in which the gov
eminent should interest itself.
The present mode Of transporting mails by land,
which now occupies ten or twelve days, might be
done in one or two days by steam, and thus give
great facilities to the government more especially
during times Of disturbances for transporting troops
or important dispatches to the various points along
the coast