New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-08-04
CALIFORNIA.
TIE WAY TO CALIFORNIA.
From Our Own Correspondent.
SAN FUANCSCO SATURDAY. July l.

r
SAN FRANCiSCo, Saturday, July /, i55i
propose to write you series of letters, showing
what this country really is | have now been here
several months and as have not been engaged in any
business or speculatOns which might incline me- from
interest or prejudice to judge fayOraby untavor-
ably of what exists here, trust may be able to give
pretty correct view of its advantages and resources
And first, let state of the difficulties in
getting here and the easiest way of avoiding them.
There are now three lines of steamships, two by the
way of Panama and one by Nicaragua. | have trav
eled by the former twice and by the latter once. The
trip from New ork to Aspilwall, about 1000 miles
is performed in eight nine days. This includes the
stoppage of nearly day at Kingston TO take coal.
The crossing of the Isthmus from Asplnw6l TO Pans
ma distance about fifty miles, is usually performed in
about two DAYS. Some thirty or miles
travelled by railway, and tke remaining distance-a
most horrible road-by mules Generally the time
from leaving the steamer the Atlantic side to board
ing that on the Pacific is three days. During this
period YOU are in OF the most unhealthy climates
in the world. Great prudence lis absolutely essential
for all persons while on the lsthmus. Thousands have
died from what is termed the Panama Fever. Unless
treated vigorously at the commencement, is Effects
PROSTATE Tie system and finally end in debility and
death. | thnk do not eXagporate when | say that
thousands oPersons rest III graves that have been
made BY this disease since tie discovery OF gold in
California.
Perhaps il may be well 10 mention here what ply
stefan " no has been over the Panama route recon-
mendcd as the best provocative against the fever.
Take each morning before breakfast much of the
sulrhate of quinne as will lie on dime. Continue
this from Kingston to Acapulco However strong and
healthy person may be- he viii do well TO follow this
simple prescription.
There is prospect OF finishing the railway on she
Panama route during tie present wear When that s
completed the route Will of course have been much
improved There is nothing particularly inviting or
Interesting in the crossing. Asp.nwal lies on low
marshy ground and what few whites there are present
a sickly appearance. Tor the hrs twenty miles the
railway runs near the Chagres River. The country is
bIOkeA and mountainous, covered generally viii dense
foliage, which is green the entire year The houses Of
the natives huddei together aud constructed
mostly of the palm. At these villages the men aud
live idle, careless LIE, EVIDENT, deemiug all
effort TO provide for the future needless task. The
females generally look better than the men, Perhaps
this arises from ,Ler being better dressed and keeping
more clean. Some Of the men at work the railway
had clothing except strip Of cloth around the Cins
Panama has been often described that shsii only
point out few things which considered novelties
10 New Yorker IL Is not very desirable place to
visit particularly when there are two thousand stran-
gers IN the city, was the case when was there
found impossible get deceut food and comfortable
lodging, and the price charged for what bad was ex
ofoteht' The city has an ancient and dapitatcd ap
Pearance' The huge old walls Of what were once
large churches, now covered in some places bv shrnbs
and small trees, and dropping by pecemcsl IN others
impress one with the conviction thar the spirit of i'm
proyement s not there Still with the competioD of
the Railway | think Panama will improve and Il.
former prosperity in part be restored Our trade with
the Pacific is in It's infancy. The ncrerse ofbns
uek from the various lines of steamships up and down
his coast and TO Australia must make it an important
pot for the reception of goods The harbor is not
ycod except for small cOasting yessels The steam
hips are obliged 10 anchor about two miles from the