New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-17
THE TRUTH ABOUT NICARAGUA.

To the Editor Of The N. y. Tribune
SIR. Since nv arrival in this city by the Northern
Light from Central America, learn that the excite
uen in relation to the emigration to that country Is
greatly increased and that multitudes are preparing
10 embark soon, with the view of finding there
home Having had several weeks experience IN
Nicaragua during the present year, presume state
YDent Of that experience will be Of interest to your
readers; and nasmuch my accounts will differ IN
very mary important particulars from others OF q
slowing character in relation to the prospects that
men there 10 emgrants which accounts have been
,ubshed to the world by the press of this and other
rites. let me premise by saying that went to that
country with no personal ambition to serve in the field
pr in the sphere of politics. and with no idea of making
that country my home; but being man OF middle
age. farmer in Greenwich, Connecticut, and unem-
ployed for the Winter, left for Nicaragua snply to
zee the country and ascertain what the inducements
really were for farmers, mechanics, merchants and
persons engaged in other respectable calngs to make
that country their future home Hence, In differing
from others who have written from that country,
en- actuated by no prejudice i'll will, and only by
desire to give the world the truth Indeed this COM
nunicstion was resolved upon in Nicaragua, from
having witnessed sufferngs, not only in the army but
among honest, hard-working farmers, many of whom
and clerks who have left good situations in the United
States.
On the cath of January last left in the steamer
Eoytherp Light for San Juan. There were about one
hundred cabin and two hundred steerage passengers
On board. We had q very pleasant passage to San
Juan where we were transferred to of the steam
propellers on which we to be conveyed up the
Nan Juan River The scenery along the banks of the
San Juan. coming as we did from the snowbanks OF
Eew.York and New-England, was truly beautiful;
and on the first day on the river we were in high
spirits, although got aground many times.
Some time in the night we laid up at wood
ward where we remained until morning, when we
we're compelled to walk mile or two to another
boat, on account of the low water; and before we
reached Lake Nicaragua, which required three days,
If my memory rightly, we had changed
boats four times During this time we could get but
little to cat except at Castillo, where stayed all
hight and furnished very good meals at 81 each,
and s5 for q room TO sleep in The bar was occasion
ally opened at which times the passengers were az
forded an opportunity of procuring mouthfu of ham
and sea biscuit for 80 cents. We were transferred
10 another boat at the Lake and proceeded on our
VOYAGE. During the night, however, heavy gale
sprsng up. and we were compelled to put into a
| lubor. The next morning we proceeded on, and
finally arrived in sight Of Virgin Bay, where the pas
Sagers for California were to be landed. We made
Nree Intellectual attempts to land, but were unable to
Do 20 on account of the heavy wind which was against
Is. The passengers, and particularly Walkers SOL
trs became furious from hunger, and declared they
could go no longer without something to eat. Every
Hauhful Of food on board had been devoured 1t was
tn determined to 60 up to an island higher up on the
ate, where German, named Meyers, hsd some cat
=. The Nicaragua passengers were landed there.
ssunock was purchased slaughtered, skinned and
1as up, and each man took bis knife, cut off piece
y The meat and broed it for himself, over fire msde
she ground. lpurchased chicken and cooked IT
-sSnlaT manner. In the meantime the boat had
"a'nea to Virgin Bay aud landed the California pas