The true Democrat., 1856-05-20

We copy the following from a New York paper, as giving more full and ineligible ac- count of this sad affair." than anything we have heretofore seen;
 SIR: One of the most frightful butcheries and robberies of Americans took place at Panama on the night of the 18th of April. On the afternoon of that day the passengers per stea- mer Illinois arrived at the railroad depot at Panama on their way to the steamer J. l.. Ste phens, but owing to the low tide they ware de. tained on shore. A portion of the passengers by the Cortes from San Franciso were also stopping at the several hotels in the vicinity of the depot. There could not have been less than 1000 or 1,2OO Americans congregated about the railroad terminus. About sunset a difficulty occurred between one of the Illinois passengers and one of the negroes, which was freely joined by friends on both sides, genral row now commenced. Pistols, bowie- knives, swords, muSkets, clubs and rocks were freely used, and with deadly effect The Americans were generally unarmed, having only few small revolvers and cons squently, after a short struggle, had to yield the ground. The na- tves were reeniorced by large numbers They now made an attack upon the different hotels and drove all the inmates out, many of whom sought safety, as they supposed, ln the depot building.
 About this time the police God save the termO was called in requlsition; but ns tead of attempting to restore order, 1t is positively known that portion of them joined the ne- groes and made the assault upon the depot The police and negroes fired upon the crowd. and drove every man, woman and child, from the building, who in their fright, ran in every drecton-Some to the boats and others to the thick brush and woods, where they remained during the night, and with the expectation of being murdered when daylight appeared. A large number were fortunate enough to get on board o tue small steamer, and were conveyed to the J. l.. Stephens. After the natives had accomplished their work of death, and dispers- ed all from the ground, they commenced plum dering the baggage, and destroying everything to be found in the hotels. The passengers, in their sudden flight, left and lost everything.- After punderlng all to be found in the hotels, the black mob attacked the depot building, which contained large amount of luggage and treasure, all of which the rascals obtained They then commenced to tear up the railroad track, and to pull down the telegraph poles. and destroyed both railroad and telegraph of fees They were aware that the express goods would be brought over from Aspinwall that night, and had laid their plans to seize them. They tore up the track in the vicinity of the depot, in order that the engine might run of; but through the exertion of Mir. Williams. Ia conductor on the road) the express train was stopped by his signals before reaching the fatal point, and the lives of those on board and the goods were saved, and the train put back to Asplnwall, where 1t remained at the time the Philadel phia sailed.
 l have no means of knowing the number killed and wounded. There were twenty-five Americans found dead immediately around the depot in tho morning, most of whom were passengers from the Cortez, but this number is l probably not half that were murdered Of i the number of natives killed but little could be ascertained; but few, comparatively, think 1 were slain.
 During the night some scattering Americans 1 were picked up from time to time by the police and escorted to the gates of the citiy, but with the requisition of from S5 to S20 each for so do- ing, and in several instances they were robbed of all money, watches and other effects found
 upon their persons, and their lives threatened in case of resistance.
 Soon after the commencement of hostilities
 the Governor of Panama and the American Consul were on the ground, but their exertions to quit the riot proved intellectual. It is re-
 ported by some of our passengers that the Ge-
 vernon in the first instance tried to restore order
 but afterward encouraged the murder and plum
 der My slight acquaintance with Gov. Deas
 forbids me from giving any credence to the lat
 ter report
 The Spanish portion of the inhabitants O.
 Panama were much frightened Every house !, and place of business was instantly closed anC barred, and but few ventured out upon the ba lconies during the night. The hotels in tht city were closed and guarded until morning. 3 Of the amount of money and other effect 3 lost by the passengers can give but an imper e feet idea. It is supposed by many that no l less than S1O0OOO would cover the amount- r True it is that large sam is lost, and mucl 0 more probably than ever will be ascertained. e One circumstance must not pass unnoticed # A few of the ladies and gentlemen who ha - effected their escape by wading, some to thei n waists, in the water to the small boats, proceed n ed to the Cor.es for protection. After Sotn
 delay at the ship Capt. Collins admitted thei d on board, but they were refused the use l,l rooms or any bedding or refreshments