The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-06
Our Panama Correspondence.
UNITED STATES SHIP DECATUR
PANAMA. Jan. Is. 1858. (

The Ball at AspinsoaA in Honor of Com
modore Paulding- Residents Satis-
fled at the arrest Of Walker-IXe Merri
mack at Halparaiso--Ayrivai of the Cotum-
bus, ,cith Valuable Cargo, from Pacific Central
american Ports-ITm. Garey Jones Indisposed-
Surveys Of the Honduras Interoeeanic Railtoay-
Celebration Of the Erection Of Costa RIGA into
Repubic-Fipe thousand Soldiers pass in Reviesc
and are presemted scith Medais-A National Bank
obe Opened-Men under arms in Nicaragua, &c.
During the past month the Isthmus has not been
without its share of the accustomed festivities of the
season. In Aspinwall there was given ball to the
honor of Commodore Paulding and the officers Of
the frigate Wabash, by the officers of the Panama
Railroad Company, which was considered the most
magnificent affair of the kind ever witnessed here.
Gov. Calvo and full representation of the dark
eyed beauties of Panama were in attendance.
The sloop of war Decatur still rocks at her usual
anchorage in the bay. Since the commencement Of
the dry season her officers and crew enjoy much
better health than heretofore Thermometer during
the day ranges from 76 dogs. to So dogs. The neigh
boring hills are enveoped in a thick haze, very
similar to the atmosphere during our Indian summers
at the North. The forests shedding their leaves,
whilst at the same time many of the trees are I'M
folding their flowers.
The course which was recently pursued by Com
modore H. Paulding, in putting so speedy period
to Gen. Walkers contemplated foray upon Central
America has received the most cordial approval Of
almost all American citizens resident here and es-
pecialy as it is known that the Commodore assumed
large share of personal responsibility in the part
which he took in the matter Should this bold and
determined course of Commodore Pauldng receive
fha af n
will be placed upon the presumption OF those who
have charged our rulers with secretly favoring the
acquisition of new territory by flibusterism.
The last mail from the South Pacific brought no
news of the arrival of the frigae Merrimach at Val
paraso She is expected at Panama about the LIST of
February.
The american ship Humboldt, of Boston, which
arrived at this port some time since with COAL will
shortly sail for Callao, and there load with guano,
and thence return to the United States. Her crew,
which on arrival here were broken down with scurvy,
the result of the long voyage around Cape Horn have
now quite recovered again.
Mr. johnson. the Superintendent of the Panama
Railroad station, who was recently fouy assaulted
and severely injured by a negro who had been dis
charged frorn the company's employ, has almost re-
covered again from his wounds. The wretch who
perperated the act is in prison. awaiting his trial:
but from the lax manner in which criminal prose
cutions conducted in Panama-and especially So
when in favor of foreignerst is expected that little
or nothing will be done with the fellow.
instant, from voyage in which she touched at the
several Pacific Central American ports. This vessel
brings down, this voyage, the most valuable cargo
which has ever been brought to this port 10y an
American vessel, excepting the treasure from Cali
fornia. Through the industry and perseverance of
her enterprisng and very intelligent commander,
Capt j. NJ. Dow, most valuable trade Is being
gradually opened with the Central American States.
The cargo of the Columbus this trip, which
is estimated to he worth half a million of dollars,
consisted chiefly of cochnea, indigo and sugar. The
cochneal is obtained from Guatemala, whilst indigo
is the staple of San Salvador. Nicaragua which
formerly exported large quantities Of cacao and in
digo since the libuter devastation, yields but little
more than is necessary for her own consumption.
Honduras also exports but little. VI Costa itca,
the staple products are sugar and cofee The coiee
crop Is now being harvested.
Our diplomat VIM. Carey Jones, Esq, was in Nj
caragua, on an hacienda few miles from Realejo.
He intended TO have come down this voyage by the
Columbus, but was prevented from doing so by III
fhe surveys of the Honduras Interoceanc Railway
the 20 of f T ro Tss
Surveying parties, who are under the guidance OF
Lieut.. Jeiers, T. s N, reported to be in excel
lent health and fine spirits. At some points alene
this route are growths of magnificent oak and
fine forests, which will furnish all the timber
needed for building purposes. This was disideatum
the want Of which greatly felt in the construction
Of the Panama Railroad. Almost all the lumber
employed in building the Panama Railroad WAS
brought from ABROAD. AZ tnc p1crcnt LHle the olu
ties are being replaced by new ones, consisting OF
lignum Vita exported from Carthagena.
On the 18th, Goth and 30th Of December was
celebrated in Costa Rca the erection OF this
State into an independent republic. grand
Jubilee was celebrated throughout the country
The President, together with the General of the
army caused TO pass in review force consisting OF
900 men, which have been enrolled TO serve in case
of any emergency. The inyalided remains OF the old
amy which served in the late war against the fill
busters were present at the review At the end o
the review TO each of the soldiers and officers who
served in the late war were presented medal,
bearing the following inscription COSTA Rct
| Agradocida Prtmid 81 Tdlor-whioh, Anglicisod, is
| Grateful Costa Rica rewards bravery On the
| other side Of the medal was Inscribed, "Santg
| Rosa. Rivas, San Juan, Presa de Vaporcs, Fuertc
| Castillo, San Jorge, &C., the latter abiding to Tho
principal battle fields and capture OF the steamers
The scene closed by the distribution OF an address
10y President Mora, couched in fiery, declamatory
style in which hc recapitulated the valor which had
been displayed in the late struggle; and also by The
distribution OF % similar one by the Vice President.
Agreeably TO contracts which were made during the
past year by Senior Crsanto Medina and certain
companies in Europe and the United States
and IN accordance with charter which the govern
ment OF Costa Eica has granted TO senior Z. Medina
a national bank will soon he opened in this republic
The government will own onefourth part OF the
funds which are invested in the bank.
The Fulton is now at Aspinwall.
The Nicaraguan government still keeps nearly al
the working men in the State (about 2,500) under
arms. and TO what purpose cannot conceive, unless
II lie TO create famine. Probably the reverses Of
Gen. Walker have elated the government TO that
extent that il has lost sight Of the future altogether
At san Juan del Sur, on the 18th and 18th Of last
month, they were honored with the presence of his
Excelloncy President Martinez, when seemingly al
the rags In the place were converted into flags Of
many shapes and colors, and although indicative o
no known nationality on earth, this Babel Of ban
uers correctly indicated the condition Of this I'M
happy country High above All the rest Of the signs
proudly waved the American flag placed there, IL i
| said, by Dutch Jew.