New-York daily tribune., 1859-09-27
THE ISTIfMUS.

There is no news of importance in the Panama pa
pers. The Chiriqui gold diggngs are still the main
theme of speculation. The Star says:
From the most careful investigation, and after duly
weighing all the evidence it possible to obtain, II
appears that up to the present time about l0 pounds
weight Of golden images have been obtained om the
graves but taking into account the amount OF copper
with which some Of them aloyed it may be fairly
estimated that 800 pounds Of pure geld represents the
entire quantity Calculating the value at $3.50 per
pound, this wcnld give the Gum of $75OO0 and it is
generally admitted that during the month OF July at
least 800 persons at work at Bussbta this repre-
sents the labor Of As 500 persons with an average gain
TO each of 6l deductpg 5Oc for the value OF their
labor of si IL but from this calculation inference
can be drawn while some obtained large quantities,
others entirely unsuccessful. We have ottaken
into calculation the great expense TO which many per-
sons were put to reach the locsy and return again to
their BONES which at low estimate may be set down
at So 000 60 that taking all these things into con-
sideration it is evident that the chances Of success.
are not in proportion to the rsk oi failure, ana
that any man in steady employment, or capa
ble of gaining a livelihood elsewhere, can do
Just as well by grave-digging in Chinqui.
The number Of foreigners in Chriqui, attracted
there by the gold discoveries is probably little short OF
one hundred and up to the end of August, it may be
safely said that their united findings in the huacas do
not a oupt to $500 nevertheless they do not complain,
and some have resolved TO continue their explorations
while Others have made arrangements for returning
in the dry season. In May last, when the Govern
ment census was taken, there were resident in the
Department lchieAy in or about David q French
mep ID Italians % Germans, 43 Spaniards, Ameri-
cans and Engishmen most Of these persons are en-
gagged IN business come are mechanics, and a few
agrculturisis. The entire population of David nnm-
bers about 800, most of whom from other parts
of the Republic The town itself is of recent founda-
tiop and not many years ago consisted but Of few
cane huts. 1t now contains a number OF veil built
houses and we noticed a considerable improvement
since our last visit there in 1855. There is good
hotel kept by Frenchmen, where bo Ard and lodging
can be obtained at 81 20 a day. Horse hire varies
from 40 cents to 80 cents day. House rent is reason.
able but owing TO the gold discoveries, has advanced
at least 100 per cent. Good beef sells in the market
for Sc per arrobs (25 lbs; rice from p to 3lc- pc
pound and other provisions in proportion. L'br /
worth reales per day and found, reales withou
food but it lie very scarce, and in time of harvest can
scarcely be obtained everv ore has his own little
plantation TO attend to- The richness Of the soil and the
variety Of temperature obainable on the slope OF the
volcano from the region of pains to that OF the OAK
offer great inducements to the agriculturls and al
ready large German immigration from Texas Is about
to settle in the country. Corn planted in March aud
September is harvested within three months snd gives
an enormous return the suger-cane grows to an iin
mense size with Joints nine inches long and three
inches in circumference. Excellent tobacco is cult
ystei and the cceeree thrlves WELL bat little 10 cul,
tivaed owing to the want of labor. 1t Is oacnlated
that cotton would yield five times as much as IN Texas
and number of experienced Germans are about to
form plants atons from which they expect the best re-