The New York herald., 1863-10-24
NEWS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA.
Oar Nfcara qua Corrsspondcnes.


Oar Nfcara qua CoPrespOndonee.
San JUAN DsL NoRrs. Nicaragua, Sept. 20, 1865.
Su,ry of ne Ishp,ss- Superficial Natre n ths Work.
.iOsy Character Of me Frerrh Eng,nens-Bs,y Working
hvay in the Irtvsor Improvement {" Hadeciso- and
7sadc-7Arptpo Condition. Of Ae Yo,ors ard Settlements
dc dc
corps OF engineers sent out to this country by an
fngish company, said TO no possessed Of unlimited
capital, arrived by tho Brtfh mail packet some time
iast July, aud made superficial examination OF the
is'hmus Of Nicaragua, Ia Belly whose visionary
preect for ship canal exploded several years ago,
ana from tho dead ashes Of which the John EoIites
appear 70 expect to kindie tremendous 1snls. The
major part Of these engineers after ruu through the
country, from this port TO the Pacific Ooean-aed with
implements. II not tie most useful for ship cans sur
veys, certainly the most desirable for shooting
maosws 'guanas and the iike-returned by the British
mail last month 10 report u tho headquarters OF their
employers in London. Several Frencbmen wsre among
this corps. one OF whom, having been taken III while in
the INTERIOR reached this port few days ogo ana went
home 10 the English steamer which left tho nth ns.
fhey seemed an accomplished aud most asreeabe
party Of gentlemen and, unlike tho Bellyes were wel
provided with funds 10 defray travelling and hotel
expenses. While stopping hets few days, prior to
their departure for home they chartered the Central
American Transit Company's river steamer Tiger Lily
proceeded up the San Juan TO the Colorado and then
down that river to It's mouth with tho object OF ascer
tanning its capacity. Returning the next day, they ap
peared not only satisfied that the ship cana must enter
the mouth OF the Colorado up into the San Juan Ia
Lake Nicaragua &C., bu. they enthusiastic in their
praisas Of s wonderful capacity Thoy spoke most con
hdentIy OF returning here again in tow msBhj time,
provided with steamer for tho river aud all nccos
sary implements for making . thorough survey
far thoir tof ahi NJ,
Belly was said to have been in the interior,
engaged with some ready tools, bent inducing the
government Of Nicaragua to crush out the Central Ame
ricau Transit Companys contract he,r and soul, and
give tho exclusive right OF way tho country to
himself and his dupes. TO assist Belly in carrying
through this last edition OF his ship canal project
emissary, TO whom secrearyshp is said 10 have been
secured wrote to Costa Rca, assuring that government
that the Central American Transit Company behav
ing most nanghtiy. bringing fabulous number OF old
hus OF vessels here taking them TO the mouth OF the
Colorado river ana there, TO the great injury OF Costa
Rica, actually sinking them so to totally ruin the
navigation Of the Colorado for canoe navigation
Thereupon most stringent protest ss led By the Costa
Rican government. addressed to ZeIedon tho Ncsagan
Minister OF Foreign Relations setting forth eloquent
no doubt most patriotic, language the immense injury
done Costa Rica by the Of the Central
Transit ComraBy. Upon the receipt Of this protest Mr..
Zeledon set himself 10 his doubtless welcome task,
and indted graudiloquens note to Minister, Mr.
Dickinson giving copy or the letter or grievances from
his ino amigo the Costa Rcan Minister and ending by
informing Mr. Dickinson that he considered tho Central
American Transit Companys charter long since forfeited
but any event, whether he right in his opinion
not. Nicaragua could never permit the pretencc Of
any company composed OF citizens OF the United States
interfere with tho river Colorado any improvements
the harbor OF San Juan del Norte the river San
so long an English and French company were on the
spot and ready do for Ncaraguas welfare all per-
haps than ehe could ask wish This said 70 be
tho exact gst OF the correspondence far. II Is
ported also that Mr. Dcknson's answer TO ledon Is
MASTERPIECES, completely domoshng every assertion
position taken by Costa Rics and Nicaragua and show
ing the facts-well known to every one here-that no
huks other Instructions had been placed the
Colorado river by the Central American Transit Company
any individual whatever, than one mile above tho
harbor OF San Juan del Norte and at least eighteen miles
below the divergence Of the Colorado from the river San
The harbor ITSELF il must be acknowledged, is only
little better than barbor all. There the bar
at the old entrances eight to nine feet OF waor and
this depth Is only found In very and ked
channel through which alone the small coastng vessels
in and out The schooner Frances sent out BY
the company, fast the bar whore she remained
spite of the cndeavos made by the steamboat Tiger Iy
to haul her or three or four days. until part OF her
cargo had been taken and ghtc ed up 70 the
when she was finally pulled of and towed up to
chorage. The schooner Senator arrived the 17h aud
came TO anchor outside whore her Ga5Ron nor r an
SYg dlschnrging outside the harbor, aud
will not attempt to DO so. We have for many months
past heard that dredging machine and propeller tug
boat were to be sent here but neither o. them has made
its appearance at is the opinion OF the experienced
such matters that, with the proper machinery and
teriss, the harbor Could again be made good but
these have already been too long and every
the condition OF affairs grows and worse. II some
thing Is not done quickly nothing need be attempted for
the opportunity TO make improvements will be lost for
ever.
At the time of the seizure or the Transit Company's
property tho Acaldc OF this town displayed his haired OF
the United Stael flag by pulling down In the most in
sultrs manner. and, not content with that, trail.
ing 1t through the dirt. gnashipg his teeth
promptly brought TO the notice OF the Governor OF
this port b. the United States Consul supported by the
adavits Of various who witnessed the indisnty
but so far as KNOWN Mr. Acaic las received repruoi
from his government and the Inference IL that his
duct met with n approval At any rate he is s here,
occupying the game Official position es then, and appa
rently on most excellent terms with himself with
his superior oicors OF the government which Wails
itself Of his distinguished services.
The town Is improving with great rapdity. New houees.
stores aye, and large Catholic church, being built
and the limits Of the town proper stretching away
and driving back the forest that formerly compressed
within very barrow bounds. At the present rate
shall boast OF famous city here ere long, and II Is TO be
4 month or more ago a party OF four let here in
canoe and proceeded up TO Lake Nicaragua, aud from
they said. fney returned few days snce. and report
that they made Journey " four i've days the Rio
froi many dincutcs from TIE hostile IN
diaps who sad 10 inhabit the uDexrlorcd region
bordering on that river, the Indians firing into their
camps at nights with bows and arrows, and no doubt
badly frightening the bold explorers though ell escaped
unhurt They discovered gold, and admit with com.
mendsble frankucss that, although IL took them five
days 10 make tho journey into the Indian country the
climate was SO braclng TO their nerves that they
sumed but single day In their return voyage back TO
the lake. IL is singular fact that nothing Is known
OF the country lying along tho banks Of
the Rio Frio, although pouTs It's cool waters
into, Lake Noarsgua, only few hundred yards from
where the river san Juan opens s mouth to receive the
tide that lows down II into the Caribbean sea- The Rio
Frio somewhere In the mountains Of Costa Rca aud
navigated only by tribe OF savages 2id TO be very
ferocous and hostile TO all who attempt 70 pass into their
particular region few OF whom occasionally venture
down the aks and slyy exchange their peculiar pro-
ducons with the 0metepeans and others living the
margin OF the lake.
An attempt Is being made by some Germans. English.
men, &c, TO establish settlement the river serre
pequi the embarcadero. where the old mule trail
begins that leads up 70 san Jose the capital OF Costa
Rica. They intend planting cocoa, cotton, etc.,
and TO build . city, make . macadAmzsd road
N tha Inf MT n the river