New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-24
FROM MEMORANDA.
The Climate and PeoPle-Cultivatiou Of
Coston--ReePensnE OF the Churches.

IsTHNUs OF PANAMA, SANTIAGO, May


1sTHNUs OF PANAMA SANTIAGO, May e. 1861.
Although so many thousands Of Americans
have passed through Panama on their way to San Fran
cisco from my own experience aware how little is
really known in the United States of this country its
inhabitants. and its resources. Though among the po
htca powers Of the world this is but feeble one its
geographical position gives great importance esPe-
ciay now that the question of sustaining abandon
Ing the Monroe doctrine is agitating the whole world
The inhabitants divided into three classes whites,
mestizos Qndian and whites) and negroes The first
mentioned are the descendants of the old Spanish SCI;
1lers who have never intermared with the aborgnes
and these retain all the marked characteristics Of the
Spanish race They heightened and aristocrac il
their feelings refined and elegant in their manners
The men are generally welledneated, accomplished
pentlemen having in most instances Travelled mucl
abroad The ladies are very intelligent and agreeable
naturally and although the advantages Of ccGcaton
offered them have been poor one cannot reahze ~ III
their society as their manners extremely pleasing
and their conversational powers great The inestzos
are quite a fine race. think them naturally good
hearted and peaceful people and believe the frequency
of revolutions among them is more owing TO the iniu'
ence OF party leaders than TO any particularly warike
disposition on the part Of the people there being enough
Of the Indian element among them TO make them ever
ready 10 espOuse the OF chief or leader Iley
are very hospitabe and polite Ioeed one sees man
ners here under matched roof that might do honor
70 a court :,
tropical productions and in parts OF the State
those Of more temperate cline abound Indeed, ma
ture here has done all that can be done for country
and il makes one almost sad TO think that with all
these advantages man has done 80 little to profit by
them. Productions which in other countries are
sources Of immense wealth are here though indigenous
cultivate only In the rudet manner ana In such small
quantities that instead Of being able 10 export enough
Is not raised for home consumption. Thus, coffee
sugar tobacco cocoa, indigo all Of which are indi'
enous imported. Agricultural pursuits have here
toiore been entirely left 10 the lower classes the whites
taking interest whatever in them but latterly the
younger men, most of whom have been educated IN the
United States awakened somewhat 70 the necessity
Of developing the riches Of the county, they desire
This year there is q great cotton excitement all
through the State. Cotton, though native 10 the
Soil fas heretofore only been cultivated TO sB,all
extent BIZ the country people who weave from
il kind Of cloth for their own use which is very strong
and wears admirably Now nearly all the gentleman
az means are engaged in planting cotton quite large
scale and fortunes are expected 10 be made labor
cheap here excellent land TO be had merely by applying
for the title and the cotton grown Is said 70 Dc 81 an
hat Is said 70 be delicate than the native cotton
The yield is large and every year for nom i've 10 eight
years after being planted It's PRODUCTION increases.
through the State offering 70 buy up the cotton at good
prices and have no doubt that Ia SIX or esht nonths
hom now foreign Spectators could make advantageous
bargains with the cotton planters here
This city indeed the whole country he's peen over
ioyed By the repeal Of the law regarding public worship
Which for nearly a year has kept our churches
closed 1t was beyond doubt, unconstitutional as
prevented all Catholics aud also many others from hay-
ype suy public religious services although the Cons
triton proclans religious liberty In fact, the PIcs
dent Of Republic not only Pope or head OF one
church but Of all churches within the sphere OF his Ju
wisdictcg Murio has opened his Presidential career
in most auspicious manner the churches are once
more opened for Divine service and from end 10 epd OF
hymns a praise and Thanksgiving. The day the news
was announsed in this city Tc Deun was chanted In
The church the joy bells rung snns fired ana IN ihe
Plaza and the pracipa street. The people seemed wild
with jey and "a no way could the new President have
endearsA Amse the people more than by nsng ms
that dearest Of al rights which We Americans know 30
well how 70 prize, and, thank God, 20 hlly enjoy
namely. Freedom to worship God" ~ i