The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-26
The Panama Railroad.


The Bath Times contains an interesting
letter from John Hayden, Esq, Of that city.
written at the Chincha Islands, from which
we clip the following in relation to the Pana-
ma Railroad:
Inc construction of this road under circum
stances SO difficult deserves to be ranked
among the great events OF modern times
Under tropical sun, with proiuse rains from
May TO December, flooding the mauqroove
swamps through which no incoasiderable por-
non OF the road has been laid,-the heat and
moisture inducing the presence of myriads of
noXious lnsecIs-the swollen streams abound-
ing IN aiiigatoIs and serpents, the thick and
Iangieo unoergrowth teeming with venomous
reptlles, the immense labor required to cut
out the mangrove trees and get sufficient
earth Tor road bed, the laborers having TO be
Drought great distance. and their succumb-
Ing To tie climate in vast numbers-no less
Than 5OoO tits said having died while the work
was in progress = all these together were
enough, it would seem to appall the stoutest
hearts. But yet In spite of all these difficult
ties, Yankee energy prevailed, and within
seven years from the inception of the enter
prise, on January 9th, 1855, at midnight, In
darkness and rain the last rail was laid and
next day locomotive passed from ocean to
ocean" baga d sfs ms4W sHs
Men were brought from New Orleans, Ja-
maica, Carthagena, China, ETC., but none Of
them could endure the climate so well as ma
tives of Maine. There are three Maine mer
employed on the road as conductors and freight
agents who have been there many years. and
now look as good as new. Mr.. Wilson came
from Damariscotta and Mr.. Pike from Oxford
County. Mr.. Thompson Is also from Maine
II is hot route TO travel In Aspinwall
one can get cool at any time by going go rods
to the north side OF the town. There, under
the shade of the church, the fresh breeze from
the sea coming In over wide range OF break
ers and surf is deliciously cool; but on the
road this is not available, and Goodness is nm
known in Panama. This railroad now paws a
large profit to the stockholders. Many per-
sons at home, no doubt, think the California
business affords the chief employment to this
road, yet am informed that all it contributes
is not one twentieth part. Besides passengers
to and from all the South American ports
from the extreme border of Chill, and also in
GLIDING Costa Rica and Mexico, q vast amount
of freight now crosses the 1sthmus, to and
from all these ports, carried not only by steam
ers, OF which there are several lines, but BY
sailing vessels also. The value OF the road is
SO great that strenuous efforts are said TO be
making by English capitalists to obtain poss-
ession as soon as its present charter expires.-
1t should not be allowed to pass from Ameri-
can hands, at least until the Pacific railroad is
completed. 1t has some ten years yet to run,
and trust our country will be in condition
to protect its interests in this and every 9TH
er part of the globe ere the expiration of that
time. If should ever change proprietors,
hope it will never pass into English hands.
Panama is intolerabiy hot, scarcely breath
of~air stirring at any time OF day or night
The mercury at Aspinwall ranged from 72 to
80 in the shade, which, with good breeze, we
thought warm enough; but in Panama could
not induce it to go below so at any time, and
the air seemed stagnant. Back Of Panama In
the west, not a mile Distant a hill rises abrupt.
ly to tie altitude of 900 feet, from the top Of
which a fine view can be had Of the city with
the bay and islands, and the country round
with It's hills and mountains. We were pleased
with the prospect, but concluded that climb
ing high hills in such climate was very much
like work. Allthe water used in Panama, in
the dry season, is brought in by mules or dom
keys, in kegs Of about 10 gallons capacity,
some in carts. but generally on pannisra- A
company was formed to introduce water
through iron pipes, but the project fell through
and TIE pipes were sold to the Railroad COM
pany, who have laid them to their Depot and
Pier; and the Inhabitants continue on 10 the
same old way They are mixture of Span
iards and Indians, with an infusion of negro
They need little Anglo Saxon energy and
faculty; and I think little Professionalism, aye,
Puriianism, would not harm them.i ssa,