The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-19
FROM BELIzr, HsxDURAs.
Editor Of the New Orleans Crescent:

To the Editor Of the New Orleans Crescent:
BELIZE, BRITISH HONDURAS. Dec. 20, 1867.
II was impossible for me to comply with pro-
mise to write by steamer Trade Wind, very much
to my regret. As ii was her first trip from New
Orleans after the subsistence Of the yellow fever
epidemic, she was crowded with passengers
eighy.four adult and about twenty children-and
as Ter passenger accommodations are only for
fftJ.two, it may be readily understood how ex.
cesvely she was crowded.
Shortly after her departure from New Orleans,
Ms. Mullins, widow lady from Georgia, was at.
talked with The cholera, and died the next morn
Ing at the quarantine station, and was buried
here. Her family, consisting Of two daughters
and two sons, were much distressed, aud thought
If returning TO their homes from there, when
Capt. korrell very generously offered to return
hem al their passage money. Finally they con.
cluded to continue the trip, and did so. Soon
after ter arrival here they visited Lake Manatee,
landed on its shores during severe rainy spell,
remaiied about twenty.four or forty eight hours,
and oncluded the country would not suit them,
and hey and Mr.. Kimbro, who accompanied
then returned here and went hence per steamer
bac, TO the States. They will no doubt give an
APPALLING account OF the country; and so viii
mey others who come here with wild ideas as TO
itHbeing an Fl Dorado, in which they will be ex-
ept from all The ills that flesh is heir to.
is astonishing with what inconsiderate avdity
amulutude viii rush into anything newt Not.
outstanding the plsinest truths have been told
pout the country-that there is mo field Tor doc
rs, lawyers, merchants. bookkeepers, fancy
Jerks, professional loulgers and idlers. school
iasters and mistresses, and the multitude that
roWl about large cities and towns, and live by
ieir wits and manage TO keep up appearances
number of such have come and gone away dis
appointed.
that wealth and prosperity resulting from sue.
esiul agriculture will stimulate a demand for
nny Of those useful branches OF industry in this
iwell as other communities, there is no doubt
tme, too, have not had adequate means of sup
ort TO sustain themselves aud families until they
ould get a fair start, and their disappointment
cry naturally gives gloomy coloring to every
ling in and about the country, as would occur in
Dy other.
Some persons have even expected to find
richards containing fifty varieties of tropical
fuits; others, magnificent sugar estates, deserted
nd TO be sold TOR a song; others again, wide
pTeadiDg rice fields, with all of the improved ap.
lisnees which were the distinguishing features Of
ice plantations in Georgia and South Carolina
before the war; coflee and cacao groves; and
many may be surprised at not finding single pub
ic highway or railroad in the country.
| have never said anything concerning this
colony 10 deceive my countrymen, nor would
DO so for any consideration, and therefore repeat
that unless a man has made up his mind 10 work
and endure many Inconvenience incidental to all
new countries, with which he has not been familiar
in his own; unless he has money sufficient to pro-
vide the neceseares oil lie during the hrst twelve
months OF bis residence here, and has determined
not to squsnder that, in hunting for an earthly
paradise, while lamenting the past and making
odious comparisons between il and the present,
lie should not come here. ... ....s
There are but few who can forget the past, yet
q true hearted heroism and manly sense of duty
forbid continual repinng over 1t. and dictate de-
termination TO overcome all obstac es and re-es-
tablish themselves in a position equal TO their
former; unless man is imbued with his spirit, he
is unfit for thesa unsettled times, aRd should, above
all things, stay away II ON any new country. The
Trade Wind took back about eighteen passengers,
some Of them dsgusted with country of which
they have little nothing. others, to return
here with their families 70 establish new homes.
The steamers round trip will pay her quito hand
soInely. and | have no doubt, her owners will be
rewarded for their enterprise. She took the first
contribution Of British Honduras 10 the Louisiana
State Fair, though il is not complete il would
have been, had we not supposed that the fair was
permanently postponed from November last.
The Christmas holidays are set apart by the
mahogany cutters and other laborers of the cOun-
try 10 assemble in Belize and enjoy themselves by
drunken carousals, which are kept mp day and
night, and the town has had It's population doubled
within the past month. .-...-....
About three weeks since the cholera made its
appearance, and has carried of an average Of
about two per day, of the poorest class OF the
community and il is really wonderful that all do
not die Of their dissipation. Not one person OF
regular habits or who has the ordinary comforts
OF life has had it. Very respectfully yours,
Jas. NJ. PUTNAM.