The New York herald., 1869-08-28


taa-Nafurnl Resources of the Island.
Sr. DOMINGO, W. l., July 8, 1859.
journey from Santiago de los Caballeros to this
city completing the trip across the island Of st.
Domingo, is one OF those experiences which night
be considered agreeable In retrospect, but would
not. under ordinary circumstances, bear repetition
with any degree or complacency In the same person.
For single trip the journey Is unquestionably worth
all the fatigue, Inconvenience discomfort and\
loneliness which the traveller must endure
From Porto Plata to Santiago, sxtpsn
leagues. the passing OF constant parties
OF poems and pack animals gong to the coast or re-
turning affords some recreation or rather deviation
from the monotony or charming landscape From
Santiago to the national capital on the southern sea-
coast distance OF fifty leagues or 100 miles BY the
ROAD all the trials OF the trip are forgotten In the
variety OF mountain and savanna, beautlful
streams occasional herds OF fine cattle and horses
wild hogs, guinea fowls and birds OF every plu-
mage. A few small towns are met with on the way
and an occasional boho, but these are long distances
apart. ride from Santiago to this place is con-
sidered here as a great undertaking, and very few
there are who have ventured upon it, preferring the
tedious process of almost crcumnavigating the
island to reach the northern coast. The Qratuftous
advice OF several suggested the dangers OF venturng
alone into the INTERIOR where everything was unset
tied, revolutions were going on and the noun
tains were filled with straggers, refu-
gees from justice, assassins thieves, and
every other description OF character Such
horrible pictures were doubtless very frightfu to
the tmid, who consider 1t an exploit never to be
forgotten to venture dozen miles away from home.
As there were no accommodations, and especially
the important item OF food to be had with any GER
tainty along the route, 1t was necessary to make
every provision for eating, drinking and sleeping as
independently If 1t were barren desert that lay
between the two extremes of the "trip. II was neces-
sary the first place to provide three horses, one
for the supplies and peon one for sleeping accom-
mOdatiOns and servant and one for myself. With
the assistance OF the Governor General of Santiago
these simple accommodations were secured for
and The time required Tor the return OF the animals
designed leaving Santiago early on the afternoon
% the o IL an
evidently free iow OF aguadente; 1t was. there
fore, almost sunset before found myself moving
out of town. 1t was necessary to start on the road
in order to get out Of the reach of temptation The
same night passed at native hut about ak miles
rapid walk, making fair journey before the heat
and get breakfast again taking the road, we reached
Levega at ten O'Clock IN the morning. The road to
Country r y" COMPOSED Of sa Ss and crystal streams
The Verde river, so named by Columbus on his visit
strca se ane WS @pd ca4
rent and sandy bed. It is evidently
quite formidable river during seasons OF heavy
rams. At the time Of crossing it 1T was not more
than eighteen inches in depth. The greatest novelty
in the landscape during this part OF the ride was
large hill covered with dense and extensive forests
of pitch pine, while the adjoining hills were over.
grown with vegetation which seemed almost OF
charming heights OF Santo Cerro-memorable as the
scene OF an encounter which Columbus on his jour-
ney into the interior bad with the natives. After
exchanging civiities with the Governor OF the pro-
VINCE General Roman Guyman and General Garcia,
lpassed on to small stream to halt and rest while
ID fuln w
LIE VEGA.
Situated on an eminence near the banks OF a small
stream OF the same name Is town OF about 1000
Inhabitants. Is the principal place In the province
OF LIE Vega ana is the residence Of the leading
Tne town possesses few stores and cathedral.
The buildings are chiefly the bohio Of the country.
ton, but almost in state OF nature. The popua-
tlon Of the province Is very small The people raise
little tobacco, which they transport on pack AMI
After passing lie Vega the road debouched upon
an open country, consisting OF broad savannaS and
charming groves. At distance on either side rose
the dark masses OF the mountain ranges with their
IN Ssaa aDon was whes
Columbus rested his gaze after reaching
tine q s higher s 70 the Re sSs
country the name which It now bears, LIE Vega Real,
the Royal Meadow. The savannas resemble the
most beautiful prarles OF our own country, with the
difference Of frequency Of groves OF every variety
OF tropical trees. Upon these savannas were to be
seen herds OF the seekest faest and finest cattle TO
be found anywhere. These nerds, descended from
the original stock imported by the Spaniards, thrive
remarkably well upon the luxurant pasturage ana
pure waters Of the country around lie Vega. 1t is
from here much OF the island derives its beef which
Tor the finest and at not more than 1--WE cents per
pound net In the Cities These cattle run Wild and
increase in numbers without any attention whatever I'VE
ss9 o cae asS at se snd % Of s
the Country has given rise recently to procama.
ton which mas been issued prohibiting the exporta-
consumption ana increase there is an abundance
OF cattle to answer all the requisites Of the entire
poprlaton OF the island for meat food
The following morning again got on the way,
travelling several hours by moonlight before dawn.
dently frcauentiy travelled, were nothing more than
bride paths leading through an endless vista OF for
ests between the latter town and Cotuy. They con-
b0ggy meadows or avenues, as usual cut through
forests or groves The road had now reached q sec
tlon evidently having experienced heavy rains. The
meadows. which was Informed were hard and dry
at other seasons, were now at places almost inuu-
dated and impossible. The rivers were high and
di1cut and dangerous to pass without any facilities
whatever In the shape of canoes or boats
THE YUMA RIVER,
which fows into the bay OF samana, one OF the
streams on the road, was running rearfuly high and
was induced for consideration to wade across to
MSe an e reached peas ha q" eas loo
strong and rapid l managed to make my way
across by heading my horse over the direction taken
holding on by the pummel cOntrived to keep at
least four inches between my knees and the surface
OF the water by dint of considerable struggles
heading against the current, the horse at length
reached the opposite shore. The native followed IN
several trips carrying each time pair OF argannas
on his head, thus landing safe and dry the pro.
visions, hammock and baggage.
"A short ride from the Yuma and we arrived at the
town OF Cotuy about eight O'Clock A. NJ. After
hunting up the General commanding the province
and procuring MS Elsa, we started again on the road
.n COTUY
D provincial town OF little Importance though
surrounded by beautiful country. With popuia
t0n and enterprise, with more convenient means OF
access from one part OF the country to the other
O0tuy would undoubtedly become the centre OF a
not more than 700 souls.
short distance beyond Cotuy the savanna coun-
try began to disappear. by two o'clock Seylco a
hamlet, was passed. This was the last habitatIon
until after crossing the southern mountain range
AS the sun was stlll high proposed making an
effort to QQt before otto