The New York herald., 1870-12-12
COLOMBIA.


amd Co,nuncrce--severe Storm the Istl,-
mus-Tho Campaign of 1S7.-Fcars Of n
War With Ecuador.
PANAMA, Dec. 8, 1870.
Since my last communication 10 the HERALD very
little OF interest has occurred worthy OF general
attention.
The Constituent Assembly called to take into con.
side ation certain reforms deemed necessary TO DO
made in the constitution of the State OF Panama,
convened in this city on the 1st inst. After the
election or oncers-Jose de Fabregay President,
and Buenaventura Asprilla, Secretary-the message
OF the President OF the State was read. Judging
from the document, the Assembly seems TO be rur-
nL5ted with q blanche TO do not do, as it
sees at. The President OF course appeals TO the
patriotism OF the members to pass al laws necessary
for the public good, and to modify those requiring
change. 1t Is difficult for foreigners to see what
benefit can come Of TINS tamperlng q constitution
which Is probably quite good rs any new one will
be- The principal subjects referred to by the Presi-
dent In his message are the supplying OF this city
with portable wafer ana the arranging OF the matter
of contributions ana taxes for the coming year.
The press OF this city have censured President
Oarreoso very severely for having failed to complete
contract with Mr. A. j. Center OF New York, for
the supplying OF Panama with water to which |
have III a previous letter referred.
The 2Sth OF November, being the forty ninth amt
celebrated with the usual enthusiasm.
The dulness OF the isthmus traffic is likely to be
eniivened during the coming by q great in
crease OF business from the Central American re.
pubiics. The Panama Railroad Company have
Increased their line Of steamers from Panama to
the Central American coast to three steamers q
month"; aud 1t Is their INTENTION when the cofree
son Is fully opened, to put on fourth In connec-
tion with this step the rate OF freight on coffee from
Central America to England via the isihmus has
been largely reduced. The reduced freight and in
creased facilities for transportation win attract TO
tho isthmus the bulk or the large and lucrative
height business now being carried on in sailing ves-
ses between Central America and Great Britain and
sue Continent and make up IN measure Tor tne loss
the railroad company sustained by the opening of
tle racine RallrOad ana the Straits Of Magellan
steamship line to Liverpool.
The Panama Railroad COmpany's steamship Win
ohester, Captain A. G.. Jones' from New YORK, ar
rived at TINS port on the 18th OF November, and will
ut once take her position IN the Central American
fourteen hours and fifty-two minutes, running
Time, which Is remarkably fine voyage.
About the middle OF November one of the most
severe storms known on this isthmus for many
years past was experienced on the Atlantic side
OF the month. accompanied by very high tide and
continued untl The night Of the 10th. when 1t endcd
In frghtlul thunder storm. During the week the
wind sometimes blew a perfect gale, and all work
III the harbor had TO be suspended. On the mora.
zona. Which was moored TO the companys wnarr,
loading. had to cut her hawsers and put to for
safety, leaving portion OF her cargo on the dock
All the vessels in the harDor had TO haul out to safe
anchorage ground. Although the norlher lasted
with more or less severity Tor six days. fortunately
not single accident or loss OF lie Or property a0Rt
Ii recorded. On shore some wharyes and buildings
were slightly damaged.
About the same time unusually heavy and con-
ttnuous rains fell over the entire stimus, particu-
larly in the Porto Bell0 mountains, the Atlantic
slope where the river Chagfes takes Its rise. The
mountain streams became swollen into torrents. the
Cbagres oyerfiowed Its banks and In the neighbor-
hood Of Buenayista inundated the country for miles
around. The track OF the Panama Railroad was
submerged Tor a distance or oiSht miles between
Gatun ana San Pablo statlons-in some places to the
depth OF three four feet. All tranic Oh the
road was suspended for nearly three days,
during winch time the flooded portion OF
the track could be crossed only by means
OF llat-cars or canoes. On the 22d uit. the water
bad subsidized to Tile depth Of one TO two feet. the
traffic was then resumed and has not since been In
terrnpted No damage was caused 10 tue line by
tile storm beyond one or two land slides, which
were not Of serious import: For couple Of days
every indication OF the near approach oil the dry
season. North winds are blowing and the heavy
sky is gradually clearing up. The steamship Mon
tana from san Francisco, arrived here yesterday
morning but her passengers have been detained
mere vi to-day us another severe noIther was eApe-
steamship Henry Chauncey, which connects with the
MONTANA and other vessels to maui out from the
WharveS into The stream for safety NOlWlhstand-
ing the unusual quantity or rain which mas fallen
this season, the health OF the istnmus continues TO
Captain Lpcus Crooker has received his appoint
ment as United States Inspector OF Customs on this
lsthmuS.
The latest advices from the interior OF this repub
lie contain nothing or special interest. RumOrs still
existed III Bogota about warlke preparations in
Ecuador, supposed TO be intended against Colombia.
The latest periodicals from Guayaquil contain moth
ing to JUSTIFY such fears.
Various mines or coal, gold and silver are said to
have been found in the state OF Cduca.
General Julian TruJA0 is spoken Of as the most
eligible candidate for President oi the Union for
1872
vicente yaneyas who was tried and convicted OF
issuing forged sentences OF The Supreme Court OF
which he was secretary, ana who made his escape
some time ago from the penentiary or the capital,
was caught while trying to make his way across
fhe country to the frontier vi Venezuela.