The Portland daily press., 1871-02-23

AT 1 AS o'clock Exactly seven days after
leaving New York; we anchored in SANTANA
Bay, about two miles from the town of Santa
Barbara, commonly called on American maps
SANTANA The town lies upon SANTANA Bay,
alttle harbor about three miles in depth on
the southeastern portion of the peninsula
which bears its name. On one OF the three
isaets-in this cove the United States Govern
ment has established a coaling station, and
pays $l50,C00 per year for the use OF the har-
Dor. One payment of $780, 0h in gold anu
$4,000 in arms has been made; another is
due this month. It is a-common mistake to
suppose that the Government has leased the
whole of SANTANA Gulf--an inlet forty miles
in length, which forms the southern coast of
the peninsula, and makes most magnificent
harbor. 1t is only the small bay and its
islands over which our flag floats. -or-
This cove with its surrounding mountains
and villages is one OF the most beautiful in,-
aginable. As you enter, on the right is line
OF rocky cliffs covered with an aromatic for
est of palm groves, mangos, oranges and flow
ers in perpetual bloom on tle lett are three
the sea, and SO charming are they that even
converting them into coal wharves has not
lessened their beauty. In front, rising grad
ually from the placid waters, are smooth,
graceful slopes exhaling all the voIuptuous
odors OF the tropics, and in the distance the
misty mountain tops. But over all this wild
scene OF wild, lare beauty there is death.
like stillness broken Only by the weird cries
OF the birds, and the fairy land seems as rude.
as uhinhabTted as when Columbus, over three
centuries ago, was gladdened by this lovely
sight. rsa... 30. :,
Practically this bay is as useful as it is
beautiful, and while there is difference O,
opinion as to the propriety of receiving this
rich, gift, ready 10 fall into our hands. there
can be but "ne judgment as to the safety,
convenience and desirability of such a harbor. i
1t is completely land locked, SO as to be Sc
cure in storm. and has an average depth of
five and halt fathoms. The peninsula is
about ten miles wide by forty in length, and
the Cult has the same dimensions.
The only town upon the peninsula is San
ia Barbara, opposite which we are anchored.
1t Dest'es at the foot of the hills, on the
beach, and would be called village in Amer
lea, and very wretched one. too. 1t has
about one hundred small. houses or cabins
most of which are made of strips of bamboo
or palm wood, the cracks stuffed with mud or |
straw, and matched with pieces OF bark and |
leaves. On the Plaza del Arma, however,
Ior, likr all Dpanish ,vwns, it hoe its--ariet 81
cratic quarter-are four or five neat frame
dwellings, with an aspiration above mud
floors. Here the Padre, the Governor, the
Commandment and the Alcaldi OF tie Com
muDe reside, and here is the little Catholic |
church with rough wooden cross in front.
and small bell hung on two posts outside
In TIE center OF the square they showed me |
small palm which they said was liberty tree
Luperon, on his last raid here, having cut
down a former tree 'at
There are three hundred inhabitants most
ly negroes, but OF various shades and nation
aities, and very scant as to clothing, which is
Of picturesque nature when worn by adults;
children not being burtet.ed with it at all. 1t
was matter OF surprise to many of us when
We found that English is very generally spok
IN, and that some old negroes here were a
part OF the colony of colored people sent out
70 70 the island by the American Colonization
society over iorty-five years ago.
tIMNIIGR ALTON.
,,,h ,,o d 1--WE or six enterprsing Yankees
WIN 'ne,r FAMILIES, in the towr. who have
settled there and are doing - W. n"'o
been here number Of years WI" IL One paS
come recently. Mr.. Burr and nc ,.. resi- nave
Banoo Maine, arrived two Years o o from
have plantation OF bananas, oranSss they
vi tho verge OF The villase IN, | n
house stands prominently on the Iin-v;sii neir =
Is comfortable home, but after visii;n a
hem, and fihding billiard loom in such
wilderness, | should not be surprispi TO see {
Broadway swell in full dress step out from be.
lind Cheops. and touch lis hat gracefully.
THE PEOPLE.
Where the earth yields so freely of her
torres. and the artificial wants of civilized lie
re unknown, it would be unreasonable to
'ok for very industrious population; but l
lust say the people ofSamana impress me as s
n uncommonly lazy set of vagabonds They i
re irres:stibly good humored, and certainly ,
Intelligent bet ond their station. They have ,
apacity for Improvement and more general
formation than any one would naturally ex-
ect. out where's properly is insecure, and !
zen pantaloons not an absolute necessity,
bat is the use of the work? The women {
e more industrious than the men, and what s
tie LABOR is performed is nearly all sdope by h
EN-: made little journey inland, yester- 4
y, IN company with one of my felIow.trav-
srs leach of us mounted on a BULL, acc ,rdinr
Ine custom of the country,) and eyery- AZ