Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-05-18
LETTERS OF A TRAVELLER.
PANAMA, April stb. Is

| AANANA, ApItt Gu, iCt..
Ed. STANDARD: II we're not strong.
ly opposed to offering apologies, would
makc an attempt at one here for the in.
trusiOn upon your space of what has per.
baps been often told aud now known to
many of your readers.
This city is at present extremely dull,
with still moro gloomy prospects ahead.
One would think that, with the couple
ton of the Central and Union Pacific
Railroads, the travel had entirely ceased
from Sau Francisco to New York on this
route, but still. many come ria Panama
and Aspinwall, and will, perhaps, until the
Costa Rca Railroad is finished. With
| this the time and space will be much
shortened, and will furnish no doubt as
cheap transportation as the present route.
Then the doom of Panama is sealed. Its
already crumbling walls will give greater
proof Of antiquity and decline. The vines
will creep undisturbed to its topmost tow.
ers, and LIZARDS aud serpeuts inhabit its
sacred affairs.
But leaving Panama to its destiny, we
will glance ut the coast towns at which we
called:
First is Masdalona, situated on a bay of
the same name, aud in the southern part
Of Lower or Old California. Its only ex.
port is a moss gathered from a certain
kind of tree, and called by the natives
"Orchilla." 1t is used for dying purpo.
ses, aud is valued at homo at about $500
per ton. There were about 1000 bales Of
800 pounds each, waiting for our steamer,
but owing to some country disturbance
only one-third of it was allowed to be
shipped.
Our next place, worthy Of attention. is
Mauzainillo, washed by the eastern waters
Of the Gulf of California. Discharged
-four. and took on q few hides, which is
about its only export Next in order is
Acapulco, which is known to travellers as
the shell market of the north Pacific coast.
Its exports are hides, indigo and tropical
fruits. At present many of its best build.
ings are in ruins, owing to the great earth
quake which happened several Yeas ago,
Its beautiful fortress is dismaDtled, aud
the city wears gloomy appearance.
Leaving Aeeapulca We arrived at La
Libertad, belonging to the Government of
San Salvador. Here we passed our East or
Sunday. The citizens had remembered
the day, and in front OF the cathedral,
swinging by the neck, was the efgy Of
Judas in horrible Disagreement.
Ninety miles south Of this, belonging to
the same Government, is the city of La Un-
ion. These two cities, particularly the
latter, have thriving appearance. The
buildings are neat, kept in good repair, and
some improvement seems to be going on.
They export hides, indigo and coffee. In
the suburbs of all three places are huts
occupied by the poorer classes. Beauti-
full shade trees Of various kinds stand
thick aud conceal these Suburban habita.
ton from the eye of the traveller as be ap-
prcachos them, so that the cities present a
much less appearance than they really
are.
The population, near as I can deter
mine is as follows: Acapulco 5000, La
Liber;ad 5000, La union 5000, Panama
10000 With the exception of Panama,
none of those seems to be, as we approach
them, over half the size of Olympia.
Our passage from San Francisco occu.
pied ID days. The weather was delight
full, and the sea calm all the way. The
winter has just commenced here. The
6rst rain of the season was on the 9th inst.
Tomorrow l embark for Callao on tho
steamer AriqsiPa, after which voyage you
will hear from me again. j. Ii.
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