There are four different routes to California from the United States.
One is from New York to Vera Cruz, thence across Mexico by the
_Diligencia_, to Acapulco on the Pacific, where all the northern bound
vessels touch. This route would be preferable to all others, were it
not for the fact that the road from Vera Cruz to Acapulco is infested
with robbers.
Another route is by steam around Cape Horn--a long voyage, though
perhaps the cheapest route. It should be performed in our winter, when
it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere and consequently warmer at Cape
Horn than at any other season of the year. The fare on this route by
steam is about $350. The time of performing the voyage is about 130
days.
Another route is by the Isthmus of Darien. The fare on this route is as
follows:
From New York to Chagres (by steam)---------- $150 From Chagres to
Panama, across the Isthmus--- 20 From Panama to San
Francisco----------------- 250 From New York to Chagres (by sailing
vessel)- 80