We will find, however, that with this, as with most other South
American cities,
"'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view, And clothes the mountain
with its azure hue."
The city of Panama is situated on the shores of the bay of that name,
and a most beautiful bay it is, too. What is the number of the present
population, I cannot say, as it is doubtless filled with strangers--it
formerly contained from 5000 to 7000 inhabitants, and was a quiet,
still city, where, during the day, nought but the sounds of the convent
bell and church bells disturbed the horses of the citizens in their
grazings in the public squares, which were all overgrown with grass.
The trade carried on consisted in importing dry goods from Jamaica, for
the supply of the Isthmenians, the neighboring produce of Veragua, the
Pearl Islands, the towns of Chiriqui, David, and their vicinities, and
the various little inland towns. Goods also were sent down to the ports
of Payta, in Peru, and Guayaquil, in the Ecuador. The returns made for
these goods, consisted in the produce of the Isthmus: such as gold
dust, hides, India rubber, pearl oyster shells, (from which the mother
of pearl of commerce is made,) sarsaparilla, &c. The climate is warm,
say from 80 to 85 degrees all the year round--the rainy season long and
severe. The nights in Panama, however, are much cooler than usual in
tropical climate.
The other route is the overland, by Independence. The details of this
route are given below by Mr. Edwin Bryant, the author of "What I saw in
California." They were communicated to the Louisville Courier in answer
to questions but to Mr. B. by the editor:
_First_--Which route by land is the best for the emigrant?
_Answer_--The route via Independence or St. Joseph, Missouri, to Fort
Daramie, South Pass, Fort Hall, the Sink of Mary's River, &c. &c. the
old route. Let no emigrant, carrying his family with him, deviate from
it, or imagine to himself that he can find a better road. This road is
the best that has yet been discovered, and to the Bay of San Francisco
and the gold regions it is much the shortest. The Indians, moreover, on
this route, have, up to the present time been so friendly as to commit
no acts of hostility on the emigrants. The trail is plain and good,
where there are no physical obstructions and the emigrant, by taking
this route, will certainly reach his destination in good season, and
without disaster. From our information we would most earnestly advise
all emigrants to take this trail, without deviation, if they would
avoid the fatal calamities which almost invariably have attended those
who have undertaken to explore new routes.
_Second_--What kind of wagon and team is preferable?
_Answer_--The lightest wagon that can be constructed of sufficient
strength to carry 2,500 pounds weight, as the vehicle most desirable.
No wagon should be loaded over this weight, for if it is, it will be
certain to stall in the muddy sloughs and crossings on the prairie in
the first part of the journey. This wagon can be hauled by three or
four yokes of oxen or six mules. Oxen are usually employed by the
immigrants for hauling their wagons. They travel about fifteen miles
per day, and all things considered, are perhaps equal to mules for this
service, although they cannot travel so fast. They are, however, less
expensive, and there is not so much danger of their starving and of
being stolen by the Indians.
Pack-mules can only be employed by parties of men. It would be very
difficult to transport a party of women and children on pack-mules with
the provisions, clothing and baggage necessary to their comfort. A
party of men, however, with pack-mules, can make the journey in less
time by one month than it can be done in wagons, carrying with them,
however, nothing more than their provisions clothing and ammunition.
For parties of men going out, it would be well to haul their wagons,
provisions, &c., as far as Fort Laramie or Fort Hall by mules, carrying
with them pack-saddles and _alforgases_, or large saddle-bags, adapted
to the pack saddle, with ropes for packing, &c., when, if they saw
proper, they could dispose of their wagons for Indian ponies, and pack
into California, gaining perhaps two or three weeks' time.
_Third_--What provisions are necessary to a man?
_Answer_-- The provisions actually necessary per man are as follows.
Of Flour, .....150 lbs. | Of Bacon, ..... 150 lbs.
Coffee,..... 25 " | Sugar, ...... 30 "
Added to these, the main items, there should be a small quantity of
rice, fifty or seventy-five pounds of crackers, dried peaches, &c., and
a keg of lard, with salt, pepper, &c., with such other luxuries of
light weight as the person out-fitting chooses to purchase. He will
think of them before he starts.
_Fourth_--What arms and ammunition are necessary?
_Answer_--Every man should be provided with a good rifle, and if
convenient with a pair of pistols, five pounds of powder and ten pounds
of lead. A revolving belt pistol may be found useful.
With the wagon there should be carried such carpenter's tools as a
hand-saw, auger, gimblet, chisel, shaving-knife, &c., an axe, hammer,
and hatchet. The last weapon every man should have in his belt, with a
hunter's or a bowie knife.
_Fifth_--What is the length of the journey?
_Answer_--From Independence to the first settlement in California,
which is near the gold region, is about 2050 miles--to San Francisco,
2290 miles.
_Sixth_--What is the time for starting?
_Answer_--Emigrants should be at Independence, St. Joseph, Mo., or the
point of starting, by the 20th of April, and start as soon thereafter
as the grass on the prairies will permit. This is sometimes by the
first of May, and sometimes ten days later, according to the season.
* * * * *