The New York Herald Newspaper, March 2, 1855, Page 1

Ls rovbers. Se rie “ge aren WHOLE NO. 6762. ——==———— ‘INTERESTING FROM THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA ‘GISTORY Les Brilliant Inauguration Ceremonies. OF THE PANAMA RAILROAD. ut flddress of Judge Bowlin on Laying the Cornerstone of the Monument. “SKETCH OF THE EXCURSION FROM OCEAN TO OCEAN, “frepidation of the Panamencans on Seeing the Iron Horse, &. &., ce. By the arrivelof the steamer Empire City from Ha ‘yana we have received a graphic account of the inaugu- ration ceremonies on the occasion of the opening of the Panama Railesad, This important event was partici- pated in by a numerons delegation from this city, seve- wal of whom arrived in the Empire City. The remainder ‘of the party wiil probably arrive in the Star of the West, now due from Aspinwall. HISTORY OF THE PANAMA ROAD. ‘The attention of the world has long been turned to- ware the Isthmus asa way of shortening the route to the inuies. ~ Various projects have been conceived with this end ia view. In January, 1835, a grant was made %o Charles Baron de Thierry, sovereign chief of New Yealand, by the President ani Deputies of the Republic of New Granada, for the construction of the canal be tween the two oceans—to connect the Bay of Panama ana Leivin Bay, by way of the Rio Grande and Chagres river-—the caval to be adapted to vessels drawing ten Yeot water, and to be called the Panama Canal, The grant to extend over a period of fifty years. In 1886, Colonel Biddle, brother of Nicholas Biddle, procireda grant for 2 railroad or macadamized road, subject to the non-falfilment of Thierry’s grant. In Biédle died, In 1838, the New Granadian govern- ment failed to carry out its contract with Thierry, and jae a grant for 99 years, to Salamoa & Co., for a rial road or enval, Im 1840, Sabla, of Salamon & Co , came ‘out to prosecute the contract, but a division had taken place in the governments of Sew Granada and the Isth- mus, The uncertainty of the endurauce of the new go- vervment of the Estado dei Ismo prevented any effort to procure a grant in the home quarter of the Isthmus. After the reunion of the Istbmos to the New Crenadian government, the earthquake at Poiut Petro occurred. and the papers and evidence of Salamon & Co. beariag upon the grant were lost. This coutract fell through. It was not until American capital and American enter- prise took bold of the project that this great work was garried to a successful cunciusion—a work that had Song agitated the bopes end fears of the commercial world in June, 1849, the Panama Railroad Company ganized under acharter from the State of New In 16504 contract was made between the New government and John L. Stephens, granting ilege for forty-nine years of constructing and working the railroad. The government reserved the right to resume possession at the ead of twenty years, or payment of five millions ef dollars, or at the expiration of thirty years, or paying two millions dollers. The company pays to the government three per cent. of the profits of the enterprise No taxes are to be impored on property of the company. Government stores to be sar- vied free, In June, 1860, the first ground was broken on the road. ‘Yhe first ¢peaing of any portion of the road took place in March, 1822, when trains wers first ran to Gatun, a isiunce of seven miles. Iu the July following, the road was extended to Barbacons, a distance of 23 miles. In Febroary, 184, it was opened to Obispo, 31 miles ia length, One train a day, except Sundays, isrua througa each way the whole length of the road, now extending pm octan to oceau, # distance of 48 miles. ‘The first 25 mies, which were, to a great extent, built upon piles, ow. fil and the of the pastseasoa nave Be tleaea ne ie geen a heen east: ern or northern sides. ‘The equipmeat in power consiets of six heavy and four light locomotives. ‘ihe necessary machine shops, &c., are now temporarily constructed of wood, but it is io tended to substitute iron, as also for the bridges. This is necessary in a climate where wood lasts but a short time. Going trom the Atlantic, the highest geade is filty-three feet to the mile. From the facitic, sixty feet. ‘Lhe worst radius of curve is six hundred feet. At the highest point, the summit, the road lies two hun- dred and fifty fees above the level of the sea, The fare bow charged is nd tea cents per pound ex'ra for Daguage, Freight is rated in thee classes, the lowest price being T ton, and the highest $10. ‘The compaay has now about 3,000 laborers engaged— wages eighty cents a day and found, A police force of forty mea has heretoiore been maintained by the company oa the line of the road for protection against ‘Lhe greater part of these have been extermi- wated or banished, and tre ‘orce 1s now reduced to ¢ under the command of the in At Aspinwall the company owns a harbor quite acces: sible and well protected, except trom northerly winds. A few weeks agua violent norther dismasted a vesnsl and tore away a portion of the company’s wharf aud the build sag on tbe same. At sufficient expense a break ter uusy probably be buil: to improve this feature. ‘The charter wow obtained iequires the Pacific termi- nus to be at Panama, New conditions will have to be wade beiore it can be carried farther. At the Panama end of the road the facilities for freight- ing way be estimated from the description of the traust cof the excursion party from the railroad to the town, and thence to the propeller Columbus, in the bay. First, three-fourths or a mile of carriage to small boats, then cone and a balf miles 1m email boats to the receiving sel. All this handling of merchandise must be vastly expensive. Hence the necessity is quite apparent for changing ‘be terminus of the road, pow by the charter locates at Pavama. The company have purchased three smal! at a distance of one anda balf or twomiles from t Jand south ct l’anama (the road now entering tue city on the aorth size), where sufficient water and protection ations a arbor. To these islaads the road will probably te carried. This is che only expedieat short of & basin in the bay anda tidal lockage, not impracticable, [oo haps, where the tide rises and falls daily twenty-two leet. The consumed capital ix now six millions. Seven nitions are said to be wanted Doubtless seven millions will be required before the narbor at Aspinwall is pro tected, and the iron and stone buildings and wharves provided, Before the roagway is made solid snd secure, and before the Panama terminus is carried to the islands and the necessary appliances are located there for a freighting business, probably ten millions will be re «uired, possibly twelve. it in posmibie that, with #o short a road, even after ‘the completion of all there facilities and «a consequent increase of freighting business, the work may be done op a single track and turnout The expenses of working the road are not likely to be Jess than 50 per cent (propably will be more) the first ‘swe years, though the item of Fuct in not expensive, it being furoi on the road at three dollers the cori. Water is now brought seven miles to inwall, but tanks are being built, which will contain large colle: tions of raia water, The same process will be necessary at the company’s islands in Pasama Bay, they contsin- ‘ing 00 tresh water, as I am informed, An outlay of some 8::(.0,000 of the rece will, during the next two years, probably replace the decaying ties with ligoumvitae, Along the route of the road much current ‘xpoase must be antwipated for keeping the track and the deep cut embankments secure against the washings of the heavy | rains of the rainy season. Everything that is perishable decomposes in this’ climate, and iron ani stove must take ths place of wood. On our railroads the most profitable feature is not the through, but the way carriage. Is the Isthmus capable ‘of an agricultural and mechanical of manufacturing de- that will make way business’ Certainly not the latter, and those who cross the country are not @ikely to form favorable opinions of its early agricultural settlement and cultivation. This road must depend open its through bu . The gross receipts of thi ‘are mot likely to be less, the first year of t! road's opening, th: eed thi 000,000 may mo if much ot She travel should, in counequens: facility now af d by this rod. desert the Nicaragua Toate for thie, The benty and comf Pacific steamers between Panama avd San Francisco are the admiration of ail who have is enures to the alvantage of this seckervu Lgetog here th 8, OOF} , w ‘the road by pile aa ed ia, will tog) the portion of the road built, and er the rwamps will #tay settled, of time, perhaps. It now presents a fine, acres composing the jalan’ of Men- vamiila, oa which Aspinwall is fetid lie but just rained . Im part covered with «wamps and st: ing water, Aspinwall loses, on a familiar acquaintance, the agreeable aspect it wears on entering the harbor. liar features of New Oriea: 3 = A if ] i i ' i] if i F: et i growth to agreat city. The rail. river, however. done, more it will do, the sens, the facility demanded by of commerce, Misninsi| will never be opened until a The practical amon, New York, for $20 per ton. The expensr of freighting the same cargo by eailfeom Paoama to Aspinwall, ex clusive of cost of unloading and loadivg, would ve $20 to $60 per ton, Of course none but fine goods can be brought this route, and these not im quantity, until a different tariff of charges prevails. Whenever a canal cut from ocean to oceaa may open ite gal id let the freighted sbip, without hin- drance, and at moderate cost, pass through, goia; steadily on its way, the passage of the Istumus will immensely facilitate the movements of commerce Then, however it will be mainly for the advantage of steam vesrels, the light and baffling winds and the calms thar revail in the Bay of Panama, causing a detention of sail jpg vesrels approximating to the time occupied in mak ing the pastage around the Horn. ‘The construction and operation of this railroad is a step tending directly to the establishment of a ship ca- if acanal he practicable. Itis under the circam- stances, the pioneer, necessary and effective in peo in the result, The road draws attention, travel, cspital, and enterprising observation along the route of the Isthmus, It prepares the way for the transportation and keeping of men and means necessary to the work of ithstanding the failures we have witnessed, there hopes entertained of the practicability of canal across the Isthmus, The river Atrato, ia Darien, is said to be navigable a distance of some forty miles, Thence to the Pacific, in the province of Choco, » dis- tence of forty or fifty miles, tho great mountain chain is said to fail away into irregular liils, which do not appear insurmountable obstacles to the construction o! anal. A survey ix being made, I understand, on pri vate account of @ party in New York, to test the practi- cability of this route, SCENE AT ASPINWALL —THE TRIP ON THE ROAD. At 9 o'clock, on the morning of the 15th of February, 1855, the steamer George Law entered the harbor of As- pinwall, with the flag of New Granada to the fore, ani the stars and stripes floating at the mizen. The (oul en semble was pleasing beyond our expectations, The white houses, with small windows and green blinds, lent an American aspect to the town, while the shipping lying at anchor in the bay, showed signs of commercial life, ‘The palm trees on shore gracefully waved their tall foil- age in the breeze of the trade wind, and the green hills that, on two rides, encircled the bay, rejoiced in the glow of the tropical sun, The firing of cannon audibly welcomed the party who, at the invitation of the Panama Railroad Company, was now arriving to join in evlebrating the opening of the road. Theparty consisted of several gentlemen from New York and vicinity, most of them stockholders in the road, under charge of Mr. William Whittenright, Jr., a director of the company. We were met by Col. Tot ten, Chief Evgineer, and Mr, Center, Superintendent, and corducted from the vessel to the quarters of Col. Totten and his corps, at the edge of the town, on a point of sand beach lying inthe bay, Here the bay presents a most benntiful sea green appearance, and at a few rods distance, the breakers, in snowy foam, ro!) ceaselessly on the sandy beach. Here, reposing in the deiicious breeze, the party were prevently refreshed by the milk of the young coco nut brought by negro waiters, with the shell perforated and ready for the delicious quaffing of the thiraty traveller. A sumptuous dinner soon after com pleted the refreshing process, and a walk to the railroad office afforded a sight of the entrance into Aspinwall, of the first train through from Panama without change of cars—the first through train since the completion of the road, freighted with passengers arrived that morning at Panama jrom San Francisco, in the John L.. Stephens. ‘The next morning, the 16th, at 9A. M., the party proceeded in a car attached toa train which carried over the passengers arrived at Aspinwall, in the George Law, to make the passage of the Isthmas by steam. The engine was gaily decorated with flags, and the express car of Hinckley & Co., which followed us in tne freight train, exbibited a profusion of gay streamers and bril- liant decorations. Proceeding at the rate of about 20 miles an hour, our train of nine passenger and one bag gage car, soon reached Gatun, 734 miles from Aspinwall. Here an arch spanned the road, covered with leaves of the palm and fiowers of the wild plantain, it was crowaed with this motto-—1he problern is solved, success ever wltends on enterprising people.” A dense forest spreads on either han’, and # profusion of vines and creepers fairly smothered the trees with their rank growth, while the rank smell of the swamp and its decay, penetrated the nostrils with an unmis- takeabie sense of miasm: At about a cozen wiles from Asp'nwall we passed the Jast swamp, the dling in of which had cost an incalea lable amount of labor and disheartening exertion, but which now presents solid and sufficientiy secure ap pearance. In this swaip, Col. Potten, when the forest growth was first cleared away, preparatory to laying the track. proceeded @ short distance, travelling in a mabner contrasting strongly with the mode now aiforded by the | railread, Finding his mule could not get on, he aban doned the animal, and stripping off his clothes tied them ound his neck. Leaping from fallen tree to fallen tree, swinging himself from branch to branch, seramb- lirg in mud and water oftentimes np to his shoulders, he, after several hours, succeeded in making his way through. Along this section of road, on the Aspinwall side, the road has settled into consistence. The origioal pine ties are fast rotting out, lasting but about eighteen months, and are being supplied with lignumvitw, which promise to last # long terin of yea These cost $1 60 per tie, At twenty three miles from Aspinwall, we crossed the Chagres river on a substantial bridge with stone abutments, Here a beautiful glade opened park- like to view, quite refresuing alter the dense forest choked with undergrowth, through which we had here- tofore passed. After passing Gorgona, twenty seven miles from Aspin wall, near the cont! uence of the Chagres and Obispo rivers, junstion of the two valleys of the Chagres and tio Grande, through which the road is constructed, the train stopped. On the left flowed the Chagres river, and on the right, ata few yards distance, rose a conical bill of regular form. Perfeet in form, and striking in appearance, this hill proclaims itself the proper site for the menument to the original grantees of the road. Palms, tall and graceful, scattered nere and there, deco- rated the hi nd fringed the vales below. The vales, that epread away on all sides and with their bills and the valley of the river, lent a picturesque variety to the scene, unequalied on the line of the road Mr. Whitewright, after placing a tin box upon the corner atone, of whose contents he could not inform us, introduced to the assembled company his Judge Bowlin, United States Minister to aa having kindly consented to deliver the addross appro | priate to the ovcasion. ADDRESS OF JUDGE BOWLIN. We meet here to-day, to commemorate an epoch in | history destined in future to give new life and animation to commeree, and, by ‘acilitating intercourse, to national renown a brigbterlustre, It is our pride and pleasure to announce to the worll, from the summit of the Isth mus which divides the two great oceans, that the bar. ries to intercourse between them has been broken down by indivi¢ual enterprise; that thelr waters are | yinked together by Lands of iron; and that the car of | commerce now rides triumphantly from sea to sea, free and unshackied to the trade of the world, That the time bas come when the prediction of Columbus, that the reute to India and ber rich commerce was through the West, is no b a solved problem. Fe American enterprise, It is the triumph of this great idea, the completion of this great work, which forms an event in the bistory of commerce that we have this day wembled suitably to commemorate, by erecting a Bonurment, not to record military deeds and barren viec- tories, bu. the loftier triumphs of the progress of civili zation. The monument we this day lay the foundation of, isto perpetuate the deeda of men who courted glory, met upon the tented field, but im works of utility and progress, to better the condition of haman ity through quiet and unobtrusive struggles. itis the spirit of ae, the triumph of art, the creations of genins, that thie monument ix to commemorate. Indi- vidual genius has criginated the design, and individual enterprize has prosecuted thie great work of connecting the seas—n work which had baified the speculative the oriste of three centuries—and, by industry and perse verance, has accomplished the objest and laid the foun dation of & new era in the commerce of the world, juite startling and more promising of results than the dis- | covery of the ocean route to India. We meet here as citizens, representing in our sympathies teo republic alle interested in the consummation of thie g! terp friends, alike proud of the participation of our ree countries and countrymen in thie un- ralleled work, with no other rivalry than udable ambition to excel im fostering and encouraging an undertaking that equally redounds to ry of both republ It ie the glory of New Gre peetive enterprize. to record it bey Pate Leming whilst we, of the Con. federacy, ieel equally proud that our country has pro need the man whore deeds and whose paw hy are lo decorate the ped |. The imterest of the respective countries is equal and mutual | hanne! commerce, we can only be rivals for & renown which is more than sufficient for both. Then, standing here upon this heaven erected altar, whore base dashes back and motoally ag : interest and our glory, let as determine by « solemn re- solve that this monument, consec: to genius and to enterprize, and the road it commemorates, shall alike ke completion Ce is a at more than three centuries oS eae See the Prem the period, the had bean the preat subject of content rival , and it never falled & time, controlied it. In the ———p- MORNING EDITION—FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1855. in the Iavguage of Holy Writ, “merchant princes,” and the ruins that have everywhere marsed its course, alike attest 118 power to builf up and destroy. It built up Paimyra tm the cesert and left her palaces in marble only to perish and become a more conspiowous monu- mevtin per ruins of her former glory and renown. Alex- ander the Great, after destroying ‘Tyre, aa a rival, sounded his great city after his own name, that she might, 1 the enjoyment of that trade, become the queen city of the world. And then she too had ne of glory and otrhame, Con tinople followed im the train— then Venice, whose glory was dimmed and then obscured by the discovery of the passage around the Cape of Goo! Hope, Then commenced a new struggle for that trade which enriched nations and cities in its march over Europe ol a disco- very, the to her country. The Duteh and English were her rivals, until after a conflict of more than two centunes England triumphe in tecvring every commanding point ja the new route, and controlled its destiny—making Londen to the modern world, what Tyre, Palmyra and Alexandria were to ths ancient. In the beginning of the struggle for the con- trol of this commerce, Columbus proposed a new hypo- theris, founded upon philosophic views—that the earth was globular, and that the true route to the East wa: througha western channel In his efor to demoustrat : problem, he discovered to the world « hitherto ua- wn heminpbere. He established the truth of hia posi tic, but a continent intervened to check him im his ca: reer This led to a new struggle to find » pausage to India through the Western Continent ; and in it every ellort that genius could inspire, or daring adventure would at- tempt, was resorted to, to solve the great problem of “Nerthwest passage.” From the frozen regions of the Arctic Sea to Cape Horn, every inlet was penetrated by the bold and adventurous navigators of every commer: cial nation, each striving to give to his name and nation the imperishable renown of the discovery. For more than three centuries the contest has been nu- ceasing ; und while it haa been productive of some good results in new discoveries, it has left nothing ia ite {m- mediate path but monumental wrecks of unparalleled caring: At the very commencement of tis mighty struggle, this isthmus, where we now stand, and with it the great Pacific Ocean was discovered; Balbao, an off of the crown, and Franeis Pizarro, then a youthful ad venturer, unknown to fame, but who wae subsequently destined to Bll so large apace in the world’s history, as the conqueror of Peru, were the first to penetrate the at inystery that lay beyond the new continent, in covery of the giéat ocean, Formal possession was taken of it, as an acquisition to the Spagish crown, by Halbo’s marching into ith waters and asserting the ao minion of the swerd ovor its boundless waves covery was made before Cortes had learned the road to Mexico, and must have been the first. Imme diately upon the dissovery of this intamus, ad- vocates arose to vindicate its claims as the great passway of the world’s commerce. Spain, then, in the very vevith of her glory, made it the route of the commerce of her American’ possessions, and lavished treasures with a liberal hand for its defeace ‘The cities of Ports ello on the Aflantic, and Panama on the Pacific, sprung into existence as if by magic, and Europe rung with the tales of her wealth and splendor, more dayziiog und extravagant than the wildest crea tions of fiction, ‘They were to the European world the caves of Aladdin, to which every daring adventurer sought entrance that he might possess himself of their trensures—and yet this rich commerce was carried be- tween the two cities on a mere paved mule road. The history of this age of the Isthmus fully establishes her claims to the highest commercial importance, as her cities rore upon her commerce alone, and fell only when the continued rapacity of Europe, stimulated by extra- vagant legends, plundered and destroyed it. Spain her- self contributed to their fall, by such extravagant pre tensions in regard to her American possessions that it Toused nearly all Europs against her, particularly every jawiers adventurer’ Drunk with her wealth nnd power, she put no hmits to her arrogant assumptions, thort of locking up the commerce of the seas. ‘This policy led to the destruction of her citics along the const, and the crippling of that commerce upon which they flourished on every sea, Porto Bello and Panama were no ex- ceptions to the rnle—they fell, and in two centaries from their foundation scarcely preserved relics enough to attest splendor that had once dazzled the fancy cf the world. The golden aze of the Isthmus had ¢e- parted, but survived long engugh to establish its im portance a# a commercial highway as the trae route to India, It is a melancholy truth, which the historian will record with no pleasure, toat after this period of her greatness, she relapsed back into a state of obscuri rr conquerors bad originally { her, The Spaviar that age were a race of heroes and conquerors, not pr tical men, and seldom contributed much to the impro ment ef countries that Sell under the dominion of ther swords, The glory of "the isthmus was a commercial boon, not one of pillage and cultivation, and wheu that was checked and bet cfties destroyed, to relapse was a natural result. But, whatever the cause, she certainly so, and remained for nearly a century and a balf a ferra incognita, wutit public attention wis roused fwom its apathy to her true worth, by the invest\gations 0 John I. Stephens, to whore memory tds mammnent i in part erected. He not only investigated api un folded the commercial advantages of the Tis} but extended his operations through Central Anwd ca, disentombing cities of forgotten nations ef th past, and giving to the world a work wich will be read with interest as long as the language in which it is written shall sur’ He found the country an almost unbroken willerness, but ¢ eye of genius and enterprise, resource cian advantages which he #9 pourtrayed as to arouse hi countrymen to action. During all the time the isthmu had never ceased to attract, more or leva, the attention of the world, asthe spot designed by nature an’ the im mutable laws of trade, as the great highway of merce, It had always held a place as the rival sc tolthe darling project of daring na r rch for a northwest pasasge. Vhilosophers and statesmen had epeculated upon it, and even gations had ceigned to give 1 passing notice, yetthe work was deem ed too stupendous for execution, until Col, To:ten, the engineer, ‘isabused the world of that folly, by accom plihing the work, teaching the dillerence between prac- tical progress and dreaming philosophy. But the road is made— and in this utilitarian age, where everything de- pends upon practical results, the inquiry arises, what is to Le accomplished by it’ We might reply, every thing beneficial to commerce throughout the world Hut, to be more specific, the distance between the indies and the ports of Europe, ix to be lessened at least one-fourth, and the American Atlantic cities on+ third. The long voyages, and dangerous and boisteroay navigation around the capes, is to be avoided. The vhove track of the western shores of the two Americas is to be brought into immediate connection by speedy transit with the eastern shores, and with Europe. Again. by abortening the routes, steam can be successtully employed to visit the remotest regions where commerce can be found—another great economy of time. It uo locks the gaten of commerce to the South American re publics, and gives them a speedy access to the poi the werld, To New Grana with her extended o on both oceans, its advantages are incalculable, it will form anera in her history, (rom which will date that spirit of progress which is destined to develop her resources, and make her socially, what she in now by ‘nature, @ magnificent country. To New York, to whom justly belongs the glery of this enterprise, it will be a conductor of the world’s richest commerce. But her destiny fired nothing can retard her prosperity, Nature and the laws of commerce have stamped ber as the future commercial emporium of the world, and this work is hut one step in the sceemplahment of that design. And now, to con clude, we bave but to remind you that the work | the triumph t* complete; the highway of eommerce to Incia has been found, the problem of Colnmbas hax been he cars of commerce are rolling {rom ea to sea, ir waters are linked by indissolable bo revolution in trade is at hand which to work out incalculable reaults, And it our boart, as citizens of the that an enterprise toat startle! nations by ite magnitude bax been completed by the uadivided efforts 0: « few of our countrymen, unier the fostering protection of the two directly interest ‘The memory of Steven epinwall and Chauncey, as the original projectors, will be preserved on thie monument, to remind the passing «iranger of their deeds. but they and their associates—comnected as they are, through this work, with the commercial interests of the country ~sball tive in ite history, and commensurate with it# boundless expanse. There are deeds that outlive monu mente! mat and men whose names and fame reach Ut youd monumental limits and are freshly remembered when the pedestal that records their deeds bas mingled with the dust it was designed to commemorate We have but oneduty more te perform, and that is to lay the foundation stone of s monument that is to recor’ to future generations the commercial union of the two great oceans Beyond Gorgona the road ja still much of it built om wooden supports over ravines, and presenta an insecure #ppearance, and really is wo why jer how rap idly the slender wooten piles decompose in this climate But the process of filling in and of supplying iron brig es is going on, and will be continued, | understand, unti the whole shall have asolid foundation. Ati}, . M. the train reached Panama, having made the parrage, with over 400 persons, in four anda balf hours, ineluding balf an hour's delay at Monument hill 3 in our United ‘This dia. | | ma, where the mueb i that part of the person as possible may be ex At the Grst appearance of the locomotive these pro- ple, the who had gone out upon the way to wit ness the ¢agine and train, were seized with fright an® ran away, sbrieking “l animal!’’ (the abimal) as they not inaptly have styled the “iron horse.”? The connection made by the ready transit of the 5 aengers from the train to the steamer not causing tention and accumulation of travellers in Panama, heretoiore, has injuriously affected the buvineas of that place. Rents have fallen immensely, and the general falling oft of business is certain to carry values toa still lower point. In Panama the party were quartered as gueste of the railroad company at the Aspinwall House—a fine build ing, but soon to be closed for want of business. THE EXCURSION. Ow the Iith, after breakfasting at the principal res tanraat, the hotel not furaishing meals, the party pro- ceeded to the residonee of Mr. Munro, the agent of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. Hence we proceeded through a gate in the eity wall, over the rocky bed of the Paritic, the tide being out, come three-quarters of a mile to the small boats, Here the party were taken, by turns, On the backs of negroes, and carried from the rocks to the boats. Serambling for seats, after occs- sional ripping of light sons, to the sore detriment of white ponte, &e. A rough row of ome anda half miles landed all, "including several ladies of the families of Judge Bowlin and Mr. Munro, upon the deek of the old propeller Columbus, Ning miles down the bay, partly in a sbower, brought all to the pretty little island of ‘Toboga, amid the waving of flags and the firing of cam- non from the English workson the island—a salute of seven gous from the British battery honoring the pre- rence of the American Minister. Here debarking, the party reembarked in small boats for the British steam ship Bolivia, lying at her anchorage in Toboga Bay. A Aheavy shower coming up, wet most of the party to the skin. It gever rains in the dry weaeon is a popular iNusion that he present experience has quite dinpelied. ‘The natives attrilute the phenomenon toe animal | But the magnificent dejeuner « la fourchette which the | i} 1 i} | company sat down to, im the cabin of the Bolivia, at 2P. M,, more than compensated for a slight wet ting in that genial climate, The table presented a glittering array of table service, all handsome of its kind, and the comestibles were all—turkeys, chickens, beet, ham, salmon, sardines, pater, ducks &c,—-superior in quality. The magnificent pi the tropics, tanked ‘by the complement ot nd bananas, threw into the shade the dried ising and Various nuts whieh aided in making nplete whole of a table, where wines of great variety and superior quality crowned the whole. Mr. Mathieson, the ogent of the Britirh steamship , Company at Panama, presided at one end of the table, | and Capt. Wild, of the Boliviny at the other, After the due satisfying of appetite, provoked to keen contest by | the temptation before it, Mr. Motbieson gave— The health of the President of the United States.” Judge Howlin briefly responded, and gave—' The Queen,” | Drank with all toe honors, Mr, Center gave—“Tho steamer Bolivia and her accomplished commander,” for | whieh Capt, Wild returned thanks, and gave—The la- dies who honor us with their presence Returning to the island and re embarking in the Co lombus, the party returned to Panams debarking was the same as that of gin the morning—by stall boats and negro back. The tite had rsen and the Loatseame much nearer to the city wail than in the morning. It was a scene to be remerobored as the boats neared the landing, and the bills and islaads that embellish the noble bay of Panama were growing | dim in the declining light of day, when the young moon | bong her silver born over the tiie-worn walls of Pana r bells chimed their merry rounde r of evening. lay im the listening THE BANQUET AtS, P.M, of the 17tn, a party of about seventy per. sons sat down to dinner atthe Aspinwall House, Pana- Mir, Whitewright presided, On his right wat hin excellency, Don Pedro de Diego, Governor of Panama, | the Right Reverend Bishop of Vanama, Fray Edwardo | Varquez; the Receiver General, Senor Dow Rancon Val- | | lerino; Don Carlos Zachrisson, the Swedish consul; Senor removed from the condition ia which her | |” Three hearty cheers As truth ir stranger than fiction, we do not wonder at | tuis vast improvement on the heretofore triious paseag by boats and mules, occupying a# many days and involy ld of fatigue h ite stone bi wn of three stories high walls, its churches apd heavy fortifications presents a strong Spanish contrast to Yankee Aspinwall. All agree’in pronouncing itas bealthy ax Arpt versally admitted to be pestilential. This observed by the officers of the road in t! the health of the workmen. Those who, while engage on the Atlantic slope were rick, epjoyed health whea the sommit bad been pasted airs, ‘snama within the walle, with (te rubstantia!l stone buildings and narrow gutter shaped and ‘gutter paved ad they inhaled Pacific | streets, lowest in the centre, presents s strong contrast } to Panema without the walle Cutede— the seburby— we bad to thread on our way from the care to the city. are unpaved and irregularly durtlt th bamboo huts, thatched with palm Hertado, and others. On the left of the ebai lion. Judge Bowlin, Uni nada; Col T. W. Ward, ma Rey. Mr. Rowell, Pro Fx Govervor Vins nister to Pern, at the ‘ow Gra. States Consul at Pana nt clergyinan nine not Dou Mariano Avosmens, ex Mi ers. Str Mathieso » Company; N. H. Mon: Mr. Bourn, ag: ten, Engineer in-Chief, a I uperimtendent Panama @rorgy) Posada, of the iranadian government, t- extn Wble Attor due discussion of the vianda, Mr. Genter za. Eaq., Hon, ede tp pt weveral letters from distinguished por. z eR bee bom invited to join in the celebration, bun agggruebie lewttent. Among others, from C. Aug. David bay. De Spring, Dr. Bethune, Dr. Hawks, Lieut Dirpy, ite bare Lewin, Geo W. Blunt Teg i the meswing of the 18th a delegation of Panama nians called upon the railroad party, aad in handsome terms preson@d an address complimeutary and patriotic mn its tone | THE RETURN. | M.t rty started (thermometer eighty five degrees, during a shower.) ina special train to re turn to Aspinwall, All went well until th proceeded about twenty miles ticn, just after the train had pay stained over a rau off the track ge was done beyond the tearing up of a few A messenger was imme hed to Aspinwall oh a hend ¢ mI leven hours after the a arrived up from Aspinwall. The passengers and At one I’ train had | Here, at the Obispo sta- | 4 over portion of the leep gully on «i No ¢ama ader piles, the ties. baggage were immediately transferre?, and at) A M on \he morning of the 19th reached Aspinwall. This in ident only adced variety to the otherwise, perhaps, too movotorous and unaccustomed manner of crossing’ the sthmus. It gave us a taste of anight upon the isthmar. and a relish for the Inncb of workingman's fare, which the kindpese and activity of Col. Totten and Mr. Center procured tor the party at the Obiapo station A richer treat, ani more refined, awaited us at the house of Mr Bourn, the steamship company’s agent at Aspinwall, ia a sumptuous breakfast, that, in variety | and abundance of good cheer, rivalied the deyeurer a la | fourchette of the Bolivia It was understoo:! that the Isthmusians designed giving a ball, on the evening of the 19th, to the railroad party | and others, as their demonstration in the celebration of opening the road, to be followed by a dejeuner on Tues day mor the 20th, at Aspinwall, given py the rail- | road to! namanians and others. These would close the festivities of the occasion, For this ball and break- | fast the majority of the party did not delay thelr stay on the isthmus. At 9 A.M. of the 10th the party ealled away from the hospitable shores of the isthmus, bearing away with them agrerable recollections of a most enjoyable trip, and of the reception of the kindest horpitalities The burning sun of the | however, the rank | and tangled forest growth, , the maddy, sluggieh stream of the Cb d other rivers, the ab- vence among the people far omiorta of ite, the filth, privation and fat th 4 met our son all rides upon the inthmar, had prepare! us for willingly turning our faces b ard. We could bat ayine what must have been the privations of those who made the pareage of the isthmus in the time of mules and Chagres boats, anc thank American enter. prise that we had enjoyed the benefit of railroad transit. rried our adieu 1 entertainers on the wharf, and to four ining over until next steamer, and wafted their parting greetings to ur as the Fl Do away into the bay to the sound of » parting ‘om the eannon on shore Huccesa attend the noble enterprise, the Panama Kail road, and may it.as a paying enterprise, equal ite de verte. If boul not the world will be still the gainer by ite ti low gasrage through the (arfibbran ‘en in the Fl Derado, age head wind towards the vane. The ship is net hy of her commander 0, Captain Gray o all wor worthy of «No. 1 veesel pressure of events during the short stay on and the oppression of #ea sickness on this voy t bean apology for whate wet comings of YOUR CORRESPONDENT athmnu *ee, may be apparent im this ne: Appointment by the President, THE FON ATE y ant THE ADYICR 4 General Winfleld Scott, e 4, to be Lisutenant General by brevet in th 5 eminent services in the late war Mexico, to rank as such from March 20, 1847, the day on | which the United States forces under hie command cap: red Vera Croz and the Castle of San Juan de Uiloa Coroners’ Fatst BTAPRIXG Came —A lad named James MoGill, aged 17 years, died yesterday at the residence of his brother, No. 156 Crosby street, frem ich he received with = penanife lad abowt the same age, The deveaved ppeare, were what ie fermed sxylariing to gether, when the latter became angry stabbed the deceased in the arm, producing a deep fevh wound The oceurrence teok place on the Ith ult time the deceased hae gradually grow yesterday, when he died ve, brought about by the quest will eld upom the boty of roramwhile, McCabe will be arrested it the result of the Coroners’ investigation Seatonn To Deate.—Coroner Wilhelm held an imquest | be eller Cocwased to day to | yesterday epom the body of Gottlieb Barth, « butcher, | lately rewiding at 197 avemoe A, who came to hes death yriation bill than to pi | Nothing | the South and Weet | sed ' AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON. Important Debate in the Senate on the Tariff Question. THE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS REJECTED. THE TEXAS CREDITORS BILL A LAW, The Army Bill Passed in Committee of the House, &o., &o., ho. THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, BKCOND SRSSION, Senate, Waxuinanon, Marety 1, 1855, IGT OF AMERICANS ABROAD —IKLIGIOUS PREFDOM After the receipt of several communications from the heads of departments, in purnuauce of previous ingui ries from the Benate, Mr oie, (dom.) of Mich., moved to take up the rengiutions appended to Mr. Underwood's report from the Committes ow Foreign Relations, made oa the 17th ult Objections being made, Mr. audnays, Yeus 20, nays 6 The resolutions were out debate. ‘THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION MLL After sundry ineffectual attempta to get up other mea sures the Civil and Diplomatic bul, on motion of Mr. HONTER, was taken up. Mr. Clayton, (whig) of Del., objected to the bill, be cause of its incorporation of 4 modification of the ta rif, Mr Honrer, (dem.) of Va, oaid he disliked » coryorations, end would not advocate such a m to originate here, it had so come from the Hi and the tariff provisions were more acceptable to the majority of the Senate than those of any previous bills Mr. CLavron—-We must recollect that Lere ix a propo sition to change the whole tariff aystem brought i the Jast three days of the session, which need a month's connideration, The House of Representatives fl entirely changed in character by the late tremer political revolution. 1 am against forcing « m upon the country in this mannor, This is carrying pre cedents too far for my acquiescence. Tk TRXAS CREDITORS HILAL Was then sent in by the President, signed by bie, THE TARIFY QUPSTION, Mr. Beoapuran, (dem.) of Pa. —I am dpposed to thin incorporation of the tariifin view of coming events and the peculiar character of the next House of Represent tives, Such « measure will come back to plague ite ventors be r from this time, The Senator from Virginia saya the plethora of the public tremsury de toanda this mensure. The falling off this year of six millions from the public lands, the Bounty Land bill just in from the House, the Texas Creditors’ bill just signed, and other measures, will soon reduce the plethora of the trearury. I hope we will go omand pass the Appropria bill, erasing that incorporated interference with the Cass asked for the yeas ven taken up and passed with | industrial interests of the country, and depart from here in peace. Mr. Bavoxn, (whig) of N.C, offered an amendment to the tariff section of the Civil and Diplomatic bill, to refund the duties om railroad iron, which has been [vid Cown for eighteen month# past, and which may be laid down for eighteen months to come, and providing that dyestuffs and unmanufactured wool of the value fifty cents, and below sixteen cents, be admitte nove n, (whig) of Pa.—Thia tari! provision re quires great deliberation, If this tari ineorporation prevails, I shall move as*an amendment to the bill the reach Spoliation bill, and somebody else will move to tack on the Harbor and River bill, and soother to ia corporate Miss fvix's bill for the insane. If you estab lich thir precedent you will Gud every imaginable mea incongruously upon the Senate at the ee of the session, adding, if possible, to the confu on which generally prevaila at that period. 1 would as willingly see all the dutios repeated, as witness the enactment of auch sections aa those relating to the tariff im this bill, Messrs. Prancy, (whig) of Md., and Bayan, (dom.) of De), thought it would be better to defeat the appro tin its present form 4 to the bill r. Bessamix, (whig alleging that, in maby tion, an un cue advantage ba’ been givea to manufactures Mr, Hunrea said that ag this measure was carried by votes in the tariff modification, though not perfect, wa: could be dexired, Mr. Jame, (dem) of RT mbera of the How rretanding that it wo couatr as good as remarked to Mr. Hunter, voted for the bill 1 uot be ameade J he did not know how that might be He sid, by the Uist of names, however, that several Venpsy!vanians voted for tt Mr. Bayaxn opposed the tariff provision in the appro priation bill, and did not like to be thus compelled to awa low the modifiention Mr. Fewann, (free ., believed that hy ing to th slation we give ne the py country any maa they please ax the condition that they will fornish menka to carry on th eroment, For one, 1 will stand here until Faturday night at this measure from the lieve the iron interest garde protection, and t ock to realist House uf Representatives. 1 be t nt to any other as re neat is injured more than any other by this modi mm of the tar ibe gen tlemen from Virgi ont wiil alao see that ¢ of there alte will sweep tusir from the declivitie mountains. Mr heward reviewed the eflect alterations upon other interests, when Mr. Jounsex, (dem.) of Ark., moved a recess till o'elock An adjournment was moved by several Senators and lont An amendment was offered that the recess be till 7 | o'clock. Lost Mr Jobneon’s motion fi took a recess until 6 0 clo RVENING SESHION. PAY OF THK simeNTeD nally prevailed, and the Senate Mr. Skwann's resolution, providing for the pa t members of Congress prevented from attending by « ners, or who were, by sickness in their families, of by pecersary business, voable to take thelr sents at the commencement of the session, was taken ap Mr. Chaytox moved to strike out © neoresary bow pews A discussion followed batwoem Messrs. Sow and Clayton, when the amendment was reject resolution parsed THK ROUNTY LAND RELL Mr. Hrovuray now tried to get the B to the Bounty Land bill before the refured, and THe CH Was takew up. Sir. ewan was prong up e the end of thew ufacturera hav tine to responatrate. | & letter from turer of bichromate of potash, stating thie pore bin mba “i the te amendments but t AND DIPLOMATIO WILL 1 objection to the bil Mr. Banum—What's bichromate of Mr. Sewanp—Idon'tknow. The p fore re ignorant. and my argument this hasty legialati don't keow wh are doing know, the bill crash the be the country. Raflrow prise haw o labor to that interest, and too little left in agriculture Prices are too high We are tapping the treasury at both ende. | don't object to the profuseness of expen in proper, but the treasu:y mast be kept fall ning the dutios, will Mr. Wino ‘othing ) from Wr, Bla ¢ 8 repeal of the neturalization 4 of Ansel Lavin others, of Worcester, Mass., for a repeal of the Fugitive slave wet Both were Mr Wave 1 he rhewld not be of | cannot pere stutional right » portant thie measure has pot the com ther money bil Mr. Srwann (interrupting *titutional © (a Sta ened to Mr Wate and am elck of this Yelk about protecUon. We have bal Bascombe speeches epough to night about the labor of the ovuntry very thing that has been sab om the anty part lan been repeated. A predict about danger from the ection bare been falsified. In 1 of the mana facturers were sacrificed conventions remarted that 24 (Wilson) war a Keow this wobjeet, and 20 most of the Hemators In 1861 the Senator from New Yorks voted ie the Ke 7 bil! billy the subject than thle teri Iehall support thie bill, because | believe it the interests of my @wn tale, as well ae Mr, Wade bad Ke appeer tor Ow a atin wil eu ben the ee of the o 7 Mr, Baonwsn sched & division om the question The ret part of the smendme from North oo ut the benef The latter 17 G04 abolitioniam—pro se Nothimgtarn fe comgretalatet | fouthern friends their new ally in tehall of ade Hie (rie! from Massachusetta intimated pe ee of protection eas to a uch an « by A hg vimit renmnd the Renator that Marcachonetta ae well oe It from that quarter the slave trade | free trode notions. the Bouth i¢ worth shout fourters seraels willis of Softars. If» tireet taxation by re | sorted to, » great part of thet burthen will fall on the slave tates Massachusetts toms have got rich wy New che weote Sx Sean cote te get this she ie willing to ve Sou lkers relroete . THE NEW YORK HERALD. a PRICE TWO CENTS. their wea free. I won't say as: hing about bergaing, but there things look queer! arrangement the Civii and Diplomatié bill A io bed taste nad at o bet time. Revolutionary Senators will excuse on the interest of my zaal induces it . id Mr. Wason—I didn'trefer to the Fugitive Slave set, nor to the repeal of the Missouri com . Whee those questions come up I wilt be for them. Aa to protection, Massachusetts wan! ree wool aad free dyeatufly: Twould abolish the duty on raw omterial ‘hich entera into the manufactures of the country. Vennsylvania bas enjoyed more pretection than other State, Under thia bill ner iron will have a protec | ton of thirty five per cent. Mr. Coors (interrupting)—How do you make that out’ Mr. Witsow (resuming)—The duty will be twenty five per cent and the cost of inmportetiog pearly fifteen more. [auppore thin bill will be defeated and go over to the next Congress Mr SkWAKD, (interrapting)—Have you more comf €ence in the next than in the preseat House of Repro miatives Mr, Wusos-—I doa tknow why Ishould not have ae muck, and [certainly have more political aympathy with the next Hounse. Me. Haows—I an giad te find that Massachusetts haw taken the right ground ‘upon the aubjret of free trade, I hope by-and-bye she will be right on slave Mr Jone asked Mr. Badger to withdraw bis amend. ment to allow the Senate to come to a direct vote om Mr. Clayton's proposition to strike out everything in re lation to the tariff from the bill, Mr Banorn withdrew his emendment Mr. Batorr—1 want to see the bil free of irrelevant mat ter. The proposffion for » revinion of the tariit ta good ¢, bat out of place in this bill. | am, for one, willing y of wtriking it of this bill ‘or it at another time, ao ladeper would yote proponitien. Mr. Weiw (dem) of N. H.—1! astonishes me thet ontlemen are so much lovolved in technicalities nators have waid that they are in favor of the mee wure If it were independent of the appropriation bill. The tolling millions are awaiting with analety our re | duet! f the t We have told them at the buat ings that we were in fay taritts, Now we have an opportunity, for which we have a precedent by the recerd, to carry out our promines. | want to bring down | the revenue to prevent {ts being collected from the Je and rquandered away upon the miserable Colina ine of wt ra, and other extravagant projects, Mr. Cagyton—Mr. Wella seems to think that nobody | doubta te propriety of the tariff redustion, and that the obje ters of form. I how er, in not Ko. blow at the great | agricultural and manufac try. Under the reciprocity treaty st year you have in Jured the agricuitural interest so that today = great | agricultural assemblage bere tell us that if thry caw haye no protection, there shall be no protection. “There are 100,000 farmers, enough of them to put down ell your rerchants and manufacturers, | have only to of my sdhesion are to be falling under me, butin future | shall stand the representative of farmers, and their to anything clos, will induce me to battle as earnestly as ever for the doctrine of protection Mr. BUTI am not responsible for this debate, When gentlemen talk of agricultural interes vw what agricultural ioterest they mean the agricultural int T ha y of rice and cotton gre anything from government, The doctrine of protection will, within ten years, be perfectly loathaome. Just alter the war protection may have been needed: bat eur manufactures once established, the necessity there for ceased, Now protection is but taxing one laterent for the support of another. Thore is some agricultural jmtereat in this country besid (interrupt fat producers, and asked whether they should have protection Mr. Maron, (dem ) of Va —1! have taken no pert in thie thie morning 1 the new party might incorpo lebate, but the Mentor from Delaware, mugger’ rt fation bil Mr. CLavtox in any Way oF manny hire tor such a measure Mr. Maron—I beard the threat, and marked the quar ter from whence it rama. Afterwards, in explanation, I uieant to nugget that the Senator from Delaware waa i ermtood to be the exponent of the new party, I be heve he would vn nach questions aa the 1 ot, Netratha, or other le Hitution, Bat when he Of the poisoved chalice being retarned to our lips, he meant that fulure ap ation bills would carry o>. pox meesures to us, which the new party woald or | tight postin this way. If the gentleman from Dele ware in not the exponent of the new party so bere. Virginia, my honored State, is bee Does the geotieman mena to aay that | eapresned or fatimated auy de arty outthe evi et him say wae in 9 manner omy if the + House sball ever graft & repeal of the Fo Missourl eomproi restitution of te F for the honor and dignity of the Bouth, je which either of thane ay be carried will not be taken inte conside- and leak the Senator from Delaware whether he look at the f the the manner ia t might be Mr. CLAYTOX—f mea ‘outh Carolina, but the pored upon me a doable { the American party to reply to the Henator from ator from Virginia = Jam ao bumble mentber the exponent of the Know Nothings The Awerican party le ao open party, with IL n, Orgauned, and was successful stity their t meetings and athe Mr, Chavte know nothing about such meet spd oaths. ‘Ibe American party ignores the w uration very, and will keep out of Congrers all who shall dare to Mr. Riek, (dem) of Texae—Will the gentiomss from Delaware tell an if M qnent Mr n—Lobject toanyboty tahing the gentlemam from me, | went to ask whether the party which the enator from Lelaware cclle the Americam party ba pot now in possession of the government of Michigan? Mr CLarton (4 Kowk)—You will Sod oat, within here ia any Am cau party outelde overionled with the next fourteen months, whether the American part ino of Delaware (To Mr, Mason 1 find ry rly, whether there are any of them ia virginia. Yoo talk of dieunion. If you Kenatore—you, apo each of you-and the Representatives in the other House should resolve here that the Union be disevived, the greet body of the people are so attached to the Union tha 14 come here and bang you all, or else to the F and Mr. Brothesd ot the yous snd nays w , (Gem) of Ih the tariff t myple revenue standart. | ¢ man, but | cabnot vow for such a rathiog about the bill tarifl w ty per cent, but “ 1 am fore retuction of a8 free wi othe principles of that of 1646, reign’ that there are greet 1 ’ eight per m ibirty t, according to ne @ vi tell me they go for this meneare because 1 the protective measure they have ever hed, the (frlegation from Massschusette ta see go tor JDinels « one of tne largest woot ow ng “tates in the Union oat the Weetern States, O Atk ine to go, under theee cireometances, fore re { the wool duty from W to A per cent. If this becamee it la If you can pet thin inte what can't you get there! Hagia feqoards, a6 your approprie helmed tulated the arguments contained ta of the « tint therefore 4 in itself, | wouli'nt vote for it, er jutionary in ite che on approyt iation bi) wo break through the tion bile will be ove Brsicnix moved stjourn Lowt—eyes, 2, ® Mir. Rewsnn reeumed—| have never resorted to amy [actious contrivance ty cerry any mensares, however tm rant they may be to bumeslty. The Aenstor from ) Carolina aske me what {should say If toe nent House of Rap A in a vill for the Kver einer | have been in Congres the tacking of measures together, xed Menatore wilt bear me gut in the stetement that when | have been your with? tions Wo imtrodace obit repre! the Vugit at under seother wh formiy retased Yeu mn eerere | now tel! these gentlemen rules which are mate for t te of the minorities, by modifying « tert over of & general appropration bill —f Us Henate shall in thie manner endorse the irregular ection of the Howse, s04 ifthe Vrevitent shall a1 hee eignatere ton meanure ther carried, a! way in, that | bet vorticn all my | Go wot way bow | shall at. 1 those who extab vey wemren wh be ateendment. propeming te 4 from the i Vue 24, st ball past vleven & motion was wate to edjoure, es rarried—yons 34, nays 22 1% onder the en Cayton’ all relating to Uy a Hlouse of Mepresentatives, seecimatos, Mardi 1, 1865. Moc comparatively animportant business, said « | great (sl of confuron, wae trampacted im the House ve | be pacenge of eight private bills, the at carrying inte efiect the y Weaty between the United Mates aed Greet Pa itele THE AREY LEPROrRAmON mnt The Howse than went (eto commition oo (he amemt- mente of the Renate to the Arey Appropriation bell, | The Menate’s amendment war agree! to suthoriring aA4ition to the | ative ie of