Chapter XXXIV: Interoceanic Communication (18)

[XXVI-68] The _Morro_ was a British boat, which the rebels
seized in the night from the 14th to the 15th, and then
went on her alongside the _Alajuela_, which was a Costa Rica
vessel, seized her, and proceeded to sea, leaving the _Morro_
behind. _S. F. Cronista_, Oct. 18, 1884; _La Estrella de
Pan._, Oct. 23, 1884; _Pan. Star and Herald_, Oct. 17, 23,
Nov. 26, Dec. 30, 1884; _Cent. Am. Miscel._, nos. 3, 9, 10.

[XXVI-69] A Colombian armed steamer was ordered to Panamá;
and Gen. Santodomingo Vita was despatched to coöperate with
the commander of the federal forces. The decree was issued
Oct. 22, 1884. Gen. Benjamin Ruiz was on the 28th dismissed
from the Colombian army. _Bogotá_, _Diario Ofic._, Oct. 30,
1884.

[XXVI-70] The assembly, being notified that the legally
constituted authorities were now recognized, passed a vote of
thanks to Cervera, his secretaries, Victor Dubarry and J. F.
Ucrós, and Gen. C. A. Gónima, for their successful efforts
for peace. _La Estrella de Pan._, Nov. 6, 13, 1884; _Pan.
Star and Herald_, Nov. 6, 1884; _Pan. Cronista_, Nov. 8,
1884.

[XXVI-71] 27,505 votes against 1,550 for Justo Arosemena, and
95 in Colon for B. Ruiz. An attempt had been made by what was
called the Alianza Liberal to have Justo Arosemena as its
candidate, but he virtually declined it, and his name was
retired from the field early in July. _Id._, July 30, Oct.
18, 1884; _La Estrella de Pan._, Sept. 4, 1884.

[XXVI-72] Gónima telegraphed Nuñez at Bogotá, on the 30th of
Sept., the day before the assembly met, that it would call a
convention, and adds that, thanks to the patriotic efforts
of Cervera, 'Lambert no será presidente. Sus indicaciones
oidas.' _Bogotá_, _Diario Ofic._, Oct. 8, 1884; _Bogotá_,
_La Luz_, Oct. 8, 1884. Lambert, on the 12th of November,
in an address to the Colombian people, protested against
the unjustifiable interference of the federal govt in the
internal affairs of Panamá, by which he had been prevented
from assuming the chief magistracy he had been chosen to
by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens. At the same time
he made known his intention to cause no disturbance, but to
remain peaceably in private life. _La Estrella de Pan._, Oct.
30, Nov. 20, 1884.

[XXVI-73] Details may be found in _Pan. Star and Herald_,
Oct. 23, 1884; _Pan. Cronista_, Oct. 22, 1884.

[XXVI-74] The assembly adjourned sine die on the 13th of Nov.

[XXVI-75] The convocation was not made according to the
requirements of the constitution; and moreover, martial law
existing in many parts of the state, no free elections could
be effected in such localities.

[XXVI-76] Gen. Lorenzo Segundo was made comandante gen., and
Col F. Figueroa his second in command. _La Estrella de Pan._,
Jan. 8, 1885.

[XXVI-77] _Pan. Cronista_, Nov. 29, 1884; _La Estrella de
Pan._, Dec. 4, 1884.

[XXVI-78] He took possession the next day. _Pan. Cronista_,
Jan, 7, 10, 1885; _Gaceta de Pan._, Jan. 9, 1885; _Pan._,
_Actualidad_, Jan. 8, 1885; _La Estrella de Pan._, Jan. 15,
1885; _Cent. Am. Miscel._, no. 20; _Correoso_, _Sucesos de
Pan._, 7-8.

[XXVI-79] _Pan. Cronista_, Jan. 7, 1885.

[XXVI-80] Isidoro Burges, sec. of gov.; L. C. Herrera, of
treasury; José M. Aleman, of fomento. _Gaceta de Pan._, Jan.
9, 1855; _Cent. Am. Miscel._, no. 22.

[XXVI-81] The government had now only a small force in Colon
or Panamá, having on the 9th sent away the federal troops to
uphold the general government at Barranquilla, against rebels
in arms. _Pan. Cronista_, Jan. 21, 24, 1885.

[XXVI-82] It seems that some of its members were implicated
in this plot, and orders for their arrest were issued.
That body alleged that legislation had been hampered by the
government. _Pan. Star and Herald_, Feb. 11, 1885; _Pan._,
_El Cronista_, Feb. 14, 1885; _Correoso_, _Sucesos de Pan._,
11.

[XXVI-83] _Id._, Feb. 18, 1885; _Cent. Am. Miscel._, no. 28;
_Gaceta de Pan._, Feb. 18, 1885.

[XXVI-84] During that morning the revolutionists compelled
merchants having arms in their warehouses to deliver them.
They thus provided themselves with upwards of 600 rifles.

[XXVI-85] There had been many killed and wounded on both
sides. An outsider, a French citizen, who imprudently put
out his head, also lost his life. Much property was stolen,
destroyed, or injured. At midday on the 16th the prisoners
in the jail effected their escape, and made themselves
conspicuous with their cries of Viva la libertad! The
government force made several prisoners, and seized a number
of arms in the arrabal. A number of young Panameños formed
themselves into a guard to protect the city during the night
of the 17th. _Pan. Cronista_, March 18, 21, 25, 1885.

[XXVI-86] A mulatto from Cartagena. In 1881, when a member
of the legislative assembly from Colon, he was concerned in
a personal rencontre with and killed M. Céspedes, and an
Englishman. He was tried and acquitted, and his immediate
release from prison was demanded by the assembly. _Pan.
Canal_, June 7, 1881.

[XXVI-87] Correoso blames Gónima for leaving Colon utterly
defenceless. _Sucesos de Pan._, 12.

[XXVI-88] Those who refused to furnish the supplies were
imprisoned, and their goods confiscated. _La Estrella de
Pan._, March 19, 1885; _El Universal de Pan._, March 20,
1885; _Pan. Star and Herald_, March 31, 1885.

[XXVI-89] The object of the notifications was to allow
time for non-combatants to get out of harm's way. Families
accordingly abandoned the city, and business houses were
closed. About 8 o'clock Gen. Ibañez visited Aizpuru's camp,
and brought back assurance that no assault would be made that
night.

[XXVI-90] Gónima despatched Correoso and Jerardo Ortega as
commissioners, the former to Aizpuru, and the latter to
Prestan. Both missions resulted in nothing satisfactory.
Aizpuru proposed the following terms: 1st. Recognition of
Gónima as civil chief of the state; 2d. Aizpuru to have the
command of the troops, which were to be increased to 1,000
men. Prestan to be the prefect at Colon. After reflecting
a moment, Gónima, rejected the proposals. Correoso then
resigned the office of secretary-general. _Pan. Star and
Herald_, Apr. 9, 1885; _La Estrella de Pan._, March 28, Apr.
4, 1885; _Pan. Cronista_, March 28, 1885; _S. F. Cronista_,
Apr. 4, 1885; _Correoso_, _Sucesos de Pan._, 13-16.

[XXVI-91] Prestan demanded the arms on the _Colon_, and being
refused, first arrested Connor, then after grossly insulting
Mr Burt, the superintendent of the Panamá R. R. Co., took
possession of the wharf, placed a guard on the _Colon_, and
made a search for the arms, but could not get at them. _Pan.
Star and Herald_, March 31, 1885; _La Estrella de Pan._, Apr.
4, 1885; _Pan. Cronista_, Apr. 4, 1885.

[XXVI-92] They had been taken to Monkey Hill at 3 A. M. on
the 31st, and placed in a dangerous position under guard, but
in the mêlée that followed they escaped.

[XXVI-93] At 1:30 A. M. of the 30th 160 men, under cols Ulloa
and Brun, were despatched from Panamá to attack Prestan at
Colon.

[XXVI-94] Prestan succeeded in joining the rebels against
the national government, who were beleaguering Cartagena,
and was received into their service, even though their
chiefs had been made aware of his conduct at Colon. He was
afterward captured, brought to Colon, tried by court-martial,
and hanged on the 18th of August. Two of his principal
men, captured by the _Galena's_ force, had been also tried
by a Colombian court-martial, convicted of incendiarism,
and publicly hanged on the 6th of May. They were named
Geo. Davis, a West Indian negro, and Antoine Portuzelle or
Pautrizelle, a native of Hayti, who left a letter charging
Prestan with the infamous act of destroying Colon. Three
other accomplices, Grant and Guerrero, and a Cuban named F.
G. de Peralta, were subsequently sentenced to imprisonment
for a number of years. _La Estrella de Pan._, May 9, 16, Aug.
15, 1885; _Pan. Star and Herald_, Aug. 19, 22, Dec. 11, 25,
1885.

[XXVI-95] The only buildings that remained standing were
those of the railway, Pacific mail, and canal company. Ten
thousand persons were left without shelter.

[XXVI-96] _Pan. Star and Herald_, April 10, 1885. Burt and
the canal company's officers caused supplies to be brought
to Colon. Their houses and offices offered shelter to the
destitute inhabitants. Kane and his officers and men labored
day and night to relieve suffering, and won themselves the
gratitude of the distressed community. _La Estrella de Pan._,
Apr. 4, 1885. According to later accounts, the losses by the
burning of Colon were 18 lives, and about $6,000,000. _Pan.
Ev'g Telegram_, Apr. 3, 1886.

[XXVI-97] The number killed probably did not exceed 25. The
prisoners were treated with every consideration, and soon
after released. Much property was damaged. _Pan. Cronista_,
Apr. 11, 1885; _Nueva Era_, of Paso del Norte, Apr. 1, 1885;
_La Estrella de Pan._, Apr. 4, 1885.

[XXVI-98] Sec. of gov., C. A. Mendoza; of war and fomento,
Jerónimo Ossa; of treasury, Cárlos Icaza Arosemena. The last
two declined the appointments. Commander of the state forces,
B. Correoso. _Gaceta de Pan._, Apr. 7, 1885; _Pan. Star and
Herald_, Apr. 9, 1885; _Cent. Am. Miscel._, no. 29, 41-3.

[XXVI-99] Toward the latter part of April, there were about
400 in Panamá city. Total number of marines on the Isthmus
600, their commanding officer being Brevet Lieut-col. Charles
Heywood, who commanded at Panamá. McCalla held command in
Colon. In case of need, the Am. squadron could place on
shore 1,800 men, and 30 pieces of artillery. _Pan. Star and
Herald_, Apr. 23, 1855; _La Estrella de Pan._, May 2, 1885.

[XXVI-100] Aizpuru expected soon to be attacked by a superior
force from Cauca. He despatched B. Correoso and A. Clément as
peace commissioners to Buenaventura, but they were arrested
there. _Pan. Star and Herald_, Apr. 25, 27, May 4, 1885.

[XXVI-101] After which it was to proceed to Cartagena. _La
Estrella de Pan._, May 4, 1885.

[XXVI-102] Aizpuru's terms were as follows: 1st. To resign
his powers into the hands of Vives Leon, Pablo Arosemena,
or any other constitutionally entitled to receive them. 2d.
General pardon for all offences of a strictly political
character, but the punishment of the guilty of crimes in
Panamá, Colon, or elsewhere on the Isthmus. _Id._, Apr. 29,
1885.

[XXVI-103] On the 4th he claimed to have delivered a larger
number of arms than his commissioners had bound him to
surrender. _La Estrella de Pan._, May 3, 9, 1885.

[XXVI-104] _La Estrella de Occid._, May 16, 1885. Both
Aizpuru and Correoso were subsequently deprived of their
military rank. The former, being tried by court-martial in
Bogotá, was sentenced, Nov. 3, 1885, to 10 years' exile,
with loss of offices, income, and political rights during
that time, and payment of costs and of damages caused by his
rebellion. _Pan. Star and Herald_, Oct. 1, Dec. 10, 24, 1885.

[XXVI-105] Upon which they were publicly complimented by
Rear-admiral Jouett in general orders.

[XXVI-106] 'No siembran mas que lo que justamente consumen
por temor de ser robados en la forma de contribuciones.'
_Maldonado_, _Asuntos Polit. Pan._, MS., 25.

[XXVI-107] Witness the proceedings of the troops brought
by Santa Coloma, and later, at different times, by the
battalions Tiradores, Pichincha, 3d de línea, and others.
Upon the subject of undue federal interference with the
domestic affairs of the Isthmus, the following charges
preferred by M. J. Perez from Panamá in a letter of Oct. 22,
1884, to Aníbal Galindo, are worthy of notice: 1st. Public
intervention of the general government in internal affairs
of the state; 2d. Barefaced protection by the gen. govt
to rebels in arms against the constitutional govt of the
state; 3d. Intimate alliance of the federal force with the
opposing conservatives and with the radicals to disarm the
government, and exercise pressure on the assembly, forcibly
hindering its performance of constitutional functions; 4th.
Consequences of the foregoing course; acts of piracy on
the part of the rebels, violence, bloodshed, international
claims, humiliation. _Pan. Cronista_, Oct. 25, 1884. Correoso
corroborates all this in his remarks on the conduct of the
Guardia Colombiana on the Isthmus, in 1860, 1865, 1868,
1873-5, 1878, and subsequently. _Sucesos de Pan._, 3-8.

[XXVI-108] 'No solo es víctima de sus propios males, sino
tambien de los que le vienen de fuera.' _Maldonado_, _Asuntos
Polít. Pan._, MS., 26.

[XXVI-109] Discussions in the national Consejo de
Delegatarios, in Nov. and Dec. 1885, and law of Dec. 11,
1885, to regulate the gov. of Panamá. _Pan. Star and Herald_,
Jan. 6-15, 1886.

[XXVI-110] _Id._, March 20, 29, supplem., 1886. The
publication of the journal was restored after the term of
suspension expired. Vila's course was disapproved by the
general government, and he was peremptorily recalled for
disobedience of orders. The proprietors of the journal have
made a claim for heavy damages. _Buenaventura Correoso_,
_Sucesos de Panamá Informe á la Nacion_, Buga, 1886, 4to, 24
pp. The writer, one of the prominent political men of Panamá,
in this pamphlet purposes, as he assures us, to point out
the source of the almost continuous disturbances that have
occurred on the Isthmus since 1860, laying particular stress
on the events from 1880 to 1885. It might be expecting too
much that he should express an impartial and wholly unwarped
judgment on those events, and on his political opponents. It
must be acknowledged, however, that his statements appear to
be fair enough, and that his assumption of responsibility
for some of the acts which he censures is frank. _Simon
Maldonado_, _Asuntos Políticos de Panamá_, MS., 42 pp. The
author of this review is a native of Panamá, and has filled
responsible positions in his country, more especially in
the judiciary. His views of affairs there are impartial, and
entitled to consideration for their soundness.

[XXVII-1] An official doc. of the U. S. govt gives 174,800;
_Am. Cyclop._, of 1873-6, 178,277; Crowe, _Gospel in Cent.
Am._, roughly computes it at 200,000. Other authorities
widely differ. I refer the reader to the following maps,
namely: John Baily's, 1850; Max. Von Sonnenstern's offic.
maps of Salv., 1858, and Guat., 1859; Herman Au's, of Guat.,
1875; Paul Levy's, of Nic., 1873; Molina's map of Costa R. in
his Bosquejo.

[XXVII-2] 'Never so great as during the summer months in
England.' _Dunlop's Cent. Am._, 258; _Crosby's Statem._, MS.,
114-17: _Guat._, _Mem. Min. Hac._, 1883, 15-16.

[XXVII-3] The same may be said, though in a less degree, of
the northern and eastern coast of Hond. from Omoa to Gracias
á Dios.

[XXVII-4] La Union, San Miguel, Acajutla, Sonsonate, etc.,
owing to local causes.

[XXVII-5] The average temperature at Tegucigalpa, Comayagua,
Juticalpa, and Gracias is about 74°. _Squier's Notes on Cent.
Am._, 25-7; _Belly_, _A travers l'Amér. Cent._, i. 53-4.

[XXVII-6] Cold and salubrious on the table-lands in the
interior, the thermom. ranging from 65° to 75° Fahr.
_Molina_, _Bosq. Costa R._, 28. The climate of Costa R.
varies from 50° to 60° Fahr., according to elevation.
_Galindo_, in _Journ. Royal Geog. Soc. of London_, vi. 134;
_Laferrière_, _De Paris à Guatém._, 47-8.

[XXVII-7] This is by far the pleasanter season, the forenoons
being usually cloudless, with a clear, elastic, and balmy
atmosphere. Owing to local influences in some portions of the
eastern coasts it rains more or less the whole year. _Crowe's
Gospel_, 1-12.

[XXVII-8] Consisting of three groups; viz, the Costa Rican
traversing that republic and Panama, the Honduran and
Nicaraguan, and the Guatemalan.

[XXVII-9] Some of the summits are 17,000 ft high. Several
spurs from the Sierra Madre—the main ridge—cut the plains at
right angles, and sometimes reach the sea-shore.

[XXVII-10] All the volcanoes of Cent. Am. are on the Pacific
coast, almost in a line, and running due north-west and
south-east, beginning with the Cartago or Irazú, in Costa
Rica, which is 11,480 ft high, and has left traces of violent
eruptions before the historic period; the only proof of its
present activity being a small rill of smoke visible from the
foot of the mountain. There are hundreds of other volcanic
peaks and extinct craters on the line, the most notable
being the Turrialba, which was in active eruption in 1866,
the ashy matter from it having been beneficial to the coffee
plantations; Chirripó, Blanco, Závalo, Barba, Los Votos 9,840
ft high, also in Costa R. Abogado, Cerro Pelado, Tenorio,
Cucuilapa, Miravalles, Rincon de la Vieja, La Hedionda,
Orosi, Madera, Ometepec, Zapatera, Guanapepe, Guanacaure,
Solentinami, Mombacho, Chiltepe, Masaya or Nindirí; this
last said to have been in a state of eruption upwards of
250 years ago, and still continues active; it had a small
eruption Nov. 10, 1858; Managua; Momotombo, 6,500 ft high,
near the Managua or Leon Lake, about which the Indians had
a tradition of a tremendous eruption some 100 years before
the coming of the Spaniards, the lava running into the lake
and destroying all the fish; the latter part of the story
seems to be incorrect, there being evidence that the lava
did not reach the lake shore; it partially revived in 1852;
Las Pilas, Asososca, Orota, Telica, Santa Clara, El Viejo
6,000 ft high; El Chonco; Cosigüina, whose first eruption
was Jan. 20, 1835, believed to have been the most violent
ever recorded in history; and Joltepec—all in Nic. El Tigre,
Nacaome, and Amapala, or Conchagua, in Hond. In the republic
of Salv. are several; namely, the San Salvador, which had not
broken out in upwards of three centuries; but in old times
it ejected immense masses of lava and scoriæ to a distance
of more than 18 miles. It is of great depth, computed by
Weems, an American who descended it, at about 5,000 varas;
the bottom is occupied by a lake; San Miguel, about 15,000
ft high. In old times it ejected large quantities of cinders
and half-melted stones of immense size. The country for 30
miles or more, including the site of San Miguel, one of the
oldest towns in Am., being covered with lava and scoriæ;
San Vicente; Izalco, which broke out about 100 years ago,
is in constant activity, but has not caused any serious
damage; Paneon, and Santa Ana. In Guat. are the Pacaya;
the Volcan de Agua; the Volcan de Fuego constantly smoking
with occasional explosion and shocks, its last eruption
being in 1880; Encuentro, Acatenango; Atitlan so remarkable
at one time for frequent and violent eruptions, the last
ones being in 1828 and 1833, which caused much destruction
on the coast of Suchitepequez; Tesamielco, Zapotitlan,
Amilpas, Quezaltenango, and Cerro Quemado whose last eruption
was in 1785. There are many other nameless ones. Near a
number of the active and extinct volcanoes are small and
almost circular openings in the ground, through which is
ejected smoke or steam. The natives call them ausoles or
infiernillos, little hells. _Dunlop's Cent. Am._, 3, 13-17,
52-5, 91-2, 118-20, 284-90; _Squier's Trav._, ii. 101-19;
_Squier's Cent. Am._, 359-61, 492-8. Other authorities
speaking of the volcanoes of Cent. Am. are: _Stout's Nic._,
143; _Silliman's Journal_, xxviii. 332; _Levy_, _Nic._,
75-85, 147-53; _Guat._, _Gaceta_, Feb. 10, 1854; _Diario de
Avisos_, Nov. 22, 1856; _Nic._, _Gaceta_, June 5, Aug. 7,
1869; March 18, 1871; _Salv._, _Diario Oficial_, Oct. 11,
Nov. 15, 1878; _Overland Monthly_, xiii. 324; _La Voz de
Méj._, March 17, 1866; _Pim and Seemann's Dottings_, 39-40;
_Baily's Cent. Am._, 75-8; _Wells' Hond._, 231-2; _Harper's
Mag._, xix. 739; and the _Encyclopædias_; _Guat._, _Revista
Observatorio Meteor._, i. 21-3.

[XXVII-11] About 300 have been recorded in 3½ centuries,
which are probably the hundredth part of the actual number.

[XXVII-12] _Hist. Cent. Am._, ii. 719-21, this series.

[XXVII-13] June 20th, at 3 A. M., was felt a heavy shock in
Guat.; no great damage was done. In Comayagua and Tegucigalpa
the shocks continued from the 20th to the 25th; the people
abandoning their dwellings. Many buildings, both public and
private, were much injured. The shocks were also felt in
Trujillo.

[XXVII-14] Apr. 23, 1830, Guat. experienced one said to
have been the most severe since that of 1773. Feb. and
Sept. 1831, a great part of San Salvador was ruined. The
authorities and most of the people fled to Cojutepeque. This
was the sixth time the city had been more or less damaged
by earthquakes. Sept. 2, 1841, Cartago, in Costa R., was
nearly levelled to the ground; of 3,000 houses previously
existing, not 100 remained entire; of the 8 churches, the
smallest and ugliest was the only one escaping uninjured.
May 1844, the city of Granada was nearly ruined; the town of
Nicaragua was greatly damaged, the lake of this name rising
and falling several times, as if having a tide. Amatitlan,
Petapa, Palin, and other places near the volcano of Pacaya,
hardly had a house left standing in the end of March and in
beginning of April 1845. In the repub. of Guat. shocks have
been repeatedly experienced, those of 1884 and 1885 causing
devastation in Amatitlan. San Salvador experienced heavy
ones in 1575, 1593, 1625, 1656, and 1798, and was completely
ruined in 1839, 1854, and 1873, and several other towns in
the republic fared almost as badly in the latter year. Oct.
2, 1878, there was loss of life. Dec. 27-29, 1879, Ilopango,
Candelaria, and other places were demolished. In Costa R. the
destruction of Puntarenita occurred Aug. 4, 1854; and in 1882
the towns of Alajuela, San Ramon, Grecia, and Heredia were
damaged, with heavy loss of life. In Dec. 1867, a tidal wave
swallowed the island of Zapotilla, in Golfo Dulce, drowning
all the inhabitants. The earthquake shocks seem to be of two
kinds, namely, the perpendicular, which are felt only in the
vicinity of volcanoes, and the horizontal, reaching great
distances from the places where they originate, being very
unequal in their progress, in some parts rocking the ground
violently, and in others, in their direct line, nearer their
source, being but slightly felt. _Dunlop's Cent. Am._, 290-3;
_Squier's Cent. Am._, 298, 304-7, 465; _Squier's Travels_,
ii. 85, 120-6; _Ponton's Earthquakes_, 69, 76-7; _Reichardt_,
_Cent. Am._, 83-4; _Nouv. Annales Voy._, clxv. 360-1; lxxxv.
264; lciii. 121; _Montúfar_, _Reseña Hist._, iii. 608-9;
_Wagner_, _Costa R._, Pref. viii.; _Costa R._, _Col. Ley._,
vii. 101-3; _Id._, _Gaceta_, Sept. 10, 1853; July 15, Aug.
5, 26, Sept. 2, 1854; _Id._, _Boletin Ofic._, Aug. 31, Dec.
23, 1854; _Niles' Reg._, lxi. 257; _Pim's Gate of the Pac._,
26; _Mission Scient. au Mex. Geol._, 13-16, 511-12; _Wells'
Hond._, 233; _Salv._, _El Siglo_, May 28, June 3, 1851, Sept.
3, 1852; _Id._, _Diario Ofic._, Oct. 5-27, 1878; Jan. 13, 14,
1880; _Id._, _Gaceta_, May 20, 1854; _Id._, _El Rol_, Oct.
13, 20, Nov. 10, 17, Dec. 1, 1854; Feb. 9, 1855; _Guat._,
_Gaceta_, Oct. 21, 1853; May 5, 1854; _Nic._, _Gaceta_, March
26, 1864; Feb. 10, 1866; Jan. 18, May 9, Oct. 31, 1868; Jan.
8, June 18, Aug. 20, 1870; _La Union de Nic._, Jan. 12, 1861;
_El Porvenir de Nic._, Oct. 15, 1871; _U. S. Gov. Doc._, H.
Ex. Doc., Cong. 43, Sess. 1, i. pt 1, 796, 808, 814; _Id._,
Cong. 44, Sess. 1, i. pt 1, 129; _Uriarte_, _Terremotos de
Cent. Am._, in _Mex. Soc. Geog._, _Boletin_, ii. 189-95;
_Mex._, _Eco Mercantil_, Apr. 24, 1882; _Pan. Star and
Herald_, Jan. 5, 7, 11, 1886. Very full information from 1469
to 1882 in _Guat._, _Revista Observatorio Meteor._, i. 24-39.

[XXVII-15] Worthy of mention were the shocks of July 11,
1854, felt throughout the Isthmus, Sept. 11th, the same year,
felt in Chiriquí; 1857, 1858, 1868, and Sept. 7, 1882; this
last was a heavy one, damaging public and private buildings;
also delaying the transmission of passengers and merchandise
over the railway. _Salv._, _El Rol_, Dec. 1, 1854; _Costa
R._, _Gaceta_, Oct. 21, 1854; _S. F. Alta_, Oct. 2, 1857;
_Sac. Union_, Aug. 2, 1858; _S. F. Call_, June 23, 1868;
Sept. 8, 9, 25, 1882; _S. F. Chronicle_, Sept. 9, 1882; _La
Estrella de Pan._, Sept. 14, 1882; _Pan. Star and Herald_,
Sept. 14, 1882.

[XXVII-16] The most important ones are the Usumasinta, known
also under the names of Lacandon, Pasion, etc., in Guat.,
of about the size of the Garonne or Elbe in Europe, or the
Hudson in the U. S., which drains nearly half of the state,
and pours its waters through several mouths into the bay of
Campeche and the laguna de Términos. The Dulce unites the
bay of Hond. with the Dulce Gulf. The Hondo; the Belize,
or Old River, famous for the fine mahogany its banks have
yielded; the Motagua and the Polochic; the Black or Tinto
in the Poyais country; the San Juan del Norte, Coco, also
named Telpaneca and Wanks, Grande or Chocoyos, and the Mico
or Blewfields; the Tipitapa, uniting lakes Nicaragua and
Managua; the Paz, separating Guat. and Salv.; and the deep
and rapid Lempa, the largest on the western shore, at its
lowest ebb exceeds 140 yards in breadth.

[XXVII-17] The following are the notable ones: Atitlan, in
Guat., covering upwards of 250 square miles; declared to be
unfathomable, a line of 300 fathoms not reaching the bottom.
Though receiving the waters of many rivers, no outlet has
been found for its dark and benumbing waters; still, it
is probable that a subterraneous outlet exists, as in the
lakes of Guijar and Metapa in Salv., which are united by a
subterraneous communication. Golfo Dulce, or Izabal Lake, of
about 50 miles in circuit, subject to violent agitations,
and forming the port of Izabal on the Atlantic coast of
Guat. The small Amatitlan, about 20 miles from the city of
Guat., which, notwithstanding its hot springs and brackish
waters, abounds in a delicate fish called mojarra, in other
small fish, and in wild fowl. In Hond. is the Yojos. In Nic.,
the lake of the same name, whose surplus waters run to the
Atlantic by the San Juan del Norte River; an inland sea, 96
miles long, and 40 miles in its greatest breadth, forming an
ellipse with its main axis due N. W. to S. E. Its depth in
some parts is of 45 fathoms, and its area must be at least
2,000 square miles. It contains a small archipelago. Lake
Managua is 38 or 35 miles in length, and 16 in its greatest
breadth. It has little depth, and several sand banks render
navigation difficult. The laguna de Masaya, 340 ft lower
than the city of the same name, which is 750 ft above the sea
level. Its area is of about 10 square miles. _Lévy_, _Nic._,
86, 95-8.

[XXVII-18] From 8° to 11° 16´ N. lat., and 81° 40´ to 85°
40´ long. W. of Greenwich. _Molina_, _Bosq. Costa R._,
25. Between 8° and 17° 30´ N. lat., and 11° 50´ to 22° 32´
W. of Santiago de Chile, which is situate in meridian 70°
38´ 6´´ west of Greenwich. _Astaburuaga_, _Cent. Am._, 2.
_Am. Cyclopædia_, v. 393, gives it betw. 8° 11´ and 11°
8´ N. lat., and long. 82° 28´ to 85° 45´ W. of Greenwich.
Between about 8° and 11° N. lat., and 82° to 86° W. long.
_Encyclopædia Britannica_, vi. 397.

[XXVII-19] By the law of March 27, 1835, the country was
divided into three departments; namely, Cartago, Alajuela,
and Guanacaste, with a jefe político at the head of each.
Repealed by executive decree of April 28, 1843, after having
had several amendments. _Costa R._, _Col. Ley._, iv. 180-3.

[XXVII-20] San José has 9 regidores, Cartago and Heredia
7. Each municipality chooses a president and vice-president
from among its own members, and a secretary. At each cantonal
head town there are alcaldes, and in each barrio a juez de
paz. _Costa R._, _Id._, iii. 226-40; x. 465-92; xi. 89-138;
xvii. 161-98; xix. 168-74; _Costa R._, _Mem. Instruc. Púb._,
1884, annexes 12-17; _Id._, _Mem. Gobern._, 1852-84; _El
Costaricense_, Nov. 24, 1849; _Costa R._, _Gaceta_, Feb. 9,
16, March 2, 1850.

[XXVII-21] San José, the national capital, was founded a
little more than 100 years ago, owing its existence to the
earthquakes which nearly destroyed Cartago, the old capital.
San José is situated on an elevation of about 4,500 ft.,
upon the table-land formed between the mountains of Dota or
Herradura on the south, and those of Barba on the north. On
one side flows the river Torres, and on the other the María
Aguilar. Its streets are paved, straight, and forming right
angles. The dwellings are mostly of a single story, with
spacious courts; there are, however, a good many buildings of
two stories. The majority are made of adobe, plastered over;
but the national palace is of stone, and a fine building. An
aqueduct supplies the city with water from the Torres, though
a large portion of the fluid consumed is drawn from the
wells existing in almost every house. Besides, the government
palace, the university, Mora theatre, some of the churches,
and a few other buildings, do honor to the city. The electric
light was introduced in 1884. Cartago, the oldest town in
the state, though it has lost its political importance,
and has been shattered by earthquakes, retains some traces
of its former magnificence. It is gradually improving.
_Molina_, _Bosq. Costa R._, 51; _Astaburuaga_, _Cent. Am._,
50; _Squier's Cent. Am._, 463-4; _Boyle's Ride Across a
Continent_, ii. 217; _Laferrière_, _De Paris à Guatém._, 47;
_Wappäus_, _Mex. und Cent. Am._, 364-5; _Costa R._, _Informe
Gobern._, 1874, 2-3; _El Cronista_, S. F., Oct. 18, 1884.

[XXVII-22] It is situated between lat. 10° 45´ and 14° 55´,
and between long. 83° 15´ and 87° 38´. _Am. Cyc._, xii. 420.
Between 10° 30´ and 15° lat., and from 83° 11´ to 87° long.
_Encyclop. Brit._, xvii. 490. Between 9° 45´ and 15° lat.
N., and between 83° 20´ and 87° 30´ long. W. _Squier's Cent.
Am._, 348. Between 10° 50´ and 15° N. lat., and between 83°
13´ and 87° 37´ long. W. of Greenwich. _Nic._, _Gaceta_, Jan.
18, 1868.

[XXVII-23] That is the civilized region. There is, besides,
a wild portion comprising about 24,000 geographical miles.
_Lévy_, _Nic._, 372.

[XXVII-24] In the absence of the prefecto the first alcalde
of the head town acts in his place ad int., with the full
pay of the office. _Nic._, _Acuerdos y Dec._, 1857-8, 70-8,
203-5; _Rocha_, _Cód. Nic._, i. 58-77, 145-8, 195-6; ii.
5-20; _Nic._, _Boletin Ofic._, Apr. 16, 1856; Feb. 8 to Nov.
15, passim, 1862; _Id._, _Gaceta_, March 5, 1864; _Id._,
_Informe Gobern._, 1863-83.

[XXVII-25] The corporations are formed, according to the
importance of the locality, with one or two alcaldes, and
their respective suplentes, regidores, one secretary, one
síndico, and the agricultural judge, all serving without
pay. The prefecto controls the municipal affairs of his
whole department, and especially those of the chief town.
He presides ex-officio over all the municipalities, and in
case of a tie has a casting vote. He cannot be accused except
before the senate, and is consequently a petty president in
his department. _Lévy_, _Nic._, 331-5.

[XXVII-26] It was made a city in 1846, and special ordinances
were provided for it from time to time. _Rocha_, _Cód. Nic._,
i. 148; _Sandoval_, _Rev. Polít._, 58; _Nic._, _Registro
Ofic._, 342; _Id._, _Dec. y Acuerdos_, 1863, 2, 46, 118-19;
_Id._, _Dec. y Acuerdos de la Junta_, 12-13, 145-8.

[XXVII-27] It has been greatly damaged by military
operations, but never burned down, like Granada.

[XXVII-28] Leon was connected in 1881 with Corinto by rail;
and the line has been afterward extended to Leon Viejo,
on Lake Managua, and thence to Granada. Notable places in
the department of Leon are Telica, birthplace of Miguel
Larreyuaga, an oidor of the last Spanish audiencia, or
superior court of judicature, who drew up the declaration
of independence; El Sáuce, Santa Rosa, El Jicaral or San
Buenaventura, and San Nicolas.

[XXVII-29] Granada has a good commercial position on the N.
W. end of Lake Nicaragua, and at the foot of the Mombacho
volcano. It was burned by pirates in 1665, nearly ruined
by the freebooters in 1670, the raiders having come on
both occasions by the San Juan River and the lake; and a
third time destroyed by fire in 1685, the work of pirates
who landed at Escalante on the Pacific. In 1844 it was
greatly damaged by earthquakes. In 1856 it was burned by
William Walker, the filibuster. But it has risen from its
ashes, and become prosperous. The city is irregular in its
construction, the streets not being straight or rectangular.
They are mostly unpaved, and generally in a bad condition.
The city obtains water for consumption from the lake, distant
about a mile, brought by men on their shoulders; and its
food supplies, not from the surrounding fields, but from
numerous Indian pueblos on the S. E. Masaya was an Indian
town, but raised to the rank of a city in 1839. _Rocha_,
_Cód. Nic._, i. 148. It is supplied with water from the deep
lagoon south of and near the city. There were women who for
80 cents monthly supplied two large jars of water every
day. A steam-pump was put up in 1872 to raise the water
of the lake to the plaza. There is no building worthy of
mention in the place. Other notable towns in the department
of Granada are Nandaimé, Jinotepe, San Rafael de la Costa,
Diriomo, Tipitapa, Nindirí, and Zapatera Island. The towns
of San Cárlos and El Castillo, on the San Juan, belong to
the same department, though governed in a special manner.
San Juan del Norte, alias Greytown, has little importance
now; its houses are of wood and palm-thatched. Rivas bore
the name of Nicaragua till the early part of the present
century. The city has suffered greatly from earthquakes,
particularly in 1844. It was partially destroyed during the
Walker war. A real curiosity in the department of Rivas is
the island of Ometepe in the lake, having two towns, the
Pueblo Grande, or villa de Altagracia, and the Moyogalpa,
united by a good wagon road. Chinandega is one of the most
beautiful spots in Nic. It is a perfect garden. In the wild
or uncivilized portion of the territory lies the Mosquito
region, whose chief town is Blewfields, having two wooden
buildings; the rest being mere huts. _Lévy_, _Nic._, 373-90;
_Laferrière_, _De Paris á Guatém._, 73-6; _Saravia_, _Bosq.
Polít. Estadist._, 10-11; _Marure_, _Bosq. Hist. Cent. Am._,
153-4; _Froebel's Cent. Am._, 19, 29-47, 62-75, 92-104;
_Froebel_, _Aus Amerika_, i. 250-80, 311-17, 350-4; _Squier's
Trav._, i. 138-40, 146-50, 211-15, 258-67, 339, 353-6, 365;
_Squier's Cent. Am._, 346-7, 356-9, 366-76; _Squier's Nic._,
646; _Belly_, _Nic._, i. 196-9, 212, 225-9, 249; _Stillman's
Golden Fleece_, 206-8; _Dunlop's Cent. Am._, 6-8; _Stout's
Nic._, 27-9, 41-5, 98-100, 156-64; _Baily's Cent. Am._,
117-18; _Bates' Cent. Am._, 131-2; _Marr_, _Cent. Am._, i.
158-9, 165-71, 228-30; _Boyle's Ride_, i. 13, 83-91; ii. 8;
_Reichardt_, _Nic._, 6-18, 20-7, 59, 62-3, 71-2, 81-9, 105-6,
129-31, 134, 155-9, 165-9, 231; _Wells' Hond._, 39, 42, 72-4.

[XXVII-30] Hond. is therefore betw. 13° 10' and 16° lat.
N., and within 83° 20' and 89° 30' long. W. _Squier's Cent.
Am._, 68; _Encyclop. Brit._, xii. 133. Between 13° 10' and
16° 5' N. lat., and within 83° 12' and 89° 47' W. long. _Am.
Cyclop._, viii. 787.

[XXVII-31] The towns have their municipal corporations, whose
members are required by law to be able to read and write.

[XXVII-32] Before 1827 it was a prosperous city; but the
serviles burnt it that year. Since then it has suffered
several times, especially in 1872 and 1873.

[XXVII-33] _Squier's Cent. Am._, 129-30; this authority also
gives a cut of the cathedral on p. 261; _Wappäus_, _Mex. und
Cent. Am._, 310-11; _Huston's Journey_, 24-7.

[XXVII-34] The town stands on the right bank of the Choluteca
River in an amphitheatre among the hills. It has a fine stone
bridge of ten arches spanning the river. _Wells' Hond._,
186-8; _Laferrière_, _De Paris á Guatém._, 95-6; _Squier's
Cent. Am._, 155.

[XXVII-35] Omoa is situated about a quarter of a mile from
the beach on level ground, but the back country rises rapidly
into a chain of high mountains, beginning abruptly at Puerto
Caballos, now called Puerto Cortés. Owing to its position,
Omoa is generally cool and healthy, has seldom been visited
by epidemics. The place is defended by the San Fernando
castle. Trujillo lies close by the sea at the foot of a lofty
mountain covered with vegetation, and reaching to the very
edge of the water. The town was at one time of considerable
importance, both in a commercial and military point of
view; but now it has an antique, dilapidated, and abandoned
appearance. Amapala, on the island of Tigre, was in old times
a favorite resort of pirates; it was here that Drake had his
depot during his operations in the Pacific. Owing to the
visits of those marauders, the Indian population of Tigre
and Zacate Grande retired to the mainland, and the islands
remained almost entirely deserted till 1838, when Amapala
was made a free port, since which time it has become a very
important place. It has a salubrious climate. Further details
on the towns of Honduras may be found in _Montgomery's Narr.
of a Journey to Guat., etc., in 1838_, 31; _Squier's Cent.
Am._, 98-129, 142-161; _Squier's Hond. R. R._, 74-84, 99-102;
_Squier's Trav._, ii. 164-8; _Young's Resid. Mosq. Shore_,
138-40; _Wells' Hond._, 324-5, 574-9; _Reichardt_, _Cent.
Am._, 89-90, 93-5; _Wappäus_, _Mex. und Cent. Am._, 311-19;
_Froebel's Cent. Am._, 177-83; _Pim's Gate of the Pac._,
28-9.

[XXVII-36] It is comprised within lat. 13° and 14° 30' N.,
and long. 87° 30' and 90° 20' W. _Am. Cyclop._, xiv. 610.
Between 13° and 14° 10' N. lat., and between 87° and 90° W.
long. _Squier's Cent. Am._, 279; _Laferrière_, _De Paris á
Guatém._, 111.

[XXVII-37] By decree of President Gonzalez, July 14, 1875,
the department of San Miguel was cut up, and that of Gotera
created with the districts of Gotera and Osicala. San Miguel
was compensated with Chinameca, detached from Usulutan.
_Salv._, _Diario Ofic._, July 20, 1875.

[XXVII-38] It is made a part of the governor's duty to keep
the gen. govt apprised of every important occurrence within
his department or its vicinity; in addition to which he
must furnish annually a gen. report on every branch of the
public service, with suggestions for the further improvement
and progress of the communities under his charge. His
subordinates in districts and towns report to him. A number
of governors' reports may be seen in _Salv._, _Gaceta_, Sept.
3 to Dec. 24, 1876; Jan. 2 to Dec. 18, 1877; _Id._, _Diario
Ofic._, May 17 to Dec. 3, 1879; Jan. 15, 1880, etc.

[XXVII-39] Towns of from 200 to 2,000 inhabitants two
regidores, of upwards of 2,000 to 10,000 four, and those
exceeding the latter number six. Each corporation elects a
competent clerk to authenticate its acts and those of the
alcalde.

[XXVII-40] _Id._, May 1-16, 1875; March 5-22, 1879.

[XXVII-41] Like other Spanish towns, it covers a large area
in proportion to the population. The houses are built low,
of a single story, and adapted to resist the constant shakes
of the earth. Each house has an inner court, frequently
containing a fountain and garden. The dwellers run out to the
court on feeling a temblor of some force. When the shocks are
heavy and continuous, they seek safety in the plazas and open
fields, where they erect tents.

[XXVII-42] It is situated between N. lat. 13° 50' and 18°
15', and within W. long. 88° 14' and 93° 12'. _Am. Cyclop._,
viii. 288. Between 13° 42' and 18° lat. N., and between 88°
and 93° 5' W. long. _Encyclop. Brit._, xi. 211.

[XXVII-43] The chief towns have the same names as the
departments to which they belong, excepting those of
Sacatepéquez, Quiché, Peten, Baja Verapaz, Alta Verapaz,
and Santa Rosa, whose respective names are Antigua, Santa
Cruz del Quiché, Flores, Salamá, Coban, and Cuajiniquilapa.
_Salv._, _Gaceta Ofic._, June 6, 1877; _Guat._, _Mem. Sec.
Gobern. y Just._, 1884, 4-5, annex 4; _El Guatemalteco_, May
10, 1884.

[XXVII-44] Under the old system the department was under a
corregidor who was not only civil governor, but also military
chief, judge, revenue collector, and postmaster. _Berendt_,
in _Smithsonian Rept_, 1867, 424.

[XXVII-45] Under art. 34 of this organic law the jefes were
required to send the supreme gov. for approbation police
regulations, under the instructions furnished them for the
sake of uniformity. They did not fail to comply. _Guat._,
_Mem. Sec. Gobern. y Just._, 1880, 1-2.

[XXVII-46] The law determined with precision the manner
of organizing the municipalities, and the functions of
the councilmen, increasing at the same time the number of
committees; at that time they had committees of finance,
supplies, water, police, health, ornamentation, schools,
vaccination, roads, and statistics. Further information
on internal administration, police, and gen. condition of
the departments may be found in _Guat._, _Recop. Ley._, i.
492-512, 527-75; _Barrios_, _Mensaje_, 1876; _Salv. Diario
Ofic._, May 13 to 16, 1875; _Guat._, _Mem. Sec. Gobern._,
1880, 1881, 1882, 1884; _Batres' Sketch Guat._, 23;
_Conkling's Guide_, 341.

[XXVII-47] With only three exceptions every department had a
surplus. The three excepted had deficits amounting together
to $3,578.

[XXVII-48] I will name a few of the authorities: _Dillon_,
_Beautés de l'hist._, 218-38; _Thompson's Guat._, 465-9;
_Stephens' Trav. Cent. Am._, i. 192-4; _Nuevo Viajero Univ._,
iii. 602-7; _Baily's Cent. Am._, 49-54; _Valois_, _Mexique_,
291-6; _Reichardt_, _Cent. Am._, 54; _Crosby's Statem._, MS.,
86-90; _Belly_, _Nic._, i. 114-16; _Laferrière_, _De Paris
à Guatém._, 259-60; _Dicc. Univ. Hist. Geog._, iii. 724-7;
_Dunlop's Cent. Am._, 76-86; _Squier's Cent. Am._, 497-50;
_U. S. Gov. Doc._, H. Ex. Doc. Cong. 43, Sess. 1, i. 444-5;
_Astaburuaga_, _Cent. Am._, 78-9; _Am. Cyclop._, viii. 290-2;
_Encyclop. Brit._, xi. 214.

[XXVII-49] There are two fortresses, the Matamoros and San
José. Among the open places are the plaza mayor, and the
recently laid out plaza de la Concordia, now the favorite
resort of the inhabitants. There is another plaza containing
a fine theatre.

[XXVII-50] San Francisco, La Recoleccion, La Merced, and
Santo Domingo are among the notable ones.

[XXVII-51] The govt in late years has provided for an
increase of the water supply to meet the future requirements
of a town whose population is rapidly growing. _Guat._, _Mem.
Sec. Fomento_, 1884, 43-4; 1885, 49-51, 56-8.

[XXVII-52] With government aid, a jockey club was also
established in 1882. _Guat._, _Mem. Sec. Fomento_, 47-50, 75.

[XXVII-53] Antigua, or Old Guat., presents its majestic
ruins, much the same as they were left by the earthquakes of
1773. Many of the buildings appear like fortresses. Among
the best preserved are the old government palace and the
university. The place was much damaged by an earthquake in
1874. Thompson in his _Cent. Am._ has a description of the
ruins as they were in 1825, 245-9; others have described them
at later dates. _Stephens' Trav._, i. 266-71, 278-80; ii.
204; _Reichardt_, _Cent. Am._, 53-5; _Macgregor's Prog. of
Am._, i. 791-2; _Valois_, _Mexique_, 376-8, 390; _Squier's
Cent. Am._, 456, 504-10; _Batres' Sketch_, 27-9, 40.
Quezaltenango is 8,130 feet above the sea. It is every day
growing in importance and wealth. Living is cheap there; the
climate is cool and healthy. Most of the streets are narrow,
but they are well paved and have flagstone sidewalks. The
houses are of good appearance, some of them of two stories.
Among the public buildings are the penitentiary, on the plan
of that in Philadelphia, the Indian cabildo of two stories,
the hospital, national institute, and other educational
establishments, some fine churches, etc. _Boddam Whetham's
Across Cent. Am._, 66-7; _Conkling's Guide_, 334, 337, 343.
The city of Flores, head town of the department of Peten, is
worthy of mention for its picturesque position on one of the
islands of Lake Itzal, and its charming view from a distance.
The place is hot, however, and uncleanly.

[XXVII-54] Occupying the Isthmus which connects North and
South America, between lat. N. 6° 45´ and 9° 40´, and within
long. W. 77° and 83°. The area is of about 31,921 square
miles. In its general form it is an arc curving from east to
west, with the convex side toward the north. In the widest
part from sea, to sea it is about 120 miles, in the narrowest
from the gulf of San Blas to the mouth of the Bayano River
about 30, and along the line of the railway 47½ miles. _Am.
Cyclop._, xiii. 31.

[XXVII-55] In addition to these are Taboguilla, Urabá, Naos,
Perico, Culebra, San José, Tórtola, Tortolita, Iguana,
Washington, Napoleon, Stanley, and many smaller ones.
_Tavares_, _Gulf and Isthmus of Darien_, March 31, 1761,
MS., 52-65; _Imray's Sail. Directions_, 6-12; _Humboldt_,
_Tableau_, 710.

[XXVII-56] The largest being the Tuira, 160 miles long,
navigable about 102 for barges, empties into the gulf of San
Miguel; the Chagres, navigable for bungos about 30 miles,
runs into the Caribbean Sea; the Chepo flows into the bay of
Panamá.

[XXVII-57] The principal town of Coclé is Penonomé; of
Chiriquí, David; and of Veragua, Santiago. The rest bear the
same names as their respective departments.

[XXVII-58] The governor and prefectos report yearly to
the chief of the Isthmus the state of their respective
departments. _Pan._, _Mem. Soc. Jeneral_, 1877, etc.

[XXVII-59] Just prior to the influx of the foreign element,
upon the discovery of the gold placers in California, the
town had a gloomy and ruinous aspect. There was nothing to
be seen all around but ruin and poverty; whole blocks and
streets of old, dilapidated buildings, propped-up houses
with people living in them, and luxuriant vegetation in
the plazas, walls, etc. With the coming of foreigners a
great change took place within the short space of three or
four years. Nearly all the old dwellings underwent repairs,
and new ones were built. In lieu of the old sad appearance
and silence, all was now bustle and movement. _Maldonado_,
_Asuntos Polít. Pan._, MS., 7.

[XXVII-60] The cathedral has nothing to recommend it except
its two fine towers. It is in a ruinous condition, and
though repaired a few years ago and reduced to a single nave,
further repairs are loudly called for. This building as well
as the cabildo face the main plaza.

[XXVII-61] Efforts have been made in late years by the state
government for the construction of an aqueduct; but without
success. _Pan._, _Gaceta_, May 16, 1874; Apr. 9, 30, 1876;
_Pan. Star and Herald_, May 19, 1874; Feb. 14, Apr. 13, 1876.

[XXVII-62] The following are among the authorities giving
more or less detailed descriptions of the city of Panamá:
_Cash's Sketch_, 54-61, 29-71; _Bidwell's Pan._, 1-9, 75-7,
119-35, 341-8; _Beechy's Voy._, i. 11-17, 23-4; _Scarlett's
South Am._, ii. 189-211, 221-9, 254-69; _Seemann's Narr._,
84-8, 275-95, 289-94; _Wilson's Trav. in Cal._, 9-10, 17-19;
_Wortley's Trav._, 320-2; _Scherzer_, _Narr._, ii. 424-5;
_Pim's Gate_, 209-20.

[XXVII-63] _Gisborne's Darien_, 160-70, 205-9; _Otis' Isth.
Pan._, 70-127; _Harper's Mag._, xvii. 19-28, 32-9; _Tomes'
Pan._, 40-66. The following contain descriptions of other
places as well as of the transit between the two seas:
_London Geog. Soc. Jour._, i. 69-101; xxiii., 184; _Niles'
Reg._, xxxviii. 141; _Reichardt_, _Cent. Am._, 201-2;
_Willey's Person. Mem._, 37-8; _Masset's Exper. of a '49er_,
MS., 1; _Lachapelle's Raousset-Boulbon_, 43-7; _Champagnac_,
_Voyageur_, 175-6; _Froebel_, _Aus Amerika_, 211-31;
_Nic._, _Cor. Ist._, May 30, 1850; _Marryatt's Mountains_,
1-17; _Holinski_, _La Californie_, 45-61; _Rouhaud_, _Reg.
Nouvelles_, 167; _Nouv. Annales des Voy._, cxxiii. 220-2,
226-7; cxlv. 17-22; cxlvii. 15-17; _Polynesian_, v. 29;
vi. 121; _Thornton's Or. and Cal._, ii. 348-54; _Oswald
Cal. und Seine_, 87-92; _Kelley's Canal Mantimera_, 27-8;
_Auger_, _Voy. en Cal._, 35-92; _Saint-Amant_, 25-62,
80-97; _Griswold's Pan._, 41-7; _Rossi_, _Souvenirs_, 47-50;
_Esguerra_, _Dicc. Geog. Colombia_, 2-275; _Pan._, _Gaceta_,
Jan. 23, 1881.

[XXVII-64] Department of Pan., including 18,378 in the
city, 43,462; Coclé, 33,134; Colon, including 4,000 in that
port, 1,057 in Chagres, and 1,319 in Portobello, 8,276;
Los Santos, 37,670; Veragua, 36,210; Bocas del Toro, 5,250;
Darien, 1,036. _Pan._, _Mem. Sec. Fomento_, 1882, 43-6. The
population at the time the Isthmus seceded from Spain was
variously estimated at from 80,000 to 111,550; 1843, 129,697;
the census of 1863 yielded 180,000; but it is believed the
population was made to appear larger than it really was, so
as to gain one more representative in the national congress.
The best informed citizens computed it at only 150,000. In
1868, 220,542, authorities keeping the same figures till
1879, excepting one estimate for 1874 reducing it to 174,000.
_Humboldt_, _Pers. Narr._, vi., pt i. 142; _Seemann's Voy._,
i. 296; _Imray's Sail. Dir._, 14; _Bidwell's Isth. Pan._,
178-80; _Pan. Star and Herald_, Feb. 18, 1868; _Mex. Soc.
Geog. Boletin_, 3d ép. i. 728; _Colombia_, _Diario Ofic._,
Sept. 6, 1872; Aug. 4, 1874; March 1, 1876; _Esguerra_,
_Dicc. Geog. Colomb._, 171.

[XXVII-65] _Veraguas_, _Decr. de la Cám._; _Id._, _Notas
Ofic._; _Id._, _Ordenanzas_, 1853; _Chiriquí_, _Corresp.
Gob. Nac._, 1851; _Id._, _Ofic. del Gob._; _Id._, _Comp. de
Fomento_, 1855; all in _Pinart_, _Pan. Coll. Doc._, MSS.,
nos. 63, 65, 69, p. 25-7, no. 39, 4-9, no. 88, p. 22, no. 40,
1-4; besides other doc. in the same Coll., no. 31, p. 40-1,
nos. 49, 50, 52, 103; _U. S. Gov. Doc._, H. Ex. Doc. 41,
Cong. 36, Sess. 2, vi. 55; _El Noticioso del Istmo Am._, in
the _Californian_, S. F., ii., June 12, 1847.

[XXVII-66] For their dwelling-places I refer to _Native Races
of the Pac. States_, i. 795-7, this series.

[XXVII-67] In 1835. _Veraguas_, _Dec. de la Cám._, in _Pin._,
_Pan. Col. Doc._, MS., no. 57, 17-22; _Id._, _Informe_, in
_Id._, MS., no. 78.

[XXVII-68] Their chief at times visited the British consul at
Panamá, but never agreed to his returning the visit at their
homes. _Seemann's Voy._, i. 321. Neither would they accept
presents from any white person. One of their chiefs who
accepted a present was degraded by his tribe, and the present
was sent back. _Bidwell's Isth. Pan._, 36.

[XXVII-69] Many persons were killed by the Bayanos in Oct.
1870; and their hostilities were repeated in 1874. _Pan._,
_Gaceta_, Nov. 10, 1870; Dec. 23, 1873; Apr. 14, 1874; _Id._,
_Star and Herald_, Feb. 17, March 12, 1874; _Id._, _Informe
Sec. Est._, 1874, 18-19.

[XXVII-70] The lower classes are improvident and fond of
dress and finery.

[XXVII-71] Low dresses without sleeves, and with lace
trimmings on the bust.

[XXVII-72] There are many of them given to gossiping and
propagating scandalous reports even about their friends.
Politics and the bottle have in late years debauched many
a fine young man, the vice of drunkenness of late gaining
ground.

[XXVII-73] There are associations of various kinds, including
secret ones, like the masonic, of which there are several
lodges, with many native Panamanians among their members. The
natives still observe the custom of long mournings as of old.
In a community where families are more or less connected by
ties of blood or marriage, the result is that mourning often
seems to be the common dress.

[XXVII-74] Details in _Constitucional del Istmo_, Nov. 21,
1832; _Colegio de Pan._, _Decreto_, 1-2; _El Movimiento_,
Dec. 1, 1844; _N. Granada_, _Gaceta_, Feb. 22, 1846;
_Bogotá_, _Gac. Ofic._, Feb. 6, 1848; _Chiriquí_, _Decretos_,
MS., 1849; _Pan._, _Crón. Ofic._, Nov. 9, 1849, to March
1, 1854, passim; _Chiriquí_, _Inf. del Gob._, MSS., 1851-2;
_Pan._, _Gaceta Extraord._, Dec. 23, 1857; March 30, 1858.

[XXVII-75] In 1869 there were no public primary schools in
the state. Parents with means had teachers at home, or sent
their children to the few private schools then existing, to
Bogotá, the national capital, or abroad. Children of poor
parents had to grow in utter ignorance.

[XXVII-76] In 1874 there were in the state 17 primary
schools with 1,065 pupils. The numbers steadily increased
till 1882, when the schools were 59 and the pupils 2,167.
There were appropriated for supporting the schools in 1873
$14,191, and every year after there was an increase; the
amount allowed in 1882 being $33,310, and in 1883 $63,962,
the govt now becoming alive to the fact that the funds
formerly supplied were insufficient, as appeared in the
report of the educational bureau on Nov. 15, 1881. _Pan._,
_El Elector_, May 1, 1883; _Pan._, _Inf. Sec. Est._, 1866;
_Id._, _Mensaje_, 1872; _Id._, _Mem. Sec. Est._, 1876;
_Id._, _Informe Direct. Gen. Instruc. Púb._, 1877-80; _Id._,
_Leyes_, 1876-7, 26-32; _Id._, _Mem. Sec. Gob._, 1877; _Id._,
_Min. Sec. Gob._, 1879; _Pan._, _Boletin Ofic._, May 28,
1863, to Sept. 8, 1869, passim; _Id._, _Gaceta_, July 28,
1870, to Feb. 20, 1881, passim; _Colombia_, _Diario Ofic._,
Feb. 18, Aug. 14, 1874; Jan. 27, March 2, 1876.

[XXVII-77] It began its existence as the _Panamá Star_, a
very small sheet, in 1849; now it has eight large pages.
_S. F. Times_, March 13, 1869; _S. F. Alta_, March 13, 1869;
_Pan. Star and Herald_, Jan. 11, 1886.

[XXVII-78] I have had occasion to quote both publications
repeatedly on narrating events on the Isthmus and in Central
America.

[XXVII-79] The bull is led by a rope into the most public
streets. A number of men challenge the brute, which
occasionally rushes at its tormentors; but as the rope holds
it, only by a rare chance is any one hurt. The bull is thus
worried by the men-brutes till it is ready to drop.

[XXVII-80] Games of chance and night orgies having become
prevalent, in 1878 a heavy tax was levied on gambling-houses,
and a severe decree issued to check orgies and brawls.
_Pan._, _Gaceta_, Jan. 31, Aug. 15, 1878.