- Aspinwall City
- Panama
- Distance from New York to San Francisco via Panama Route in 1850s and 1860s: 5,287 Nautical Miles
John W. Geary's Crossing of the Isthmus of Panama
On February 1, 1849, John W. Geary, San Francisco’s last Alcade and First Mayor, left New York for Chagres in the steamer Falcon on her second trip. In the morning the journey continued, they reached Gorgona on the fourth day, obtained mules, and set out for Panama. Mrs. Geary is said to be the first lady who made use of the side-saddle and rode in the American fashion on this journey, which took six hours instead of the two days it took before using mules. They waited for the steamer Oregon, the second vessel to leave for California gold mines (on December 2, 1848), and which was making the voyage around the Horn. The Oregon put into Panama on February 23, 1849, where more than 1200 passengers, all bound for California gold mines, were waiting to board her. Passengers waiting on the Isthmus suffered privation and
With his family, Col. Geary established residence in a few rooms near the jail. Within days of their arrival, they were robbed. Col. Geary went to the jail to obtain information, spoke good Spanish to the 13 guards there. They pretended not to understand him and proceeded to intimidate him through force. Col. Geary grabbed a musket as defense and during further altercation, he uncovered his stolen property in the jailhouse. He disarmed all the men, kicked one down the stairs, called the American consul that day, and preferred charges, which resulted in a public whipping of the thieves.
Then, while waiting two more weeks for the Oregon, Col. Geary organized and presided over a Masonic society, and then over an association of Odd-Fellows for the purpose of alleviating suffering. He also assisted in the publication of the first American paper in the English language ever issued in Panama. The Oregon and left Panama on March 13, 1849 with 250 additional passengers, including the Gearys.
CHAGRES, THE CITY FRONT
Noted photographer Eadweard J. Muybridge (1830-1904) photographed Panama's Isthmus at the turn of the Century. His travels to Panama were funded by Pacific Mail line in the hope that his images would bring investors to the area.
Here is his view of a young boy standing at the water's edge in "Chagres, The City Front," from the stereograph series "Isthmus of Panama, illustrated by Muybridge.
NOTE: Copyright restrictions are being checked for this photo to determine whether or not it can remain on this site.
Tri Weekly Alta California
The Rush for California --October 16, being the day for the sale of tickets for passage in the two new steamers, to be started from Panama to San Francisco by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, the place of sale at Howland & Aspinwall's, was the scene of a strife for precedence unequaled even in the wondrous history of the Golden Crusade. As early as 4 o'clock in the morning some twenty persons were sitting on the steps in most neighborly proximity to the door, ready, like hounds in the leash; for the race up stairs. Before the doors opened hundreds had collected, and in a minute after the turn of the key every place where a man could hold on, even by the eyelids, was occupied. So great was the pressure that the balustrades and windows were broken, and each individual, on issuing from the office, gave woeful evidence of the density of the crowd in the shape of caved in hats and torn and disordered clothing. One of the very earliest of those on the steps in the morning and almost the first man inside, did not get out until noon! Some 500 tickets for the two December steamers were run off as fast as the money could be paid over; but the crowd still clamored for more, and about 100 tickets for the steamer of the 1st of January were sold by way of dessert to the feast. The prices were, $300 for the cabin, and $150 for the steerage. One of the crowd, and the first on the ground, took his post at the wrong door by accident, as early as 11 o'clock at night. He found all quiet until about 2 o'clock, when one by one neighbors happened along like strong drops before a shower. Our early friend made the most pertinacious exertions to get in first, but broader shoulders took precedence, and he was number 30 at the desk. The next day there was another small crowd, who took off all the steerage and a large portion of the cabin tickets for the January steamer.
Alta California, December 31, 1849
We are informed by passengers who came by the last steamer, that the natives on the Isthmus have not maintained their character for honesty which was their distinguishing trait when the immigration across the Isthmus first commenced. They have ceased to consider honesty a politic principle, and have recently committed several robberies. One gentleman was stripped of a considerably amount of money. He was with others in a canoe, managed by natives, who made fast to a bank at a certain point of the river, went up to a hut, returned soon after, accompanied by a number of others, and robbed the Americans of all their valuable property. We also learn that a box of gold dust, shipped by the October steamer, by a mercantile house here, was opened, and five hundred ounces abstracted. It is supposed to have been stolen upon the Isthmus; but we are inclined to think that no native performed the job. We think it would be well for persons crossing the Isthmus at this time, with any considerable amount of money, to provide themselves with arms, as they might be necessary.
BULLS AND BEARS
Alta California, April 30, 1850
Panama Echo:
Nothing of special importance has transpired in Panama during the week, if we except the operations on change in tickets of steamships and sailing vessels. A large operation has been realized in this line, and no little ingenuity displayed and "cutting under" manifested, by stock-jobbers in tickets and transfers. The bulls and bears appear to be fighting on their own hook, divided in opinion among themselves, and occasionally growling as if they were "hit" in a sore place. The bulls keep pushing up and the bears trying to pull down, and in this way the commercial mart is daily enlivened by the keen-sighted wisdom of ticket vendors, and the now unfrequent peculiar greenness of purchasers. The advance on steamship tickets is from $50 to $150 from first cost (with the exception of the Gold Hunter, whose tickets, cabin only, are sold for $300). The active business is confined to the tickets on the New World, Columbus, New Orleans, and Northerner, yet to arrive. The market closes firm for the holders, while those on the "anxious seat" are expecting a decline, considering the brisk competition which is making itself felt on the Pacific side. Sailing vessels are carrying for $120 steerage, to San Francisco, and $200 cabin, or $180 double berths. Steamer tickets command the regular price, with the advance above noticed, and the tendency is upwards, though the crowd in Panama, brought by the Georgia and other ships on the Atlantic side, have been pretty well thinned out
Daily Alta California,
Thursday Morning, December 5, 1850
A Ship Canal Across the Isthmus.
Will this dream of three centuries ever end in reality? Will all the talk and calculations, conventions, and disputes, reckoning of expenses and profits, of benefits and fortunes it would confer, go for nothing, or shall the idea wake into fact with the full day sun of progress and enterprise, and the great world of commerce and civilization witness the wedding of the two Oceans? Perhaps no scheme of the present day involves more weighty considerations than that of schooping out a passage way for ships through the mountains, which have been called the "back bone" of our continent – those "rock-ribbed" barriers which have so long resisted the billowy years of time, as well as the lashing tides of ocean. A great portion of European navigation and commerce, especially that of England, is deeply interested in the scheme. But to the United States especially is the question one of incalculable importance, and to no portion of so much as to California.
The interests that would be promoted by the completion of this gigantic enterprise, seem to be that of nearly all the maritime nations of the two continents. With the exception of Brazil, and perhaps Buenos Ayres, we do not at present see how the trade of any people would suffer by the construction of this great pathway of nations. To the people and States on the western side of South America, and those of Central America, the advantages likely to result in the more immediate and rapid interchange of trade and ideas that would necessarily follow so great work, seem so manifest as not to need specification. The whaling interests of France and England would necessarily reap great advantages by bringing the new whaling ground beyond Bherings’ Straits in the Arctic, some fifteen thousand miles nearer their home ports and markets. To the British government it is a question perhaps of as much political importance in reference to her possessions beyond Oregon, as to her commercial business and interests in the northern Pacific.
The rapid advance of California and Oregon in population and business will be sure to increase the estimate which Great Britain will put upon her possessions to the north of us; and not only that, it will also have a tendency to make that territory worth possessing, by giving it the countenance of respectable and thriving neighbors, whose necessary wants will make a market for what these British possessions do and can produce for export beyond what they shall need for consumption. Population, which has been for so many years nearly stationary there, will be likely henceforth to increase, and with it its trade, commerce and importance in every point of light as connected with Great Britain and ourselves. The great advantages of easy and rapid intercommunication between the colony and England are evident, and so would be its certainty by the ship canal.
But especially would the United States gain by the successful termination of this Ocean wedding. Our new possessions added to our old, on this shore, our already prominent position, business and prospects, point out with more certainty than any priestess of Apollo or augury in the Eternal City ever seemed to indicate a hoped-for event, that to the free thought and action and enterprise which our liberal institutions have promoted and sent abroad in the heads and hands and hearts of our people, is given, not only control of the destinies of this continent, but also the command of the Pacific Ocean; the fashioning, at least by example, the new governments already growing to maturity and ripening for independence; and thus also shaping the political complexion that will, at no very distant day, prevail among the nations of civilized and improving people who will be grouped and dotted about through the great Pacific.
For, disguise the matter as it may be, the colonies which Great Britain has planted in the Pacific, are just as certain to follow our example and set up for themselves, as that they are of the same race and impelled by similar impulses and hopes. Our intercourse with them all will henceforth be ten times as great as heretofore, and will have a proportional influence. This influence will be peaceable, as heretofore, but none the less beneficial, and much more effective for being of that character. Every thing that contributes to our prosperity and advancement strengthens the force of our example. And thus the ship canal, while it would bring the British colonies of the Pacific in much more direct, frequent and close intercourse with the mother government, would offset it in a measure, by adding so much to our nationality and consequent influence over them. But we have wandered for our intention. For the Sandwich Islands, China, and Japan, which will ere long be open to our trade, this through passage from ocean to ocean; would be the most certain installment to ensure prosperity.
In the light of such great importance have the governments of Great Britain and the Untied States considered it while engaged through their agents in settling amicably the disputes which has arisen in reference to it. They have pledged themselves to encourage the great undertaking, and that no monopoly shall result from its construction.
STEAMBOAT ADVERTISEMENTS FROM 1851
For Chagres, direct
To sail on Friday, the 25th of July
The well-known and favorite steamship ALABAMA, R.W. Foster, commander, will leave the wharf foot of Julia street, for Chagres, direct on Friday, July 25th, at 8 o'clock A.M. punctually.
Rates of Passage
In Saloon $70
In Lower Cabin $55
In Steerage $35
Freight, 40 cents per cubic foot.
All tickets for passage must be procured at the office of the Agents.
C.J. MEEKER & CO., 66 Poydras Street.
NEW YORK & N.ORLEANS STEAMSHIP LINE
The new and elegant Double-engine Steamships UNION, Captain T.S. Budd, 1800 tons, and WINFIELD SCOTT, Capt. Kenny Couillard, 2100, compose the line, and will leave New York and New Orleans on the 1st and 15th of every month, at 3 p.m. from New York, and at 9 a.m. from New Orleans, except when these dates fall on Sunday. The ships will then leave on Monday. They are appointed to sail as follows:
From New Orleans:
The WINFIELD SCOTT, Tuesday, the 15th July
The UNION, Friday, the 1st of August
From New York:
The UNION, Tuesday, the 15th July
The WINFIELD SCOTT, FRIDAY, the 1st August
FREIGHT BY THESE STEAMERS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO THIRTY CENTS PER FOOT MEASUREMENT
These ships have been built with great care and cost, and no skill or expense spared to secure strength, speed and comfort. They are in every respect first-class sea steamers.
For freight or passage, apply for steamer Winfield Scott, to
DAVIS, BROOKS & CO., New York
For steamer Union, to
SPOFFORD, TILESTON & CO, New York
In New Orleans, to
BABCOCK & FENNELL, 90 Common Street
CALIFORNIA PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY
The only through Line for California and Oregon, via Havana and Chagres
Fare Reduced
On MONDAY, July 28, at 8 o'clock A.M.
The splendid double engine steamship FALCON, H. Rogers, U.N.S., commanding, will sail precisely at 8 o'clock, connecting with the Pacific Mail Steamship, to leave Panama on or about the 15th of August.
Rates of Passage
From New Orleans to Chagres:
Main Saloons $70
Second Cabin $55
Steerage $35
From Panama to San Francisco:
Main Saloons $250
Second Cabin $225
Steerage $125
For passage or freight, apply to
ARMSTRONG, HARRIS & CO., 106 Magazine Street
N.B. The Falcon will take freight for Chagres
For Chagres, direct
To sail on Friday, the 25th of July
The well-known and favorite steamship ALABAMA, R.W. Foster, commander, will leave the wharf foot of Julia street, for Chagres, direct on Friday, July 25th, at 8 o'clock A.M. punctually.
Rates of Passage
In Saloon $70
In Lower Cabin $55
In Steerage $35
Freight, 40 cents per cubic foot.
All tickets for passage must be procured at the office of the Agents.
C.J. MEEKER & CO., 66 Poydras Street.
NEW YORK & N.ORLEANS STEAMSHIP LINE
The new and elegant Double-engine Steamships UNION, Captain T.S. Budd, 1800 tons, and WINFIELD SCOTT, Capt. Kenny Couillard, 2100, compose the line, and will leave New York and New Orleans on the 1st and 15th of every month, at 3 p.m. from New York, and at 9 a.m. from New Orleans, except when these dates fall on Sunday. The ships will then leave on Monday. They are appointed to sail as follows:
From New Orleans:
The WINFIELD SCOTT, Tuesday, the 15th July
The UNION, Friday, the 1st of August
From New York:
The UNION, Tuesday, the 15th July
The WINFIELD SCOTT, FRIDAY, the 1st August
FREIGHT BY THESE STEAMERS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO THIRTY CENTS PER FOOT MEASUREMENT
These ships have been built with great care and cost, and no skill or expense spared to secure strength, speed and comfort. They are in every respect first-class sea steamers.
For freight or passage, apply for steamer Winfield Scott, to
DAVIS, BROOKS & CO., New York
For steamer Union, to
SPOFFORD, TILESTON & CO, New York
In New Orleans, to
BABCOCK & FENNELL, 90 Common Street
CALIFORNIA PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY
The only through Line for California and Oregon, via Havana and Chagres
Fare Reduced
On MONDAY, July 28, at 8 o'clock A.M.
The splendid double engine steamship FALCON, H. Rogers, U.N.S., commanding, will sail precisely at 8 o'clock, connecting with the Pacific Mail Steamship, to leave Panama on or about the 15th of August.
Rates of Passage
From New Orleans to Chagres:
Main Saloons $70
Second Cabin $55
Steerage $35
From Panama to San Francisco:
Main Saloons $250
Second Cabin $225
Steerage $125
For passage or freight, apply to
ARMSTRONG, HARRIS & CO., 106 Magazine Street
N.B. The Falcon will take freight for Chagres
Daily Alta California
From the Panama Herald, July 1851
The Isthmus
By this arrival we have received files of the Panama Herald to Starto the 15th.
The rainy season had set in with unusual severity, and the roads between Panama and Cruces and Gorgona were in a horrible condition. Several accidents had happened upon the river. The Star says:
We learn from passengers just across the Isthmus, that the Chagres river is at such a high stage as renders its navigation above Gorgona not only difficult bet extremely dangerous. A boat containing six passengers and four crewmen, was capsized a few days since a little below Cruces, and we are sorry to say that two of the passengers, Americans, and two boatmen were drowned. We have not been enabled to learn any names.Robberies were still frequent upon the Isthmus. A gentleman was robbed at the Mansion House, of $14,000, on the evening of the 6th ult., and we find in the Star the account of the following:
A day or two since, we received a letter from a young friend, Mr. L. Levy, who left here on the 5th for New Orleans. He writes us from Cruces, and says:New York Daily Times, Tuesday, FebruaryI arrived here safe myself, but am loser about seven hundred and fifty dollars, a French gentleman on the road having deprived me of that amount, about seven miles from this place. But as the Razor-Strop Man says, "there are a few more left, of the same sort."
From the Panama Herald, January 26, 1852
Our city is rammed, crammed, and jammed full of passengers for California, our hotels are full, our streets are full, and in fact we are full all over, with only one steamer in port to take them away. The Oregon leaves this afternoon with over 400 passengers. The Christiana, Margaret, Amphytrite and Philena are all full, and will be off to-day or to-morrow. These four sailing vessels carry about 600 passengers, leaving a balance of 800 or 1,000 on the Isthmus to wait for the next steamer. Other sailing vessels would be put up for San Francisco were it not for the scarcity of provisions. We have vessels and passengers in abundance, but are wonderfully short of pork. In ten days, however, if the steamers which are expected make their appearance, we shall have abundance of steam
Daily Alta California
The Panama Star complains of the filthy condition of the streets of the city, and . . .
HOUSE RENTS.--With the decline of general business which has marred the history of Panama for the past twelve months, we have also to note a slight -- very slight -- decline in house rents, in cases where old leases have been renewed. We will remember the time within two years, when it was next to impossible to procure at any rate, an office or a dwelling in a suitable location within the walls of the city. But a change has come over the aspect of affairs; and now houses of any dimension, from a two story house to an apartment ten by twelve, can be had in almost any street of the city, at rates, as we have said, somewhat reduced on those hitherto prevailing.Daily Alta California, December 1863
TAXES IN PANAMA.--According to the recently published tax list, there are at present 142 commercial establishments in Panama, assessed monthly $2,230. These taxes ranges from $5 to $100 per month, average $15.70 on each establishment. There are on the list 75 foreigners, who pay the sum of $1,635, and 67 natives, who pay $605, thus showing the taxes paid by foreigners to average $21.80, whilst those paid by the native houses average only $9; or in other words, the native merchants, on an average, pay a little over two-fifths of the average taxes of the foreigners--.Star
A mule belonging to the gold train which left this city on Thursday last, strayed from the train near the river Cardenas. Mr. Hurtado went out yesterday morning in search of the treasure, and found it, as we learn, safely packed on the back of the animal, which was comfortably grazing on the hillside. -- Star
ISTHMUS MATTERS.--From dates of the Panama Echo, of Dec. 15 and 22d., we clip the following items of local intelligence:
The total population of the Isthmus of Panama is about 100,000 inhabitants, reported in three provinces: Panama, Veraguas, and Alanjo or Chiriqui (pronounced Cherokee). The province of Panama alone contains 70,000 inhabitants, the remaining 30,000 being divided between the two other provinces. The city of Panama has about 9,000. It is a remarkable fact that of the population of this country, the two sexes are equally divided.
Since the declaration of independence in 1821, the population has been declining rapidly, but now it is increasing at an astonishing rate.
The American Consulate at this place being vacant, and it being doubtful whether Mr. Corwine, lately appointed to the post will accept it, a number of Americans in Panama have signed a petition and forwarded it to President Taylor for the appointment of Mr. Wm. C. Lacy of this city.
Speculation in tickets is very active in these days, and the steamer tickets to San Francisco are sold at enormous prices. We are told that steerage tickets in the Panama have been sold as high as from $375 to $400.
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