Passenger Lists: San Francisco 1800s

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SS Isthmus

Arrival San Francisco

November 8, 1850
SS Isthmus
Captain Hitchcock
From Panama 21 days via Realejo 16 days and Acapulco 10 days.

November 9, 1850, Daily Alta California, San Francisco

Arrival of the Isthmus

The steamship Isthmus, Capt. Hitchcock, arrived yesterday morning from Panama via Realejo and Acapulco, consigned to Oliver Charlick & Co.

She is 21 days from Panama, 16 from Realejo and 10 from Acapulco. She brings up 51 passengers. As her time of sailing was six hours before the Tennessee, we have no later intelligence by her from Panama.

We have received, however, from our attentive friend and correspondent, J. W. McN., a file of theCorreo del Islmo de Nicaragua, as late as the 3d of October, and a very interesting letter, which we subjoin:

Correspondence of the Alta California

Realejo, October 22, 1850

MESSRS. EDITORS: Since writing my last, the steamer Director has arrived at Granada, as I learn from good authority. There are no established three lines for carrying passengers from this point to Granada at the rate of $10 per passenger, in carts, or $20 on horseback, with a cart for their baggage. It takes now about six days to make the transit from Realejo to Granada, but in a month it will be made in one half the time. The rain will cease in about half a month, when the roads will be in splendid travelling order. The face of the country is perfectly level. I have been so far as Leon and never saw a more level or delightful country in my life.

Messrs. Hale, Vedenburg and Finby have succeeded in obtaining a grant for constructing a plank road from Realejo to the mouth of the harbor, which will have the effect of changing the business from this point to the mouth of the harbor.

Several vessels have arrived with passengers, most of whom have crossed by this route. Prices for all articles of consumption continue to advance, but the Americans are in a great measure to blame for this. They land, all impatience and grab hold of everything that comes within their reach, paying any price the native may please to ask. If you apprize them that they are paying ten times above the market value, they signify that no interference is necessary with their business transactions. I pay one dime for twenty eight large oranges, they pay the same price for from two to four -- everything is in the same ratio.

The fact is my countrymen do like to be humbugged; they had rather pay four times the worth of an article than to wait -- the want to push along and keep moving, especially when they are "homeward bound." In so doing they not only injure themselves, but those that are living here have to submit to the same extravagant prices. The natives are polite and hospitable, and I have had no evidence that a single American has ever been insulted by a native. The present Government is very friendly to Americans, and as a general thing the Americans who have been here have conducted themselves like gentlemen, and commanded the respect of the natives. I am sorry to say, however, that others have reduced themselves to the level of blackguards, disgracing the name of Americans. They have seemed to forget that we are foreigners, and that the civility and politeness extended is simply complimentary.

We have a good hotel here now, kept by Mr. Myland, according to the American style. It is the largest building, except the church, in the place, and has every appearance of doing well. Next month is the commencement of frolicking, pleasure and amusements among the natives. They hold annual fairs at which they experience quite as much enjoyment as do the bold sons of Erin at Donnybrook Fair. The election also comes off next month, and as the present government is in the best of order, there is but little doubt but that those candidates favorably disposed towards the course it has adopted, will be successful. The English party or clique have no chance.

The weather is not very warm here at the present time, and we have daily showers. November and December are represented to me as most delightful months, sufficiently cool to be perfectly comfortable. The Isthmus arrived this morning and leaves at 3 o'clock this afternoon. She reports but few voyageurs on the Isthmus. And now, as I have no time to spare, Adios Senores, J. McN.

Cargo

Consigned to Oliver Charlick

Passengers

Mrs. C. Keyes, S. Parton, E. D. Hyde, Chas. Stone, W. Smith, Jason Frisbee, Moses Morris, Wm. Faul, Thos. Hodge, Isaac Morris, Jona. Steevens, Moses Morris, Jr., Aaron Morris, Thos Edwards, Wm. Dick, John Dick, Jno. Hodge, Jno Henderson, Robt. Gordon, Peter Smith, G. W. Rupert, Wm. Irvine, Paul Mitchel, Robt Moffat, Alex Campbell, Jno. Kezer, Jr., Perry Gregg, Alex Jonstone, Wm. Law, Jno. Q. Adams, Abram Morris, W. S. Johnstone, H. St. John Gollbold, E. C. Harford, W. Murray, Jean B. Eassin, Henry Chapman, Gaspar Cajilliand, Fermine D. Orimeux, Edward David, Emilie de Magan, Jacques Mignon, Matthieu Bergue, Wm. Williams, Thos. Williams, Robt. Keys (died), Jacob Noel, Richd Boyle, Guillaume Colas (died), Auguste Hoffman, J. G. Hayden, M. Larkin, A. Finley. -- 51

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