438 Vo/jage of the Novara. 



very unwholesome climate, chiefly because the roadstead of 

 Limon Bay furnishes a safe anchorage in all weathers for 

 vessels of even the largest size. 



This small island, only 7000 feet long by 5800 wide, which 

 was first named from the immense quantity of Hq?pomane 

 mancinella, a tree with a very powerful poison, that is found 

 on it, and is now called ''Isla de Manzanilla," was formally 

 made over by the New Grranada Government to the American 

 Company at the beginning of the works in the year 1852, and 

 was used by it for the new city, as also for the erection of 

 warehouses, &c. 



Aspinwall, or Colon, as it is sometimes called, numbers at 

 present some 1500 inhabitants, of whom 150 are North 

 Americans and English, the rest negroes and mulattoes. The 

 little town, with its neat frame-houses and clean cottages, in- 

 voluntarily reminds one of the new settlements in the North 

 American States. Here, besides the residences of the officials, 

 are the warehouses and workshops of the Company. In 

 -the latter about 700 workmen are employed, while four 

 schooners maintain uninterrupted communication between 

 Aspinwall and New York, for the purpose of providing for the 

 various wants of the crowded establishment. Even the very 

 provisions are imported from North America. Tlie resident 

 director, Mr. A. J. Center, received me with the most hearty 

 welcome, and during my entire stay continued to display 

 the same kindness and interest, which he manifested from 

 the moment he, received my letter of introduction. 



