CjraptBr Cjiirtij-tljirir. 
OHAGRES, ITS GROWTH—GETTING ON BOARD THE EMPIRE CITY—MAGNIFICENT STEAMER- 
GOLD DUST ON BOARD—STEAMERS ALABAMA, FALCON, CHEROKEE, AND SEVERN—MY 
FRIEND CLARK ARRIVES ON BOARD—PREPARATIONS FOR STARTING—OUR STEAMER MAKES 
HER FIRST LEAP—'“ ADIOS ’’—CARIBBEAN SEA—HEAVY SEA ON—JAMAICA—PORT ROYAL 
—KINGSTON—“STEADY”—BEAUTIFUL SCENE—ORANGE GROVES—PEOPLE FLOCKING TO 
THE SHORE—DROP ANCHOR—THE TOWN—GENERAL SANTA ANNA’S RESIDENCE—“ COAL¬ 
ING UP ”—A PARROT PEDLER IN A DILEMMA. 
Chagres had undergone a great change ; the American side 
which had contained but one hut on my first arrival, now pre¬ 
sented the appearance of a thriving village of substantial framed 
houses, and appeared a place of considerable business. (See 
Plate). The facilities for transportation up the river and across 
to Panama, were ample. Several express agencies had been 
established, and arrangements made on a gigantic scale for the 
transportation of goods up the river; several barges of the 
largest class, furnished with India-rubber covering to protect 
goods from the weather, and lighters of the greatest strength 
and capacity for the transmission of treasures to and from the 
steamers. In connection with these, there were mules stationed 
at Panama and G-orgona, to serve in the land transportation. 
After breakfast I went off to the steamer Empire City, “pros¬ 
pecting.” It was blowing a severe norther, and it was with much 
difficulty we reached the steamer, and more that we got on board 
of her. Iron steps were let down on the side of the steamer, 
and as she would roll to us, the steps would be immersed, and 
as she would commence to roll back, one of the passengers would 
stand ready and jump on. After an elevation of twenty or 
thirty feet, the steps would return for another passenger. 
The accommodations on board were unparalleled. I imme¬ 
diately engaged passage and sent off for my trunk, which came 
on board in the afternoon, in charge of Mr. Jas. Rolfe Foster, 
