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42 Panama belongs to the republic of New Grenada. This republic in conjunction with Venezuela and Equador once formed the confederation of Columbia. In 1838 they dissolved connection - divided the public debt and have since continued to administer their own affairs. The vice royalty of New Granada was instituted in 1517. The accession of Joseph Bonaparte to the throne of Spain - gave the first impulse to the colonies - to throw off the Spanish yoke - which they did generally - proclaiming themselves republics in 1819. The congress of New Grenada meet at Santa Fe de Bogota. They appoint Governors - Alcaldie to the various provinces and towns withing their jurisdiction. Panama as a province has its governor as a city -its alcaldi. The soldiers form the police. During the quiet disposition of its inhabitants - criminal actions are few - so that the cases which come before the alcalde are mostly civil cases. It is difficult to carry through a case - justice here as in our own courts - moving with tardy steps. Schools in the city are rare. I saw but one having a female teacher. The urchins were small - but surely how stranger were all studying Spanish. The children of the old families are of such as desire and can afford it are sent away to Cherra or Santa Fe. There is one newspaper in the city - a weekly. Really except as a medium of political informaiton - I could not think Panama would afford matter to support a print. I went into the office - the type stands were tenentless - the press was a monument of inglorious inservitude. The editor in his disolate sunctum - was the only remaining spirit of the place. I could not remark how different this scene from that of our newspaper offices at home - and how sure a sign this - of the difference between benumbed Panama and our own happy America. The printing office is a good index of a people. It is the barometer of business - energy and activity. The domestic habits of the people are such as naturally result - from living under a burning sun and doing but little business. Their time is divided between their morning mean - their afternoon meal - siesta - evening walk and bed. Eating forms but a small portion of their anxiety. Little food is required - but little cooking therefore engrosses their time. Fruits - wines - &c supply grosser articles. Every house has its hammocks. Strung in the apartment - they are the day lounges - the chairs - almost in constant use.