The Sun.
London, England, 1835-08-27 00:00:00

'RIV GRA-

DECREE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF
NADA, TO WHOM THE ISTHMUS BELONu._
DECREE.

" Seeing the propositions offered by Charles, Baron de
Thierry, relative to the opening of a canal, and thereby unit-
ing the two seas separated by the isthmus of Panama, and
cmsklering—
" let. That this undertaking is of great national import-
ance, inastnUsh as it will greatly facilitate commercial opera-
tions, and attract to the isthmus the merchants who now trade
feom Europe, Ask, and America, by way of Cape Horn and
the Cape of Good Hope ;
" 2dly. That as no place has been laid down for the con-
struction of a railroad in this part of the Republic, and as a
canal would be far preferable and more suitable to the nature
of the ground, and be a more expoditious and economical means
of carrying goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, we
have decreed as follows
" Art. 1. The privilege is granted to Baron Thierry to
open a canal by the waters of the Rio Grande, of the Cha-
gres, and of the Bay of Simon, availing himself of those points
which he may think most advantageous for the safe conveyance
of vessels which do not draw more than ten feet water, and
for that of the carves which are to be sent from one sea to
the other. There is also granted to him such land belonging
to the State of New Grenada as may be necessary for the
establishment of the necessary works connected with the canal.
" Art. 2. When the said canal shall be opened the Baron
de Thierry shall have the exclusive right of navigation with all
vttete. is or boats propelled by steam, or by any other mechani-
cal or dnithal power, with the enjoyment of the privilege of
towing all embarkations of any description along the said
c inal, and of exacting toll from all vessels and cargoes which
may be conveyed by it, according to the tariff, which forms
a part e this Law :—First, the Baron de Thierry shall be
allowed a fine of Ode'lmndred pesos on each ton of vessels, of
whatever denomination, dil/4iS shall pass along this canal, with-
out paying the duties detailed in the said tariff; the said
vessels to be embargoed until the fine is paid. And secondly,
this privilege shall not interfere with the passage of canoes and
uncovered piraguas, belonging to individuals resident in the
province of Panama, provided they do not convey passengers
from distant parts of the isthmus, nor merchandise destined for
exportation ; but every time these minor embarkations take
place on the canal, they shall not be compelled to pass by the

" Art 3. The Government of New Granada shall not exact.
duties of any kind on goods and merchandize which may tra-
verse the isthmus to be consumed in other countries, while the
Baron do Thiciry possesses the privilege of navigating the
canal.
" Art. 4. All the goods and stores destined for the use of
the canal, or for the works connected with it, shall enter the
isthmus free of all duty.
Art. 5. The Republic enters into the agreement not to
grant permission to any nation, company, or individual to open
across the isthmus any other canal than that mentioned in this
decree, nor any other communication by water to unite the two
sees, within twenty maritime leagues of the, canal which is to
be opened by the Baron de Thierry. Nor shall the Govern-
ment of New Granada grant to any one the privilege of con-
structing an iron railway from one sea to the other within a
league right or left of the canal before the' expiration of two
years from its being opened.
" Art. 6. The epistolary correspondence which may be con-
veyed by the canal of the isthmus shall not be subject to the
Post-office regulations of New Granada, nor to the payment of
the carriage regulated by it, while such letters are being eon-
veynd from one foreign country to another.
" Art. 7. The. authorities of the isthmus shall riot demand
1 the passports of those persons who travel by the Canal ; the

police shall merely take an account of the number of passen
gers and of the direction of their voyage.
" Art. 8. The Baron de Thierry, on account of the privi-
leges granted unto him by this decree, is obliged as follows :
" Ist. To sound the depths of the Chagres and the Grande,
and to excavate the ground which lies between these two rivers,
in such a manner that the navigation of the canal between the
•two seas shall be effected easily.
" 2d. To construct all the works which may be considered
indispensable to carry into effect the free communication be-
tween the two seas.

" 3d. To keep the canal in good order, as well as the va-
rious works connected with it, as long as he has the right of
property in it.

a 4th. To give up to the Republic the entire canal at the
expiration of 50 years from its construction.
"sth. To begin the undertaking within eighteen months
from the time of receiving the notification that the privilege is
granted to him, and to complete it in three years from its
commencement. And, _

" 6th. To pav to the Government of New Granada one per
cent. of the total produce on freight, towage, &c., in the tran-
sit of the canal, and for all vessels which may enter the said
canal.

" Art. 9. The expense of the fortifications which the Go-
vernment may think fit to erect for the protection and defence
of the canal shall be paid by the Baron de Thierry, and the
expenses of the Granadine troops which may' be garrisoned in
them shall be defrayed by the said Baron.

" Given, &c.
" MERIANO AROSEMENA,
" MIGUEL CIIIARI,
" JOSE DE OBALDIA, and
" PABLO JOSE LOPEZ."
Then follows the tariff of duties to be paid on the Canal of
:he Isthmus.