Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-11-26
From the New-York National Advocated
PACIFIC AND ATLANTIC

=
The splendid project of uniting the Pacific and
Atlantic Oceans by canal will now be attempted.
The late success Of the Patriots in Peru, the settled
character of the Mexican Republic, and the entire
freedom OF South America, and its exemption from
foreign controul, warrant the Immediate execution
of plan, the desirable, it will be the most
advantageous for the civilized world. We lately
took hasty glance at the situation of that strip of
country called Central .4mesicd, and we understand
that the Mexican aud Colombian governments, to-
geher With the authorities of Central America have
determined upon the execution of the project which
is at this moment in operation.
The union of the Pacific and Atlantic is an old
measure, upon which much has been written and
done. As far back as 1895, a charter was obtained
from the British Parliament for company, calling
itself the Darien Company, and which originated
with entcrprising Scotchmen of the OF
Patterson. The subscriptions to the Daren
panv exceeded four millions of dollars; and. not
withSamding the subsequent jealousy an opposi
ton of Parlia nsnt, the merchants of Scotland, in
iO9o, fitted out vessels, CFAtaIniug 1900 men,
which arrived safe at Daiien. They founded n
place called ST. Andrews, and adopted mild and
Wholesome regulations. In Il short period, the lea
lousy of the English extended itself to the Dutch
and both countries united 10 cripple the object in
view; and in 1893 the Spanish government opposed
the settlement. and the English cabnct would not
treat for passage across the IsIlmus, and the
whole project was abandoned, to the certain, and
manifest, and, probably, perpetual injury of the
British nation, i'll relation to the union of the Paci-
tic and Atlantic, the key of which they had or
could have had. in their possession.
Mr.. VIM d. Robinson, who has devoted great
portion of his time to consideration of the subject,
AYERS. that nine different have been spoken of
as suitable spots to commence the undertaking: but
frem every view we have taken NJ the project,
are satisfied that the Lake Nicaragua is the spot
the most feasible for the canal and there will he
attempted. From the Lake Nicaragua the river
nD,yS into Tho. All t,t
min. II is ascertained that the bar al the mouth of
the river has IL feet water; but Robinson says, that
an entorprising Enclishman, casually visiting the
river. found channel rather narrow il is true, hut
where there was u feet water. After the bar is
crossed there five six fathouls water; tine III
ver flows into the Lake, in which ,hcre are. in
places, eight f,thons Lake Nicar0guG Joins Lake
Loon, by means OF river, in distance OF 30 miles,
which can be made navigable However. the
shortest distance from the Lake Nicaragua to the
Gulf OF Papagayo, in the Pacific Ocean, is 81
miles, and the ground dead level.
II was well known to the Spanish government
mat, III the rainy seasons, when the valleys OF the
ttccG we.c overHowed, that canoes have passed
from the .iHas,tic i0 he PaciGc-brt, in conformity
with the dark and jealous policy OF the Spanish
cabinet, all communication of that nature was pro-
mbed, on pain OF death. For ship channel, the
St Juan and Nicaragua are the places, and the
only places, to pass from the Atlantic the Pacific
Me-. ere nor nj scork orr nliS CGnuL Means hav.
been found IN this cHV To forward tire project,
which, in labor and cost, is nothing in comparison
to our grand canal bat its results will be consider
| - as the wonders of the agc.
Our government must keep its eye on that section
OF country lose no time in ascertaining every par
fIcular IN relation 10 the canal and no time should
o. lost in having a Minister at Mexico.
no county viii reap greater advantages by this
Important Junction than the United States, if they
are properly seized upon. Take, for example, our
voyage to India BY the present course, il is near
10000 statute miles from New York to Canton, but
once unite the Pacific and Atlantic, and the pas
sage vii! be completed in near 60 days. The Bri-
tish government, with praisworthy spirit and zeal,
Is using every effort 10 discover northwest pas
sage but if successful, the benefits must be wholly
superseded by this more seasonable and safe union
OF the Atlantic and Pacific One thing is certain
we are doing wonders in what may be called the
.NeC World aud now that North and South Anne
r,ca are independent, they will, i'll time, outstrip
Europe.