Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-06
ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC

w ASHINGTON CRY, April u, 1870
TIE Hon. a. b. IPood,cuI1i, Judge ot .Hiddte ttoridd
SIR Knowing you To be deeply interested IN the
prosperity oi our happy country, have taken the IT.
berty OF addressing thislster you the hope that
1t may draw forth full investigation OF the subject IN
question.
Several pieces have appeared in the National Jour
nal, relative To the projected canal 10 unite the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans. The Importance of tins great
work IS but slightly touched II is viewed only as
important IN shortening VOYAGES 10 India, Chlna
and the North West Coast of America. My ideas on
tins subject so beyond these considerations. will sug-
gest them TO you, and leave ADLER pens to follow
apt Cook, by astronomical observations, asccrtaned
'iu tte waters ON the Atlantic side were nineteen anc
halt feet ighcr than the PaCIiC occasioned by the
iInncnse rash OF waters into the bays OF Calnpeachy
and Honduras nnpccd by the trade winds. ms
great accumulation o. water now finds vent between
Cape FLORIDA and Cuba, where 1t runs with velocity
OF i've or SIX miles per hour, of breadth OF about 100
miles, at an unknown depth 1t takes its course along
oar Southern " f.. direction. brushing past
the different projections of the coast until II gets INTO
the latitude Ut the Delaware, when ii curves more 10
the eastward, nearly touching Georges and Ncwiound-
land Banks then east sohcrly, until II strikes the
coast oi Africa; then south and south c5tcrly along the
coast ut Africa, until il loses itself about the latitude
of TO north replacing the water blown In the west
ward. Hence, the Gulf Stream may be SAT, 10 form 4
circle and runs with less velocity, il
oT less compressed. now come To- the point. W hci
this canal Is opened the rush of the Pacific
Will be immense, and probably eat away passage fol
itself equal IN magnitude 10 the Straits OF Gibraltar
II follows OF course all those places tie Atlantic
side of the continent, from Cape Florida Porto Ia
vc'lo, will reclaim from the all banks that
nave 10 feet wafer theron, and tie elect on coast
from the Delaware 10 ape Florida, will be proportion
ably affected: the dangerous shoals of iacras Cap,
car, CapcL Look Out, and Cape Roman, will be dry
n The Cult Stream be done away; navigation rendere,
81 and easy. The Florida Reel viii be stripped o
all It's terriers, and voyages from The Eastern port
{" uba and the ports in the bay, rendered shorter
saier. But these minor cORsicIa tons 10 what
am now coming al Lanis about tie mouth of tin
Mississippi viii he vastly improvcdtLc descent of tin
mouth hcng l9 feet more will cause the current of th
river To eat away lis bed aud leave the banks compare
lively high. 1t will drain immense marshes that arr
now nnproducYe and unhealthy; DO away the expcns
OF evicN and reclaim thousands Of acres from the ocean
and III Inc, make the OF Nississipi and ouisi
ana high and healthy. The effect will be also great OIL
the climate of Cuba. Coffee Is great staple eff com
iherce IN that Island the coffee tree will not stan
iFost DO away the Gall Stream and there is nothin
l. soiten cur north winds that causes severe frJs
and ice at New Orleans
regret extremely that the people of the Unite
St"tcs are lis"y To ave participation in this rrea
work. We, surely, far more interested than Tia
british fnd thut company is formed in London
something Governncnt protection. and supported b
Hiii'i capital, t. carry thiS object into eject shout
not be surprised if flag eA Guided unless promp
measures arc taken TO assure fair partcipation VIII
tie British.
have thus, sir, suggested my views on this suhicc
y YOU 10 be used by You i'll any manner you may tim
proper.
With much esteem, ana high consideration am sir
y"" ooed'e"t servant, 1. DOANE.