American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-05-03
From the National Journal.


Britain, give TO her the opportunity and the means
of extending her schemes of useful improvement to
the New World. The London papers, from which
the accompanying extract is taken, convey the I'm
portant intelligence that Bill was about to pass
the House of Commons for Incorporating com
pany whose object is to unite the Atlantic and "a
ciic Oceans, by navigable canal through the 18th
mus of Costa Rica We have, heretofore, had oc'
casion to notice this proposed canal, and the tran
scenden benefits 10 result from its execution, which
we had INDUCED the hope, would have been accom-
plshed either by the Government Of Central Anne
RIGA, or the individual enterprise OF the y. States
1t should have been left for the glory oil the New
Would tc open passage which, while II would OIL
fer much greater advantages to commerce man the
successful discovery Of Vasco dc CANA would no.
be so preiudica to the interests OF any commercial
people, as was the latter TO the VenetIans and Ge
noese
Some safer and more convenient route Tor navI
gallon to the East than those by Capes Horn ane
Good Hope. has a.ways been a desideratum IL
commerce. Large sums have been expended by
the British and Russian Governments, in prosecu
ting the discovery Of North West passage Ths
eternal ices of the polar regions, the length OF ;
voyage by this route, and the want OF ports, ane
convenient places Tor supplies and repairs. woult
always render its advantages inferior. The con
nexon of the Mediterranean with the Red sea- BY
canal across the Isthmus of Suez. would be ma
rgable route less Objectionable to European com
MERGE But this scheme has Jailed from the days
of Alexander down to those of Napoleon, whethel
from the uncivllized character oil portion OF the
country, or the inability OF its conquerors The
intelligence and enterprise OF the present enghen
ed Pacha may induce the hope that this noble and
important work, which the project OF ancient
may be come the glory of modern Egypt h4vi-
gable communication between the Aiianiic and ia.
c6c Oceans through the lsthmus connecting North
with South America, is not scheme OF late con-
ception. The Spanish Government, two centuries
ago, was acquainted with its practicabliity IN View
Grenada. The younger Pitt. who was assured
from various representations made TO -, OF the
facility with which canal admitting vessels OF the
largest description, might be cut across the sthmus
iondly dwelt on this PROJECT as one OF the most I'm
portant considerations connected with the lndepen
dence of Spanish America. The Edinburgh Re
view Of $780, contains an interesting article OH TIN
subject and demonstrates its practieabl exec uop
and immeasurable advantages to the commercial
and civilized wo Id 1t is said to be the might i
erent that could occur IN favour Of the peaceful
intercourse Of nations nh, 81 the physical circam
stances Of the globe present 10 The Pnterprseof man
The English Company have determined 10 pur
sue that route through the lsthnus which was lont
since ascerIaned TO possess the greatest natural Ia
eilities. Bryan Edwards, whose Character as an his
lolan and topographer is generally known, was 81
well convinced oil the superior advantages Of Cost
Rca or Nicaragua, Tor the location OF the proposet
canal, and oil its immense importance TO the Brush
Government. that he strongly recommended II L
seize this Ishmus By conquest, or to procure b.
aegotiation. The Fl ellsh settlement on the Mos
qultos Shore, and their pretended claim to this dis
trct, may have no very dts ant refer TO this OBJ
iect and the resolution of Colombia, expressed il
the late Message Of her Executive, which will b
sustained by Guatemala, to preserve The territory q
the Republic undivided and declaring all col ME
therein, not formed by permission oft Government
to be illegal, indicates the wisdom and frmness
her Councils. The London exit act says, line oil riy
ers aud lakes has been discovered facilitating the pr
ent obect. They are the San Juan, and Lakes Nicu
ragua and Ieon.-The San Juan flows from thes
lakes into the Atlantic, afordlns depth OF tour an
SIX fathams of water from its mouth to the lake
which are of q eater drplh. From Leon to The Goa
oil Nicoya, on the Pa.iic, distance OF nut tweh
miles and from Nicaragua TO The Cult OF papagay,
eighteen miles. The ground between the TWO lax,
and the is perfect level, excepting lew so
ted conical hills Tie river presents no obstructio,
that may not be readily removed, and the cast OF N
coya and the Gulf OF Papagayo, are Tree from roct
and shoals Ii IS said oy resp ctanie authority. lii
large bugs and schouners have sailed through tn
San Juan Ito the lakes; the remaining twelve
eighteen miles can offer no difficulties TO he cou
pStioH VI d hdNi6aobe communication. But IN
line Is not OF late discovery, for We have seen
survey oft in manuscript. made twenty years az
by Colonel Hndgson oil British Engi, ee,s.
The United States are interested in canal
whatever polnt it may be opened. But that prop
sed through the Isthmus oil Tehuanepec, iC Mex
CO, now under survey by our citizen MI B uni, al
which will be made by the Mexican Goyernmet
combines greater advantages than any other r.u
Its proximity to the United States, and TO heir 4
nm pa NJ calf
ference. Nothing clearly exhibits the benet
which would result to commercial intercourse / {
this passage, the facl that $4,000 miles would
saved in voyage from the Metropolis OF the