The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-07-15
From the New Yorker.


Is,lrpvx of PdnuYa--Soufk Sea Steam Nar..
CATION We are sraiifed TO see. by rceen,
foreign Journals. that there is al length rros
pect Of q speedy prosecution Of the plan for
connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans By
ship canal across the lshmus Of Panama
An enterprisng company in Paris. after taking
the necessary preliminary steps. has sen, out
ship freighted with engineers. laborers, tools.
etc., and il has probably by this time arrived at
The mouth Of the Chagrss. ready TO commence
active operations. IL is astonishing that the
execution Of this project has been long de-
layed, The Edinburgh Review, so long ago as
1909. spoke Of il as the mig htieH event in favor
Of the peaceful intercourse Of nations which the
physical circumstances Of the globe presented
TO the enterprise of man; and from that time
until the present there have been intelligent
statesmen and merchants constantly. but vanly,
endeavorirg TO bring it about. BY glsaee at
a map Of America, il will be seen that the mar
rowest portion Of the strip Of land connecting z
the northern and southern portions Of the Con-
tinent is in the Republic Of New-GreHada, by
the River Chagres, which emptes into tho
caribbean Sea. The distance directly across
the Isthmns al this point is less than thirty
miles but by pursuing the course OF the river
10 the town Of Cruces, some twenty-five miles
from its mouth, ships can 60 within fifteen
miles Of the Pacific. and at this town the
French expedition will commence operations.
Two other recent undertakings augur we'll
for the advance Of the southern nations in
wealth and intelligence. The first is the estab-
lishment by the French Governmen, Of two
lines of steamships 10 facilitate communication
with the Antilles, Mexico, Buenos Ayres. and
Brazil. The line to Brazil will start from ST.
Lnzaire aa eatport of Nantes that to Mexico
will be divided between Marseilles and Bor-
deaux; and the vessels for both will be ready
during the present summet.-The second is a
plan recently matursd ia London for line Of
steam packets from The western side Of the
jsthmus OF Panama along the Southwestern
coast. which will partially subssre the purposes
intended 10 be accomplished by the cana, across
the lsthmns, until the completion Of that work.
The system 10 which we alude, we gather frsm
the Albion. has been making slow but careful
and certain progress during the last five years,
IN the course Of which the intelli gent pro- ector
Mr.. William Whrelwright. an American. h as
been able to secure most important privileges
from all the Governments on the proposed line
Oi coast. 1t has now derived an additional and
most encouraging impulse from the deterin;na-
iion TO run line Of steam packets from Eng
land TO the West Indies. Thence-say from
3amsica-to CHagres, on the lsihmus Of Pana
ma, is only above five hundred miles. Trans
pertaton TO the shores Of the Pacific may be
effected in about Twelve hours, and thence a.
long the western coast of South America as IA,
as Valparaiso, leiters. passengers. freight. DC
may be forwarded with an expedition never be
fore contemplated. 1t is Intended that all
places between Valpa raiso AID Calao shall
have ecOmmusication with Panama once month.
md all places between Caao and Panama
twice month-thus bringing these hitherto
distant places into comparative contiguity with
Europe and the United States.
IL is estimated that there are now about 5000
persons per aBnum. on an average. passing ano
Eepassing in connexion with the western part.
of South America. Ii must be evident that tn,
number must be greatly increased when uhs
time Of transit shall be reduced more than one
hall. and The expenses correspsHdently reduced
And these things are assured. as the estimate.
have been examined aad scrutinized with jcs
Gus eyes by persons adequate TO the task, aue
upon whom the greatest part Of the expense
must devolve; in particular, by the former
British Consnl General at I.ima. now charge
d'Affaircs there. and by the principai merchant,
of different countries residing upon that line o
coast.