Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-08-31


entered into by tho EARRINGS, of London, with the
Republic of New Grenada for the construction
oil Il snip canal across the isthmus of Daricn
provides for cedng to the Company the line for
the projected work, with eighty thousand acres of
land on the two banks, and four hundred thou
sand acres In the interior. These princely mer-
chants do not appear in this transaction as the
agents Ct the British Government officially; but
they arc British subjects protected by the Co
vernment, and doubtless many important advan-
tages will be secured TO Great Britain, both poli,-
Cal and commercial, by the completion Of the vast
work here projected.
The time has been when the construction of
Tins Atlantic and Pacific Canal--a work Of world
vide concernment-was in our own hands it we
had chosen TO take up the matter. Other nations
on the other side of the water held back as thouuh
II were expected that our Government would exc.
cute an enterprise 10 which it seemed called by
position as the foremost power on the American
continent, and as power whose c6Uimerca spi-
TIT and energy would hardly brook The interference
OF European nation in work so peculiarly
American. The occasion, however, has been suf-
Tered 10 pass. Through our tardy indifference the
work which we would not do has fallen into
hands that will do it--into hands which will hold
1t with steady grasp when it is done. The key
OF the whole American continent is to be in the
Keeping OF England--there being, as it would
seem, no proper guardian of it on this side of the
Atiantic-at least none with spirit enough, to step
forth and claim the function.
The completion of a ship canal between the
two oceans, as projected, will mark an era in the
words age. The event will stand forth to give
distinctive character to the century. 1t is to be
a hVe years work--to endure forever. The whole
aspect OF commerce will be changed by it, 1t
VIII accelerate the revolution now going on in
China more rapidly and more thoroughly, than
all the force OF British armamens--and not there
only VIII 1t work changes, but in ali Polynesia
and Australasia, and the Western coasts Of South
America, which now reached by doubling
Cape Horn.
we observe that writer in the Alexandria
Gazette is OF opinion that better route for a ca
nal between the two oceans is by way of the river
81. Juan and lake Nlcaragua.-Inuch better than
across the ishmus Of Daren. This latter route
Is through mountainous region for some for tybr
nifty miles, while by the other the distance re-
CURED 10 be cut will not exceed fifteen or twenty
miles, and as rivers enter into the Pacific at no
great distance above lake Nicaragua, the INFER
ence is far that no great difference Of elevation
exists between the lake and the Ocean.
III would be worth while unqueslionably 10
send special agent to Guatemala On this bust.
noss-to make inquiries and examinations at least.
he last ambassador sent thither froIr the United
States was not able to find any government there;
alter much painful searching he was obliged to
give 1t up. We do not know that tile Guatema-
lans have any government ye.-possibly they
have. AT all events an envoy might be sent, and
Tor au9ht tina. any body knows, he might return
with knowledge of the two important facts: that
practical canal route between the Atlantic and
Pacific and a live Government both actually exist
IN Guaiemala.-BaH. american.