The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-09-18
THE DARIEN CANAL

Ihe obJttl ol most OF TIE voyages % ol''o''i9
that have been made for The last 500 years, has been
the discovery OF a western passage 10 the lndes.-
The trade Of The East-H VIII be the trade oil
the Nesl-has, from the earliest times 81 when we
have record been Of vast extent and value TO
Europe. Originally prosecuted through the medium
Of carayons, at great peril and expense, and with
delay OF years the discoveries of the Portuguese M
the 18th century opened the path, which his since
been travelled by all Europe, around the Cape
! since that time, The Governments Of Europe have
been engaged with degree OF eagerness and with
steodlness OF enterprise which proved the estimated
value Of the object in efforts TO discover a more d-
rect passage by the West to ''the land of Ind
These efforts have been made al an ex pense in money
aud human life almost incredible; and even after
what seemed 10 be a demonstration of the folly Of
the pursuit, expedition after expedition has been
fitted out, aud our own times have witnessed ex'
pendlture OF money lay the British Government on
this object, which while it proves her berality may,
with some, induce doubt rs to tie wisdom of her
councils. he result, Of this passionate desire 10
discover western Path TO ludia have been too mag
nlhcent TO permit doubt upon this subject Its orr
glnal protector, Columbus, stumbled upon a new
world m It's pursuit From that time to the present,
whatever the cost Of those expeditions, IL has been
repaid ten fold Ia the discoveries made, and the I'M
portan practical results attending those discoveries.
Ii Is, however, a matter OF marvel, that, when
the discovery Of an dtaabt western passage 10 India
was early asecrained to be impossible effort
was proposed 10 make such a passage. The former
existence of a canal through the -thmus Of Suez
was known TO every classical reader; the mode OF
Cuust uCtinL canals nearly as well known then,
as now; the slhnus OF Panama, with lis elevations
and depress ions, was familiar from the time si Ma
kgeani and may wonder that no attempt
was made TO effect passage, which, from its direct.
ness and safety, had every recommendation a d
which 1.-THE Of the treasure expended upon voyages
OF discovery would have effected. IL Is stl re-
markable that, in our own day, during the present
century, this enterprise ha, hitherto been regarded
with SO styd an indilicrencc 1t has long been as.
tt.lfg
| readily and safely made. Various individuals have
endeayored, at different periods 10 direct the atten-
ton OF different governments TO the feasibility and
importance OF the proJect-but III vain. Europe en-
crossed by her aud nearer conflicts and interests
was deaf This country lacked the enterprise. SO
late 1896 or 1887, citizen OF Philadelphia Mr..
Charles Blide, brother Of the great baLker,) hay.
ing been appointed, we believe by General Jackson,
TO some official trust IL South America, had his at
tentlun drawn 10 tins SUBJECT. He trayeIsed the
country assured himself Of the practicabilty Of the
project, and Immediately took measures TO effect it,
lie did not doubt that the American public would en-
gage IN an enterprise SO full Of promise and in or
der 10 the privilege before he asked aid he OBJ
tanned from the governments which had the ri .ht Of
soil, grants Of land, aud rights Of ample character
to enable him to prosecute the enterprise. He rey
sitcd this country confident of obtaining the required
AID but was disappointed, and sh rtly after died
The enterprise died with him. Several previous and
subsequent efforts made hut all, from causes
which IT is difficult now to eXplaia, failed. But
| project easy Of accomplishment, aud so grand in
Its results could sleep the sleep OF death # was
the easy means of attaining the object that had been
struggled for by ages and empires. Accordingly
find that the English have fastened upon IT, aud are
about t. carry IT into execution By the last arrival
I'VE learn that the long moOted pro Of uniting lhe
Atlantic and the Pacific by canal the 18TH
linus Of Darcn has been at length Undertaken by a
firm whose ample resources and public spirit afford
guaranty for IL speedy aud practical completion -
/ According TO a communication made by VI Arago 10
Il the Academy OF Sciences at Paris the jth a con
tract has been entered into by Me,srs Barring s Co.
i OF London with the Republic Of New Grenada in
| virtue of which the Republic is TO cede 10 hem the
line required for The projected canal acr6S, the 18th
mus OF Panama, with eighty thou End acres of land
on the two banks and four hundred thousand acres
III The interior Of the country
1t appears, by this announcement, that the enter
prise has been undertaken by individuals, and that
i projected under the sanction and protection OF the
Republic of New Grenada 1t Is further stated that
Messrs, Barring Company had, in the first instance,
fixed the AMOUNT Of toll for the navigation Of the
canal at the price OF j. francs per tons but they
have reduced II TO francs. The work. upon which
/ from 600 to 900 mou are to be engaged, TO be
completed ~ five years. The project therefore,
sumcs the aspect Of being private undertaking. Il
It be So what singular state of things does II pre-
sent II the Straits Of Gibraltar were claimed by
single state, though that high Dad i Of infinitely less
Importance han the about TO be created, every
European Government would rise against the mono.
/ poly. Yet here. We have a commercial firm raising
a toil-gate between two worlds and controlling, 20
viii interests IN relation 10 which the first nations Of
Chrstcudom have been, for centuries, OF war. What
j does this mean Certainly something more than
/ appears upon the surface.
The importance Of this canal Is almost uconceva-
/ bic. II gives 10 Europe and America a short cut to
section Of the world whose commerce i, incalcula.
BILE in its yastness and value. With this canal Eng.
land may reach China, with steam vessels in month
/ We being half way would have cvory advantage If
pernH 10 tnjoy il The project, II successful. will
affect, almost rcyolutionizc, the commerce Of the
world The objects Of centuries viii be attained IN
five years and that, too cxpcn less than that
which j. required 10 oNerswc, with a small body OF
troops, disanectcd province II will Ice the key 90
/ the East. The power which hold. that passage will
possess whether for and conquest or peace and
gam tie control II all Asia l. it possible that Tins
powe ia the hands Of the Mcssrs Barring.
We confess that we cannot believe il That enter.
ptising firm j. known be deeply in the interest Of
| the present Ministry. rs head. Lord Ashburiun i.
one of the leaders " the prevailing party IN England.
II Is possible therefore and probable that the b..
rings may be but the agents of Tie English Govern
! mcnt prepared whenever required 10 surrender
their privileges 20 the Engish crown. Besides. II
must occur 10 every rejecting mind that no prudent
| and wealthy firm would engage in on enterprise
in which the interests involved were ~ vast as 10 IN
| cur the jealousy f not opposition of powerful ma
tons unless backed bS the force of the ENGLISH Go.
! ycnmcnt. The apparently equitable arrangement in
| relation 10 tolls may may not hc maxi though
IL Is somewhat singular that the rates Of toll should
| be determined five years in advance. before mat
took has wounded the soil. and before any man can
determine what the cost Of the improvement will be-
II this be one Of The points Of British pocy--if IT be
understood hat this important pass 10 be surren.
dercd % the Government fortified. or maintained IL
Is ono Of the boldcst, most mastery, and effective
measures ever taken by that nation for the monopo-
1 ly II the commerce Of the world.
! The proi,ct /, feasible and cannot bo Jg,it.l b..
nor doubt that under II. prcsou, auspices n
will be effected. But long before the five years re-
quired o. complete it, We Will sec Great Britain. al.
Their by treaty or conquest in possession of The a.