Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-05-24

.H.~
M e'mes Tor external commerce ON both sens are NOT
n IN, !, -" 1owh ON any charts with sufficient accuracy
H. ra,. ay surveys have been made by order Of
them; and when such do not exis, 81 pis p -
gel such information MS you think can he ,esJ u, All
wafd 70 this Department with the mode and cosl az
transportation ffom the ports 10 the in,ero, .J s e..
one sea TO another. One object Of the Ia, ;; =.
determine whether, without the facilities of ra.,., 49,,
charge Of transportation unshppng, reshiupinr wouId
or would not give to The passage across the isth
vantage in the East India trade over the usual ron, &
neced with this object would be the inquiry what
and value Of the commodities Of the Philippines China or
s East Indies would be consumed in the Republic or the
adjacent parts Of Colombia and Mexico" nhf
With this correspondence, for time, seemed 10 close Al
negotiation in this business but the subject was again rev
cd in 1866 by the appointment Of CHAnLrs BrppIr ESQ
py virtue OF the resolution Of the Senate before alluded ~
VINO was specially charged under instructions from Mr. For
r with the duty of making observations and nour e.
anu cohccung documents relative the establishment of
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific ocean, lv
means Of nilroad across the Ishmus Of Panama
ms shus was at that time, il seems the only point Of in
curry au'horzed ~ the President and this end the sp-
Pontment OF special agent had been made.
Mr. BIDDLn on in March lsas AMI ,vas ;o,,o,c.,
by Mr. McArEE, then Charge dAres of the United States
to the Republic Of New Granada to the public authorities Il
Bogota. He entered upon negotiations with the Go
vemmen, and made full and examination (as womb
seem from his repo Of the route from Panama to Chagres
with the view Of constructing road upon the macaamzed
plan between the two points.
know Of better sketch the result of his invesi
d.. liberal do
Department Of State, and the accompanying documents
will briefly present all the essential points in the history Of the
undertaking the general reader. long train Of correr-
pondence ensued between the officers Of the Republic and
himself not orecapituae hee which terminated
in nothing particularly beneficial either This affords
proof however, of the Of all proper industry and
ton the part of the Government agent to accomplish the
object of his mission. IF he cupabe in any thng
was for the misrepresentation Of his Instructions
The conduct Of the officers of the Government Of the Re
public open, frank and honorable and II must have
been TO them quite unpleasant event that Mr. BIDpLR
should have far misunderstood his powers and duties
have required savowa the part of the United States
of his having been authorized to mako the contract
tered into by him. This matter was however, find, sub
sequeniy very satisfactorily explained by Mr. McArrE far
at least he himself involved in the correspondence
but the information obtained by Mr. BIppLE really quite
important and useful in its character not only statistical
point Of view hut evncve of the entire good will and the
generous feelings INDUCED by the New Ganadan Republic
towards nation and country This kind pariaIty for
Institutions is distinctly marked in all their intercourse with
nor is the negotiation with Mr. BIDDLE in any
empt from the like evidences of their high national respect and
consideration.
congress Oh hepuDlc oiten n0d nis SuIJect
under serious advsemen (Which, to people directly in
teresed is indeed other than avery rfai me0su and
libealy with its importance has marked
all its acts and conduct in reference to it.
All the correspondence, papers, documents letters and
proceedings connected with Mr. BIpDLEs mission fully de-
monstrae this fact, and at the time they do not fail to-
prove the very deep feeling then and pervadng
community in favor Of this projected enterprise.
The negotiations between this Government and that Of the
United States worthy Of particular notice, and brief
hib of of the views and opinions that followed these
goaons may not be improbable to present purpose
This win he be Che important this great juno
ure when another naton whose power felt in every
through agents, In jealous effort TO accom-
plish what then officially granted company in the
United States shall have occasion, in subsequent letter.
to make particular alluson what is in agitation from
that quarter.
Mr.. BpDLK, seems conne his inquiries
entirely 10 the country between Panama. Chagcs and Lemon
Bay. lie troubled himself the upon the subject
Of the proposed canal by the way of Lake Nicaragua
Nor did he attempt to look after the claims Of that highly in
vng and picturesque region the vicinity Of the river ST.
Juan, which for centuries has failed the attention
and comment of all the intelligent portion Of the civilized
world He rested his apology for this omission solely upon
the opinions of few individuals whom he casually with,
that such project utterly practicaJl. In usti6ca-
ZION Of his neglect in this particular he makes ausion his
report the early steps taken by the Lbeato SIMON BoLi-
VAR who sought the favorable communication be-
tween the two oceans.
here give the views Of Mr. BrpDLr illustrative Of the
easy mode by which he chose arrive his conclusions
this matter through the opinions of others At the pc
Rod when General BoLrvAR held supreme command in Co
omba he manifested great zeal In obtaining accurate nor
nation relative to the most eligible mode of communication
between the Atlantic and Pacific Sklful engineers
and the most accurate mathematical instruments were en-
poyed, without regard to expense And the Lberatoss
influence not confined State hut embraced every
portion of the country through which had
been contemplated, the result Of those examinations is emit
tied to great weight The River St. Juan and the Lake Of
Nicaragua deemed ineligible Of the shall
owness OF the water the obstruconsn the river
the violent hurricanes the lakes and the unhealhness OF
the climate and the great distance between the oceans
being than treble that Of the route by the river
Chagres Doctor Primo GuAL, gentleman ofds{1guish-
ed talents and well known in the United States that
time Secretary Of State and took deep interest these
Investigations copy Of his letter me- dated the 10Th
of May last is annexed, (marked by which you will per
ceve that, in his opinion The opening Of canal for res
sells Of heary tonnage chimeu, and that canal for
vessels Of Fighter daug cannot be accomplished north of
Panama. This opinion is universal and decisive that
the public attention has long since been altogether diverted
from the consideration Of communication by the ST. Juan
9 river - gst+g e.E ~-Fe---
This may be good authority and the opinions alluded
well founded, but great allowance always be made for
that which sometimes steals unconscousy upon the mind,
and which is natural to the settlers Of country in matters
vitality affecting their immediate interests Opposed to
IL