The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-06-22

~fAN ~SIhNo.-A AC vuoi augmentation W tiiC ~
sources of the commerce of the civilized world thai
would accrue from effecting tspeedy communica.
ton between the Atlantic and Pacific, has been q
prominent subject in the minds of the intelligent Of
modern times, and is too obvious require llustra
ton. For long time after the settlement, by the
Span sh and Portuguese. Of South America, they
believed In the existence of straits In the neghbor
hood of the Gulph of Mexico. Cortez, however
found il was mistake but did not fail to attach
due importance to:the remarkable geographical for
nation known as the Isthmus of Darien, and saga
ciou.y concluded that if ever short route was
effected, it would be there The English took up
as early as the 10th century, the search the Poru
guese had left of, and carrying it farther north
began their efforts to make out northwest pas
sage and which, after hercuean and costly abours
have only tended to direct, with increased desire
the eyes of our contemporaries to the Isthmus
which connects the two grand divisions Of the
western world.
AT different times, nine different portions of the
Isthnus have been proposed the best for line o.
ship canal from ocean to ocean but eventually they
have been reduced to three viz list, the lsthmus
OF Panama, proper End, the Isthmus Of Nicaragua
srd, the Isthmus Of Tehuantepec. The distance
between the oceans at Panama is 40 miles at Mica
ragua 5 miles, but the Intervention Of lake lessons
it good deal; at Tehuantepec the distance is l3(
miles. 1t is said that, Notwithstanding the great
difference in favor Of the first route as to distance
it is entirely mpracticable, and that Tehuantepec
althoughl is above three times as far it is out of all
measure the most feasible.
In the recent survey of the French govern
ment, it is said that ship canal by the Pa
mama route is impracticable, at least, with
out vessels being compelled to discharge their
cargoes. Besides, the harbor Of Panama has its
anchorage some miles from the shore, and is there
fore inadequate to be one Of the extremities of a
ship Canal, which should have both extremities
opening at once into the deep sea- with port afford
ing suitable anchorage to vessels close up against
the land. In addition to this, Humboldt and other
writers state that the climate is decidedly noxous,
and nj. Chevaer AYERS that there would be fearful
responsibility in bringing those who alone could do
the work-the masons, miners and excavators from
Europe-as the climate is deadly one for all who
exposed to the sun, or who lnhale the miasmatu
OF the Marshes and those which issue from the soil
when newly turned up; in consequence of this, all
work would be necessarily suspended from May to
October
The obstacles to the Nicaragua line are far less,
miles occupied by lakes Leon and Nicaragua and
the connecting river Tptapa, and that Of San Juan
from Lake Nicaragua to the Atlantic. Still there IS
no exact information as to the obstacles, which
globe between the 18th and 18th degrees Of North
latitude is the most volcanic KNOWN and therefore
eruptions and earthquakes may be set down as
among the most formidable enemies to an attempt
at canal here.
BY decree Of the Spanish Cortes, dated April 30,
1914, Tehuantepec was chosen as the point for this
great work, butthe Misrepresentation and confusion
that grew out of the war of independence prevented
L~.. q
rty and perfect feasibility beyond cavil Good har.
bors are found at each extremity, and according to
Mr. Balbi, the Coatzacaalcas, which is 765 yards
wide at the mouth, with never less than 81 feet wa
the rivers that discharge themselves into the Gulf
Of Mexico, not even excepting the Mississippi.
Europeans might be brought to do the work without
any risk from the yellow fever. as the climate is
hand and cattle and other resources are to be had
for the supply OF vessels requiring to recruit their
stores. If this communication was opened, dou.
bling thelorn"woud be no more thought Of. Vessels
from Europe would bid farewell to the danger, ex-
pcnse, and hardship incurred by that circutous
voyage on their way to any portion of the Western
American Continent, or the South Sea Islands.
The new route wonldb that of all vessels from the
United States to China, and very likely many Of
those from Europe, too.
All nations admit the importance of this great
work; yet all stupidity tardy in going throu Oh
with 1t; and yet that people who shall accomplish
the vast scheme, will reap commensurate advan-
tages. But it is to be fervently desired that when
it will be undertaken and effected, it will be in no
selfish or monopolizing spirit, but as offering to
the genius of universal commerce, whose devotees,
Of whatever cline, nation, or kindred, shall freely
participate in its advantages. 1t must be sacred
from the prows of hostile fleets in time of war; it
must be free to ALL irrespective OF political or other
conditions; II must be made to sub serve the ends OF
the human family; not a means of domineering for
part of them; otherwise it will prove curse, and
an the uord xutfl, ovYlo rofhar froch
batch Of the DID,.
This might all be accomplished by union be-
tween Great Britain the United States, and France,
who have 1t In their power to purchase the soil,
have 1t surveyed, to enter into obligations proper
tonate to their respective commercial tonnage, to
provide funds for making the canal, and keeping il
for ever in repair, and prescribing for the latter pur
pose charge barely adequate, to be levied on those
enjoying its advantages. In this there is nothing
visionary or dificu; it requires but serious deibe
ration and firm resolve to be put at once in fail
way Of progressing. 1t certainly will be done
later, but if not done by the united efforts
Of those great and leading powers named. instead o
one or other of them, it would be better let alone
FROM HoNpuRAs.-We have received the Balis
Observer to the 3lst ult., inclusive. 1t contain.
very little news of moment. We make the follow.
ing extract:-
There is doubt that the anticpations so gencr
ally formed OF extraordinary increased production
Mahogany this year. will be dsapponted-a the mos
sangune in their calculations have brought down thei
expectations to somewhere about seven millions Thu
which have led to this result variousy
counted for-mainy by the frequent showers Of rain
by the want Of cattlebut the fact is there not within
the settlement nor Immediately within its REACH sup
ply Of labor equal to production Of than to mil
lion feet Of mahogany, and thus notwithstanding the in
the ssetiye lcrcs brought into the Geld for IL
s
to an extent equal to the success Of former year
are two or three gangs in the Rio Hondo TIL
gangs in the Old River are generally YER
short !; the gangs our Southern Rivers and thos
in Ulloa &C., have, generally speaking. signal
failed and the cuttings in the vicinity Of Truxilo an
| Roman equally backward. The fears Of an owe
production proved utterly and the price
in England will not be affected BY that cause whsteve
may conduce to less profitable results than tn
mahogany trade enjoyed last year. is probable this
the sanguine expectations entertained by the
cutters this season. and which led to the very
calculations at the commencement Of the year, report
Of which reached England may for time slgt
downward tendency In the market, but the real produ,
ton of mahogany for the year now fairly asceraine
and apprehend that there greater doubts in tn
minds Of intending shippers, their ability to