The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-14
The Proposed Connection OF the Atlantic with
the Pacific.


The subject of acquiring the right to construct a
canal or railroad across the isthmus of Tehuan-
tepec, being now under the consideration of our
government we have at considerable trouble
and expense procured the original surveys which
were made some years since, at the instance Of
the Mexican government, by Captain John
Williamson, an eminent engineer. In order
to illustrate them, and show the facilities which
this isthmus possesses for connecting the Allan
tic ocean with the Pacific, we have had en-
grdved the map which IS this day published in
the Herald.
The original surveys for a railroad, mac
adamized road and canal, are plainly and ac-
curately marked on it; and it will be perceived
at glance, that the long talked of project, of
connecting the two oceans, is perfectly feasible,
at a comparative small cost The rapid increase
of American commerce In the Pacific, and the
great extension of our territorial possessions on
Its shores, have, very naturally, brought the 60
vernment to just estimate of the Importance OF
opening a ship channel across the isthmus which
separates the two great oceans, whose waters
wash the reastern and western shores of the
American continent.
In the proud and hopeful days of Spanish
authority in the new world, this was a favorite
scheme of the sovereigns of Spain, and their
American viceroys. But with the fall of
Spanish power, and the depreciation of Spanish
character in this hemisphere, all hope has ex-
pired of ever Witnessing the achievement of this
great work, either by the present owners of the
soil, or by the mother country; although, of all
other countries, Spain would, under the nflu-
ence of an enlightened commercial policy, de-
rive the most advantage from the facilities
which such a channel would offer for carrying
: on lucrative, and ever increasing trade with
her ancient colonies.
On reference to the mapit will be seen that or
the Pacific side there are fourteen feet of water
but on the Gulf side depth of only ten feet
This disparity, however, can be remedied by
damming the river Huasacualco at the town o
Lacruiz, in order to divert the river from thu
course which it takes in that direction, ant
oblige the water to go directly across the bar
which ere long would disappear under the infiu
ence of the current, and give depth of thirteei
TO fifteen feet The estimated cost of construct
ing a canal according to these surveys is fifteer
millions Of dollars, which includes the expens
of clearing out the river, and arranging tn
depots on the two oceans; of constructing rail
road the whole length, viz: one hundred ant
,orty-two miles, and seventeen one hundredth
If a mile, eighteen millions of dollars; and thu
cost of constructing a macadamized road on,
hundred and two miles long, will be five millions
of dollars.
The result of these surveys establishes the fac
that canal is the best, most judlcious, and
cheapest means of connecting the two ocean!
that can be adopted, and for two powerful rea
sons; the two navigabe rivers and the constan
supply of water to be obtained for it from
the lake near its centre. The Rio del Passo anc
Huasacualco is navigable tor vessels drawing ten
feet water as far up as Grand Village, and on the
Pacific side the river Chimalapa is navigable for
the same class of vessels as far as the town of
st. Miguel de Chamaipa. Between those two
places the two rivers must be connected by the
contemplated canal-the distance being only
twenty-nine miles and half at an expense,
we before mentioned, of fifteen millions of dol
lars.
Whether the government will insist upon the
right of way across the Isthmus or not, in treat
ing for peace with Mexico, we do not know; but
the increasing importance of our commerce and
the progress Of the race, point to the connection
of these two great oceans, and to the United
States TO effect it, at no distant day.
ANOTHER SPEECH BY GENERAL BENTON
Colonel, or rather General Benton-Senator Ben
ton--made another speech on the 10Th May last, il
Jefferson City, Missouri. The extreme modest,
for which he is distinguished, pervades j