The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-25
C.n.I ar I'M. I.thu,u. Of Tshu.nt~pes.

II o . Lthmus Of Tchuantepcc.
1 The following letter, copied from the New orleans
Delta contains some interesting facts. The descrp
ton of the river Coatzacoacos is very picturesque and
the important at this time, as 1t is connected with
the practcabity OF forming canal at that point between
the two oceans We shall venture to assert positive
ly that it be accomplished but whether effected by
means of canal a railroad, by both, it is de-
srabe to obtain the right of way al that point We
understand that the Navy Department has not yet re-
ceived the map OF the sthmus which Capt Mckenzie is
sail to have procured.
VERA Cruz, May 30, ls47
EDS. DELTA The United States flag ship Mississippi
arrived at this place about week since, from cruise
along the coast of Mexico She has been as far south
the bay OF Campeachy and on her return htherward has
dropped III, by way OF making call, upon all the
port towns bewixt Campeachy and Vera Cruz Our first
visit was made early Sunday morning the city OF
Laguna There, while the Mississippi lay of the harbor
at anchor, the beautiful fast sailing steamer Scorpion
Commander Bgeow, had the honor of receiving board
Commodore Perry and suite, and company OF marines
IRON the NJ Tor conveyance into the harbor and up to
the city, on the piers of which all hands after
landed IN good condition, much TO the astonishmen of
gaping multitude of Samboes Guachoes ct i'd genus one
The commander-m-chief took possession OF a spacious
buding eagerly preferred to hlm by the obsequous ct
gems, and the marines in course, quartered In the
lower apartments Next morning, Commander Magru-
der of the bombvessel Vesuvus appointed governor OF
the place pro emp0re, with an imposing escort OF
men and marines, marched TO of the principal FORTS
and at 8, a. m, hosted national ensign, which
vOlleyS muSketTy from the and the
guns of the United States brig Porpoise AT 10, m,
the alcalde and other dgnitares of Laguna
bled in the City Hall, and then and there received in
sructons respecting the tariff revenue, and other mat
ters all of which they subscribed ready assent We
remained with them about thiry-sx hours, and then
leaving Governor Magruder in charge got under way for
the river Tabasco.
Arrived off the mouth of the river the commodore again
shifted his flag TO the Scorpion, and with his staff and
the usual escort OF Marines In and came to Oft the
port town of Fronera OF this place. he in like manner
took military possession, and instructed the people to
the course they must pusue Commander Van Brunt OF
the bombvesse Etna, depued governor; and, with
the able and efficient officers under his command, he will
not fail to secure the best interests OF his government
And then there remained but place, of any conse-
quence on the whole Gulf coast which had capitua
ted TO the of the United States but that one beyond
peradventure destined to become at future time the
most important OF any on the continent of America
aqde 70 the Soa1acoaeos RIVER and the towns &c on
company, anchored of the entrance of this river (he
name OF which is herein given according to map and
charD on the 2lst inst Immediate preparations were
made for commencing exploration, and considerable
force was transferred from the Mississippi the Scorpion
preceded by the commodore and staff On the headand
OF the right angle where the river emptes into the Gulf
is located watchtower and arsenal near which was
formerly battery of guns but they dismouned
and unit for service. short time was consumed in
neers directed TO go ahead FAST the leadsnan
varaby sung out mark three" deep four at one
time no bottom" at twelve fathoms On the bar at the
mouth OF the river, the shaowest water gave two
fathoms, and that is amply sufficient for almost any
ordinary in the merchant service for the trans
poaon Of either en freight ito or And there we
beautiful river, OF clear, deep water Its shores
lined with outrageous trees whose large Exchanging
still pellucid stream, and flowers Infused fresh
and odorferous perfume In the balmy breeze, that
all of delightfully."- inhaled All nature seemed sleeping
the chrp of the hooking bird alone broke the stiffness
and the bright coored sunsh raany shone the
face of the smooth lakeke sheet OF water But here we
upon natural From
many limbs OF large tree, growing the river brink,
were large number OF hanging nests, and the birds fit
ting around them Of most beautiful plumage; they
flame wings and yellow tails and Was unani
mousy voted picturesque colony OF peculiar birds
short distance further we opened upon miles miles OF
rich level prairie land dotted in all directions with herds
of cattle and droves OF horses and the latter animals
ed greatly astonished at our appearance They snorted
neghed, flung up their tails and started Oft on regular
stampede towards us and when they abreast Of the
steamer, stopped short and saluted her with smua-
neous whnny The meadow stretched far and wide and
in the distance deserted large ocks of the amngo.
and others OF the feahered tribe, Indigenous the SOIL
but unknown to floating the feeding from the
bushes which, doubtless, supplied them with every vae-
y of berry Here upon the first rancho: it con-
sisted of three four primitive budings-front, rear,
and gable formed OF slabs from the tree, and the
roof matched with sedgelike grass The owner, wife,
and numerous array OF offspring, looked upon with
great Indifference and yet manifest surprise mingled
with the STARE thar -of-wa steamer should thus
disturb the monotony of the Three officers were
employed in taking distances sounding and sketchng,
preliminary to making chart of the river. Thus we
proceeded onward until reached the town of ssMina
Tan, eighteen miles from the mouth of the river To-
Gated hill and in valley beyond This town tru-
y Mexican differing essential point from the vii
lagos described by the followers of Coes three hundred
and fifty years ago The bareooted alcalde, with an
assemblage OF the principal citizens, stood ready the
shore receive and welcome us, apparently with open
arms The commodore and all the supenumerary officers
landed then guard of Marines accompanied by scanen
with staff and flag, which raised and sauted in the
plaza of the town by the marine officer of the MISSISSIPPI
pi, pursuant to orders from the commander chief
While these arrangements were in progress IN the village
the Scorpion hauled alongside steep bank and watered
ship from pure and peary spring.
From Belgian gentleman, an accomplished engineer,
Commander Mckenzie had previously obtained the loan
Of exceedingly accurate and beautiful map of the
sthmus of Tehuantepec. This Isthmus has been re-
Gently surveyed, and the company still engaged in
many Details of minor importance perhaps but withal
requiring time to accomplish. The map has been adma-
bly, copied by Lieut. May of the flagship, and is consider
in showing the facility with which canal might be
structed this neck of land to lake having
let into the South Pacific The lake is laid down the
map "Duie Quiao, Laguna SUPERIOR" and the dis
lance through which it would be requisite to cut is
puted at twenty five leagues, less the has
been selected 10 avoid all the mountainous region lying
between the CoatZacoalcos and the lake alluded
there fathoms water Now, would it not be
magnificent Improvement upon the original plan of the
world to construct this canal TO unite the waters Of
two great this point ship CANAL for the
present. might be dispensed with, and depth OF ten or
Twelve feet would be asucent TO float steamers in the
merchant service, with submerged wheels, from the vast
Pacific he Gulf of Mexico, laden with the rich produc
the Chinese, celestial relatives of the and other umi-
mar of the world