Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-04-23
FRUITS OF THE WAR.

suits and injuries heaped upon American CITIZENS
by the tyrants of Mexico. All this they wouio
regard as mere irihe, not 10 be counted IN Inc
final settlement with Mexico. Indemnity" LOT
wrongs they riticule and, if their advice is 10 De
followed, the American nation would be placed
in the most ridiculous and degrading position, OF
Withdrawing its armies from a conquered coun-
try and not asking one cent or single acre OF
land TO reimburse our heavy expenditures.
II is conceded that MEXICO has no money
wherewith 10 pay our just demands-and we
must look to her territory alone Tor reimburse
ment. But The Wings would refuse TO touch one
acre of her soil, and we must therefore abandon
all hope Of ending The war honorably or probably:
We cannot believe that the American people
will listen TO SO absurd, SO mischievous Propo-
silion. Weare convinced that they will insist
upon The acquisition of Mexican territory, sutl-
Client TO indemnify us Tor our losses and sacrifices
al the same time thai they will be disposed to act
literally and magnanmonsly towards van
quished people.
We take il for granted, then, that The war will
not be closed without securing valuable portion
OF Mexican territory. What may be The extent
or boundary OF The territory 10 be acquired, we
have no data upon which 10 form an opinion'
but there is one object which we regard as OF too
vital importance 10 be for one moment lost sight.
Il has already been Swallowed forth in The master
ly and lucid reports OF the Secretary oflhe Trea-
sury, and we cannot doubt that it will be adopt
ed as prominent measure Of The Government.
We allude 10 the Isthmus of Tehuanepec, uni
ting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We SIM
cerely trust that, in the negotiation for peace, we
shall demand and obtain al least right OF way
and improvement, (some len miles wide,) for
railroad or ship canal across this narrow COM
munication, SO as 10 accommodate our own trade
and that OF the world. II would be grand high
way OF commerce, iraught with ncalculable be-
nefs and blessings II would furnish new and
a grand theatre for the development Of the ener
ges Of our people, and we cannot believe that
we shal let The valuable treasure slip through
our fingers.
This i,hmus is about midway beiwixl Vera
Cruz and Tabasco, al point where the TWO oceans
approximate within 100 miles OF each other. II
has been ascertained to be entirely practicable 10
unite The two oceans by means OF a ship canal.
From The summit OF mountain called Chililo,
or La Ginela, on clear day, The Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans can be distinctly seen. Between
The rivers Tehuanlepec and Guasacualco, il is
said that ship canal, not more than forty miles
long. could be constructed SO as 10 unite their wa
lers. The importance OF This communication ir
a political, military and commercial point OF
view, must be apparent 10 all. The country is
beautiful and healthy, OF a rare fertility, we'll
wa,ered, marked by different degrees of tenn
pcralure, and Astounding in all the various eli
mates and productions of The earth. II is
filled with admirable sites for machinery, upon
bold streams of pure water. Sugar, coffee, cocoa
indigo, vanilla, pineapples oranges lemons,
planlains, and all other tropical fruits-as we'll
as cochinea wheat, rye, oats, barley, apples,
reaches pears, cherries plums, and all North
ern fruits, find suitable climate, and grow luxu
riaptly. Even in The low and hot situations, fever
is not 10 he found.
The acquisition Of this valuable communica-
lion was for a long time iavoriIe project with
MIR. Piu. while Premier. As early as l745 il
was the subject Of memorial 10 the Spanish Go
vernment, presented through the Viceroy OF
Mexico. But the project was defeated through
the jealousy OF The Vera Cruz merchants, and The
whole mercantile interest of old Spain, who had
heavy Investments in the established chauueIs -
u.a., ..io eeass"'pia,cu .n- s.sIun usi
alarm. It's advantages 10 ourselves cannot be loo
highly estimated, and we look forward with plea
sure 10 the acquisition OF this great highway OF
commerce, which will not only pour wealth
into our lap, but will bring together the remolesl
boundaries OF The world, and shed The blessings
Of civilization and good Government upon de-
graded and oppressed nations.
We cannot orbear making long extract
Orleans Picayune, from the pen OF one who is
familiar with tina, interesting country, and whose
mastery and long.sighled views eminently qua.
lify him Tor the task OF unfolding so broad and
magnificent picture Of the future:
"This country IN possession OF the U. States
and in The enjoyment of the blessings Of peace
and security, Anglo-Saxon enterprise and capt.
tai would soon execute the work oil uniting The
TWO oceans By means Il ship canal and The
Isthmus Of Tehuantepic would grow rapidly in
importance, and become one Of The most interest
ing and important portions OF The American con-
,inenl. The advantage and importance OF its
po.irion would be. incalcuable; situated between
The two oceans aud in the very highway of The
commerce of The world, with soil OF such ex-
hubcrant fertility, climate coDgenial 10 health,
VARYING in temperature 10 different situations and
suited tu all the various productions cf The eanh
il would attract rapid emi graton and soon be-
come the seat OF dense and thriving population.
"The importance 10 the United States OF union
OF The Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean, by ship
canal passing through its own territory and thu.
made exempt from the contingencies pertaining
10 foreign possession, in The event Of war with
a powerful maritime nation. must BE- apparent 10
ali. Boston would be brought 10 within 800
miles by water Of the mouth Of the Columbia
river in Oregon and by slea al the rate of fifteen
miles per hour, allowing two days for passing
through the canal could be reached in eighteen
DAYS. From New Orleans the distance by water
wouId be 1900 miles, and al The same rate the
VOYAGE could be made in twelve days. Canton
could be reached from New Orleans in forty days
or less The vast commerce OF China and the
East Indies, and The islands of the Pacific, being
thus Invested Of halt It's distance and three-io
Of its peril, would yield more speedy returns and
greater profit, and open to The enterprise of our
citizens boundless sources OF wealth, and by the
easy and free intercourse thus established with
those countries, an impetus would be given TO the
cause OF civilization, such as il has not before
ceived since the dawn OF the Christian era, pre-
sentng 10 our people attractions and advantages
that would paralyze The hand of the disunionist
and cement our glorious Union more firmly TO-
ee,her. The Eastern States, where the most dis
loyalty exiss-even Massachusetts, now ram
pant with unpatrioiic ardor and big with The ele-
menls OF disunion, would be directly benefited by
being thus brought into closer proximity 10 the
best market in the world for her manufactured
producls-would contemplate the event Of dis
union with great adherence, and he thus "puI
upon her good behaviour"
'"In military point of view, ship canal al
this point would be matter Of The first impor-
lance. In the event oil war with powerful
rnar,rne n tinn The safely of our nossessinns I'm