Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-12-29

There 10 fair prospect now that a Railroad
will be built across the lsthmus of Panama
Propositions have been made by Messrs. Ste.
phens, Aspinwal and others of New York, to
construct Railroad on this route, within three
years. They have Pettioned Congress for the
transportation Of the Navaland Military stores of
the Government the mails and Government
Agents, for twenty years, for compensation,
not exceeding the ameunt at present paid for
the transportation Of the mails alone, between
New York and Liverpool.
in consideration of the right Of free passage
across the Is,hmus, granted by the Republic of
New Grenada, the United States has guaranteed
the neutrality of the Isthmus, and the sovereign
ty Of it to the Republic.
The grant Of the Government Of New Grcna-
da was secured by John p. Adams, Esq, u s.
Consul at La Guayra, and is limited to ninety
nine years The following rights are guaran.
tied to the United States -
lst. An exclusive right of way across the
Isthmus, with The right to use g,atuitously all
the public lands lying on the route of the
road.
81. An absolute gift Of 100000 acres of pub.
lie lands to be selected by the company.
Sd. All the materials used for the road, as well
as effects of persons employed thereon, are de-.
clarcd free of duty.
4ih Two ports, viz: one on the Atlantic and
one on the Pacific Ocean, which shall be made
the termini OF the road, are declared free ports
The books for subscription to the Capital
Stock of the company will be open for limited
time, under charge OF the following named gen.
tlemen -
Gen. Winfield Scott, Cornelius w. Lawrence,
Matthew Morgan, Samuel Jaudon,
Is. A. Davis, Judge William Kent.
The Memorial to Congress, lately presented
by Mr.. Douglass, speaks thus Of the proposed
Railroad
"'The Tsthmus of Panama is about fifty miles
in breadth, less than on any other part Of the
continent Of America and from the falling off
of the great Cordlleras running from the Rocky
Mountains to the Andes, it has always been con.
sidered as the region in which, an easy commu-
ncation would be effected, either BY canal or
road between the two seas. The route over it
is probably worse now than in the early days Of
the Spanish dominion, when the gold OF Peru
passed over il TO freight, with almost fabulous
wealth, the Argosies of Spain No wheel car
rage has ever attempted to cross it, The pres
ent mode of doing so is by canoe up the Chagres
river, sci, foi grea; part OF the distance, by
poles against the current. and requiring twenty.
eight to thirty hours to Cruces. Thence to Pa
mama there is a mule road, difficult at all times
for women and and children, particularly with
the fleets Of moving or emigratng party,
and during the rainy seasons almost impassa-
ble."
A survey Of the route was made last winter
by competent engineers, and it is estimated that
the Government can, by means ofthis road, CON-
municate with ports on the Pacific in thirty
days.
The influence of this speedy communication
with the waters OF the Pacific, must have a
mighty influence on the trade with the Pacific
and China. The changes it will produce, in the
niateriei Of trade, and the increase il will cause
cannot be foretold.