The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-31
THE UNION.
Communicated.
Communicated

| communicated
Communication between the Atlantic aud Pacific
Oceans.
The public mind of The United States is naturally much
excited at tins tune the subject OF some rapid and easy
means OF communication between the two great
which wash eastern and western shores, growing ou
OF the vast importance which the whole country now al
iaches TO the acquisition oil Caornianot only on ac
count OF It's amazing mineral wealth. but also
the bright prospective advantages which anticpa
ted from II for India China and South American
tradeone OF the most brill liant and solid achievements
the present eyentu administration, and which has been
mainly accomplished by the President and his able cab
net almost IN spite OF powerful and reckless opposition
which has not failed TO condemn from the beginning
that whole course OF policy which has led to results
OF which every American at heart is proud, and which
commands the admiration and jealousy OF the world
Since the foundation of government may chal-
enge history to point out administration more uni
iomly successful and glorious; and Mr. Polk in retiring
to private life, may proudly say, in the language of Gen
Jacksons valediciory leave this people prosperous
| and happy"
The project of connecting the two oceans which has
with other nations so long been cherished idea
splendid VISION dazzling the imagination with the
magniicence OF the conception has, under the influence
OF the characteristic sagacy OF people, assumed a
practical shape and requires not the spirit OF prophecy
TO predict that its realization is at hand, for the
liked law OF necessity imperously demands it, The
cess,ty OF rapid means OF communicating with rich
western province is admitted and this is sufficient, with
our enterprisng countrymen, to insure its speedy
summation
The question now is What are the means best cacu-
lated TO secure the desired end with the least expenditure
of time and money--of satisfying our immediate and
pressing wants not that which may be ultimately needed
by increasing wealth, commerce. and population
curing, however vast sum OF money, and an indefinite
period Tor Its completion. In word, we look 10 our
present necessity, rather than future wants, TO
cure the substantial advantages offered rather than
to speculate on those which are prospective however
promising and brilliant they may appear ship canal
admitting the largest class OF vessels engaged in the
China trade, 50 as to avoid the stormy voyage around
Cape Horn and al the time rendering transhpmens
unnecessary by offering uninterrupted water passage
between the oceans would no doubt best subserve the
interests of the commercial world and, with money
enough, such work may be executed either through
sthmus of Panama the lake OF Nicaragua. The Tehuan
epec route is understood TO be quite practicable for
small canal but anything short of canal of the largest
proportions would possess but little intrinsic value, the
lranshpmen of merchandise would still be required and
1t would be Tor all general purposes inferior to we'll
constructed railway, and but little better than good
turnpike road except for the local and coasting
trade Even If it practicable fora ship canal there
must exist with many grave objections to it; among
which, not the least is the fact that the right of way for
ITS construction has been conferred on foregner-a
British consul-wbose bitter enmity towards this
try ITS citizens, and government, is well known; for he
has never pretended to conceal it even when common
decency and official courtesy would have rendered it
ed that the United States had manifested DISPOSE
ton to the right of way over that line, by
treaty stipulation, avaed HIMSELF by intrigue, of his
official position and influence with the Mexican govern
to procure for himself (and actually commenced
his survey during the tendency of the negotiation be-
tween the two powers doubt with the laudable OBJ
ed, Perhaps in the superstition that we attached to it
exaggerated consequence he desires now TO "save
government either TO purchase his grant, 10 assist
him in the undertaking; but in this, too, it is greatly to
be hoped he will be equally disappointed,
Public opinion seems TO have settled upon railroad
as the presenl desideratum but has not been fully
concentrated upon any. particular route There have
been three proposed exclusively within our own ter
rtory-one at the NORTH another through the mid
die and southern States, and the third by the way
of Texas, New Mexico, and the valley OF the ella river
All these vastly important projects. pregnant with
great future results but involving for their execution an
immense expense, not only to the physical,
but other difficulties Of weghty character, with which
they are nvestei-amongst which may be enumerated
their extraordinary length, the enhanced cost of trans
poTtaon of materials OF construction, the want of popu
alon of subsistence, (ai consequent increased
of labor and deficiency OF building materials and fuel in
the vicinity of the proposed Ioutes. Still, of
them Cor perhaps al) may be built within the century,
but cannot be rendered available for our immediate and
urgent necessities
there appears to be- so far has been but one
line that promises fulfil our candonsthat OF route
surrounded with no formidable difficulties of any kind,
which railway may be quickly made at reason
able expense and that is across the ishmus of Panama
Judging from the debates in Congress On the bill au-
thorizng the Secretary of the Navy to contract with
certain gentlemen for the transportation OF public Stores
&c. the road which they propose to construct within
the sthmus of Panama, wrong impression has appa
renty been made regard to the privileges secured TO the
United States by Mr. Bdlacks treaty with New Grenada
The government of Bogoa has not conveyed to gov
eminent the right of ,cay, as many suppose to make
road, to delegate the authority to individuals to
make one within its jursiction but has granted (for
certain consderatons) the right Of transit c-
over all and any roads now existing, hereafter to
be made the isthmus, the terms with
those enjoyed by It's own citizens that is, placed
in all respects regards the of the roads, pre-
csely the same footing with the New Genadians but New
Grenada retains the sovereign right of constructing such
roads as she may think necessary convenient This
right charter (such State legislatures frequently
confer individuals Incorporated companes she has,
through her diplomatic representative here proper
to transfer to Messrs Stephens, AspnwalI, and their
associates OF thus no Qnescan in reason complain. 1t
the exercise of her sovereign will and pleas
ure She has chosen to select what seemed her the
best OF efectng great and most desirable object
In this view of the case il would appear that other
persons than those name1not even the government of
the United States claim the right Of constructing
this railway; and therefore the naked question is, will
Congress authorize such contract be entered into
with those gentlemen as will render certain the speedy
construction of the road
From Venezuela The CapituIntIon of Maracaibo.
We copy the following letter from the New York Cou-