Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-23
COMMUNICATIONS.
PANAMA RAILROAD.
WASHINGTON. DrcrnDrp 81 ia

is, from host OF most weighty considerations de-
seryedly attracting great public attention at this
time, Il has been suggested to me that brief de-
scrpton of this isthmus, with reference to the IA
cliues Afforded by i for the construction of rail-
road, the immense importance of which, in COM
mercia, naval and political point of view, is at this
day almost incalculable would not be unacceptable
nor without interest to the great of the readers
OF the National Intelgencer.
What propose to state is the result of careful
examination into this subject for many years past,
and will also be derived from most interesting con-
versations with intelligent gentlemen near that Sec
ton efcouniry, but principally from report made
in ls45 to the French Government by M Napoleon Garea
distinguished Engineer selected by NJ Ciuzot First Minis
ter OF France, to make thorough examination of the 18th
uus Of Panama. particularly with regard the praccaby
OF constructing ship Canal and incidentally to other modes
of intercommunicaton
NJ Garea furnished with the necessary assistants and
instruments to execute the duty assigned him, and his own
high professional reputation with the report ITSELF furnish in
trnsc evidences of the ability and faithuness with which
that duty was performed and think may safely assert that
this survey OF NJ Garea is the only really deserving that
name which has been made and published Of the 18th
mus Of Panama.
The celebrated Baron Humboldt imagined there was no
material difference between the levels Of the A.
lantc and Pacific oceans but NJ arelIa has ascsrainrd
from careful and verified instrumental dwellings and tidal OBJ
sevaions, that the highest tides in the Pacific at Panama
10 feet above the highest tides in the Atlantic Chages and
that the difference Of elevation between the levels Of the
two oceans is 81 feet.
The best point for the termination of railroad the At
lantc shore found to be the side of Lmon, or
Navy Bay, which five miles to the northeast OF Chages,
and where there considerable depth Of water good anchor
age, and much salubrious climate than Chagres
The terminus the Pacific coast would probably be in the
small bay of Vaca de Monte, few miles to the westward Of
the village Of Panama, and where, by of mole
tending distance into the bay, all the requisites for safe
and commodious depot might be obtained.
By adopting the above points the termin of railroad
presenting serious obstacles Of construction will be
found, by leaving the Bay of Vaca de Monte the Pa
cfc, and running nohweserly the valley of the river
Camto ascending this valley and that Of the river Berna
dino and crossing the dividing ridge between the
at Ahagayegua Point by tunnel 81 miles in length then
descending the valleys Of the rivers Bon and Chagres until
the Gaun crossed ascend the valley Of the Gatun about
two and half miles, and sweep round heavy spurs
northwesery to the terminus in the Bay of Lmon This
route would involve the construction OF eighteen small via
ducts and bridges, ranging from 20 230 feet in length
but the heaviest portion of the work would unquesonaby be
the tunnel, which, though only about onewelh OF the
tire length, would probably cost one-si1th Of the whole
pense of the road Ahagayegua the lowest point the d.
vding RIDGE is 40 feet above high water in the Pacific ten
miles by this route from Vaca de Monte and thrysx miles
from the Bay of Lmon From external appearances this
tunnel would be constructed through solid rock which could
be accomplished with facility, and portion Of the excavated
material be used for the mole required the terminus in the
Pacific by first building that division OF the road. The pro
posed line Of road would be within fraction Of 46 miles in
length, and would not require any grade exceed 30 fe
the mile, Of less than 3, 90 feet radius
The shmus abounds with feestone guarries Of beautiful
pophyry and rough for ordinary masonry be OBJ
tanned Of extreme hardness and with great facility throughout
the entire roue very durable limestone is also
found in abundance the village of Vamos Vamos the
Chagres river The vast forests which almost cover the
isthmus and which only give place in points
paes and occasional fields Of MAIZE rice ba-
nanas and sugarcane contain very great variety OF differ
ent kinds Of timber Of the peculiar properties Of which not
much yet certainly known, but amongst those in general
the qupo medla lin Spanish nispero, mangrove
CEDAR mahogany and gayac The qupo is the from the
trunk Of single Of which the Indians make the boats in
the Chsgres is straight, nearly cylind-
CAL and sometimes found sxyfve feet in height free from
branches knots, and from 10 ten feet diameter
the nspeo valuable wood for carpentry Of perma
descriptions it is hard heavy, impervous the attack
Of worms and durable have been obtained for the
seepes Of projected railroad Jamaica the mangrove and
cedar both valuable woods especially the CEDAR which grows
large sze and the chief kind Of plank used in the
ty the mahogany is rather Of inferior quality and the
gsyac is extremely tough be used only for the cyn
ders Of sugar mills and other similar objects the caouchouc
also very plentiful but has not yet been brought into
general use.
That part Of the shmus which belongs Grenada is thin
B inhabited, but sufficient number Of aborers thought
could be obtained from that and the adjacent countries who
would have the advantage Of being acclmaed and who,
der careful supervision, would become sufficiently expert
in the the SPADE shovel and pcksxe all the masons
carpenters and workmen would have from
the United States and could work during the rainy season
from June November, under tents and sheds suitably
located.
The immense herds Of cattle scattered through the is,hmu
and killed in great solely for their hides oge
ther With the extraordinary fertility Of the soil the large
sayannas and meadows where in eight months magnificent
fields Of corn, rice bananas sugacane &C. could be grown,
places the economical subsistence Of the large body Of men
required for such undertaking beyond all reasonable
question.
The prescn, climate Of the isthmus is undoubtedly insau
bous but Of tina, 2esterous nature which Il is
to attribute IT. the unhealthy portion is about the
mouth Of Chagres which il not proposed to approach
within FIVE mles distance apparently very ng, but which
from the peculiar differences Of location makes very decided
distinction in relative ssubty and think il hardly be
questioned but that when the energy, activity and enterprise
OF our citizens take the place Of the supnenes ethagy, and
heedessness Of the present inhabitants and exerted in
draining the low lands and clearing up the forests and similar