The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-12-25


PACIFIC OVERLAND ROUTE. We alluded
day or two since, 10 organization here for
the purpose OF establishing Railroad commune
cation between two shores of the Continent, at
the Ishmus of Panama. We now understand
that there is another scheme foot to effect the
same object, which is believed 10 possess some
advantages over the Panama project. Some of
our leading capitalists have the matter under
consideration, and a meeting will be held In a
few days for the purpose OF deciding upon what
action shall be taken. A very favorable grant
from the Mexican Government is in the
hands OF several American gentlemen, for OPEN
ing Ship Canal or building Railroad across
the Ishmus Of Tehuantepec. The route has been
carefully surveyed by an intelligent engneer,and
found to be perfectly feasible. The grant is for
fifty years. and can be extended to any reasona-
BILE time. The distance across the Isthmus is
about 100 miles, of which 40 or so may be navi-
gated by the River Coatzacoalcas, and with some
enlargng of the channel the river may be used
for a still greater distance. On the Pacific side
two large lakes, called Lake Superior and Inferi-
or, set in some distance, thus reducing the num-
Der of miles to be canaed very materially The
cost of Ship Canal across the Isthmus has been
estimated at about twelve millions of dollars.
The territories assigned under the grant occu-
ply extent of so Mexican leagues in length by
20 breadth, giving l,l20 square leagues equal
TO FIVE millions of acres. These lands are COW
cred with forests OF mahogany and other fancy
woods, dye-woods, fir, oak and cedar, and other.
building timber, to an incalculabe value, now
almost useless from the difficulty of getting them
10 market The Isthmus is also rich ia coal
mines and salt. The State of Oaaca in which
the canal would terminate is one of the richest
gold countries in Mexico and the lands held un.
der the grant are believed to be rich in this min
eral. 1t is confidently believed that all ships
from the United States, England, France, Spain,
Netherlands, &C., bound round either Cape Good
Hope or Cape Horn would make use of this Ca
nal instead OF taking the long and dangerous
route at present necessary The saving OF time,
insurance, interest, wages, &C., to be made by
taking this routewould be very great, and enable
ship owners to pay a renumerative toll for passing
through the Canal 1t is estimated that a mil
lion and half of tons of shipping would annually
pass this Canal, which at toll of two dollar per
ton would yield three millions of dollars. AS
long ago as lS4I million and a quarter of tons
went round the Capes. The route from the Uni
ted States or Europe to China would be nearly
four thousand miles shorter than the usual route
around the Cape of Good Hope, while whalers
and other ships navigating the Pacific would re-
duce their voyages out and home from eight or
nine months to three by taking this route. OF
course there be no difference OF opinion as to
| the immense importance of a water communica-
| ton or RAILROAD between the two sides of the
! Continent This has been admitted for centuries
The important point is to settle upon the most
feasible locality, and TO obtain the means to con-
struct the work. We have seen no survey ofthe
lsthmus OF Panama, but the advantages claimed
| by the friends Of the project for piercing the
Continent at Tehuantepec are, the favorable ma
ture of the grant, the value OF the lands under it,
the moderate difficulties presented by the nature
| OF the ground, the healthiness of the climate
and the comparative nearness of this lsthmus to
| the United States. The point of healthncss is
one of great Importance. By this route vessels
from New Orleans could be in the Pacific in five
days What revolution will take place in
Navigation when this Continent shall be cut
across by Ship Canal, and the shipping of the
whole world shall pass through it instead Of max
ing the tempestuous circuit of the Capes !-.Veu
York Tribune.