The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-17
WASHINGTON Cry, D. C., Feb Ia, 1919.

To he Editor Qffhe National Wing. # ",
IsTHMrs or TEHUANTEpEc.--T The Mobile Herald pub
fishes article devoted to showing the impractcabliy
OF canal across the lstlmua OF Teiantepec, from The
boldly and conientiy asts which seem 10 bear out Iii
conclusions Such canal as has been proposed, would
according him, cost more nearly twenty ak than sixteen
millions and for three four months in the year. would
be without water,
Sin: The above slip was cut from the Baltimore
Sun Of this date. So much has been said and writ
zen on the subject Of route across the Isthmus oil
Panama and Tehuantepec, that have heretofore
deemed il unnecessary TO speak or write the SUBJ
lect; but when see such misstatements the above
laid before the public, would be doing the commu.
nifty serious injury by remaining silent few re.
marks on these important routes may not at this
period be aniss, will therefore trouble you for
corner in your paper In 1926, the Mexican Govern
route across the Ishus Of Tehuantepec for the pur
pose Of establishing ports Of entry on the Pacific and
Gnlf In view of establishing national road or CANA
across the Isthnus. The surveys were made and
Commodore PonTER informed the Government OF
It's praccabity. He also addressed letter TO Judge
ANDERSON then Comptroller of the Treasury Of the
Emitted States stating II as his opinion that such an
undertaking would be advantageous 10 the United
States The Mexican Government built fort al
Hnashelualeo and established II as fort of entry,
since then, surveys have been made by both Eng.
lish and French Engineers who reported favorably
of this route Commodore PERRy while in com
mand of the Home Squadron acting in the Gulf of
Mexico, ordered survey of the coast Islands, Har-
bors and Rivers, in the Gulf Of Mexico. and among
mouth OF this river is bar, and such Is the case
with all the rivers that empty into the Gulf of Mex
leo; but this bar would be no impeachment to Its
igation there is at all times fourteen feet water
It, The bars at the mouth of the river, in the Gulf
qncksands and are easily deepened by steam YES
sells passing few times over them. The bar at
Tampico had nine feet water on It, but during the
war; while the steamers passed over It, the bar deep
ened TO eleven and half feet; and such would be
the same result ut Huashehualeo. There are ma
ny substantial reasons why this point should be pre-
ferred over the Isthmns Of Panama. The latter
is essentially Engish the first Is the american route
was somewhat surprised that the offers OF Aspin-
wal d Co.. should have been entertained for mo-
ment Their offer appeared to be nothing more than
an attempt to speculate on the United States Gov
eminent would not be surprised 10 hear of this
company requesting Congress TO allow them sum
of several millions of dollars to cut a canal or build
a railroad across the neutral ground near Gibrata r.
This would not be more absurd than granting them
several millions to build railroad across Panama.
Such road would be as completely under English
guns and influence as one across the neutral ground.
But not SO with the other route, It's wholly within
the Gulf of Mexico, and neither Jamaica nor Hon
duras effects or guards H. Besides in distance II is
one thousand miles nearer California and Oregon.
The whole country across sfertile and well wooded
healthy and good sites for towns at each extremity
of the way; fuel for steamboat navigation is In
abundance. The wood, called In the language Of
the country, Tapete, grows In abundance, and is
better fuel than coal ponnd for pound. Besides,
this wood s useful for other purposes such as ship
and house building, or any purpose where durable
wood is required. variety of other woods Of n
resnous quality grow along the banks Of the river,
which would also answer mnny useful purposes.
These do not exist on the Panama route. In
1877, ! addressed letter TO the Navy Department
on the establishment OF steam navigation for mail
route in Pacific ocean, giving description of the
winds, currents, harbors positions for coal, &c.
also proposed branch from Tehauntepec along the
coast Of Peru, and Chilli, Ocennia india China and
finally Japan also giving description of the val
liable manures and mineral resources of Peru, &C.,
with full description of the mines of Huunahea
ment of steam navigation to Chngres or the Pacific
also addressed letter to q Mr.. Harris at his re.
quest, 10 cnnbe him to form his contract on con.
tract with tho Navy Department for carrying the
my paper is out, and must now close. will write
again In few days. Yours,
w. D. PORTER, u. s. N.