The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-25
The Atlantic and the PaclhC-Thc Panama
Route, &c.

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Route, &c.
For great number of years past, the necessity OF
forming 4 communication between the Atlantic and
the Pacific oceans, mas been much discussed and
commented upon by the politicians, statesmen and
journalists of almost every nation in the world.
All admitted the Feasibility of constructing such a
work, and the advantages which the annually in
creasing commerce of The world would derive from
it; but from variety of causes the project although
universally admitted to be atainable, fell through,
after the preliminary surveys and other prepara-
tons had been undertaken. Rights and privileges
have been several times granted by the South Anne
rican governments which possessed within their
territory suitable routes, and also by the Mexican
government; but thew have been forfeited by non
usage and nonacceptance with the terms upon
which they were granted.
The acquisition by the United States of an i'm
nense tract of territory on the Pacific side of the
American continent growing out of the war with
Mexico, and the transfer of the bay and harbor of
San Francisco, one of the finest, most spaclou. and
safest in the world, re-opened the discussion which
had been temporarily suspended, and offered to the
characteristic enterprise of the American people
WIDE and exclusive field for its aevelopement, on
magnificent scale, and with unbounded advantages
routes from some convenient point on the Missis-
sirp to San Francisco across our own territory, as
an Individual enterprise, and as one to be either
undertaken by the government OF the United States
directly or by individuals Tor grants of land along
tle line, from The Congress of the United States-a
line from point in Texas via the Rio Grande to
California-the Nicaragua, the Tehuantepec and
other routes, discussed and advocated and the
Il, e L. e.
tcularly and mlnutey, by It's respective friends and
admirers, until the subject was exhausted. The
consideration Of this important matter occupied,
also, the attention of the late administrations for it
is well known that Mr.. Buchanan, Secretary of
State under the late ex-President Polk, instructed
the American Commissioner to Mexico to ne
eoate, on the part Of the United States, for the
cession of the Tehuantepec route; and from infor-
nation which we have recently received from an
authentic source directed to offer to that go-
vernmen the sum OF fifteen millions OF dollars tor
the desired privileges, which were denied.
In the meantime, and while the subject was being
iscussed in all its points and bearings in the Uni
ted States, some entepnsing merchants in the city
of New York, who have for a number OF years
past been largely engaged in the Pacific trade, OBJ
tanned very favorable grant from the government
of New Granada, of the route across the lsthmus
of Panama. Arrangements for a survey were I'M
mediatey made, and fulfilled in very satisfactory
manner. The result is most encouraging, and the
work will be commenced Immediately. 1t Is not
necessary, it appears, to have more than twenty
miles Of railroad, VIZ. from Gorgona to Panama /;
the remaining distance between Gorgona and Cha
gres to be traversed on the Chagres river, which, 1t
is ascertaned, is navigabe to that extent, and for
which steamboat of iron is being built In Phila-
delpha. 1t estimated that the cost OF the whole
work will not exceed one million OF dollars; and
so great is the confidence which the proprietors of
the grant from the New Granadlan government
have in the work, that they have determined to take
for themselves nine hundred thou sand dollars worth
of stock, leaving but the remaining one hundred
thousand dollars ODE subscribed for by others The
books Of subscr ption will be opened on Tuesday
next and will be closed al three clock on the same
day. Short as the time will be, we have no doubt
that the sum will be contributed. The expectation,
founded on the reports OF the survey, Is, that the
railroad portion of the work will be completed in
one year, so that we Will probably have steam
communication, by land and water, between New
York and San Francisco, and also with China, IN
about twelve months from this time. The advan-
tsges which such facilities will furnish to COM
merce, as well as to travellers, have been so fully
and frequently dated upon, that it is unnecessary
TO repeat them at this time.
We have good reasons for stating, that the
administration at Washington view this sub
ject with great deal Of interest. They
of opinion that the time has arrived when
we should Ike advantage of the benefits of
geographical position, and become the carriers of
the commerce Of the world Yet the project of
building railroad across Of our own territory is
not entertained with much favor by General Tay-
Tor or any Of his cabinet. They are under the
Impression that il is altogether Utoplan, for the
present. The projectors, therefore, we think,
need not expect much encouragement from that
quarter. On the other hand, it will the duty of the
American government TO secure, if possible, the
exclusive control of oil the other routes which are
practicable, viz. via Nicaragua and Tehuantepec.
We believe that they sensible of this, and
will favor the acquisition OF those routes to the ex-
tent of their ability.
TIE "PEAcE SocIErY"-WHEEEIsIr rive used
TO hear great deal about the "Peace Society"
what has become fiji Learned blacksmiths, in
telIectual cobblers, and philosophers of all sorts,