The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-29
The Isthmu. Of Tehuantepec.

As the Isthmus of Tehuantepec will doubtless
through the energy and enterprise of citizens,
be selected as OF the great transit ways between
the waters of the Atlantic and those of the Pacific
any information respecting its natural advantages
and the facilities which it presents will of course
be received with interest. This information we are
enabled 70 some extent to supply, through the kind
ness OF Mr.. T. c. James, the gentleman who in
May last, traversed the sthmus from shore to shore
and who has placed US in possession of a synopsis
OF the facts which then came under his observation
The route followed by Mr.. James was from the
mouth OF the CoatZocoalcos river the Gulf side to
the city of Tehuantepec, situated the Pacific
slope within three leagues Of the coast. The Coat
zocoalcos river is fine stream rising in the noun
talns which, towards the centre Of the Isthmus
tain considerable elevation. Its embouchure on
the Gulf forms safe and commodious harbor
across the mouth of which stretches bar having on
II TWELVE feet water at the lowest stage and nine
teen at the highest that vessels much larger than
those usually employed in the trade with that re-
glon can at all times enter the river without diff
Guilty. There Is here no town, but merely old
tort, used at present pilot station, where resides
an old Mexican who acts the part of pilot for the
vessels which come from Vera Cruz for mahogany,
hides, tallow, beeswaI, frjoles, and other produc-
tons OF the country
Advancing up the river which is here fine
broad and deep stream, at the distance of eight
leagues, we came TO the pueblo of Minatillan, the
most considerable town on the Coatzocoalcos, and
which Is the port Of entry for the small vessels
ployed in the coasting trade This place contains
seven hundred inhabitants. Still further up at the
distance of eighteen leagues, arrived at Alma
girls, small place, which marks the limit of nav-
CATION for large vesses. Light draught steamers,
however, can ascend twenty leagues further, or as
far as Paso Sarabia From the mouth 10 this point
the rlyer has firm sandy bottom, and is free from
rocks. Above il becomes shallow and its course is
frequently interrupted by shoals and falls. The
mountains, which continuation Of the great
Cordillera at their highest point attain elcva-
ton Of six thousandf feet They extremely rugged
and preciptous, but pierced by several passes
ON IA al led he Tar
&c Chiyea. The latter has, believe, been Sc
ected for the passage Of the contemplated railroad
Beyond the mountains, as far a. the coast, extends
a beautiful open plain, in some places heavily tim.
| bered, and dotted here and there with haciendas
| and ranches. After passing the mountains the
distance IL ten leagues To Tehusntepec a fine city
| OF sixteen thousand inhabitants, situated within
three leagues Of the coast, a river Of the same
name. This stream is narrow, rapid, and unfit for
| navigation. The harbor on this side il an, open
roadstead, protected however from the force Of the
wind by the sweep of the land. The anchorage is
| good, and much safer than at Panama. About
seven leagues down the coast there is an opening
which being entered IL found 10 pand into mag
| nifcent body Of water, divided into two portions
the being known as Lake Inferior and the other
az Lake Superior. The former, which lies nearest
the ocean, has general depth Of about twenty one
feet, and would therefore afford secure haven for
the largest vessels. The entrance is at present OBJ
structed by bar, on which there is only about four
| and half feet water. IL IL, however, composed
entirely Of sand, and, in the opinion Of Senior Cave
tano Moro, an eminent engineer, who has sur
yeycd the lsthmus could be removed with little
trouble, and at small expense. The waters of
these lakes abound in fish of adeciOus quality and
on their shores il 10 be found the finest game.
Should the entrance be rendered accessible to ira
ding vessels the Tarifa pass would be the most eli
| gible route for the proposed railroad.
The climate Of the Isthmus is described az being
most delightful, and the Pacific slope the dis
generally incidental TO southern ATTITUDES are
unknown. The principal agricultural productions
coffee and indigo. The latter is raised in large
quantities, and finds ready market at Oaxaca and
Puebla, whittier It is transported on mules A
kind of hemp made from the cactus, and called
irfd il also raised II il Of a very superior quail
~, and il said 10 b. better than that Of Manila or
| New Zealand. The mahogany, which il cut ia the
forests in large quantities, u -od at cheap rate,
and is considered much inferior TO that brought
| from Honduras The cattle are described az being
excellent, and the mules very large and fine The
people a superior TO the generality Of Mex.
leans being kind, hospitable, and remarkably
| honest.
The following itinerary will show the distances
between the mouth Of the Coatzocoacos in latitude
lso ; N, and the Pacific near Tehuantepec, in la
ttude To- IL ~: