The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-12-26

the Isthmus Of Tehuantepec has scarcely been men,
toned. 1t was my fortune to reside upon the mar
gan OF the river GuasacualcO fourteen years during
which period business pursuits induced me to ira
verse the Isthmus Of Iehuantepec oftener perhaps.
than any living. / explored the isthmus in
1873, and located myself in February, 1924, at a
point near minahtan, called the Red Banks, (Ri-
beTos Colorados) The exploration made in 1923
lmbued me with belief that nature has been more
beneicent to that region than to any other portion
Of this northern hemisphere, and since that time
have seen nothing to induce change in nv. belief
The climate is mild and as healthy as any part Of
our coast south Of Norfolk. The soil is unsurpass-
ed in fertility by any other The forests abound in
great variety OF timber Of the most enduring quail
ity. The country is well watered, and Of excellent
quality The River Guasaeualco is magnificent
stream, and, together with its afIuents many Of
which are navgable, bathes moEe extensive re-
gIon OF good land than any other stream Of its size
with which am acquainted; il disembogues into
the Bay Of Mexico at its most southern point in
north latitude Is The bar at low tide has II feet
water in the dry season during the rainy season
the river throws out vast volume Of water and the
bar during that period has, at the lowest tide from
l2s to u feet water. The entrance is easy the
channel is straight, and never changes a feature
which distinguishes It from all other bars in the
bay Of Mexico, they being all more or less Affected
by the action OF the winds and currents upon the
sand or aluvlon OF which they are formed. Col
Fecel1, Italian gentleman attached TO the engi-
I 4
he had satisfactorily ascertained that the bar was
formed Of lava, which in his opinion had flowed
from the volcanic mountain San Juan which lies in
close proximity to the mouth Of the river. Wheth-
er his theory IS correct do not pretend to deter
mine. l. however fearlessly assert that the bar of
the Guasacualco, during the period resided upon
its banks, did not change percephbly either in the
depth or direction OF its channel which proves that
1t Is formed Of very solid material. The width Of
the bar does not exceed fifty yards it has middle
ground with only seven feet water the east chan
mel is narrow, the west channel is about 100 yards
wide. When the bar lis crossed, from six to ten
tathOms Of water is found, the anchorage good and
space sufficient to contain hundred or more ships
During the severe north winds which pervade the
coast of Mexico the water becomes piled up on the
bar in such manner that vessels drawing Is feet OF
water can safely enter the harbor. On one occa-
sion within my recollection vessel entered safely
drawing l3k feet, French measurement. Whether
the bar can be deepened is point hereafter to be
determined. There is always, even at the lowest
tide, III feet Of water and practical persons assure
me that steamers of fifteen hundred tons burden can
be constructed to cross the bar safely which would
be sufficient Tor all practical purposes at present
ANY vessel that can cross the bar will be able
at all seasons OF the year to ascend the river to Mi
nathan, village situated on the west bank Of the
river eighteen miles from the bar, and during the
rainy season they might ascend further. Minattan
must however be considered as the head OF nayi-
CATION for ocean steamers and will in all probabili-
ty, be the Northern terminus Of the railroad which
at no distant day will connect the two oceans.
From Minatitan the general course Of the river
is souh 1t is very tortuous, but for the purposes Of
navigation, may be fairly compared with the Ohio,
from Wheeling to Pittsburg. Steamers construc-
/ ted on the plan Of those used on the Ohio could
ascend the river at all seasons Of the year to the
landing above the mouth Of the River Sarahia, N
/ twelve hoars-the distance IS about one huadrai
| and twenty miles, following the bed of the river
| From Sarabla to the Pacific shore the distance il
htay-hve geographical miles which may be travers
| ed on horseback in from fifteen to twenty-fou
| hours. At present there is nothing but bride
| road, which winds about from village to village
| like Virginia fence. II the right OF way was Sc.
cured TO our citizens, carriage road would soon be
made, by means Of which the transit Of the isthmus
| could be effected in twenty-four hours. purposey
abstain from discussing the advantages of railroad
across the isthmus, and will content myself by say
ing that it is entirely practicable and if completed
| would reduce the time expended in crossing to five
| hours.
The climate of Tehuantepec is exceedingly mild
and equabe, and not subject to hurricanes, storms
or even severe winds the prevailing wind is from
| the North, and consequently makes the roadstead
| secure. COrtez built the vessels with which he dis
covered California, near the mouth Of the Tehuan-
tepec, at place called the Moro. The port of Te-
| huantepec is at present an open roadstead but
| Mexican engineers are Of opinion that bar now
found at the entrance Of the lower lake (San Fran
| clsco can be deepened so as TO admit vessels OF
| large burden, which would make an excellent har-
| Dor.
1t has been stated, upon what authority know
not, that the whole coast of Tehuantepecis sub
ject to the visitation of terrific hurricanes, (which
| give name 70 the isthmus) sweeping with resist
less fury along this inhospitahe coast" This state
ment Is at variance with my experience, and have
| no doubt the establishment of those who nhabit
| that enchanting climate at being informed they
reside in land subject to the visitation Of hurri-
/ he bH he ctr int
probation given to the Of their city and 18th
| mus. Iehuantepec is a compound word in the
| Mexican language, the Interpretation of which is,
! IN the English language, Mount of Lions and il
| is from that place whence one Of the unex-
ungulshed titles OF the great CorteZ was derived,
| lMenteleon) The Duke of that title resides yet in
! Sicily, and until few years since was the owner
OF magnificent estate in the jurisdiction of Tehu-
antepec.
The basin or valley of Tehuantepeo extends from
Tonalada, on the east, to Huamalula, on the west
about seventy-tive miles, and has an average width
OF twenty-five miles from the base OF the Cordlera
to the Ocean, The city is situated at the base of
volcanic mound, about two hundred feet high a
mile long, and quarter of mile wide it has a
population of about 5000 the houses are well con.
structed, and it has thirteen churches. The whole
valley is subject to frequent earthquakes, on which
account the houses only one story high, with
| walls five to seven feet thick The soil is exceed
ingy fertile, and is cultivated by irrigation Pro.
| visions are abundant and cheap, the inhabitants
polite, kind and hospitable; the climate is healthy
and very warm; the horizon unclouded for month,
in succession. The rainy season commences il
June and terminates in August, during which tim,
the indigo crop is grown the residue Of the year il
clear and dry.
Having INDICATED the climate of Tehuantepe,
from the charge of being subject to hurricanes an,
storms of wind, will proceed, to compute the tim
necessary to make voyage from New Orleans o
Texas to San Francisco, in California, with the ali
Of steam navigation:
From New Orleans to Minatlan the distance is
nine hundred niles or four days steaming 90
From Nlnatan TO 5arabia. .................. O. IL
From Sarabia to the Pacific ....,.............. 90
From fehuaniepec to San Francisco, 210O miles,
equal to nine days seaming ........,....., 90
y There nothing hypothetical in this calculation
practical men, who are accustomed to steam nay
cation, bear me out in regard to the time necess;
ry to perform the ocean navigation and in respe
TO the transit Of the isthinus, my calculations al
deduced from my own positive knowledge of Il
river navigation from Minatitlan to the landing
< Sarabia, as well Of the land passage from Ii;
, point to Tehauntepec.
What advantage, it may be asked would resu
to the people and Government Of the United State
C by having this channel of communication with Cal
fornia opened to our citizens The answer is, b
shortening the time necessary to perfect the voyag
the expense incident thereto will be reduced in a
equal ratio to the time saved, and California wi
L thus be brought within the means OF many ente
= | prising and industrious individuals who woul
otherwise be debarred from visiting ii in oons'
= dupnee Of the inordnate expense OF the prOlOnue