The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-05-15
Total


mates would make it 1872. The whole distance, then, by
the San Juan route is less than half that OF the Realeo
roue and only 5f miles of it is portage or land route
Now, the remarkable feature OF this portage is that in the
highest point it is only 6l6B feet above the Pacific,
1878 above lake Nicaragua which. on it's part is only
12s above the sea- so that no difficulty opposes the
construction oil canal across that narrow neck. There
no obstacle, OF course to railroad there is none to
carriage road half dozen American axes with hun
one which Troy post coaches American omnbuses
might roll from lake to and to lake. in two hours
The question that remains, is. as to the navgabeness
of lake Nicaragua and the river, its outlet. Lake Nj
caragua is magnificent sheet of water ninety five miles
long BY thirty or forty wide, embosomcdn land of
dure and Volcanoes OF which latter great number rise
IN the shape Of islands, one OF them six thousand feet
high. glorously and fearuly beautiful Studded with
such islands, il has neverhe less average depth of M
teen athoms, and has, therefore, to appearance good
navigation as any OF our own lakes in the United States
The river San Juan de Nicaragua, as we mentioned,
is 10 miles long, in which distance it falls about
feet, or SO foot per mile II has four rapids and
rous shoals in its bends the lowest waters either OF
which, however-and even, Mr. Bailey says, in the
dry season-is fathom, feet This we should CALL
on our western waters, fine boatabe depth. and
dream OF It's offering any impedment TO ordinary
navigation. We learn, moreover, from other quarters,
that The bngos native boats that ascend and descend
the river between the port and the cities OF Nicaragua
and Grenada, have all draught of feet Captain
Gordons boat according to letter from of his com.
pany only draws IS inches In that case, if she have
good efficient engine board we ought to hear of her
having assembled to Lake Nicaragua and its blue
waters TO Grenada the Rio de las Lahas whis,ing off
steam in contempt of the fire moun.ains and we ouy hit
to hear OF thus very And them of the
PanIes has taken out civil engineer with Topographic
ca! assistant and as rivalry will beget activity OF compe
luton, we ought next TO hear of the portage carriage
being completed, a line OF omnibuses established and
ilne mountain house, for air and health, true travel
ers rest built on some summit ridge; where passengers
Tor California may stop, waiting for the either
side and looking down with admiration at and the
same moment on the fairy scenes of the lake and the
rolling surges of the South Sea
II the river and lake of Nicaragua both prove navga
oe 10 our common river steamboats,, there would seem
70 oe no obstacles to the institution of such route OF
IaNe except the want of steamers regularly plying on
o sqes so as to make complete line from the States
LaioIns, and the opposition perhaps of the British
aunorues. Both these difficulties may prove serious
ones ou1 sea steamers are getting plentiful and cheap
we n'usn 'le to the port and river OF San Juan de
nicaragua is not reay-should il be contested-wouth
the black sand that will be dashed on the frat dnomac
letter that may be written the subject between the two
governments Is, IN TACT, the mo-, rdiculons NJ nre
would be, were i, NOT thai IN cla;rn. i
the mighty and irresistible Britain and fhs th
poor miserable State of Nicaragua which ,wnsld ho IN
sabms>ionwhat could she do otherwise, S The Giant
slou instead OF her river and port, Law claim to her
whole Territory. Here. might makes right But sup
posing the United States OF America be substituted pr
the Stale OF Nicaragua. the contes,ng party the case
wond, in all probability quite different appear
ance. Whatever the claim or pretension, in any event
portal of the Pacific, Indispensable to national wei
fare, against the people Of the United States
If the navigation Of the river and lake al Nicaragua
prove to be easy and advantageous. shall expect OUT
government to take steps to have II rendered free to this
country, and, indeed, to the whole world