The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-02-23
SPECIAL Correspondence g he Reqyune.
WAsHiNeroS, Jan. 81, 1919

WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, l849.
A desperate struggles now going on in the
Senate, and will presently communicate itself
to the House, in regard to the two routes across
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. i is generally
conceded land indeed /, would be difficult to
deny that the Tehuantepec road is the Amer.
lean, and the route across the Isthmus of Pa
mama the English route from the Atlantic to
the Pacific Ocean. The Tehuantepec road,
would have its Eastern terminus in the
Gulf "f Mexico, which may now be called an
American sea, while the Eastern terminus Of
the Panama route, [Chagres or the Bay Of Ii
mon son the Caribbean sea, c implicitly DOM
ineered by British Islands. There are first the
British windward islands, St. Lucia, St. Vim
cent, Barbados, Tobago, Granada, &C., and
the island Of Jamaica right to the north oft,
which may be considered the centre Of the
British force in the West Indies. In case Of
war then, the Panama route, built by Amer.
can citizens and American money, would be
taken possession Of by England; for we have
not a single port in the Caribbean Sea where
a schooner could run IN with safety If chased
by a British man-of-war
The Cuatzacualco empties into the Gulf Of
Mexico, which from the mouth of the R o
Grande to the capes Of Florida is Anne lean,
and will in time, become entirely American,
after the island Of Cuba shall participate in the
blessings Of our Government. The English
have no naval STATEN there, no fort to reft
or take in fresh water ana provisions, unless
they choose to make Havana their naval rem
devious.
In the next place, the Tehuantepec route is
some 1000 miles nearer San Francisco, than
that Of Panama, passing through o warmer and
more healthy country.
Al to the right Of way, which New Grenada
has ceded to us for a limited period. be
lisve l can state on highly respectable author
ity, that the Government Of Mexico will grant
us he right Of way in perpetnity, not only in
time of peace but also in Time Of war, on condi-
ton that the United States will at all times pre-
serve and protect the neutrality of the road.
Notwithstanding these enormous advantages
which the Tehuanrepec route presents TO our
Government and the enterprise Of our citizens,
the Panama road finds a considerable Number
of partizans in both Houses, backed by a reg-
ularly organized lobby force principally from
New York. Indeed it would seem as if New
York, were in this, as in many other respects,
The rival Of New Orleans. The Tehuantepec
route is certainly f%avoring New Orleans, but
with it the whole Mississippi valley, which Is
connected by steam with New York, Boston
and Philadelphia. II it be intended that our
Government shall use the road for the Trans
portation OF troops and military across the 18TH
mus, then, assuredly, T'huantepec Is the
military road Of the United States, and the one
which, under all circumstances, deserves the
preference over the Panama road. believe
that to be the view ofthe Texas Senators, who'
probably, are as competent judges OF the mill
tary properties ofthese routes as any two gem
lIemen in the Senate. Mr.. Webster and Mr..
Clayton have given the preference to the Te-
buantepec route, if it could be constructed Tor
on similar terms,and of this, | believe they will
have an opportunity OF being convinced before
the end Of the session.