The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-29
The Hls.r.gu. Route 70 the Pacific.

From the London Times.
In our remarks on the practicabillty and desira-
bleness of connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific
Ocean, by the lakes of Nicaragua, we have al
ready given the details of the route and Of
the works required, and history OF the
movements hitherto made for the accomplish
ment OF the undertaking. To complete a general
view of the subject 1t now only remains to touch
upon the productions and physical characteristics
of the country through which the canal would
pass, SO as to estimate the collateral advantages
which the scheme might receive from their de-
veopement.
The most recent and elaborate information on
these points is to be found In part Is OF the Com
merclal Tariffs prepared by MIR. Macgregor at the
time when he was connected with the Board OF
Trade and the various authorities condensed in this
document are such to warrant the conclusion ar
rived at that the country, from its great extent,
varied confguraton, and abundant natural re-
sources together w.th the advantages of Its many
excellent harbors, and of its geographical position,
must become one of the most important in
connection with the maritime and commercial
spirit of the age-a conclusion formed, it must be
borne in mind, before asy Of the. events had been
dreamed Of which are IRE now vltallzng that por;;
America are as varied as the climate, which,
according to the level selected, may apparently
be adapted to all wants. On the higher table
lands wheat, barley, and the fruits and
vegetables of Europe may be grown abundantly, as
well Indian corn, and, IN some parts, rice. In
the lower plains and valleys the soil yields annu-
ally two crops OF Indian corn, and the sugar cane,
potes, and sweet potatoes are all raised or grow
naturally. Indigo, cochlneal, tobacco, vanilla,
cotton, cocoa, sugar and coffee, are also, accord
ing 10 the District capable OF the finest cultivation.
| OF the various small States into which Central
| America is now divided, Nicaragua, in point of
natural gifts, is described to be the richest. Com
menclng the route from the Gulf of Nicoya, on
the Pacific, find that at this point pearls are
fishod, and that shell fish is found which yields
| a brig red dye. Here, also, is the mountain
aguacate, in which the few biologists who
have visited Central America have asserted I'M
mense wealth hes buried, the localities of which
are most evident. Passing on towards the plain of
| Nicaragua, the fields are " covered with high
| grass, studded with noble trees, and herds of
| cattle" Cocoa, indigo, rice, Indian coru, bana-
mas, and cotton are here produced; and mahogany,
cedar, and pine abound In the forests Proceeding
across to the eastern side of the lak:, there are
cattle farms, which herds of from l0, 900 to
| 10000 oxen, bulls, and cows. Horses and mules
are bred for riding and for burthen. Sheep are
| reared on the upper plains, and swine are kept
| fer flesh. An Enelishman from one of the
West India islands Informed Mr.. Stephens, that
| tactnrc sugar at his estate on Lake Leon at
onetourlh its cost in the West Indies. 1t Is sold
| in Nicaragua for three half pence per pound md
| indigo can be raised for q. per ID. The cochi-
neal plantations in some parts yield two crops
each season. The capital of the State is Leon, near
the small lake of that name, which communicates
with Lake Nicaragua. The plain near thus city is
said 10 be characterized by richness of soil not
surpassed by any land in the world, yet it remains
in pImeval desolation. With regard to the neigh
borhood of Lake Leon, Mr. Stephens sole msgiv-
it would prove too beautiful even for British or
American energies not to relax beneath its in-
fiuence. "lt may be questioned he observes,
whether, with the same scenery and climate,
open air and by the side of this lovely lake, even
the descendants of the Anglo Saxon race would not
lese their energy and industry"
Leaving the lakes and descending the river San
Inan IN he tian oh hunk 10 cd
valuable wood, OF all sizes and descriptions; and
the land, according to Mr.. Baly: is of prodigious
fertility. Amongst other products, this river
quadruped and fish, aflording excellent food and
strikingly efectua asa speedy cure for scorbulic
or scrofulous disorders. The blood is said to be-
come purified, and the vrulence of the complaint,
thrown to the surface Of the body, quickly dtsap-
pears. The length Of this animal is from eight to
twelve feet, and II weighs from 500 lbs to 800 lbs
The haibor an the Atlantic, m which the river San
Juan discharges itse, is the best for large vessels
on the whole range Of coast: The climate of
Nicaragua, generally, is considered very healthy
and there are no epidemcal diseases peculiar to
1t.
From these details it would appear the country
has but one want and that is that 1t should beco ne
the seat Of enterprise Even the barbarlsm that
has been attributed TO the Indian portion of the po-
pulatlOn is denied, and it is asserted that under
.udicious system their docility and submissive
ness may be relied upon. When, therefore, we take
INTO consideration that the adjoining States, Hon
duras and Costa Rica, with their mines of geld,
silver, copper and iron San Salvador, with COM
paratlvey vigorous and honorable population, pro-
ducing also iron, besides cotton, tobacco, the best
indigo, and the richest balsam in the world; Guate-
mala, with fields of wheat and peach trees, and
large district resembling the finest parts of
England on magnificent scae,' would ALL no
less than Nicaragua, be brought into teeming ac-
hvity by the tide OF intercourse being opened up
betwe en- the two oceans that form their boundaries
we shall almost be led TO contemplate that even if
the task, INSTEAD of being such as to involve the
prospect than this, it would still be enough to cause
every friend of commerce and civilization to look
for w ard with ea nerness tn ifs fulGlnlnnt