The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-01-05
Railroad Across the IS.hnus CT
Panama,

There Is no Disgusting il, that the discov-
cry o! the gold mines in California is Great
ing an excitement in the Atlantic cities,
which all but resembles the feeling in Spain,
when 1t was known that Columbus had dis
covered the gold mines of 81. Domingo.
Ships, briggs ana steamers are fitting out in
New York, Boston, Baltimore, Sc, for this
promised land, while companies of Adven-
turers are organizing in nearly every city in
the Union; but the most extraordinary
movement which we have seen. and which
shows that the mania has reached the cold
and calculating capitalists of New York, is
their determination TO build Railroad across
the lS'hinus of Panama. An association of
merchants have made a proposition TO the
Government TO build this Railroad, in orde
to facilitate business with California. They
oller to finish IL in two years. That this is
not mere speculation, is manifest from the
TACT that Col. Benton has introduced the fol-
lowing bill in 'hc Senate:
Mr.. Benton's bill gives the contract TO
Aspinwall, Stevens & Co., of New York
places the time at, not exceeding thirty
years. Embracing the transportation by
steam OF naval and army supplies, including
troops, munitions Of war and naval and pub.
lie stores, the mail Of the United States and
all persons in its employment. The sum to
be paid not to exceed e.fourths of the
amount now stipulated by law for the trans.
portahon of the mails from New York to
Liverpool. No payment under contract 10
be mdds till the Railroad shall be SO far adj
vanced as to permit railroad transpor, alton
across the ISthmu5 10 Panama, wholly by
steam. The road TO be commenced within
one year from date of contract, and 10 be
completed by June 18th, 1852.
The gigantic capitalists Of England have
been talking about undertaking 4 canal or
railway for fifty years, but as yet nothing
has been done; but our countrymen have
got their energy aroused, and i, will be done.
The following brief synopsis Of the route
shows that the cost will no, exceed SO ,OO0,-
WU, to finish it complete, with engines, cars,
&c. Even il the mines turn out TO be exac-
gerated. the other business, i, is supposed,
will pay dividend. The completion Of this
railway would bring California within co
days Of New York. whereas by In. overland
route It's at least 1870 days. No one can fail
to see that when the New York merchants
commence the construction of this railway,
even the most sober will think that Califor-
MA must be all that is reported.
"Ihe shortest distance across, from sea
to sea, is only % miles, according to Hum
ho'dt, commencing on the Atlantic side. at
Chagrcs, and ending on the Pacific. ut Pa
mama. Here is harbor sufficient for =
thousand gun ships. The route is as feasible
fer railroad, according to several SURVEYS
made for canal, as the road from Spring
field to Albany, over the mountains. Ii is
nearly level, except eight miles on the Pa
cafe side, through which deep cutting is
necessary with Little tunnsllinC--a mile or
so. The country, says Loyd's Report. a.
bounds with timber, and abundance Of cheap
labor.
"Sevcral canal estimates have been made.
At cost Of from ten TO fifteen million. Of
dollars. A railroad, it is supposed. can be
made for a third Of this amount. as the ca
nal estimates are made for long and extern
sive feeders from rivers in the interior"