Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-01-29
January 20. lS4o
RAILROAD ACROSS. THE ISTHMUs

RAILROAD ACROSS The ISTIlMUS.
We noticed on Friday the receipt from Hon. Thns
Butler King, of copy Of his report the subject of The
proposed Railroad the Isthmus Of Panama. The
following extract from that docnm mt which is larg-
for publication enlre, In the crowded stale of columns,
contains the principal arguments Of the Naval Committee
IN favor of the proposed road.
Our readers that Messrs ASpinwall, Ste 4
phens and Chauncey have obtained from the Government
Of New Grenada the right Of way the Ishmns f.
years, that government reseving itself the
right to purchase the road the expiration of twenty
years. The gentleman named, and their associates ask
of our government aid in the construction Of the road
which they propose 10 comp ete in three years
sideraron Of which aid they bind themselves 10 convey
upon their road the mails, all government freight and all
persons In the employ of the government, free ocharge,
for twenty years.
The committee will now proceed 10 state speci-
hcally some Of the benefits which commerce. agri-
culture and manufactures will derive from THE compile
non OF the proposed work the Ishnus Of Panama
In the year, 6tyseven American ships cleared al
the custom house at Canton and it is believed from re
liable information, that there at least Sky FIVE
American ships engaged in The China de- that sixty
five voyages are annually made in it. 1t is stated by
merchants engaged in that trade. that TIE new route A.
cross the lsihns Will save average of len thousand
dollars voyage, six hundred and fifty Thousand DOL
lars per annum, with China besides the
saving Of interest on the capital employed in 1t, by ma
king two voyages year instead of one. This may be
sci down at about hundred and fifty thousand dollars
per annnm.
Those who have been long engaged in The whale fish
cry, say that about one fourth Of the time empoyed in
Whaling VOYAGE consumed going TO and returning from
the fishing ground. The annual product of that branch
of commerce is about ten millions of dollars. This
shows an actual loss Of time equal To about Two millions
and half dol ars per annnm 1t is estimated that the
new route will half Of this, twelve hundred
and fifty thousand dollars per The length Of
the voyage now average loss of Ten per of
the oil, annual loss of one million Of dllars II is
admitted that the new route will prevent this. There
will be, therefore, saving this item of one million Of
dollars annually As have no returns Of the number
Of voyages the Of America The d,tan cps
by the route to Chill Peru Ecuador San Bias and
Mazatlan, reduced more than between the United
States and China, will not be considered eS
mate II we assume that there will be saving of about
the same per cent with those ports as
has been stated with respect to the trade with China
This gives little Two hundred thousand dollars
per annum.
The memoriaist propose to complete the railroad in
three years They will then have twenty years of I'M
disputed control over the work before New Grenada will
have the right to purchase. 1t has been estimated
this report, that, at The end of three years, there will
probably be 500, 900 people in California and that they
will require equal number of barrels Of flour and the
quantity of beef, pork and other articles Of prov
slOns annually. The saving The freight by the
route will be al least dollar per barrel, million
Of dollars year these agricultural products to say
wise be liable, besides the saving Of time IN the
voyage, and the Interest the capital employed in the
trade. 1t is, Of course, impossible estimate the saving
on the freight Of manufactured goods. That, however,
will necessarily b. very large.
These Items presented for the purpose ofgiving
some definite dea Ut the vsst Importance Of The proposed
work, not with a view of any approach 10 the &C
tual advantages which will be derived from it all
branches OF our national industry. This would be I'M
possible. We have not esim1ted for any increase of
commerce with any part of the world except California;
for that after tie first wear that the road
shall be in operation. But is believed that the views
and Arguments presented in This report, together with the
items above stated of sufficient importance TO Justify
the favorable action Of the government the recon-
mendatons of the committee.
AS 1t IS quite impossible to estimate the strength Of
the naval go land force, which may be required The
4 PacIhc Ill California and Oregon, during the twenty
years from the completion of the Road, the committee do
not feel justified in making calculation, which might be
entirely erroneous. l. will readily be perceived, how
that there is probability that there will be a
supply of provisions raised in the country in consequence
OF lis supposed mineral wealth, every article of supply
for both arms Of the be carried from this
side of the lshmus. This would render the conveyance
round Cape Horn very expensive, and the transit
the railroad saving 10 very large amount.
Recaptutaton OF he foregoing amounts which, II is
believed will be saved by tie construction Of the propos
ed railroad
In'he China trade, 100000 per annum, fr twenty
years, $lG,000,00O
! In the whale fishery &, $50 900 per annum,
for twenty years, 45,000,00O
In the trade with the west coast Of America,
exclusive Of our territories, 100000
per annnm, for twenty years, 100000
On the freight Of flour, beef pork &c.
SC, S 100000 per annum, for twenty
years 2O,OOOOOO
So 100000