The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-06

The immense importance with which our
possessions on the Pacific Coast have been so
suddenly invested, is exciting universal specu-
lation in regard to the speediest mode Of com.
munication between the two oceans The
merits Of the various routes have been already
briefly discussed in The Tribune, and we have
referred to the superior advantages which the
lsthmus Of Tehuantepec appeared TO possess
over all other routes. Our views are further
confirmed by the following additional facts,
communicated to US by gentleman who re-
sided for sixteen years on the river CoatzacOal-
cos. and 10 familiar with every par, of te route:
alt is now important to be ascertained which
is the best and most feasible route, not only for
the transmission Of the mail, but for the con-
veyance Of passengers and government stores
TO California. The Panama route is now sno-
ken Of. and Is brought up before Congress for
its action. BY that route the United States
mail can be carried TO San Francisco in abou,
forty days at present, and passengers may reach
our California and Oregon possessions at an ex-
Pense Of about s45O. All the peculiar advan-
| tages Of that route have been already commu-
nieatsd to the public by those interested. Twill
now call the public attention to a much shorter
and cheaper route; the isthmus Of Tehuantepec
BY looking at the map of Mexico you will find
the mouth Of the Coatzacoalcos river. situa,ed
In N. LAT. Is deg. II il navigabls for ocean
steamers about % miles from its mouth. n.
general course is due south. and it is navixabIe
for small steamers to within 50 miles Of the
Pacific Ocean. The continent is Just two de.
grees wide, say 100 miles. On the Pacific
Coast is the city Of Tehusntepec, shout three
leagues distant from. the port Of San Francisco.
lake or inlet of the Pacific Ocean, which, IL
is said, affords sufficient water for large vessels
to enter. The writer Of this article resided on
the banks Of the Coatzaeoalcos sixteen wears.
and crossed the continent some fifty times; he
therefore feels himself competent TO give a
practical opinion upon the subject.
IL partial arrangement was made with the
Mexican Government. the United States mail
could at present be transported across the con-
tinent, from Coatzacoalcos to Tehuantspec. I'm
from 60 to 70 hours; and at a trifiing expsn.s
the road could be shortened so as TO bring those
two points within 80 hours of each other
line Of small steamers, such as are used on the
Ohio river, would enablslpassengers to cross the
continent in As hours or less Merchandise.
would. with the actual condition Of the roads.
require some sir or eight days for its transport
tation. will now sum up the time that would
be required to carry the mail from New Orlsa N.
to San Francisco in California, under exi.,ing
circumstances, provided partial arrangement
was made with Mexico-viz: From New Or
leans TO Coatzacoalcos, 80 hours; thence 10
TehuantePec or the port Of San Francisco. %
hours; making, in the aggregate, days and Is
hOurs-say days. From the Mexican port Of
Tehuantepec or San Francisco, to our San
Francisco in California. say 10 days: making,
in all, - days. Practical men, by looking At
the map, can decide, whether the time have
allowed for the ocean navigation Is sufficient. |
In regard TO the transit across the continent |
speak from positive knowledge. This subject |
cannot but interest the American people, and |
beg you will lay the facts before them. Twill
Illustrate the position have here assumed. by
Iacts and proofs which cannot fail to convince
'ur Government that the route Of Tehuantspec
IS by far preferable, in every point of view. 70
hat Of Chagres and Panama A railroad 60,
pc built for $40 ,OOO, 900, which would briug ,bs
Two oceans within FIVE hours Of each othsrn
m Y. Tribune.