The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-19
So, WEST PoiNr, September 20, 1850.
J. P. BENJAMIN, Esq,
-. -

Chairman ofthe damaging Committee, &c.
SIR: In a communication addressed to you
last summer, expressed, with some dlfidence, as
to my own judgment in such a matter, the opin-
ion that, in its present state, the Tehuantepec
r., ute possessed as great facilities for being made
words, that it was quite as easy to carry passen-
gers to the CoatZacoalcos river, transport them
across and reship them in the Gulf Of Tehuante
pee, as it is to perform the same operation at Pa
mama. Hence, if the route is established at once,
steamers made to run from New Orleans to the
Coatzacoacos, and from Tehuantepec to San
Francsco-proper facilities for the transit across
the sthmus being afforded-this route must i'm
mediately, on account of the difference of distance
and diminished expense, take the California travel
In giving this opinion, there was only one matter
aboat which | hesitated, and that was as to the
practieability of steamers anchoring off in the
opening Gulf Of Tehuantepec, and taking in their
passengers, &c.
| was well aware, and represented the fact to
you, that a large part of our intercourse with
Mexico during the war, was carried on in this
very way in the face Of the violent northers which
prevail in the Gulf; also, that steamers enter no
harbor at Chagres, but lay off as unprotected as
they would be at Tehuantepec, and that even at
Panama they lay in an open gulf. | could not
feel much doubt about the matter therefore, yet
not being seaman, could not speak with the
the confidence which professional knowledge
would have given me. Since that time | have
consulted several naval officers well qualified to
give an opinion on the subject, among others,
Capt. Porter, Of the Georgia; Lieut.. Maury, of
Washington, and Lieut.. Radford, who has coasted
along the shores of the Gulf Of Tehuantepec.
They all, without any hesitation or qualification,
express their belief in the perfect practicabilty of
the matter Capt. Porter thinks that it is better
place than Chagres for steamers to touch, as the
strong winds (and in this they all agree) are off
the land.
This is important, for if harbor were indis-
pensably necessary, we know enough Of the mat
ter now to know that, though we may ultimately
have good one there, We must, for a year or two
at least get along with such facilities the coast
now presents-any artificial work being necessari-
ly work of time. And although feel strong be-
lief that we shall be able to arrange good harbor
the above considerations will justify me, think,
in advancing the opinion that the advantages and
practicabiity Of the route do not entirely depend
upon such harbor. If we cannot have one, or if
the cost will prove so great as to make it difficult
to undertake at present, the route will still be on a
par with the Panama in its local facilities, while the
distance saved will give it UNNECESSARILY the supe-
riority; in other words, that the railroad may be
constructed, and the benefits expected by the un-
derakers Of this route secured, although no better
harbor at Tehuantepec should be practicable than
such as now exists, though, of course, good
harbor would be desirable, and would justify a
heavy expenditure. There is not the least doubt
of the entire practcablty of the rest Of the route.
Steamers Of ! 200 tons may be built to enter
the Contzacoacos river; the ascent of the river to
Suehil, or even higher, is, l suppose, easy for
small steamers, almost all the year, and the roads
across the country capable Of being made good.
and in this respect ca pabe of being made much
better than the mule paths across the Is,hmus of
Panama.
| do not make this communication with any
reference to the survey, but because ! think it
may be interesting to the committee, and to recon-
mend that, if they are satisfied as to the security
of their rights, they should at once open this
route to travel and secure the heavy travel be-
tween the United States and California.
am, very respectfully, your ODD 7 servt,
J. G.. BARNARD.