The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-08
POLITICAL.
From the Union.
From the Union.
The Nicaragua Question--Revenues OF the
proposed Canal across the Isthmus or Pa
mama.

From the Union.
The Nicaragua Question--Rovenues OF the
proposed Canal across the Isthmus or Pa
mama.
In our article, yesterday, gave condensed
view OF the prac ticability of the proposed ship
nal across the Isthmus Of Panama, by the route of
the San Juan river, Lake Nicaragua, the river
Tiptaka, Lake Managua, and the intervening land
between that lake and Port Realeo, upon the Pacific.
And we fiatter ourselves that we furnished suffi-
cient authority--although by no means all in our
possessionto show that the undertaking is not
only practicable one, but that il would not be
very expensive, in comparison with the size and
magnitude Of the work-Nature herself having re-
moved all serious impeachment, and, in fact, fur
nished a communication for the main part of the
way requiring but little aid from the hand Of art
bility Of the undertaking. and some estimate Of ts
probable cost, we designed, in the same article, to
so into an estimate of the revenues which would
probably accrue. from the canal after it had been
but our limits compelledus to defer that branch Of
the subject until to-day. We now resume it.
Before capitalists, nations, will embark
IN gigantic enterprise, requiring large outlay
OF capital they will FIRST inquire whether the
nues and benefits which are likely to accrue from
it will compensate for its actual cost This cost s
natural, and such as prudent men and prudent ma
t,ons will be very apt to take before they invest
their money, or impose heavy taxes upon their cit
zens, to promote any important enterprise. And
Of course we expect, before the construction of
ship communication between the Atlantic and Pa
cific oceans-which we regard the great enter
prise of the age-is undertaken, that those who
bark in it must first be convinced, not only of its
practicability, but that it will be remunerative
undertaking. Therefore. we are aware that no
company Of capitalists will undertake the construc
ton fthe great inter- communication pro-
vided for in the treaty of Mr. Hise unless it be
pretty clearly demonstrated to them that they will
receive handsome remunerating profit in return
for the money which they shall expend. We will
now attempt briefly to show that they win receive
such a return for the amount Of capital which may
be invested.
We understand that the expenses, risks, and in
surances make the freight on ships bound to the
East Indies, doubling Cape Horn or the Cape of
Good Hope, equal to about GA per ton 1t may
be more, or it may be less; but we are assured 1t
will not vary much from that sum- whereas the
cost of transit across the Isthmus of Panama, by
means of the contemplated canal, would probably
not exceed 81 per ton. Thus would the dangers
of a voyage to China and other countries of Asia,
advantages would be great as to induce all ves-
sells from Europe and the United States sailing to
India or to the Pacific to pass through the inter-
oceanic canal.
the probable number of vessels that would be likely
to avail themselves of the facilities of the proposed
canal. And here our calculations must depend
much upon estimate and conjecture. We can,
however, approximate to the truth. In the first
place, believe there about 600 whale ships,
each averaging 500 tons burden that now visit the
waters of the Pacific Those vessels are obliged to
go round Cape Horn, both on their outward and
homeward voyages. The long voyages out and
back occupy good share of the period of their alb
sence, which is about three years. If they could
pass from the Atlantic TO the Pacific through the
convenient medium of the proposed canal, each one
of them would probably make the voyage out
and back once at least in two years, making
one passage year through the proposed canal.
Here, then, are six hundred vessels, with an ag-
gregate tonnage of 300 900 tons, that would pass
oncc each vear throu urh he canal
During the last year we understand that some six
or seven hundred vessels have sailed from the diff
ferent ports Of the United States and Europe TO
California. As the population and commerce OF
that country win continue TO increase, we. may
safely calculate the number of vessels annually
going thither and returning at five hundred, with
an average tonnage each of 500 tons, making an
aggregate of 250,0 900 tons. These vessels would
probably make a voyage once a year both ways;
but, TO be the safe side viii suppose they will
make but one passage year through the proposed
canal. We now have an aggregate tonnage pass
ing each year through the canal OF 55O.OOO tons.
We have nowremaining the great numbers OF vcs-
sells from Europe and America trading in the East
Indies and the Pacific, and upon the western coast
Of South America, which we may safely estimate
at thousand, with average tonnage of five
hundred tons each, which would make at least one
passage year through the proposed ship-canal
across the isthmus. This number would add 500,-
900 tons TO the amount, making the aggre
gate .05O 900 tons. AT toll of 81 per ton, this
quantity of shipping would yield an annual reve-
nue. TO the proprietors of the canal of 200 900.
In article yesterday stated that the cost OF
constructing the canal bad been varously estimated
from ten 10 twenty millions of dollars. Therefore,
if il should be great as the aforementioned sum,
the tolls would furnish an ample remuneration for
the capital invested. But il requires no prophetic
spirit 10 predict vast increase OF the commerce OF
the Pacific. The ngis of the American Union now
rests upon the eastern shore of the Pacific; and un
der its protection the Anglo-Saxon race will soon
plant Its borders with thriving cities, cultivated
t.ll .ta
which art rcars in homage TO its parent, Science.
Sovereign States, teeming with population, wealth,
and enterprise, soon 10 spring up ON the shores
of the Pacific. Commerce will grow and expand.
Its revivifyipg and cnlightening rays will pene
trate the msts Of prejudice al d bigotry which now
envclop the populations of Asia. IL will overleap
the wall Of China, and break through the hitherto
mpenetrable Gordon that surrounds the empire of
Japan. Commerce, in the hands Of the Anglo
Americans, Is destined 10 reuvenize the effete and
dccrepid nations Of the East, and 10 introduce
among them higher species OF civilization, and
noblcr views Of the aims and ends OF human exist
Under its benign influences, the island groups
of the Pacific, now inhabited by savages, will be-
come the abodes Of civilized and enlightened men.
The nations Of South America, inhabiting its west
ern coasts will also be benefited by the stimulus de-
rived from the neighborbood Of more enterprising
and active race, and will necessarily exhibit a
higher ntelectuala as well as material development.
The vast and drcary wastes OF the boundess Pacific
are 20 become like its sister Atlantic, instinct with
the evidences Of active and busy enterprise. And
these magnificent results not FAR in the future.
But generations are 10 pass away before they be-
come tangible and indsputabe realities.
And If such is the change which is TO take place
ON the great ocean lying upon cur western borders,
and IL such is to be the destiny :, the vast countries
and island groups which bound its coasts and lie in
it's mighty bosom, can any one doubt the immsnsity
of the commerce which will be thus called into ex-
istencc' And will not the main part Of il flow
through the easy and safe communication which IL
is proposed 20 open across the lsthmus OF Paname
Il cannot be doubted, and with these impressions
upon our minds cannot doubt the success Of the
great enterprise which advocate. In fifty years,
IN our belief there could not be found on the face
of the globe property which would yield such
splendid remuneration 10 its owners the proposed
ship canal across the Isthmus Of Panama.
In another article shall attempt to show the
privileges and advantages respecting the construc
ton of the proposed canal, which we understand
70 have been secured by the treaty negotiated by
Mr.. Hisc with the Republic Of Nicaragua
RkTAININo Locorocos IN OrricE.-The Whig
that portion of il who do the labor and
foot the bills-are not easily rcconced TO the idea
Of retaining Locooeos in Office any longer than the
public good requires Il, while we have the power Of
disnlacinq them Some how or other the belief In |