The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-11
TIL E R EP u BLIC.
Panama Railroad.


The London Morning Post of the 10th ultmo
contains long article on the subject of communi.
cations between the Atlantic and Pacific, in which
il is stated that the project of railroad the
Isthmus of fPanama is now abandoned-"the failure
being covered under the plea that the preferable
of the route through the Lake of Nicaragua had
deferred Messrs. Aspinwall, Chauncey and Ste
phens from the execution of the line"
This will be to parties here; and, by way of
comment, we lay before readers the following
article from the Railroad Journal oflast week, con-
taining we have reason to believe, reliable ac
count of the actual condition and progress of that
work:
PASAMA RAILRoAp.-We are gratifed to have
1t in our power TO lay before the public some au-
thentic information respecting this most important
work. From the want Of publicity hitherto attend
ing the operations OF the company, we have been
almost induced, along with many others, to enter
tain many apprehensions that this magnificent
terPrisc had received check in consequence Of
the very unusual difficulties that must necessarily
attend the execution of work of its magnitude in
country far removed from the seat OF director
ship, and in itself affording no facilities whatever
for the furtherance Of the project; but in making
dlgent inquiry from the most reliable sources, we
are rejoiced TO ascertain beyond ali doubt that
lar from such beng the case the company are now
making arrangements on a large scale for securing
the running Of locomotives from Navy Bay to Cor
gona by the end OF the next dry season. When
NIl5 iS cUeCltu, pd55tIRcTS can CiObs tDe
from ocean to ocean between sunrise and sunset.
The accounts Of the surveys already well
known Near the end of the year lSi9, the com
pany having determined 10 enter upon the actual
construction OF the road, appointed as associate
chief engineers, Messrs. George NJ Tot,en and
John c. Trautwine, both of whom had been EN-
| ploycd on several OF the most important works III
the United States; and had besides, become
quanted with the language and manner of working
| the native laborcrs OF New Granada, during pre-
vious residence Of some years in that country, while
engaged in the construction of the canal from Car
! thagena to the Magdaena river.
| The operations on the lsthmus have until lately
been conducted by Mr.. Trautwine, Mr. Totten hav-
ing been prevented by prior engagement from
| giving his personal attention to the work.
! The first three months of Mr.. Trautwine's resi-
dence on the lsthmus directed 10 the endcavor
10 establish Gorgona a starting point and depot
for the receipt Of provisions and materials of con-
struction from the United States, il having been
originally the intention OF the company to construct
the interval between Gorgona and Panama first.
The losses, delays, and expense of surmounting the
lmpediments OF the navigation Of the Chagres river
| combined with other considerations developed by
this attempt to commence at Gorgona, determined
the directors to establish their depot, and commence
their road at the Atlantic terminus. The precise
| point had been absolutely determined, and MIR.
Trautwinc devoted his first attention to another
! careful examination Of the coast as far as Porto
Bello, which resulted in fixing il at Manzania
leland, the same point contemplated under Colonel
Hughes survey.
The island was at the time covered with dense
growth of trees, shrubs, and vncs which had TO be
cleared away before habitatons for laborers could
be erected upon it, and no preparations having been
made to commence at this point, the engineers and
men were obliged to live on board a brig which
arrived with materials for houses and on the hull
Of the steamer Telegraph, which Mr.. Trautwne
happened TO be able TO purchase at Chagres, until
the island could be sufficiently cleared and houses
erected Until these difficulties removed, Mr..
Trautwine was unwilling 10 receive laborers en-
gagged by Mr.. TOtten in Carthagena; but these are
a tar
visions and materials the other buildings are IN
progress, and Mr. TUtton is the spot with force
Of about 200 men, fixing definitely the location,
clearing the line OF the road; while Mr.. Trautwinc
is now in this country with full knowledge of the
whole condition Of things on the lsthmus, 10 return
the carly part Of next month, completing all the
arrangements that may be required 10 secure the
running Of the locomotives from the Atlantic 10
/ Gorgona, by the end Of the next dry season.
| With the view Of cNpcdting the work, the road
is 10 be built temporarily, (whercver the suriacc Of
the ground will pernit,) upon piles instead OF en-
bankments The piles are 10 be sent from th's
country, cut 10 the requisite dimensions and point
cd for driving. Six o. cam pile-drvers will be sent
out 20 different points on the line Of the road, and
all the preparatory work possible will be done
here, as 10 save labor on the lthmus; while 10
meet such az Is indispensable there, arrangement u
have been made with tho Royal West Indian Mail
Steam packet Company, at a low rate, for carry
ing 10 the lsthmus large force Of native laborcrs,
from Carlhagena and the interior provinces. Ne
groes are 20 he brought over from jamaica; body
Of white men has already gone down from New
Orleans, and 90 guard against all risk Of failure,
advantage will be taken of the California excite.
mcnt TO carry TO the lsthmus large force from
this country under spocial contract, the basis Of
| which is passage 10 California.
The croFs tios, pile drivers, and other materials
are already purchased; four locomotives are 90 be
built eoon the contract be made; and
n contract has been closed with the american
Timber Preserving Company" Of this city, FOR
submitting all the piles, cross tee, and other tim
bor, 10 the preventative proccss Of Payne -izing'
with the view Of protecting II from decay and the
ravagcs 81 worms. The transportation Of men and
materials between Navy Bay and the different sta .
t0ns the Chagrcs river, will be under The charg.
Of Captain Chapman, who has been for come years
engaged In running a steamer with native labor on
the Magdalcna, and who will have in ms employ a
body Of picked bOntmon from that river while 10 iur.
nish immediate facilities for travellers an arrange.
mcnt has been made with Mr.. 4. G.. Jcwett ol
Maine, under which Mr.. Jcwou will have two
small steamers and a full complement II small
boats FOR transportation to GorgOna
The opening of the railroad q. Gorrona will OF
course afford great facilities for the further prosc
cuton of the work, and IL is confidently believed
that by the end Of the dry scason Of 1852 tempo.
rary railroad will be completed 20 Panama, ready
90 transport passengers with their baggage and a
light freight from oCcan 10 ocean in not exceeding
siK hours. Tie periccting Of the work then bc
carried on AZ leisure.
Details Of construction (as all the particulars oi
Z road 20 connect the two oceans interesting }
will be given in a subsequent number