The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-20
From the Ne,o York Tribune.



We have received from Captain Jonas P. Levy,
map of section of Mexico, illustrating the direc
ton of proposed route from New York to San
Francisco, via New Orleans, Tampico, Vera Cruz,
and Avarado, thence across the continent to the
little port of Huatuco on the Pacific, whence steam
ers are to be run 70 San Francisco. According to
this map the exclusive privilege of making the
road was granted to Captain Levy on the 9th Of
February, 1850, by the Mexican Congress. The
capital is to be ssl 100000, in 800 shares. The
map before u.s. representing this route, is calculated
to give very incorrect idea of that part of Mexico
through which it must pass Taking its outline of
the shores Of the Pacific and the Gulf the rela
tive measure of distance, a road from Alvarado to
Huatulco would be little than one hundred
and fifty miles in length! Whereas the shortest
route for a railroad between the two points could
hardly fall short of four hundred milcs. The
waters of the Rio Huatulco are represented, by
strange blunder, as minging with those of the Rio
Tonic, Tin reality the Rio Bianco,) which falls in
to the gulf at Alvarado. In fact most of the de-
tails are grossly exaggerated.
The little port of Huatulco, Tor Guatulco it is
sometimes spelt, lies on the Gulf of Tehuantepec
not outside OF it, as represented on the map-about
hundred miles west Of the port of Tehuantcpec,
and two hundred and fifty southeast of Acapulco.
railroad connecting it with Alvarado would pass,
for the most part, through the TERRA Caliente,
tropical region OF Mexico, which is here uninhab-
tied, except by Indian tribes. The elevation 10 be
overcome is less than on a more northern route,
but the difficulties of constructing road per-
haps greater. Beside, the proposed route is but
little removed from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec,
which is in all respects preferable.
Nevertheless, the idea of overland route to
California, through Mexico, is deserving of earnest
consideration. II the Mexican laws are so modified
that foreign capitalists take hold of the matter
without the burdensome conditions formerly inn
posed, know Of few schemes promising
The table land of Mexico is admirably adapted to
the building of railroads, while the ascents and de-
scents from the different terraces in most in
stances be overcome without heavier grade than
So feet to the mile By far the most feasible route,
in opinion, would be one starting from Vera
Cruz, rising to The tabc-land little north of ia
lapa, thence running to Puebla, with branch to
the Valley of Mexico,) turning south of Popocat-
apetl intothe Valley of Rio Yopez, which flows into
the Pacific Acapulco. This latter port, the
best all the Pacific coast and one of the healthi-
est places in the world offers remarkable advanta-
ges for line of steamers. A railroad connecting
Vera Cruz and Acapulco would be the quickest
practicable route to California, short of the great
Pacific railroad II would pass through a rich and
highly cultivated REGION and the inland trade and
travel of the country would alone than suffice
to pay its current expenses. II Mexico had been
pleased with the right kind of rulers, this road
would have already been built; but unless foreign
capital and enterprise called TO the work, it is
very clear that there will be nothing DONE With
the Panama, Nicaragua, and Tehauntepec routes
under way, the prospect of such aid looks small,
wherefore we cannot encourage Captain Levy in
his plan of connecting Alvarado and Huatuco.