The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-20
The Isthmus OF vehu.nt.pse.

The following letter from Mr.. Moro, the engineer
OF the lsthmus Of Tehuantepec, will be read with
interest. The whole Isthmus is about to be re-
surveyed; and Mr. Moro states in advance one or
two inaccuracies in his former report, making the
MEXICO, July IL, 1850.
II is more than year, as you know, that, having
determined to connect, by means Of direct obser-
vations, the southern portion Of the Isthmus whose
positions had been determined tiSonometrioally,
with the northern portion, in which II had been
impossible TO make rigorous examination, dis
covered that had made an error Of calculation In
determining the longitude, which was 20 serve for
the base of the other points to be established.
Later still, found that in the map of the course
Of the Coazacoalcos, instead of making that river
empty itself in - deg. II min. west of Greenwich
IA IL is correctly stated in my written work on this
lsthmus-it Is placed min more to the west than
il ought 10 have been. These errors have cor
recfed in the ne map of the Isthmus which have
made but new explorations are about to be
undertaken on the lsthmus, j am anxious that
myself, and not others, should correct them. To
this end, pray you TO do me the favor to have
published Ia the papers what now communicate
toyou.
have heard il stated lately in the United States,
that there Is no port, and that none can be made,
on the south side Of the lshmus of Tehuantepec.
IL is positively established, as well by history
written by Franciscan friar by the name OF Bur-
goa, printed in Mexico, in loo, az we'll as by
documents found in the archives Of the descendants
Of Cortez, in Mexico, that this great man caused
to be built several vessel on the lakes Of Tehuan-
tepec, all Of which went to sea through the Boca
BsTrs, and some of which were employed in the
discovery of California, whilst the others went TO
Panama on a commercial enterprise, connected
with Peru, which was undertaken by Cortez him
self What has given rise 10 these doubts ~, that
at times the port OF Tehuantepec has been con-
founded with the mouth of the river OF this name.
which last has alternately emptied into the bay TO
the east Of the Moro del Carbon--as IL actually
does-end then into The upper lake, from which II
discharged itself prior 10 1907.
In 1871, myself follow the deserted bed OF
the river, and hadit ia my power TO satisfy myself
that il cmpted into this upper lake little TO the
south Of the hacienda OF the passo de los Lagartos
10 be explained, TO winch / will refer in the work
which am preparing for publication.
Others doubt, as understand, the suhciency Of
water in the Pacific ocean-i.s, on the coast Of
this gulf Of Tehusniepcc. | do not know what
foundation there IL for this doubt unless II s 10 he
found in some expressions of VIM. Funnel, who adj
yises navRatOrs TO keep nj two leagues from the
coast, in order 10 avoid the low water Of the inter
mediate epace. But Damper, who navg gated these
at the period, reproaches Funnel on seve
raj occasions for his want of accuracy; and in fact
this same author, after having said what have jss
referred TO, eddsi Five six leagues from hence
(Por Salinas) is the great town Of TecoantePeque
All along here the coast Is very populous and grea
bay Of Tecoantepeque, which is a good port"
II, after ALL there existed any shoals in this gull
they would not amount 10 more than those which
surround the Bermudas; which, Notwithstanding
admit vessels OF the largest size But certain II H.
that from the height of the Moro, have nevel
been able to observe any thing which ind Gated the
existence OF the alleged shoal.