Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-29
JUNCTION OF THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC

REVIEW.
JUNCTION OF THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC.
Numberess signs denote that Central America will be the
theatre Of of the remarkable changes likely to be
wrought by advancing civilization. Three years back its ca
liabilities and distinctive features were almost wholly unknown
the general publc and such volumes existed with re-
gard them, read with active interest than
would have been excited by travels in Persia or Dalmaa or
any other country, with which the chances of our establish.
ing immediate and vital intercourse might be most remote
Now however, there quarter of tho world to which at.
tenion is actively directed than Central America
Statesmen, merchants, navgators colonzer and the stu
dents of natural SCIENCE all alike awakened to the mpor
Of its future prospects and consequence Of the
demand thus created books and maps supplied BY
geographical publishers involving of minute detail
which enables may believe to form far more accu
knowledge of each point the territory than is possessed
by one in hundred of its present inhabitants.
Until now, notwithstanding the almost solemn charm that
has invariably been felt in its contemplation the idea of
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific has never
been any thing than interesting engineering problem
That could be effected without any serious difficulty has
however, in the face OF appearances the contrary for many
been placed beyond all real doubt and the actual point
in which projectors have failed has been simply in
the capitalists that it would pay Appealed on the strength
Of sublime estimates OF the influences of the enterprise on
the desnes OF the world unaccompaned by any data on
which reliance could be placed with regard the per centage
in the shape OF future receipts Of business could not be
warmed into enthusiasm In reply, therefore, they have al
ways Proiessed fear Of its impractcab.y; and as this
was stimulated by the circumstance of each protector abusing
the routes proposed by his rivals it last became received
belief They all the glory of the project would be
willing to run all necessary risk for its contamination; but the
thing was impossible With demonstrate dividend before
them, every shadow, in the shape or mechanical difficulty
would have disappeared
But the discovery of California has now settled the cues
ton of profitable result and much shorter time than
most persons in England are even yet prepared expect not
merely communication, but choice of communications is
certain to be opened up These will be respectively at Pana
ma and Nicaragua the former by railway steamboat in
the first instance and ultimately by railway entirely the
latter chiefly by steamboat in the first instance and ultimately
BY complete canal both for steamboats, and sailing vessels
The Panama line is promoted by Rowland and Aspinwal
of New York 1t is to consist of railway from Navy Bay
the Atlantic Panama the Pacific at an estimated cost
Of 900 or FL ,000000 sterling At the commence
ment however, portion Of the road consisting of about
twenty-five miles the Pacific sides from Panama to Cor
gona will be constructed and pu! into operation and the
rest OF the transit will be effected by running forty
i've miles on the Chagres river, which is navgabe at all
periods OF the year for vessels of light daugh The work.
estimated may that far be completed for e2OO OoO and
the shareholders will be in the receipt of revenue while the
remainder being constructed The full capital for this po
ton has been subscribed at New York the entire line has
surveyed and the grading of the distance from Panama
Gorgona already contracted for at the price of $500 OOO
(es0 0O0) which is within the original estimate The
grant to the company by the republic Of New Grenada gives
them exclusive privilege for forty years. subject to
right of redemption by the republic at the end Of twenty
years, by the payment of at the end Of thirty
years, payment Of 100000; and at the end of foty
years, on payment of 100000. This privilege is to date
from the completion OF the road for which eight years
allowed and accompanied by concession Of exclusive
harbor rights at the ports each e and also the
~ land throughout the line besides $780, 600 acres in perpe
tuiy for the purposes Of colonization The company are
likewise to be allowed import iron and whatever NAV he
necessary for the construction of the road free of duy in
GLIDING all articles of provision and clothing for the work
men, They may also call upon the Government to furnish
the assistance Of three companies Of sappers and the
only obligation imposed to the character Of the road that
III of franon 4
disc from one ocean to the other in the space of twelve hours
The parties by whom the survey of the Panama route was
Effected instead Of encounerng the formidable difficulties
that had been anticipated found that they could lay down
line which would not exceed forysx miles in LENGTH with
summit of less than 300 feet above the sea- and with curva
tues having no where radius of less than l50O feet
Their explorations extended the whole of that part
Oh the isthmu SO as to the true point and there
can be no doubt that this has been selected Another
dcuy which has always been represented no less for
midable than the natural mpedments Of the route namely
tue procuring proper supply of laborers able the
climate has also been proved to be delusve The parties
WAC nave contracted for the grading Of the twenty miles
on the Pacific side are, it seems two American engineers
VINO have been employed for the last five years in the
stae oNew Granada in forming canal ninety miles long,
70 connect two branches of the Magdaena river and which
!ney nave completed entirely with native labor They can
bring with them large number Of these workmen whose
training although at first difficult ultimately quite sue.
cessu and there also believe that arrangements
or foreign labor might be made since the experience Of the
forty engineers and assistants was not dscourappe with
respect 10 climate.
Inc explorations for this survey led the discovery
OF large groves Of mahogany, and rich mineral deposte the
knowledge Of which,, is represented Twill be highly i'm.
potant to the company in locating lands under their grant
and with regard to the proposed terminus Of the railway on
the Atlantic side the island of Manzana in Navy Bay
we have the following characteristic speculaons, which
might perhaps, be taken nothing than rhapsody
were not for our experience Of the way which these
American visions apt to produce their own realization
harbor is accessible all seasons and with any wind
perfectly secure and capable containing three hundred sail
OF the island, Mr. Norris the chief engineer Of the Cbaeres
DIVISION says In ten predict the whole will be covered
with houses and the inhabitants enjoying pefec health with
every luxury OF southern Cline He adds Il do consider
It the most eligible and perfect site for city Of any size have
ever seem" ~ -. 4
The second line which may be considered definitely
arranged, that Of ship canal in connection with the
OF Nicaragua This work promises an early
and also rapid progress On the 9th of August last con-
tract made between the State of Ncaona and the A.
lanic and Pacific ship Canal Company of New YORK bv ,
which all the exclusive privileges necessary for the
were conferred According the contract the i ~ he
completed within twelve years. unless prevented by fpitous
occurrences; and, upon failure Of this stipulation ,pcb mart
as may have been constructed to be forfeited 70 The State
The company agree to pay the State $4,000 for the ratca
uon Of ne contract 600 more annually ill the comple-
ton Of the work; and to make donation Of ,h; &C.,, =,
the amount of 100000. When finished the S,t, \; :,
ceve one fifth OF the nett profits for twenty vea,s "a 60
wards one quarter. There is also Stimulation Ia !, =; =,
have ten per cent on the profits Of any minor linz or
muncation between the two which the conn.n -
open up during the time they engaged on the o,anJ
On the other hand, the privileges bestowed are 9o, l ~
elusive rights for constructing the canal but aso th y,
elusive right Of inland navigation grants III s,se &c
a.. l.. zf~.ak a -zfl