The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-02
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
sATURDAY MoRNING, FEB. =. 1850.

I'LL VI W ApulNuIVN.
sArURDAY MORNING, FEB. ., 1850.
IN. Neassg~a Question Praesle.biiity % csastrset-
ing Canal across the Isshmus-iss probable Costs
sad Prents. fs sa
In order to show to the American people the import
anee Of opening communication across the ishmus Of
Panama to the Pacific ocean. by means Of shipcanal
we few days since gave condensed statement Of the
countries and island groups washed by the waters Of the
Pacific with their respective populations the products Of
whose labor, entering into the Of the world
would mainly pass through that avenue to the Atlantic
The aggregate populations Of these countries and island
groups is 100000, one-ha Of the population Of
s whole globe; and the articles which these countries
produce tea coffee, sugar. dye woods. pigments in
Guiding all the varied productions Of the temperate and
orrd We attempted 10 show that in all proba-
bliy il ship communication were opened between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, across the sthmus OF Pan
the main portion Of the products Of the teemng
millions Of eastern ASIA the island groups Of the Pa
afc and the western countries of South America, with
own and the British and Russian possessions on the
western coast Of North America, would pass through that
in it's transit to the eastern United States and to
Europe.
In this article object is to show that such commu-
ncaon is practicable and will be profitable the capital
lists who may embark in it, We speak Of the proposed
canal the route defined, understand. in the
treaty concluded with Nicaragua by Mr. Hise. our late
charge fafaires to that republic. II understand the
route which it is supposed the canal will take, if con-
sructed, il will commence on the Atlantic side Of the
hmus. at the mouth Of the river San JUAN and thence
proceed up the bed of that river lake Nicaragua thence
through that lake. to the river Tpaka thence following
the bed Of that river to lake Monagua, through which it
will pass to the point nearest the Pacific ocean and
thence overland to the port of Realeo on that ocean,
This understand be the route Of the proposed canal
as contemplated in the treaty Of Mr. Hise, and in fact
the only feast BILE route for canal contemplated by
snybody who has examined that region of country
with the view Of constructing canal across it,
The distance from the mouth OF the San Juan, or COL
orado on the Atlantic to Realeo on the Pacific u.s. ac
cordng the estimate Of Mr. Bay, English engineer
follows from the mouth Of the San Juan following it's
course to Lake Nicaragua, 90 miles length Of Lake
Nicaragua, 90 miles; length Of the river Tpitaka, 90
miles, length Of Lake Monagua. 35 miles, distance
from that Lake, land, to Realeo, 30 mlestota,
2S4 miles. BY another English surveyor, Mr. Lawrence
the length OF the river San Juan is estimated at Io4
miles; which would make the whole distance from
ocean to 27s miles Thus the distance to be mv-
ersed is less than 300 miles, nearly all of which is
through the courses of rivers and the beds Of two lakes
leaving but twenty nine miles over which canal would
have to be constructed.
remains to inquire If the physical conformation Of
the country will permit the construction of ship-canal
or communication along the route indicated After a
full examination Of what has been written of it by 9TH
e, think there cannot be doubt Of the fact that
such communication may be easily constructed. as a
particular description Of the rivers, lakes and
TRY, through which il is to pass. will show.
In the first place. begin with the river San Juan
This is the outlet of Lake Nicaragua into the Atlantic
ocean As before stated is ninety Cor. writers
say, one hundred and four miles in length. Mr. Baly,
he English engineer before referred to, thus speaks OF
his river
forms magnificent stream somewhat irregular In It's
BREADTH which varies 100 300 yards. studded with
small Islands, forming for the most part channel each
hde Of them The dsph Of tho water vares from and
half seven, eight, and nine fathoms In the mid
stream the depth 10 generally from three 10 five fathoms
bat during the rainy seasonnamey, from May to Novem-
berthe depth Is considerably increased.
Ii is interrupted by four rapids. which, however, are
not sufficient prevent the passage over them in safety
! Of small vessel Of eight or Cen tons burden. A
God portion Of the river 10 navigable by vessels Of
age class, and all the obstacles presented against its
navigation be easily obviaed by deepening the bed OF
the river and by locks
Lake Nicaragua, comprising ninety miles more of the
distance, has breadth Of twenty miles, and depth
varying from two TO fory-6ve fathoms hcan Of course,
afford obstacle passage through ii by ships Of the
largest class
The next link in the communication is the river Tpi-
TAXA, connecting Lake Monagua with Lake Nicaragua,
distance Of twenty miles OF this river Mr.. Baly re-
marks:
The lake Ncarsgua 10 connected with that Of Leon
Monsgus by means Of the river Ponaloys Tor Tipiaka
n,vabe for the boa employed in that country for twelve
miles, as far the place called Pssquiel where the inhab
ans 20 TO cutNnd bring away Brazilian timber The four
lexhil miles which remain between that place and the
te Of Leon navigabe by any kind Of boat what
ever may be lie construction became, beyond Pssquiel
ne channel 10 obsuced by vein Of rocks which, when
ne river IL swollen, covered by bur, In the
seasons, the water sinks low that only cscapc
roush gradually diminishing assures in the rocks Alta
distance Of mile beyond this first vein of rocks we And
mother more sod, which, crossing the river right
ne' forms cascade Of thirteen feet descent
Another engineer, whose name is not given in the &C
oun we have before expresses the opinion that for
The first twelve miles il would only be necessary to have
lock to increase the depth Of the river For the remain
g distance-nsmely. eigh, miles--to Lake Monagua,
ANAL would be required This lake is thirty-fve miles
length, and sixteen mie~ M lie gre.s.s, ,~ath A.