The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-03

- r IfI g.. I =.
In our article yesterday. gave condensed view Of
the practicabliy Of the proposed shpean across the
isthmus Of Panama, by the route OF the San Juan river
Lake Nicaragua. the river Tpaka Lake bianagua. and
the intervening land between that lake and Port Realso
upon the Pacific. And we ater ourselves that we fur
nished sufficient authority although by no means all in
our possessonto show that the undertaking not only
practicable one. but that il would not be very sx-
pensive in comparison with the size and magnitude of
the work-Nature herself having removed all serious
impeachment and, in fact furnished communication for
the main part OF the way. requiring but little aid from the
hand Of art to make it complete. Having shown the
practcability Of the undertaking. and estimate Of its
probable cost designed in the same article to go into
an estimate Of the which would probably &c
crue from the canal after il had been completed and
opened for the transit Of vessels but our limits com
PEELED to defer that branch Of the subject until to-day
We now resume it.
Before capitalists, even nations, will embark in
gigantic enterprise. requiring large outlay Of capital.
they will first inquire whether the and benefits
which likely to accrue from it viii compensate for
its actual cost This natural and such Is pru
dent and prudent nations will be very apt take be-
fore they invest their money impose heavy taxes upon
their citizens to promote any important enterprise And
Of course expect before the construction Of ship
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
which regard the great enterprise Of the age-is
undertaken that those who embark in it must first be
convinced, not only Of its praccability but that will
be remunerative undertaking. Therefore, we are
aware that company Of capitalists will undertake the
construction of the great inter oceanic communication
provided for in the treaty Of Mr. Hise, unless it be
pretty clearly demonstrated to them that they win receive
handsome remuneratng profit in return for the money
which they shall expend We will now attempt briefly
toshow that they will receive such return for the
amount Of capital which may be invested
We understand that the expenses risks and insurances
make the freight ships bound to the East Indies,
doubling Cape Horn the Cape Of Good Hope. equal to
about $l4 per ton. may be more. or it may be less
but we assured il will not vary much from that sum
whereas the Of transit the sthmus Of Panama.
by Of the contemplated canal would probably not
exceed "a per ton. Thus would the dangers Of voyage
China and other countries of ASIA as well as the ex
pense be greatly reduced These advantages would be
great to induce all vessels from Europe and the
United States, sailing to India, to the Pacific to pass
through the inter oceanic canal,
The next important matter for consideration is. the
probable number Of vessels that would bs likely to avail
themselves Of the facilities Of the proposed canal And
here calculations must depend much upon estimate
and conjecture. We can, however, approximate to the
truth In the first place, believe there are about 900
whale ships, each averaging 500 tons burden, that now
visit the waters Of the Pacific Those vessels are obliged
togo round Cape Horn, both their outward and home
ward voyages The long voyages out and back occupy
good share of the period of their absence which about
three years they could pass from the Atlantic to the Pa
cc through the convenient medium of the proposed canal
esch Of them would probably make the voyage out
and back at least in two years. making one passage
year through the proposed canal Here. then. are six
hundred vessels with aggregate tonnage Of 800 900
tons, that would pass each year through the canal
During the last year, we understand that some six or
hundred vessels have sailed from the different ports
OF the United States and Europe to California As the
population and commerce Of that country will continue to
increase may safely calculate the number OF vessels
annually going hither and returning 500. with an
average tonnage each of 500 ons making an aggregate
of 100000 tons. These vessels would probably make
a voyage once year both ways; but, to be on the
safe side, we will suppose they will make but one
passage year through the proposed canal We now
have an aggregate tonnage passing each year through
the canal Of $4,000 tons We have now remaining the
ding in the East Indies and the Pacific, and upon the
western coast Of South America. which we may safely
estimate at thousand. with an average tonnage Of FIVE
hundred tons each. which would make at least one pas
sage year through the proposed shpcana across the
sthmus This number would add 100000 tons more to
the amount, making the aggregate io5o.ooo tons At
toll Of - per ton. this quantity Of shipping would yield
annual revenues to the proprietors Of the canal Of
- 100000.
In article yesterday, stated that the cost Of
constructing the canal had been varousy estimated from
ten to twenty millions Of dollars Therefore. IL should
be great the aforementioned sum- the tolls would
furnish ample remuneration for the capital invested
But il requires prophetic spirit to predict vast in
Of the OF the Pacific The ags Of the
American Union rests upon the eastern shore Of the
Pacific and under its protection the Ango-Saxon
will plant its borders with thriving Cities cultivated
fields, and the numerous and various monuments which
Art in homage to its parent, Science. Sovereign
States. ieeming with population wealth, and enterprise
are soon TO spring up the shores Of the Pa
ci6c. Commerce win gov and expand. Its revivify.
ing and enlightening rays will penetrate the mists
of prejudice and bigotry which now envelop the
Of Asia II will overlap the wall Of Chi
ma, and break through the hitherto impenetrabe cor.
don that surrounds srno;ye NJ lamar Cor,ra