The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-09
the IstAmus of Con tral America.

The Isthmus Of Central America.
The apartments Of the Royal Geographical So
eiety in London were on Monday evening last, the
10th ut., again crowded with an audience eager to
listen to the discussion on Captain Ftzroys inter-
esting paper on the Isthmus Of Central America.
The American and Prussian ministers, the Hon.
Abbott Lawrence, and Chevalier Bunsen, were
elected Fellows OF the Society, and his Royal
Highness Prince Carl Ludwig Eugene, of Sweden
and Norway, was elected an honorary member
Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd believed that Captain
Fitzroy had disposed of the Tehuantepec and Mica
rsgus lines, and he for one could say nothing in
their favor.
The interests Of this country were, however,
strongly and naturally directed towards the Panama
line, and opposed to those Of the United States OF
America, whose policy was to obtain the most d.
rect communication with California. He disa-
greed from the author of the paper in his statement
last admiralty survey, which he held in his hand,
at mile and a halls distance from the very gates
Of the city he found there were four fathems OF
water at one miles distance three fathoms, and two
fathoms within three quarters of mile. Besides
this, there were secure places OF anchorage for
the largest ships among the adjacent islands; and
a. Taboga, particularly, there were eight to ten
vantage Of a tide ebbing and flowing twenty-five
feet or more, where could better site be chosen
for great canal? His friend captain Fitzroy),
who was not the man to be frightened at
the imaginary dangers of Navy Bay or the bay
of Manzanilla, during his -circumnavigati Of
the globe, was not wont to be SO fastidious in
the choice Of port as now, when examining at
a distance such anchorages as Navy Bay, or the
Bay of Manxanila. The small bay of Chagres, too
would afford shelter to steamers drawing IL feet Of
water, while the river up to the Rio Trinidad was
all that could be wished for. The Isthmus abound
ed in every material necessary for the
OF ship canal, excepting metals limestone OF Sc
vera varieties, GLADSTONE, flint, ironsone, NC. The
quality Even in 1922 the population of the 18TH
mus was more than 100, 600; and in one canton
(Los Santos-a fair sample Of Panams) there were
II 600 OF inhabitants, occupying 4,9j6 houses, and
possessing 80, 72l head of cattle, 5000 horses with
an abundant supply of fish, poultry, grain and yege-
tables.
When he looked at the map of that wonderful
country, and considered the advantages offered to
mankind by water communication, the formation
of which would be attended by perhaps fewer diff
cultes than the construction of the Caledonian
NAL he did feel establishment that up to the present
moment so little had been effected A nation which
had so long taken the lead in great enterprises
should not be ecliPsed npon the greatest, and he
poprety of taking up this subject with earnestness
and vigor.
Mr.. E. HOPKINS concurred with the observations
of Captain Fitzroy on the Tehuantepec and Nicara-
qua lines, but was convinced that many of the OBJ
jections to these might be made against the Atrato
route.
The Panama Isthmus was not only the narrow
est, but also the lowest land dividing the two
oceans. 1t was true that good ports existed
either at Chagres or at Panama; but, notwih-
standing this objection, such were The facilities for
quick transit, that passengers, specie, and light
goods passed this way IN preference 10 any other
route. A good substantial road from Gorgond to
Panama, and the removal or deepening of the bar
at the mouth Of the Cbagres, would be the first
steps necessary. In due time, and with increased
means, a strait could be made through the narrow
band which divides the river Chagres from the
river Grande A strait required no locks, mason.
~. nor ports at the mouth. Deepencd by the tidal
currents of the ocean, assisted by mechanical
me ans, vessels would pass through with the ebb
or flow of the Pacific tides. He remembered while
in the country, that canoes had been dragged from
the head of the Atrato to the river San Juan, but
canoes had also been drawn over many other
passes in the lsthmus of Darien.
He finished by abiding TO the neck OF land situ-
atea between the Bogana and the Gulf of San Bias,
the latter beng well adapted for shipping, the for
mer magnificent stream, and having very low
pass in the intervening ridge, well worthy OF con-
sderation.
Mr. MAcoUEEN's observations were made in so
low tone that il exceedingly difficult TO fol-
low them. He compared the various lines sug-
gested, and referred to his own summary on the
lsthmus Of Central America, published in 1885, as
corroborated IN some essential points by Captain
FiIzroy:.
Mr.. FLYER enquired of the author what depth OF
water there was at the mouth Of the Auato, and
likewise further up its course!-how he would
deepen the mouth Of the river, and what depth OF
water was found in the Naipil From the replies to
which questions, Mr.. Flyer inferred that the Atrato
route had been recommended upon insufhcien
grounds. He then advocated the Sapoa and San
Carlos lines, in support of which he quoted the
vey by Mr. Oersted, of Copenhagen.
Mr.. TRELAUNY SAUNDERS expressed great salts.
faction at the interest taken BY the society in this
great question, and trusted that practical result
Captain MORRISON, r. E., expresse the opinion OF
the illusirious Won Humboldt, with whom he had
lately discussed this important question during near
ly three hours at Sans Souci, read extracts from
iustr fyor fhe d,aha uUio
Greih in favour OF the facilities offered by the Arato
and one of its mouths (the Goquito) 10 navigation,
and quoted the testimony OF Lieutenant Wood, X.
N, q government surveyor, lately on the spot
After a most careful examination, he Captain
MoOrson) could not but agree with the opinion OF
Won Humboldt, " that the district comprised within
the 9th and 9Th parallel OF north latitude or between
Capica Bay and the Gulf Of San Miguel, was the
most tit for The construction OF a ship canal
Dr. CULLEN (who had uaversed large portion
of the Isthmus) indicated the part Of the lsthmus
about San Miguel Gulf, between it and caledonia
Bay, as most advsa able for railway or canal opera
tons, and asserted the ample harborage of Darien
and San Miguel
Mr. O'GoRMAN referred 10 Moro's survey Of
Tthuantepec and its vicinity, which he advocated
one Of general rather than local interest-speak.
ing Of the vast and increasing trade Of the Msss-
sippi valley when compared to our own interests
in the question. 'What is port - asked Mr..
OGormAn; "is not river with a sufficient depth
of water port ~
Captain FITzRoY said, previously to the attempt
to draw up a summary Of opinions on the great
geographical queston--which he had done Al the
request OF the secretary, and not from any personal
interest,-he had Of course, studied everything ac-
cessibe in London. Among these
The survey by Moro, executed under the pa
Ionsge Of Garay, had not been overlooked; and II
wasirom that very survey that he bad formed his
opinion adverse to the route by Tehuantepec, not
only on account OF its length and the want Of good
poris, but also because the summit level being
nearly 700 feet above the level OF the sea. BY a
I'd hax hs.v in meg uf nla in
which number Of ships could remain In security,
well sheltered 10 all weathers, and not merely an
anchorage or roadstead. Ships could not sail into
a canal direct from the open sea. There must be a
place In which the necessary preparations shall
take place to land passengers, or (f a railway to
discharge cargo If not, indeed, TO take regular
Turn Of admission. The conditions Of this problem
appears 10 be, "Given two ports as near each
other as may be. to find the best line between