The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-31

morning per barque Gerard. In communicating
this very satslactory result of our efforts IL gives
me pleasure to add that letters were received by
the same conveyance explaining the vote OF the
Mexican Senate heretofore referred TO- II seems
that the Geographic despatch which was received
some time ago in New Orleans, announcing, by
mistake, the rejection (instead Of the rahteat'on)
Mexico, and the Senate OF that republic based its
vote ON this erroneous statement. A soon as the
truth was known the vote was reconsdered, and
the subject referred to q new committee, which
has not yet reported.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. p. BENJAMIN,
Chairman of the Managing Committee.
Ell BAnRIo, MEXICO, April 4. 1851.
STA Your favors Of the 9th and 9th Of Febru-
airy and 9th of March are just received by the
Alabama After my report OF the 14th January,
and other letters from Chevca, again addressed
you from Boca del Monte, communicating the
progress of the survey up TO that period This was
supposed to be the latest date which would reach
Minatitlan in time for the Alabama's third trip.
We were in daily expectation for q month or more,
and for this cause wrote no further.
have now to state that the survey is nearly
completed, far az consider necessary Tor pres
ent purposes. and that most satisfactory results
have been obtained. ] will briefly communicate
the results.
Mr. Temples survey of the river shows that he
considers it navigable, at all stages as high as Su-
chill, for light draught steamers. and to Paso Sara
bia, or higher, during the rainy season. He has
been on the Pacific coast for a month, and, though
he has not yet made the soundings he has no doubt
about the depth of water and considers either the
Vcntosa or SaIina Cruz available for harbor-the
latter preferable In fact, this coast may be con-
sidercd as practicable many most land locked
harbors ON the Atlantic |; for the prevailing and
strong winds are from the north and of the shore,
against which, of course, the land affords proec-
ton and though the surface Of the water may be
rough, and a strong surf breaks on the shore, yet
nothing like a is raised, and steamers or yes-
sells can lie in perfect safety. The southerly or
southeasterly winds, which occur in certain peri
dds OF the summer, are little more than squalls, and
not at all dangerous. l do not think breakwaters
absolutely necessary, but eventually some arrange
ments would be made for landing and receiving
passengers and goods with facility. In the com
inencement of the enterprise good surf boats are
all that would be necessary. ! think there can be
no doubt about the entire pracficaby Of this coast
will now speak Of the railroad route.
From the 'vcntosa to the foot of the mountains
we have level plains, offering choice of routes,
quality, for the structure The cost of this portion
iabout thirty five miles) will be very triiing The
ascent of the. mountains by the Nashua Pass has
now been surveyed. and the line run through De.
grade of forty or fifty feet per mile can be carried
up the Pass, and that the difficulties are not greater
than have been surmounted on roads in the United
States; thence to tho "Lomas de Xochiapa," say
fifteen miles, the ground is easy moderately
broken Through the " Tomas de Xochiapa," say
ten or fifteen miles, more difficulties again occur,
but they are not extraordinary; thence ten or
twelve miles further to the Sarabia the ground Is
perfectly easy. Through the forest country, from
ssPaso de la Puertn," to the Jaitepec. and thence
through to sJesistepec," some difficulties will be
met with, but fancy nothing serious. The sur,
vey has actually, at this moment, been extended
from the foot of the Nashua Pass to the Sarabia,
and thence Mr.. Aycry's party is extending il
towards "Paso de la Puerta' and the Jaltepec. Mr..
nee. towards Jesistepec Ali this will think, be
completed in month, and the parties ready to re-
turn by the middle or latter part of May. As Mr..
Avery has already made reconnaissance from
Minatitlan to Jcsistepec, and found the ground TO
offer no difficulties, do not consider an actual
:. survey necessary for present purposes, a. the
question is plain and the ground easy. In add.
ton, in my letter from "Boca del Monte" stated
the expediency in the first instance, Accommodating
the line on the Jatepec
Taking the whole extent of the road into con-
sderation, the ground is remarkably easy, and
timber, stone, &C., at hand in abundance; and
the right of way ESQ serious item in the United
States) will have cost little or nothing. No esti-
mate can be made at present, but think am safe
in saying that the means appropriated ny the COM
mittee ample. In relation to the lands con-
nected with the grant, think it safe to say finer
tract cannot be found in the world
An immense number Of invaluable productions
Compromising all. or almost all, the valuable
productions Of tropical climatcs) can be raised
here with the greatest facility while the forests
abound with natural productions of great value.
Throw in an enterprising population here, and the
world.
In relation to opening travelling route, think
it is only necessary to establish steamers connect
ing with the two coasts, small steamer or steam
ers on the river and the horse or mule transporta-
ton across would soon be supplied. Passengers
can be got across the Isthmus with such means in
six or seven days from Minatitlnn to the Pacific.
There are people on the lsthmus ready to cstab-
lish the land communication the moment the steam
crs commence running, 80 that this part OF the
business will give the company no trouble. In con-
cusion, there can be no cxaggeraton In saying
that this is the route, and the which will super
sede all others; and, leaving out Of consideration
the value of the route, the value of the lands, and
the local wealth to be produced would almost pay
the building OF the railroad, and be an immense
contribution to the commerce Of New Orleans.
believe, moreover, that statement estimate
you have made yet realizes the full value
Of this route and grant-it can scarcely be appre-
Isthmus all friendly to the utmost degree to the
enterprise, and that large subscriptions Of stock
can be obtained by an authorized agent. should
mention that rich beds of iron exist here, and
that indications of silver are apparent.
Reports will be made on this subject; geologi-
cal examination has been made, and such re-
searches could be made, with our means, into
the natural productions of the Isthmus.
would mention officially that l am convinced
that Mr.. Trastour's operations Oh the Pacific have
been carried ON with great zeal and energy, and
under great Disadvantages Mr.. Temple states
that his charts excellent and perfectly reliable.
circulated to his disadvantage.
think the surveying parties will get through
their work by the end of this month, and will be
ready for transportation at Minatitlan by the 18th
May.
Of the funds now remaining available here, there
about 81, 500 still in Tehunntepec ZOO here,
and $4,000 still remaining in Vera Cruz, say
$4,000 in all, which will be- think, sufficient TO
pay the expenses of the parties and should think
two-thirds or three fourths their salaries.
/ am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
j. G. BARNARD,
Brevot Major U. s. Army.
J. p. BENJAMIN, ESQ.,, Chairman of Managing Com
mittee, SC.
r. ST. desire to notice most favorably to the
committee the services of Mr.. Williams, principal
assistant, and Mr. Avery, chief of the second rail
road PARTY, and of Mr. Temple, u s. NJ, chief of the
photographic party. 1t is to their great energy
and untiring exertions that the committee are in
debted for the rapid progress Of the survey.
J. &. B.
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