The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-14

centuries been purposcly developed, on account of
the prejudices OF the Spanish Government t appears
until very lately, TO have been perpetuated and
transferred to our own generation. IL is only been
since our transatlantic friends have evinced so much
energy and enterprise in making the present route
| by Panama the high road to their "new Eldorado
that we have been aroused TO something like con-
victon that il is Indispensable that we, too, as
great maritime nation, should act, and satisfy our
selves as to the practicability of opening great
ship canal through some part Of central America.
Captain Fitzroy's paper, lately read before the
ueosIaPhlcal Society, gives a most able summary
OF lhe VARIOUS lines of communication which have
peeh al ulnerent times proposed, and each OF which
has Its supporters
Although Dampier, Humboldt, and all travellers,
hTaly sgfee that the lines proposed by the Lake of
| Nicaragua or by Tehuantepec have the disadyan-
tages OF stormy sc as, pestilent climates, and un-
stable ioothold, from the violent ard frsauentlv
recurring earthquakes and the restless voca oes in
their vicinity, still it may be a question for our
brethren on the other side of the Atlantic whether
the advantages Of the immediate vicinity to their
own fay0rite Mississippi, and the nsighborhood OF
their own territory IN passing TO their rich north
| western dominions, may not 80 far outbaance the
dra wbacks have mentioned to induce them
with their fresh energy and indomtabe spirit, to
encounter all, and Invest an immense capital in cut
| ting canal very much longer and more expensive
than would be necessary at Panama, as secure
! the quiet possession, near their own homes, of
ready transit from one great point Of their dominions
| to the other.
| With us, however, il is different Our possess
sions in the West Indies, our intercoonial trade,
the beaten tracks Of our great steamers, our terri
| tory III the Indian and South Pacific Oceans, to-
gether with tse immense British commerce flowing
in one uninte rrupted stream all along the south
west coast of America, from Panama TO Valparaiso,
would lead us 10 select, if possible, route more
Immediately opposite 10 our own distant colonies
over more tranquil sea, and by a country possess
| ing more healthy climate. We can afford, there.
fore, to give up, without regret. the Tehuantepec
| and Nicaragua lines, and turn To the Isthmus oil
Darien for the wished for outlet TO the southern
| ocean
We have there one OF the two routes to choose
! the "Atrato" Inc, and that by " Panama" Its
not tor me 20 endeavor to enhance the advantages
OF the Par anna line, by detracting from or showing
the advantages of the Arato one. but in SIMPLY al
Iuding to the very disprOpOrti0n ate distances be-
tween that line and the diminutive belt OF slmost
tabe-iard, which, in short forty miles, (ana that
half ,ayigable by nver) divides the two oceans at
The lsthmas Of Panama, will try to illustrate. by
proof, the facilities this line possesses for cheap.
permanent, and efficient canal, for the argeft ships
! IA her Majesty's navy.
To begin with the Atlantic side, the little harbor
at the mouth OF the river Chagres ieef, now gives
shelter for vessels; and On crossing a bar. having
| twelve feet or more, they can enter a beautiful
rver, without Tor great distance shoals or rocks,
ard with soun1ings OF from four to elk fathoms.
! But irnme iiately close TO Chagres is the extra
culinary nden.snon IA the coast forming the beau
ti!ul and secure harbor called the Bay OF M .nza-
mile, or, as ou. marine have chnstened it, Navy
Be-:
THIS have. is about five mules in width, with
many Coys5 and hafbors within IL, and six fathoms
depth o. water, gradually decreasing to four and
two ia'homs. II has neither sunken rocks nor
r. ifs and may be entered day or night, and with
hssh breeze almost always blowing The whole
coast is surrounded by the most luxuriant cocoa
nut trees, and IN such vast numbers, that our sail
ore re in the habit of cutting them down. to save
| VI mselyes he trouble of climbing for the fruit
| II is most fayoritc anchorage for our menoi-
| wsr aAd steamers, and, although used b-monthly
| for many years, no Casually from bad weather or
! bad anchorage has ever, believe, happened Its
clenng IS 10 The north, ami the winds blow either
! y n. j.. or $ > w. at the different seasons, 80
that there q little fear II exposure, and that ex-
posnre, under any circumstances, 10 not perilous
as on cur own coast: sno, tor temporary shelter.
there Is Pofo etc, one OF the most he iutIful aud
| safe harsors II the world, although from its being
surrounded by towering mountains it is very
! healthy
| Within three miles of this FAIR harbor runs the
river Che res, through soft trap rock. with srd
| boiton-no shoals, rocks, or rdpi ts-with nearly
perpendicular sides, felnged in most places to the
YtEs sJse with line timber trees and in others
tending INTO rdant' : lis7as, studded with aaJn-
| let's aud villages Pusl IL. Brula, and for miles
upwsrds 10 the lQ0Ciiou ot the Trinidad, this
bne stream pos esses con liable depth; does
the Trinidad for shotl disla - sbowidg a tioe
open country, refreshed by seesouabl- breezes. and
re tn,ng al eligible s,ie for giae-t works OF
any Description
Hence only q required a canal lust such a one
as the Caleoonan canal, brt far less extensive TO
enter BY lilo Graude. or Otherwise. the vast and
| beautiful bay OF Panams - Panama once the en-.
| poTgum OF the new world aud suu a beautiful
! clearly, and healthy Guy.
| Such advantages ana facilities for a sYeat IN an
| time depot possessed by few countries in the
| Old word. An extraordinarily smooth and tran
Gull sea, neither ru'fed by storms agItated by
subteifanean catdstrophes. iair side wind 10 and
nom It's shores towards our distant colonial posses
| stone with such a wondrous daily oscillation in its
\ uoes, arrountinp TO from 20 70 even q feet
! and !sh, that for every purpose Of shipping and
ship building, watch could be required ia docks,
| Il EQUALS some o. the most favored Ravens our
| own coast.
M -
| lovely islands vi ich grace the classy surface OF
| the Pacific, within from three 20 seven miles, con-
| ioin the finest ancho.ages IN Ia fathoms water;
The most exec .lent water, tesdes sruit and pro.
Visions, in abundance / was mys.if in the
| Brandywine frsa,e when she took in water and
| PROVISIONS fog & yoy age IN lew hours,
The city i'selt, bailt en- an extraordinary PENN.
| suls, s on fine aud dry soil, backed up By fertile
pIsins, whtpce a refreshing breeze Is i fl and
| where Thousands OF cattle Craze. a fine river Of
irepb water Che Rio Cfande) empiies itself to the
west Of The city, end the whole bay eastward is
intersected by rivers, from the banka Of which IL
drown the richest and most varied timber.
Thus, sr, have endeayored to sho. that on the
\ Atlantic side exists a well.kncwn aad convenient
harbor for The largest ships that 20 reach the other
ocean, there only interyenes liIlle aeck Of land
some ., mules across q have ~eu the two
| seas az the same moment from az eminenoc, aEd
have battle in beth within the - hoursl, through
| part OF which run lGyigable rivera in the right
| diieciicn that the great back bone Of the Andes
does not run across the remainder, but that il is low
| ground, only dotted with small coniCai hills To
complete the advantages in favor Of cutting al
the rock is easily worked, aud there are anuners.
be gHs5r1das or little rivers TO supply water, so as
| 20 sppply the few locks which would be required.
Lastly, instead Of unhealthy swamps and desert
plans, o fair and beautiful city already furnishes
| Temporary resting place 70 tae thousands VINO
would and DO paes this spot; and stores, afsenals,
capacious buildings aud workshops-the vestigrs
| OF older iays--yet exist, 10 become available 10
any spirited company who may, and am most
! positive soon will, take advantage Of such.
| cannot better conclude my notice OF Panama
itself than by transcribing literally the 81. GAMER
| Dampier's own description Of the Place
| He says-"About four leaqUestrCm old Panama,
| near the river aide, stands Kew Panama. very
handsome city, in spacious bay ofthc same LanIe,
| INTO which diecmbopue many long and navigabls
riyeys. some Whersoi not without coll. hesIdes