Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-04-19
PANAMA RAILROAD.

ing extrac,s of letter from JOHN L. STEPHENS.
Esq, President of the Panama Railroad Company,
to FRANCIS SPsss Esq, Secretary. II is (says the
Journal) familiar letter, evidently written without
the remotest view W publication, but in some re.
spects the more interesting on that account. Il
appears that there are not less than nine hundred
men now at work upon the road. and that there is
a prospect of completing il from Navy Bay to
Gorgona twenty-six miles, by the lst Of July next
When this is done, the distance between the two
oceans can be accomplished in one day. Moreover,
the dangers and tolls of Chagres river will be en-
trely avoided. For several miles from the Atlantic
depot the rails are already laid. This depot is
situated on Manzanilla Island, in Navy Bay, which
is connected with the mainland by causeway built
for the purpose The cars will receive passengers
and freight directly from the wharf, to which vessels
drawing 20 feet water will soon be able to come
up. On the whole, the Company's works are
moving forward with great efficiency and success.
It will be an era in the annals of travel, when the
Isthmus can be traversed with comparative ease
and comfort in one day. The distance from Cor
gona to Panama is twenty miles. AT present there
is but little sickness among the workmen. Mr..
Stephens's letter is dated:
NAVY Bar, APRIL 2. 1851.
Mr. DEAR SIR On the score Of health the hospital at this
place laughing at the doctors. walked through il this
afternoon and found but in it. and he sailor from
one Of the vessels in the habo with broken leg At Ga
tun there only some five six Bavio Soado there
are some twenty of Bakers men, and Mes station
Since the last clearing there has been no accumu-
laiion, and The line is almost exempt
You are no doubt curious to have great many particulars
but have been already full Of consultations and business
particularly In the matter of getting together large
tive force, and have done much in various ways that
burden 10 write than is absolutely necessary will
therefore merely that after surveying approached
it with much satisfaction though with buDged up eyes, the
oft koIl L~l
the great satisfaction Of stepping from the deck Of the Ggona
upon he pier two hundred and fifty feet long, and which,
with IL making, will reach twenty feet WATER and
the cost will not be half much that Of the launches
refused to send have since found that the whole business
of the Island (Manzanla Isand is well and
ranged Order inside Of the houses and materials
piled up in order general harmony. contentment and at
tention to due and as good organization and system if
the work had been three years. instead If three onth
der way. Defective pedivers and other have
taded somewhat the actual road but the elements Of rapid
progress are all here to be brought out lighter touch
than could ever have moved them before. And say
only bend TO for three months more shall have
no more padding in troubled waters. We have
the ground force Of nine hundred Mr. Totten says if
i can be kept up effectively to that number, will get
through by the first of July to Gorgona; and think if
do not keep the number good will be because the world
scant of people, Gen. Camp will keep up his recruiting
ton, rejecting every man not positively healthy even if be
sends but twenty OF thirty trip, and taking always to
men, and to watch that they do not away Contract for
six months. Never mind the rainy there is
to stop work. We shall send Truesdae, other
proper person, to New Orleans.
The men, have doubt better provided than
my railroad in the United States and this be kept
Truly yours,
F. SrIEs, Esq. JOHN L. STEPHENS.
Send out possible to fill Mr. Putnams
'ace To fill he did will not be easy matter, poor
elbow. ]. L. s..
How much iron has been purchased in all for this side Of
he Ishmus IaDo thousand seucn hundred tons will be-
wanted to Gorgona Let me know by return steamer
We are able state that the whole amount Of the iron
luired to Gorgona has been purchased.