The New York herald., 1851-12-20

Amount Of Gold Dust, Gold and silver
senge,s, Transported over the Is hm us Of
Panama, annually-The Facilities and
Capabilities of that Route, Compared
with those OF the Nicaragua Route, sc.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
AsroR HOUSE, Dec. 6, 1851.
SIR-In recent number of the Courier and En-
qSu1-I think Of the 25th ult.-I observed q para.
graph stating that "the Panama papers were filed
with flaming editorials discussing the merits of the
Panama and San Juan routes, which were of no
interest to the public" sc. Without attributing
to sic editor Of that journal any design omsrepre-
sent or underestimate the Importance of this quss-
tion with the people Of this country-as am quite
sure the remark was one of inadvertence and made
without reHectiOn-I propose briefly to show, by
statement Of facts, in what consists the Importance
of the Panama route to the Pacific; and, il you
please, offer opinion upon the relative con ition,
and the facilities and capabilities Of that route,
compared with those of the San Juan or Nicaragua
route. In doing this, shall endeavor to dvest my
sell Of all personal feeling and interest," keeping In
view the higher and more important considerations
affecting the public welfare would suggest, also,
to those persons who have addressed me on this
subject, tina. they will find general reply to their
inquiries in there remarks.
Ine amount OF bullion annually transported
across the lsthmus Of Panama exceeds sixty mil.
lions Of dollars. The average amount received
mos.nn,s at Papama by the Royal British Mail
Company's steamers, and which Is derived chiefly
from Chill and Peru, Is about one million OF dol
lars. That brought from California by the Pacific
Mail Company's and other etc amers, is about four
millions per month. This includes the shipments OF
bullion and gold dust for both the United States
and various parts Of Europe, and Is below the ac
tual estimate for the months Of August, Septsm-
Der, October and November, as well as some Of the
earliest months Of the present year. / will make
the estimate, then, as follows
AMOUNT OF GOLD AND SILVER BULLION AND GOLD
DUST ANNUALLY TRANSPORTED ACROSS Iur
ISInMUs OF PANAMA.
From South American ports S12 1000
From California, Oregon and Lower
Mc1icos ........s............... 50,0OO,0O0
Total amount. $62 900 900
In this estimate, have made no allowance for
the amount in the hands Of travellers, which
doubt not would swell the whole sum 10, at least,
seventy-hve millions Of dollars.
Taking however, simply the amount Of trea-
sure which is annually received at the port Of Pa
nsma, on freight, for transportation acros, the
lsthmus, and We shall find that its safe conveyance
to the nearest Atlantic port for re-shipment, as
sumes an importance Of very great magnitude.
The bulk Of this treasure Is brought to Panama In
geld dust, packed in strong boxes and portion Of
the specie and gold bullion is brought in the same
coz dition. Ihe larger portion Of the treasure
brought from Peru and Chill consists Of silver
which had been melted and cast or run in pigs or
bars, weighing each from one hundred and twenty
to one hundred and thirty. Eve pounds. These are
easily conveyed to any point on or across the
lsthmus, as their bulk and weight, and the impos-
sbty Of either concealing or carrying them away,
protect them from depreciation. Not so, how.
ever, with the gold bullion and specie and
gold dust. These come in boxes Of all weights
from pound to fifty pounds, or more-and all
sizes In case of theft robbery, accidental loss
there Is nothing by which these may be identified,
except the boxes In which they are contained, which
may be easily destroyed. IL Is q matter, then, Of
the highest Importance that protection should be
provided Tor the safe transmission Of this vast
amount OF treasure from ocean 10 ocean ard this
Is done, not only by the laws of the country. not
only by the energetic and efficient policy of the Go.
vernon Of the Province, aided and sustained nv a
well organized police force at the dferont stations
on the route, but also by q strong military suard
in tAe service and employ Of the Transporting
agents themselves. The security thus ahsrded'
and the safety with which the semi monthly trans.
missions Of these large amounts Of treasure are
made, have been fully tested and proved BY the
cssful attempts Of the different gangs Of des
pefadoes who have sought TO spoliste upon them
since the commencement OF the transportation Of
treasure from California across this route, there
have never occurred but two losses, and they were
Of unimportant q character that nothing but q |
desire to embrace every fact relating to the sub.
iect induces me TO allude TO them.
From the spring of 1910 up to the present time,
there have been less than one hundred and thir-
tvtwo millions Of dollars. in specie. bullion. ani
Roa dust. lra M portsd OF ar ths pans route and