Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-03-26
PROPOSED CANAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS.

PROPOSED CANAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS.
In the late English news, as forwarded by Te-
legraph, allusion was made, in language some
what obscure, to a conversation that recently took
place in the British Parliament regarding the juno
ton of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The sub
joined paragraphs, extracted from the newspapers,
explain the matter
The promoters of the canal at Daren which esti-
mated to cost Gl5 appear to have represented to
the British Government that the original plan for the Nj
caragua canal has been abandoned in America Except in
small shape to suit United States coastng vessels
and that such result would be very injurious Bril-
fish competition, excellent opportunity is offered
to originate and carry out scheme this side
Accordingly the Darien plan has been urged upon aen
ton and it is pointed out that although it would add
eight hundred miles to the distance between New
York and California, compared with the transit via
Nicaragua 1t would be quite convenient that route
for the communication with Australia Great stress has
at the time been laid upon the necessity that the
canal should be of depth to admit the largest class of
British vessels of war; and also ships Of extreme draugh
such owned by of our leading houses in the
India and China trade while at the time the pros
pec that the substitution of Darien for Nicaragua would
improve the finances of New Grenada and operate favora
bly, for the bonds Of that Republic which held in
England to the amount OF several millions sterling has
been recognised additional incentive
the view Accordingly the withdrawal Of British
protection from the Nicaragua route certain
extent already to have taken place. and Mr. EyERETTs
communication that point to the President of the Unit
ed States having transpred here effort has since
been made to induce Lord JOHN RUSSELL to commit the
Ministry still decidedly in the same direction To
bring this about, it conrved that question the
subject should be put to him in the House. and although
in his reply if it be correctly reported he appears have
been obscure in his geography sufficient intimation
drawn from him to show that he is disposed far
possible to discourage the Nicaragua and to promote the
Darien Company.
We add the report of the conversation above re-
ferred to, as follows:
Mr. HUME asked Lord John Russell question of great
Importance only this country but the world 1t
regards the formation of ship canal Through the
Isthmus of Darien to communicate between the Atlantic
and Pacific publication had appeared of very
great interest communicated to the President of the
United States in the form of letter from the Hon. Mr.
Everett Secretary of State that subject and any
thing connected with the of the world must be
interesting to this country, especially to the parties who
took interest in the question: he begged ask whether
the Government had received any ntmaton the sub
ject of the undertaking which much before the
public OF opening communication between the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans through the Ishmu Of Darien and
if So whether they would be prepared state their views
upon that subject?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said With respect the question
of my honorable friend it is important subject
beg to state first, that with regard to canal
the lsthmus of Daren the recent intelligence which has
been received induced the Government think that the
convention entered into with the United States would by
no answer purpose, projectors
the canal having changed their scheme from canal which
would admit merchant vessels of large size to canal Of
restrictive depth, and in fact which would only be
useful to coasting vessels. Her Maestys Government
therefore communicated with the Government of the Unit
ed States upon that subject declaring that the object
originally contemplated by that planowoud not be gained
by the altered scheme. Lately there has been another
plan proposed, which is to make ship canal Of thirty
feet depth through the sthmus of Daren having very
sufficient port each end to join the Pacific and
Atlantic The House will at once perceive that
this is subject of very great Importance. So far as her
ing, they would be very favorable to such pan and
they would be very glad if the United States Government
would with them in favorng the pan supposing
it should be found practicable do not of wish,
the of the Government to give any opinion upon
the engineering questions involved and upon other ques
TONS which for others to considers but far the
general outline Of the plan is concerned have to say
that think if the plan could be adopted it would tend
very much to increase and favor the of all
nations.