The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-07
From the Philadelphia North American.
The Darien Canal,

II is not many days since wrote on the subject of
the contemplated shipcanal at the ishmus of Daren,
giving an account OF the organization al London of a
company, of which Lord Wharnclife figures as chair
man. who proposeand seem to be taking the necessary
preliminary steps-to execute the work The subject is
profoundly interesting il has an importance which
80 obvious TO every rejecting mind that we do not deem
any apology necessary for resuming IT, the more partcu
lary recent publications by Dr. Cullen the protector,
and Messrs. Osborne and Forde the engineers of the
barren canal supply some new arguments IN support OF
the opinion advanced, Which was not altogether
favorable 10 the feasibility of the enterprise DR. Cuens
pamphlet and Mr. Gisbornes report. themselves have
not yet reached US; but we find notice OF their
tents in the asreceived number OF the London Alhe
naum, with remarks thereon, sufficient TO satisfy that
as previously limited by there are some elements OF
speculation In the project and possibly OF that than
OF any other feature. a...
The original account was that Mr.. Osborne found
canal route between Caledonia bay (he Port Escosces Of
the Spanads the Atlantic and the Guf OF San Miguel
the Pacific, only thirty miles long, and nearly level
TO admit the cutting OF open ship-canal OF that
length, connecting the Two greater obstacles
iervenng than every day encountered and
in the construction OF canals and railways and he esti-
mated that the work might be executed within the term of
five years, at an expense OF Twelve millions OF pounds
sterling We referred in article, TO the fact that Cal
edona bay the of the famous old Daren colony,
founded with special view to The opening of canal
the sthmus and wondered that, il such level tract
sed, had been discovered by the Scotch settlers be-
fore the colony abandoned and also quoted the
experience OF the BUCCANEERS who, two hundred years
ago. frequently crossed the s,hmus at this very place
newfoundland always complained OF the unusual diff
cultes they encountered IN crossing the rugged noun
tans and descending the rocky rvershey having fur
thermore, the assistance OF native Indian guides, who
ought 10 have known OF easier paths had such existed
These circumstances that do not seem 10 have al
tracled the attention OF the English Spectators who
moving in the canal project or that OF DIR Cullen or Mr.
Osborne. The former Processes 10 have examned-and
doubt did examne-the route In lS49 1850, and 1851
He makes the total distance about hry.nine miles, OF
which twenty would be in the bed, along the banks
OF the river savanna enjoying INTO tie Gull OF San Mi
gue; the remainder being the distance ESTIMATED. we
believe, IN straight ne) between point on that Iver.
twenty miles above its mosih 10 Caledonia bay From
this bay he says plain extends, Tor nearly two miles,
" to the base of ridge OF bills running parallel TO the
coast" the highest summit OF which he /" suPposes" TO
be $50 feet, the lowest $50 ieet and the base OF ms
ridge he estimates TO be two miles wide The remaining
distance TO the rver he says level plain The ridge
would, therefore, even on DR.. Coen's figures, make a
pretty considerable. and pretty costly, deep-cut; but we
may Judge how little reliance is TO be placed on bis es
mates when remember that he IL engineer and
that he bad instruments with him TO the ridge
He simply guessed a, It's height.
The report of hessrs Osborne Forde, who sailed
for Daren on the I'd of April and returned TO London
on The 18th OF August OF Ias year, be sufficiently
well judged Of from the following remarks which we
extract from the Atbetaam
THE results OF their Journey far highly satisfactory
they confirm ard oorsobofate in the main al Dr. Caen
statements, In other respects their repor, Is not Waa
could be desired II being neither sufficiently precise aed
clear consent and coniormable with the map, which
bears the character OF most hasy AMI deficient sketch
have been Jund mes WIDE, and Ia the map Is
only tVothirJs OF mile. The same river seven miles
above is stated he halt mile wide, and IN the map u
had dwinded down 70 fine narrow line, scarcely one
tenth Of nile in width. Again the effect Of the tide Is
said reach eighteen miles from the month Of the Savnna
up that river and u tributary, The Lara, 'eavinga dis
IL thirty miles TO Caledonia bsy, which " the actual
breadth OF ishmus between the tidal effect OF the Two
oceans We uncertain whether we righ y appiebend
he meaning of this tentence but We find oniy dis
lance of fweniy mites from the point to which the
tide extends the Lara river to the Atlantic ocean 10
direct line.
''Asregard, the elevations Of the country continues
the Athef eun, 'we are still more dissatisfied. these
stated only In the most general terms aud word
is said the mode IN which they asceuaipsd
From Mr. Gisbornes volume, which contains popular
OF the journey of the engineers learn that
be only ba rometer which the travellers them
Tor determining tie heights broke the outset OF the
journey"
OF course. The engineers took the heights as Dr. Culien
dld-they guessed al them.
" In faot'-we give significant paragra ph from
the Athenm nm - the whole oil this examination is
satisfactory that do wonder huding many who
hesitate 10 conclusive the various dsa advanced
and the calculations Of expense which based upon
them he maps which accom- pany the engineer report
are ptto Tighten readers by their exhibition Of what would
seem to be supendous OF mountsins somewhat
like the Himslsys system, but which described in the
text az slight elevations OF only few hundred test
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