Washington sentinel., 1853-11-15
THE JUNCTION OF THE TWO OCEANS.

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THE JUNCTION OF THE TWO OCEANS.
Since the first explorations of the two Amer
icas various schemes of uniting the Atlantic
and Pacific have been proposed and discussed.
But of late the public attention has been di.
rected more particularly to railroad commu-
nication between the Mississippi valley and the
Pacific coast That highway is demanded by
the eNigencies of commercial intercourse, and
we believe that it will be made by private en-
terprise.
Yet the completion OF the Pacific railroad on
any of the lines that have been proposed cannot
do away with the necessity for water commu
nicaton between the two oceans, to accommo
date the heavy trade from eastern Asia and the
the railroad makes the demand for the water
communication more imperative, while the
water communication calls for railway facili-
ties. The one is necessary for the other.
These remarks have been suggested by ar
ticles we have seen in our exchanges, having
reference TO junction of the two oceans across
the isthmus of Darien. We have inquired into
this project, SO that we might speak under
standingly with regard to it. The information
we have received is from the highest source ;
and therefore our statements in that regard
cannot be viewed as hypothetical.
Docter Black, of Kentucky, who has resided
in London for some years, succeeded in enlist
ing Sir Charles Fox, the eminent and distn-
Lol -, H. &c
through the Isthmus of Darien. Sir Charles
Fox is a man of great professional ability, of
large means, and occupies a high position in
public confidence, which he has won by sue
cessful career. His connection with the pro
posed inter-oceanic communication was in
some measure due to the earnest encourage
ment of Hon. Abbot Lawrence, our former
Minister TO England. .
Doctor Black and Sir Charles Fox agreed to
have thorough investigation made Of the 18th
mus Of Darien, and that every precaution should
be taken to impart American nationality to the
enterprise. To that end the arrangement was
made by which the management of all proceed
ings should be placed in the hands of Doctor
consist of American citizens, and that one half
of the stock should be open to American sub.
scription. In order to carry out the idea oi
giving American nationality to the work, an ap-
plication has been made to the Secretary of the
Navy to authorize survey of the 1sthmus
That application has been, as We learn, favor.
ably considered, and Lieutenant Isaac g. Strain
has been selected as the person to command
the detachment from the home squadron to
make the survey We know Lieut. Strain well.
We have known him for many years. He is a
man Of great ability-quick, active, and enter
prising--and We do no injustice to the officers
of our navy when we say that better selec-
ton for such service could not have been
made.
But we do not understand that the govern
fnent survey is intended as an original explora
ton entirely It's object is, if we are right,
informed, to give nationality to the enterprise
and authenticity to results. The Isthmus ha
already been examined by DR.. Blacks agents
Mr.. Lionel Gisbourne and Mr.. Forde, civil engi
neers. were sent there, and made reconnais
sance They landed at Port Escosais, an Ok
Scotch settlement, long since abandoned. Thei
thew crossed the coast ridge Of the Cordieras
when they were taken by the Indians, and con
Quoted down the Caledonia river TO Caledoni;
bay, on the Caribbean sea. After being re
leased, they went to Panama, and thence tc
the Gulf of San Miguel, on the Pacific coast
! II IL.
west. discovering that the Savanna River empties
into the Gulf Of San Miguel, safe and capa
cious harbor. and Is navigable for the largest
vessels for seven miles; having for that dis.
.ance thirty-six feet water at low tide. The
point ct which the navigation of the Savanna
ceases is but thirty-three miles from Caledonia
bay on the Atlantic coast. The summit range
between the two OCEANS is only one hundred
and fifty feet high, with narrow base and
the eastern coast ridge Of the Cordilleras is en-
tirely cut through by the Caledonian river
With this information, ii is proposed to make
a canai or rather to open O strait from the
Savanna river to Caledonia bay, thirty feet
deep and one hundred and sixty feet wide
without locks, so ,hat The largest vessels may
go through, passing each wsy. This is great
undertaking. Nothing but strait will an.
swer. A canal, with locks, would no more
serve the purposes Of commerce than rail.
road. But we understand that there will be
no difficulty as to the requisite means. In.
deed, the connection Of Sir Charles Fox with
the enterprise gives 1t all needfu stability
An agent is now in China to procure labor il
such quantity that the whole line of improve
Inent may be proceeded with at the same time
under the direction Of the provisional organiza
,ion which has been made preparatory to tb'
final and permanent officers. ...#
We state these facts on good authority az
information to our readers, touching matter
of great public concern. No assistance i.
i1 Co., tba c.derol -. r.,.,l =.