Polynesian., 1854-09-09
A New Route to the Pacific.

From the California Placer Times and Tran
script of Aug. Is, we take the following important
intelligence. Every enterprise that tends TO short
en- and facilitate intercourse between the Atlantic
and Pacific sides of the continent of interest,
and will undoubtedly affect in greater or less de-
gree, these islands.
The PRoPosED HoSDURAs INTER OCEANIC
RAIL ROAD.-We were recently favored by
friend with copy of the charter obtained by Messrs.
Robert Walker, Amory Edwards, A. MiIten-
berger, James ). Thaycr, K. q. Squier, Henry
Stanton, Fletcher Westry and other gentlemen of
New York, from the supreme government fHon-
duras for the exclusive right to construct inter
oceanic railway through the territories ofthat State
from the waters of the Gulf Of Honduras to the Bay
of Fonseca, or Conchagua, on the Pacific side.
The charter was ratified on the 23d of June, 1853,
and approved by President Trinidad Cabanos OH
the 9th of April, 1884. The commissioner on
the part of the company was Nh r. .. Squler,
(Charge GAfairs to Central America in lS49, )and
Seniors Justo q. Rodas and Leon Alvarado, on
the part of the government Of Honduras. his
contract is accompanied BY another, given by tire
government of Honduras to the same parties, con-
stituting them also, the " Honduras Steamship and
Navigation Company" The Railway Company
has its own SEAL dated 1853, with device OF rail-
road, trains, steamships, and rivers.
These contracts are mainly If not entirely owing
tc the energy and enterprise Of Mr.. Squier, whose
industry during his Chargeship, In lo49, enabled
him TO procure vast amount of information relative
to Central America, and whose representations
were the means of drawing the attention OF the
heaviest capitalists 10 the United States 10 the pro-
ject.
/ The route has been recently surveyed by Mr..
Sauier and Lieut.. w. y. Jeffers, u. ). n. and a
preliminary report furnished the associates in New
York. From this report we gather that the route
IS $50 miles from depot TO depot, over perfectly
practicable and feasible cou Itry, with maximum
grades nowhere exceeding eighty feet TO the mile,
and that only for short distances.
Some Of the grades in the best railroads in the
United States are from 100 to 10 feet to the mile
The road passes through the city of Comayagua,
the capital of Honduras, midway between the ter,
mini of the route.) The summit is some twenty
miles south of Comayagua. The head waters 0.
the two rivers, Golscordu and Humuya, are at this
summit; the Goascorau flowing into the Bay OF
Fonseca. and the fIumuYa into the Bay OF Hon
duras, on the Atlantic side. Standing at Racho,
Chiquto (the summitl the sources of these two nv
ers. running respectively to the Pacific, and At
Iantjc NAV be seen not two hundred yards apart
Roth are navigable for some distance inland. The
summit is 1890 feet above the sea. 1 he city OF
ComavaCua IS ], 800 feet abOve the sea-
The Report gives brief description oil the rou'e,
its grades. mineralogy, scenery, timber, climate,
NC.S<C
raiive. presents a pleasing picture Of one OF the
most fertile and delightful regions IN the world
The barbors on either side are the very finest on
the continent, having from seven TO ten fathoms
dep,h close TO the shores, and admirably protected
from the prevailing winds. The Atlantic terminus
Is nearer New York than that Of any ciAer rnnte
n,oiactad or in use while the actual distance TO Cal
iforua is shortened not less than 1850 miles over
the Panama route 500 over the Nicaragua, and
from 60 to 100 over the TehuantePec. The Ie-
buantepec would have some 40 miles The advan-
tare over the Honduras roIte In far measure
ment but the terms Of the charter for Ilne across
the former islhmus obge the contractors 10 stop
at Vera Cruz and Acapulco, detainlng the steam
ers on both sides, and lengthenlng the actual dis
tance sailed 1t will thus DC seen tnat ine ,ast
chance for route across Central America has
been secured By the energy and far seeing poiicy
of MIR. Squier. There now remains no other prac-
lticable route possessing any advantages OF eonse-
cnence over those already projected or ID use
From the fact that the heaviest operators IN war
street. are concerned in this enterprise, there rea
son to believe that the road will sPeedll! oe COM
oIeted