, 1854-09-16
Isthmus Shin Canal.

lstlUluS SkIJ OilIIflI'
We have been fayored-says the Alta
Cab hJornia-with copy of book entitled
Isthmus of the Darien Ship Canal, with
full history of the Scotch Colony of Da-
rien, several maps, views of the country,
and original documents, by DIR. Cullen, +.
C. S. Second edition, London S53."
We find it to be very interesting work,
and if the statements represent the whole
truth, there is little reason to doubt that
ship canal will intcrsect the Isthmus at no
distant day The line proposed for the
canal is about so miles east OF Panama.
The following extract from the Age, pre-
sents a concise view Of the project.
"A site for a practicable communication
by ship canal between the two oceans
has at last been discovered by DR.. Edward
Cullen in the Isthmus of Darien, in the re-
public of New Granada, and under such
favorable circumstances, that it seems 10
have been suggested by nature, for about
ten miles of the work is already done, by
a perfectly navigable and fitting river, the
Savanna, which runs into the the Gulf OF
St. Nipuel on the Pacific Ocean. From
the point where the river divides and di-
verges to the right and left to Port Escos-
ces and Caledonia Bay, in the Atlantic
Ocean, a distances Of less than thirty miles,
nature offers no obstacles, no opposition, no
difficulties, being chiefly over level land
The highest cutting, it appears, does not
exceed $50 feet and there are valleys be-
tween the Cordileras through which the
canal may be cut without Impairment
The entire distance from ocean to ocean
is under forty miles. The ports at each
end could accommodate feet larger than
was ever mustered and both freed by then
position from the frequent visitations ol
hurricanes and tornadoes to which othei
localities in the western world are subject
The canal is to be wide enough for two o
the largest ships to pass, and will be with
out locks, free and open at both ends, ant
will rise and fall with the tide. 1t is ex
pected that the largest ships will make thu
transit from ocean to ocean in hive hours
The food tide on the Pacific side rises tel
or twelve feet higher than on the Atlantic
side the stronger current will naturally
be from this direction, which will operate
bene6cially on the harbor at Port Escosce!
in washing away and preventing sane
gatherings, or any other accumulations.
1.-THE locality of the route is extremely
healthy, which is proved not only by the
absence of mosquitoes, but likewise by the
great longevity of the natives Of this and
the surrounding districts. The soil is Sin
gularly fertile the farmer reaps his two
three, or even four crops year wheat
arrives at maturity in seventy, and pota'
toes in eighty days. Perpetual spring
reigns, and winter is unknown. All the
products Of the tropical zone are within
reach-and even coal is known TO exist in
not very distant parts. Fish abound Oh
both coasts, and wild birds and other ami
mals-some edible--are in profusion. II
appears that this country has been rarely
visited, by the simplicity and shynes Of
the natives, but they are represented as do,
cile, and not so numerous as formerly, are
not likely to interfere with the progress
of the work indeed Dr. Cullen thinks,
on the contrary, that they might be in.
dcced to join in the labor. The President
and the government of the Republic fore.
see the immeasureable advantage that will
accrue to the country from the formation
of the canal, and the former gave orders to
his sub-officials to offer every facility, and
render every assistance in making the sur.
vey and on the lst of June, 1852, the
Government of the Republic Of New Ora
NADIA conceded by decree of Congress, al
Bogota, to Sir Charles Fox, John Hen,
dersOn, ESQ.,, Thomas Brassey, Esq, and
DR.. Edward Cullen, the exclusive privilege
of cutting the canal either in the line
above described, or in any other they may
choose J. and moreover, granted--besidei
all the lands necessary for the canal
about zoe, 900 acres in addition, to be Sc.
lected at their pleasure" g.