The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-02

lance OF miles, tne great
is said to fall away into irregular hills, winch do not
appear obstacles to the construction o.
canal survey is being made, understand, on pri'
vate account OF party in New York. TO test the pract
cablity OF this route.
SCENE AT ASPINwALL = THE TRIP ON
THE ROAD.
At O'Clock the morning of the 18th OF February,
1855 the steamer George Law entered the harbor Of As
pnwal with the flag of New Granada to the fore AMI
the stars and stripes floating at the mi2en The tout
semble pleasing beyond expecatona The white
houses, with small windows and green blinds, lent
American aspect to the town. while the shipping lying
at anchor the bay, showed signs of commercial lfe
The palm trees shore gracefully waved their tall foil
age In the breeze Of the trade wind and the green hills
that sides encirced the bay reoiced in the goS
Of the tropical sun.
The firing of audibly welco med the party who,
at the invitation Of the Panama Railroad Company
arriving TO join in celebrating the opening OF the
road The party consisted Of several &c ntemen from
New York and vicinity most Of them stockholders in
the road, under charge of Mr. William whttenrght, Jr,
a director of the company. We were met by Col. Tot
ten Chief Engineer and Mr. Center Super and
conducted from the vessel 20 the quarters of Col Totten
ard his corps, at the edge Of the town. point of
sand beach lying in the bay Here the bay presents
most beautiful green appearance and at few rods
distance the breakers in snowy foam roll ceaselessy
the sandy beach, Here reposing In the delicious breeze,
the party presently refreshed by the milk OF the
young nut brought by negro walters with the shell
perforated and ready for the delicious quafng OF the
thirsty traveller. sumpuous dinner soon after com
peted the refreshing process and walk to the railroad
Office afforded sight of the entrance into Aspnwan of
the first train through from Panama without change of
carsthe first through train since the completion of the
road freighted with passengers arrived that ming
Panama from San Francisco, in the John l.. Stephens
The next morning, the 10th, at GA. N, the party
proceeded in car attached TO train which carried
the passengers arrived at Aspnwa in the George
Law to make the passage of the sthmus by steam The
engine galy decorated with flags, and the express
of Hnckley Co.. which followed US in the freight
train, exhibited profusion OF gay streamers and bril-
liant decorations. Proceeding a. the Of about 20
miles hour, train oil nine passenger and bag
gage car, reached Gaun, miles fro Aspnwall.
Here arch spanned the road covered with leaves 81
the palm and flowers of the viii! pantan 1t crowned
with this motto''ibe problem is solved
I attepos an enteryfisipk people,
dense forest spreads either hand, and profuson
OF vines and ceepers fairly smothered the with
their rank growth, while the rank smell of the swamp
and its decay penetrated the nostrils with unnis
| taheabie sense Of miasma.
At about tozen miles from Asp'nwan passed the
last swamp. the dng in OF which had cost inc aleu-
liable amount Of labor and dishearening exerton but
which now presents solid and sufficiently secure sp-
pearsnce In this swamp Col rotten when the forest
track proceeded short distance travelling in manner
contrasting strongly With the mode afforded by the
N,
doned the animal and stripping of his clothes tied them
around his neck. Ieaping from fallen tree to fallen
tree swinging himself from oran;h TO branch, scramb-
ling in mud and water ottentimes mp to his shoulders,
he, after several hours, succeeded in making his way
through
Aon this section OF road, the Aspnwall side the
road has settled into consstence The orig nal pine
ties are fast rottng out lasting but about shteen
months. and being supplied with lgnumyitg, which
promise to last long OF years. These cost 81 so
per tie. At twenty three miles from Aspinwall,
crossed the Chagres river on substantial bridge with
n pl lAle nel Dark
lte to view quite refreshing alter the dense forest
choked with undergrowh through which we had here
tofoTe passed.
After passing Gorgona twenty miles from Aspln-
wall near the confluence ofibe Chsgres and 0bpo rivers,
and the June ton Of the valleys OF the Chagres anu
the Rio Grande through which the road Ia ted
the train stopped On the left flowed the Chagres river
and the right, at few yards distance conical
hill Of regular form. Perfect in form, and striking in
appearance this hill procams itself the proper site for
the monument to the originl grantees Of the road.
Palms tall and graceful scattered mere and there dsco
rated the hill and frnged the wales below. The wales,
that spread all sides and with their hills ami
the valley Of the river lent picturesque variety 10 the
scene, unequ qualled the line OF the road
Mr.. Whtewrght, after placing a tin box upon the
stone of whose contents he could not inform
introduced TO the assembled company his excellency
Judge BowD, United States Minister 70 New Granada,
having kindly consented to deliver the address appro
ADDRESS or JUDGE BowLIS.
We meet here to-day, TO commemorate an epoch in
history destined In future to give life and animation
70 commerce. and by facilitating intercourse TO national
renown brghterlustre. II is pride and pleasure
to TO the world, from the summit OF the 18th
which divides the two great oceans that the bar.
RE, TO intercourse between them has been broken
down BY individual enterprise that their waters are
nkei together BY bands Of IRON that the car OF
rides riumphansly from 20 sea. free
and unshackled 10 the trade Of the world That the
time has come when the prediction Of Columbus
that the route to India and her rich commerce was
through the West is no longer speculative theory but
solved problem, worked out BY American genius, and
American enterprise II is the triumph Of this great
idea, the completion OF this great work, which forms
event in the history Of commerce that have tss day
assembled suitably 70 commemorate, by erecting
monument not 10 record military deeds and barren vic
tories but the loer trumphs Of the progress OF civil
zaton. The monu this day lay the foundation
Of, is 10 perpetuate the deeds of who courted
glory, net upon the tented field, but In works of
utility and progress, TO better the condition OF human
y through quiet and unobtrusiye struggles. 10 IL the
spirit OF progress the triumph OF art the creations of
gem MS that this monument is TO commemorate. Indi.
vidual genius has originated the design and individual
enteprze has prosecuted this great OF connecting
the sessa work which had bated the speculative the
orsis OF three Centuries and, by Industry and perse
y.rance has scooplsh.d the obe,t and laid the foun
daiion Of IN the commerce of the world qute
a. startling and more prom sing Of results than ne dis
coyery Of the ocean route 70 India. We here
citizens, representng IN sympathes tso republics,
ALIKE interested in the contamination Of this great
ierprze, 10 extend the hand OF fellowship and unite in
mutual congratulations for the bright opens
in the future 10 our relative countries We meet as
friends, alike proud Of the participation OF our res
pectiye countries and countrymen in this un.
paraleled work, with no other rivalry than
laudable ambition 10 excel in fostering and
encoursg ng undertaking that equally rebounds 10
the glory Of both republics IL Il tho glory Nev Ore.
NADIA that her territory is the theatre Of this magnificent
enterprze and that her sol planted the sut
10 recordt 10 future generations whilst the Con
cdsracy eel equally proud that our country has pro
duced the whose deeds and whose virtues are 10
decorate the PEDESTAL TIE interest Of the respective
countries 10 eq usl and mutual this new channel Of
commerce. only he rivals for a which is
than sufhcient for both. Tben, standing here
upon this heaven erected altar vhoeo base dashss back
the waves Of either ocean and mutually mindfu OF our
interest and glory, lot determine by solemn
solve that this monument eonsecrated 10 genius and
enterprizs and the road II morstes shah alike
be impsrishabls. The completion Of this road IL
the virtual tsrnnation OF struggle Of more
than three centuries for passage through the