The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-05-13
NEVADA CALIFORNIA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 49, 1857


The project of ship canal across the lsthmus
of Darien has long been entertained by the lead
ing minds of the world, and the construction of
this vast work is now but a question of time.
Congress has appropriated sum amply sufficient
for the thorough survey and exploration OF the
proposed route, and corps of army engineers
with appropriate assistance will soon be detailed
for the service. Thus has the United States ta-
ken ntiatory steps in one of the most magnifi-
cent ideas of modern times Napoleon in his
expedition to Egypt discovered the site of an
ancient canal across the Isthmus of Suez, aud
his engineers by survey estimated the cost of re-
opening the work, but it never was accomplish
ed.
Our readers will remember the terrible suffer-
ings of Lieutenant Strain and his companions,
who endeavored to cross the Isthmus of Darien
on preliminary reconnaissance by order of our
Government. Profting by his experience, we
trust the expedition now about to commence
operations will be able to avoid disaster A few
details in relation to the scene of operations
may be interesting to our readers
The Isthmus of Darien, or, as it is more com
monty styled. the lsthmus OF Panama, connects
North and South America, and is principally
comprised in the Republic of Granada. On the
northern side is the Caribbean sea and the Gulf
of Darien on the south the Gulf of Panama.
In length the Isthmus proper is about 200 miles,
with an average breadth of 40 miles; butin lon
gitude 79 deg. it narrows down to less than 30
miles. At this point it is proposed to establish
the ship canal. The country is undulating, with
chains of small mountains but very fertile and
well timbered. The expense of commodious
ship canal, say thirty miles long and two hum
dred feet wide, would not be less than City mil
lions Of dollars. England, France aud Holland
are anxious to aid in the work. aud become joint
owners with the United States. When it is con-
sdered that one half of the worlds commerce
would in all probability pass through this canal,
the expense sinks into mere trie. All the
India 4 ID China trade, instead of doubling Cape
Horn would find passage through the canal.
II shoud be free to all nations who assist in the
construction by money or credit
The appropriation alluded to was embraced
in the naval appropriation bill. 1t gives a sum
not to yceed $4,000, to be paid to officers Sc
ected the Secretaries Of War and Navy, ''for
the purpose Of making explorations and veriii-
cations of the surveys already made of ship
canal near the Isthmus of Darien, to connect
the waters of the Pacific aud the Atlantic by the
Atrato and Truando rivers" Mr.. Bocock a
member OF the committee of conference on the
part OF the House Of Representatives, explained
this provision, Inserted 10y the Senate, in brief
but torcible terms. He stated that the Govern
ment Of Granada had given "A company of Amer
leans the right 20 explore and build ship canal
if practicable, through the Isthmus Of Darien.
They have made the survey and believe a ship
canal to be altogether practicable; but they had
come to the conclusion that capitalists will not
invest in this exploration unless it be endorsed
by competent officers Of the Government They
merely ask that their exploration shall be tested
by officers OF the army ana navy. The House
coneurred in the proposition of the Senate.