The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-27
Our Honduras Correspondence.

1 O~A AAuhWhAds NuEEcskOuuSnCCs
CoMAYAGuA, Oct. %, 1857
The Honduras Rail,eay Surrey-Easy Practicable
ty Of the Route-7he Harbors of Foaseca and
Puerto Ca6allos- Travelling in Honduras-Prini.
tire Hospitaiay-Descriptioa Of the Countrywide
in the Camp of the Exploring Paty-The Pass
Of Rancho Chiqsito atshs Summit-7Ae Surrey
ing Corps under Col Trau,.cine- Frank Conduct
Of the Government &C., &c
/ am happy to be able to state that no further
doubt need exist in any quarter respecting the per
feet feasibility of the Honduras Interoceanc Rail-
way. The tents Of the surveying party have been
for the last few days pitched in the Pass of Rancho
Chiquito the dividing line between the two oceans,
and the explorations thus far made on both sides of
the pass have enabled Col Trantwine, the engineer.
iaehie to announce that the road is not only prac
ticable, but practicable also with very favorable
grades. On The entire line the paxim"~
W, exceed 20 or rs feet n, In g,aae wiz
.xrodes will y. the mile, while the gene
miles Of the Ia ~ w, -. 49,.
1n's. Is feet, while in many cases they will not ex-
coed or S. 1t is possible too that the present max
mum may even be improved, for Rancho Chiquito
is but one of three or four passes
among which still more favorable conditions may
into detailed investigation of these chances at the
present moment, the object now being to pronounce
authoritively, as soon as possible, on the general
character of the road, and the probable maximum of
| expenses.
The work thus far accomplished by the expedi-
tion consists, in the first place, of photographic sur
veys in the Gulf Of Fonseca on the one hand, and
in the harbor and lagoon of Puerto Cabalos on the
other of 6vin H.. tarYn nj If Yha
road and secondly of the location of the first sixty
five miles of the road from Puerto Cabaos to about
fifteen miles above the junction of the Humuya and
Ulua, together with the examination of the pass of
Rancho Chiquito, just alluded to. The operations
in the Gulf of Fonseca, terminated time since,
were entrusted TO Lieut.. LETTERS, assisted by Mr..
Gum. The other explorations have been conducted
under the immediate supervision of the engineerin
| chief.
OF Fonseca it is almost superfuous 20 speak at
the present time. Our surveyors merely echo the
reports of all previou. explorers when they pro-
nounce il Of the finest harbors in the world and
one, too, which must in time be the great centre of
commerce for the entire western coast of America.
Nor is it single harbor only that its vast circuit en-
braces. II may rather be called an assemblage
of harbors, and even in the portion of It which
falls within the State Of Honduras, the difficulty
with the surveyors was not TO find good location
for the Pacific terminus, but rather 10 select among
several splendid sites the one which united the high
| est number of advantages. They report that a
sci will be able TO enter the gulf and sail up TO the
companys wharves without even needing pilot
and then cast anchor in twenty fathoms water within
| q stones throw OF bold shore.
The general climate of the gulf Is also NEST IA
| voraby spoken or both as regards health aud tenn
perature, and though, from local causes few spots
may be very warm yet the general temperature IL
l ptt.sh In oh aiUt.
| tude. Thus, La Union, in the State Of San Saliva
dor, though healthy town, is still very warm, be-
ing cut off from the action Of the breeze by the
| neighboring volcano of Canchagua while Amapala.
| on the island Of Tigre in the State Of Honduras
where the party principally resided enjoys a very
pleasant temperature, being alternately refreshed by
the sea and land breezes. In fact portion OF the
gulf receives the influence Of the winds Of the At
lantc. which blow right across Honduras from north
10 SOUTH through the transverse valley along which
the railroad Is TO run In no part of Honduras in
| deed, Ia the heat excessive. We found Omoa hot,
but not oppressive. the vicinity Of the hills and
| constantly temperng the action OF the sun. In
Comayagua, where we arrived in the middle Of July,
| il wa always pleasant within doors Out of doors
IL was hot, but the nights invariably cool. The
houses Of Comayagua very well adapted for warm
| weather having very thick walls of adobe or I'M
baked bricks, large and lofty rooms tiled floors few
| but large windows, and always broad and long
verandah in the Within the last few days have
| been wishing that some pains had been taken 10
| keep out the cold a. well as the beat.
Puerto Caballos, also, the northern terminus Of the
railroad, Is an excellent and safe harbor Of great
capacity, well sheltered, easy Of entrance and exit.
| AID with good holding ground. 1ts depth varies
from twelve fathoms In the centre 10 six, five and
tour iathoms close 70 the north shore Connected
| with the harbor is large salt water argoon some
three miles in length by two in breadth and with
depth Of three and half fathoms for the greater part
q its extent. A cut Of one or two hundred yards
| would conveniently connect IL with the port and
make il available for vessels not drawing more than
| eighteen feet water which on entering would he
| perfectly landocked. Around the harbor there is
every convenience for large town-frm land and
| an abundant supply Of pure water. &c.
From Puerto Caballos, southwark, the road has
been located 10 the distance Of sixty.fe mes-the
survey terminating for the present, at point
about fifteen miles above the junction of the Ulua
| and Humuya. The work for the surveying party
| has been very heavy, the region tnversed u
densey wooded, while the terminating spurs Of the
mountains were often found 10 out much farther
than was anticipated; but an excellent line has
been obtained, and the grades for the distance
toned will in exceed twenty-five feet 10 the
mile. In some cases they will fail as low as four
FIVE and In instance, believe, will not exceed
two and a half Along the entire line. from ocean
TO ocean, the country offers in abundance every
quisite in tie way Of materials, all Of which by the
charter are at the disposal Of the company
The swollen state Of the Humuya towards the
close of the Amy season. induced Col Tranwine to
suspend for short time his abors in this region,
and transfer lis corps TO the summit, around which
the critical point OF the road, great deal Of in
terest has at,rally concentrated. The party has
now been in tht neighborhood couple of weeks,
and as have lately returned from the spot it may
perhaps interest your readers TO hear few details
OF my visit.
| On the Afternoon If the 14th ] started from Co.
| mayagua in company with Don Leon Alonrado and
Two other gentlemen cf the city. We took the route
~ Las Pedras TO the west Of the Humuya, crossing
the river in boat 81 ort distance below the town
whie our animals, tied in line by their haters and
| tails, were led over by young man who waded
through 'he stream Al easy ride Of about three
| hours, including some stay at the village Of Laja
mani, whence we were accompanied by the Padre
and his sister, brought ms TO Los Pedras. Here
we found Dr. Holland, surgeon Of the expedition,
and other friends, and were soon quite at home. In
deed little ceremony is needed in Honduras whether
entering house as stranger or TREND. Every house