The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-14


This sum of $4,000 900, shared equally or IN
equitable proportions between the three govern
ments, could be secured by mortgage upon the ca
nal or paid of gradually by sinking fund, and
would be an insignificant sum il compared with
their resources and with the advantages that would
TO the commercial and public interests Of the
nations which they represent. II seems probable
that besides the three mentioned those
OF other countries. such as Russia, Spain the Ger
man. and even the Italian States would seek to par
tcipate in the advantages of the Interoceanc canal
but, il they should not their assistance can very
easily be dispensed with in it, construction, and
their commerce must become tributary to its reve-
nue. in proportion to its requirements.
From communication to which have already re-
ferred extract some very interesting remarks on
the effect which the construction Of this canal would
produce upon the United States:-
The canal, when finished, will place America IN TIE
geographical centre OF the rade OF the world with
golden Of California Australia and the a.
China spices and gems OF It's neghborng islands thrown,
with lis wealth, civilization enterprise other,
giving most important position among the nations 4
the earth. Tine, distance and expense being greatly
duced vessels make but one voyage 70 ths
Pacific Ocean will then be able make and three
In single season and commerce. enjoying The sdvanta
afforded oy these reductions will be renewed q
grander scale than known before Our rich and
valuable In California will be greatly enhanced
soa ever changing away over Ssaco and SS.
trial America, with little advantage 10 any one not
excepting .beIs.lvss, would gradually be s.sngushsd
liberal entfTprsDg spirit give stability 10 the country,
and bringing II! lovely fertile lands under cultivation
Ocean, where steam destined 10 achieve In greatest
trumphs, will then be covered With rapidly Increasing
eectuAy the walls OF secluson that surround hesthca
lands and penetrating far into the interior quest of f.
reign productions, bring back their Inhabitants 70 CIVIL
zation and q knowledge OF the true Cod.
II remains TO notice briefly the various routes by
which il has been proposed TO connect the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans by canal
Tehuantcpec route-Distance from sea 10 sea, 2l0
miles, eugth by canal. ~ miles; requires $50 locks
Nicaragua Distance from sea TO sea, lM miles;
canal AZ miles; requires Is locks, aud river 70 DO
deepened 81 miles.
quires feeder "a miles long to bring scanty sup
MY Of water the summit level; requires 2s locks
San BIAS and Chiriqui-little known, believed ~
be mpracticabe owing to the great height aud
width Of the dividing range.
Napipi route Originally proposed by Humboldt
10 connect the Atrato with the Pacific Ocean at
Cupria Bay; Objectionable for similar reasons the
last
Darien-Explored by Lieut.. Strain and by the TO
vernment engineers of England and the United
States conformity with France; pronounced imprac-
ticable.
Atra.o and TruandO route Explored in 1856 by
Capt Kennish, accompanied BY Capt Rade and DR..
r. q Jameson, also by Mr.. Nelson, brother of the
former British Consul at Panama; river Atrato re-
quires deepening at its outlets, and il thence navi
gable for the very largest vessels for 90 miles 70 the
Truando; Truando requires deepening ~ miles; no
locks or dams required; now under examination by
Lieut.. Craven, Y. 9. N. distspce from the Gulf q
Daricn 10 the Pacific 13l miles
Trusting that the above exposition will prove in
terestng 10 the numerous readers OF the HERALD,
and lead men of capital 20 watch the Developments
which In n short time will be disclosed on q question
Of primary importance, remain cir, yours, very re-
spectfully, r. q. J.
psf occurs 10 me that I have omitted TO state
that the width Of the proposed canal for which me
preceding estimates have been made, btwo hundred
feet Good authorities, 10 whom the plan has been
submitted, allege that width OF one hundred feet
this oninion should no sdopted and acted upon the
expense Of construction would he reduced by nearly
one-haf, with pro rata reduction In the financial
difficulties az well az in the amount TO be levied upon
commerce for the canal Notwithstanding this
circumstance there are reasons connected with the
future rather than with the present, which seem, in
this instance to call for work Of the first magni
tuden n 3. y.