The New York herald., 1869-02-14
PANAMA..

The Mission of MIR. Cushing-Trenty for the
Darien Canai-LOuis NapOlc0n's Counter
Piot-Treaty for the Nicaragua Cannl-The
Isihmus Tax Question-Pannma Bank.
PANAMA, Feb. s, 1869.
The most important news from the Isthmus is the
mission OF General Cushing, who returned from O.
gotta yesterday ana leaves on the steamer to-day for
New York. During his short stay General Cushing
has been the guest of +. W. Rce the United States
Consul at Aspnwa.
on learning that General Cushing was in the city
the President OF the State General Correoso, very
courteously sent his compliments to him. and later
in the evening General Cushing called on his
Excelency and was received with military
honors. The party was received in the
government sala In the most courteous and
friendly manner by the President and his suite, and
an hour was spent in pleasant conversation. or
course his Excellency was anxious to obtain some
information in regard to the Generals mission. or
which the latter made no special secret. He stated
frankly that one OF his principal objects in visiting
Bogota was to confirm the basis OF an arrangement
already entered into at washington. to open canal
across the isthmus; that his propositions were
ceived by the government in the most friendly
spirit ana that he had far been successful in his
mission as TO enter into treaty lor that purpose
awaits the ratification OF the Congress IN Washing
ton.
tention 10 the news from Central America by which
1t appears that Senor Ayon has just returned from
France and perfected treaty with the French gov
ernment, as Commissioner from Nicaragua, to open
canal across that STATE This Is Nap0leon's pet
idea, and he does not sleep over such notions. II he
once gets his scheme into market IL Is bound to COM
pete with the isthmus canal scheme; SO there Is no
time 20 be lost. He has couple OF hundred miles
TO contend against there while we have less than
nifty here; but he has energy and pride while we
have only personal aggrandlzement to urge US.
Let petty Jealousy and petty speculation give way
n al
across this isthmus which win be the worlds PRIDE
and the United states can stick feather in her cap
that VIII call forth the admiration OF all nations.
Europe and Asia will join hands across isthmus,
both by sea and lanu. England must communicate
France must look TO us for shorter route TO her
Pacific possessions. The North and South Americas
will become closer allies. Columbus great Idea OF
nnding o passage IRON one ocean TO another VIII be
al last realized and there win be no more necessity
for enterprisng individuals TO lose their lives and
be frozen 10 death IN butng round the north pole to
get into the tropics. II any man can build this
canal in hurry General Grant ought to be that
man. and the sooner he builds it the BETTER If he has
any ambition To make his mark.
When wrote you last | thought the tax question,
far II related TO the foreigners on the isthmus,
had been settled at least for year; but 1t seems
was disappointed. The government came to terms
with the Panama merchants, but left those o. Aspn
cent from the original amounts levied on them,
although they naturally expected to be placed on the
same footing as their neghbors and therefore took
no trouble to make protests and 50 on Now, how
ever, that they nnd they are to be mulcted in the
whole sum- their danders rise and they refuse to
pay dollar beyond that stipulated In the law. They
are backed up by the energetic United States Consul
Rice, who is dong all in his power to help them
with his advice. and who IL Is 10 be hoped VIII be
able TO obtain some justice for his countrymen.
Were the money demanded 10 be spent for any good
purpose people might be willing to pay IT. but when
they see that every cent they pay and more Is TO
be squanuered In keeping up an army OF
Idle, lazy soldiers FOR the sole purpose OF
keeping one man in power, and that dollar Ia
never spent for the public good, tney naturally
kick against the Injustice. IL will take at least up
wards OF hall the entire income OF the state TO sup
port the militia force TO be kept under In time
OF peace, when a body Of seventy five police would
do FAR more efficient service
A charfer has been granted by the government OF
the sovereign State OF Panama TO Messrs. Il. Planas
and W. +. Kelly for the establishment OF a state
bank in this city, IL IS 10 be named the Bank OF Pana-
ma, and Is TO possess capital up to $3.50, coo, but
go into operation so soon as $4,000 Is secured.
Captain A. X. Fisher, wen known Californian,
dled near Panama on the LIST inst. He came here
time since In connection with the Cocos Island
gold hunting expedition.
John n. DUBOIS. a native OF Brooklyn, and for
many years resident here, died on the 80 inst.