The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-16
AN OPENING rox AMERICAN COMMERCE.

UEITBp STATES LEGATIOE,(
BoGOTA, Sept j, 1870.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The existing war in Europe and the complications
which appear probable, II 1t should continue any
length or time, presents an opportunity for the
United States which should be taken advantage OF.
We need a development OF our ocean steam naviga-
ton. and 1t appears to me that one OF the courses
where such line could be laid down and probably
operated Is on the north coast OF South America,
either in connection with the Pacific Mail Company
at Colon (AspinwalD or as an independent line.
Such line or lines could start from New York or
New Orleans as home ports and touch at oil the i'm
portant points from Colon to Laguayra and return,
and thus not only carry on the commerce direct
from each point United States but secure the
coastwisc business, passengers ana mail service.
line might be marked out from New York to La
guayra, Porto Cabeo, Maracaibo, In Venezuela, and
Rio Hacha, santa Martha or Savanilla, Carthagena
TO Colon (AspinwaD, IN Colombia, thence returning
over the same line to New York or from Colon to
Havana, thence TO New York, or from New Orleans
TO Havana, thence to Colon, thence by coast TO La
guayra, and returning on the same track.
am satisfied that either OF these lines could be
made 70 pay and taat they would soon Largely In
bia and Venezuela
Steamers Tor this service would require TO be OF
first class material and build; but need not be lavish
in their furniture ana equipments.
The Colombian government Is disposed to aid the
enterprise, and line OF steamers which would call
semi monthly at their ports, taking charge OF their
coast mails as well as Of the correspondence with
the United States, would receive subsidy OF from
thirty 70 forty thousand dollars year,
The Colombian ports are Rio Hacha, Santa Martha
or Savanilla Carthagena. the mouth OF the river
Sintu and Colon.
Coal is reported to be abundant on the Sintu and
convenient to Its mouth. The same report has been
made as 70 Rio Hacha, but fear the coal there Is
only Ignite. IL may be the same at Sintu.
The Two English lines, Royal Mail and West india
Martha There Is also q French line between st.
NaZaire and Colon, touching at the same points,
The German line. from Bremen to Colon, to touch at
Savanllla, which was announced for the 17tn
the port OF Sayanla . railroad is now
under construction TO the town OF Barranquilla on
the Magdalena. This will at once send the whole
trade OF the Magdaena Valley to Savanilla instead
Of Santa Martina.
The industries Of Colombia are being developed
very actively, and all It's productions are increasing
Bark hides indigo and coffee and rubber are the
principal exports TO the United States BY opening
direct, regular and speedy Intercourse between
the two countries there Is doubt that many vau-
able exchanges could be made which now lie idle.
The Colombian Consul General in New York can
no doubt give you the figures OF the present com.
merce.
Tue Germans, who have hitherto done a very large
share OF the exporting business OF this country
now paralyZed by the war; and the rates OF freight
demanded by the existing steam lines are SO heavy
that there is no doubt that the products OF this coun-
try can be probably taken to New York and thence
transshipped TO Europe Ut less rates than are now
demanded.
desire to call the attention OF the merchants OF
the United States TO this country, and especially to
steam communication with 1t, and shall be happy TO
aid in any enterprise that may be set on foot 10 this
end. Your 0bedient servant
S. A. HURLBUT Minister Resident.