The New York herald., 1870-02-19

tcpec lsihmms-ship Canal from Ocean "a
Oceau-Lettcr Of tho Minister Of Public
Works.
HAVANA. Feb. 49, 1870.
The following Is the letter or the Minister Of Pub
Tic Works to the Congress OF Mexico, transmitting
the projected concession for ship canal through
the lsihmus OF Tehua1tepec. The bill will come up
for 1Dsl action In AprD next
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC IxPRovExxsr.
COLONIZATION, INDUSTRY. COMMERCE., OF
THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO
MEXICO Jan. IA, 1870.
To the q. c. DEPUTIES SECRETARIES OF the Congress
OF the unon:-
The Iehuantepec Railway Company bas presented
70 the government OF the republic propositions ask.
ing for authority to establish q canal across the
lstlmus of lennansepcc TO unite the two oceans by
Tue government would like to give this propo-
sitioH II moro extended examination, and to
present 10 Congress corresponding project OF law,
oI 70 at BODY the solution OF the question entirely
Deoags; but considering the near approach OF the
ciose OF us session and the magnitude and import
aHce VI Tue enterprise the czen President has de-
cloeu tlat the original lroje"t should be transmitted
10 the national representatives. Consequently l
send IL here wit SO tnat the proper committee NAV
examine 1t With the particular attention That It
merits ana report at an early day. The proposed
enterprise will unitc the Atlantic and the Pacific by
direct communication ACROSS Tue national terri
tory VIII taciiitate the relations OF Western Europe
with the eastern part OF the Ola Continent, and will
DC OF immense advantage 10 the commerce OF the
world and especia U to tnat OF America, because 1t
VIII enable the people oil this Continent to have
uIcCL communication flOm one shore TO the other
and with Europe and ASIA, without being compelled
70 y make the long and tedious passage around Cape
The Tchauntcpec canal If opened would become
the great commercial centre OF the mercantile
world and the wealth and prosperity Of the republic
would be incalculably augmented. Besides these
immense advantages Mexico would have the glory
OF having constructed within its territory OF the
grandest works Of the aye
plating the union OF the two oceans, aud Its atten
tloA IL called TO the lsthmns OF Darien but 1t must
be remembered that the different explorations
already made demonstrate tnat the lsthmus OF
Tehauntepec presents tine least difficulties for the
accomplishment Of this object II the project s0ic-
persons Interested III the construction Of canal
viii be directed towards this cnferpfsc, which can
nnc w "a snort tune and the
which WoujI arise fr0M the cohstructlon ol canal
across the !sthmus OF Darien.
hons iurther because the wisdom 0f Congress sum
ciently appreciates this project. and consequently
will take proper action thereon.
e Independence and Liberty. BALCARCEL.
The following arc the prominent features Of the
concession as reported by the Committee Of Congress
Of Mexico:-
ARTICLE authorizes the Tehnantepec Railway
sp 81 canal n addition % It's
ART. provides for making explorations, surveys
and the plans OF the canal, ana appoints commits
ART. 3. Surveys to be made in five years ana to be
approved by the government before the work can
De commenced.
ART. 4. Construction or the canal 10 commence
WITHIN three years after the plans are approved
ART. 8. Blight Of way aud large grants Of land to
the company III aid OF the enterprise.
ART. 8. Materials OF public land gratis; private
property TO be paid for.
ART. I. Lighthouses TO be built by the company.
ART eXempts materials, machinery, tools and
coal from duty.
Aar. o. TarIr Of charges to De approved BY the
President Ol Mexico.
ART 10. All ARTICLES OF prime necessity can be I'm
ported by the company FOR the use OF its employees
duty free.
Arr. II. Exempts the transit and all the capital
Invested In tne Enterprise from all contributions and
taxation.
ART. II. After twelve years Mexico to be entitled
to ten per cent OF the net proceeds and after The
ART. l3. Concession for niDety-nlnc years.
Akr. Il. Neutrality OF route guaranteed
ART. 10. direction amt government OF the canal
belongs TO the company, Onc1 fourth OF the directors
To be named by the Mexican government.
ART. is. Company to be Mexican ana to have the
privilege OF forming otner companies In Mexico or
the United States.
Art. H. All persons now ana hereafter engaged
In the enterprise are TO be regarded as naturailzed
Mexcans, ana cannot bring forward claims as
Foreigners.
affects the provisions Of this law. though they may
decide differences arising between stockholders out
OF the republic.
ART. l9. The company cannot ALLEVIATE, sell or hy-
potnecate the concession without the previous con-
sent OF the government; but the company may issue
bonds end other evidences OF debt without the
sent OF the government.
ATT 20 Causes Of forfeiture OF grant,
ART. II. II concession IL forfeited, and new grant
made, successors pay the approved valuation OF
what IS already made.
ART. ~. Company 10 make nm annual report to
the government relative to the works
Arr. 90, controversies concerning the interpella-
tion apd execution OF the law to be decided By
Mexican tribunals.