The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-07
Penna. National Guard.
The Adjutant-General Report
Coronation of the Kaiser.
Where Shall it be SOlemnized ?
THE DARIEN SHIP CANAL.

The Problem Probably soIved-A Practicable
Route for the Canal Discovered-The Divide
Between the Two Oceans Easily Overcome
Letter from Captain Seifridge Announcing
his Success.
PANAMA Jan. 29.-The great problem of a.
ship canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, has been satisfactorily solved, it is be-
lieved, at length, and the prospects that the
long-wished for highway will be speedily
thrown open to the commercial world are en-
couraging in the extreme.
Although the intelligence just received here
regarding the splendid undertaking is somewhat
meagre, there is every reason to hope that the
commendable expedition sent by the United
States Government has been rewarded by we'll
deserved success. Notwithstanding the innu-
merable obstacles to be surmounted and the
various rumors aloat as to the impracticabity
of making canal at any other place than from
Aspinwall to Panama, Commander T. O. Sell
fridge, commanding the Darien expedition, has
persisted confidently in his belief that greater
feasibility for this project existed elsewhere.
The storeship Guard, it may be remembered,
left New York December A. and arrived at Car
thagena after twenty days sail, and subse-
quently proceeded to the mouth of the Atrato
river, distant from Aspinwall about 2S9 miles.
There the Guard lay at anchor and a portion of
the surveying party, consisting of the COM
mander, few officers and marines and sailors,
came off in q launch and landed. The Atrato
is deep, sluggish river, with marshy banks
extending back about ten miles, when the
ground becomes solid.
1t appears the party took but very little bag
gage, as the intention was to proceed slowly and
to gradually discover the most possible route
with the certainty of it being accomplished.
For considerable portion of the time the party
had to rough 1t under adverse circumstances,
but the prospects daily becoming brighter, the
stout-hearted members of the pioneer band ira
versed the ground with will, wading through
swampy tracks, which occurred frequently
but towards nightfall the party pitched pretty
comfortable tents on the hard SOIL the lights
attracting millions of intruding mosquitoes 1t
was cheering, however, to find that as the party
proceeded the surrounding country became
more favorable, and rapid way was made
towards Paya, which is a short way beyond
Yarisa, on the Tuyra river, emptying into the
Gulf of San Miguel, on the Pacific. Com
mander Selfridge and party halted at Paya
and forwarded, in charge of the Indians, sea-
man of the party, who was ILL., to Chapinga, and
thence to Panama. This sailor, Emerson, was
aleo made the bearer of dispatches TO the State
Department at Washington, as well as letter to
United States Consnl Long at Panama. The
exploring party then returned by the atrato 10
the east coast. After very careful examination
it was discovered that the great divide was
exactly three hundred feet above the level
feet higher than was generally anticipated, it is
stated that the barriers are by no means so in
surmountable as was supposed
Although some hardships were bravely en-
dured, no sickness prevailed.
Commander Selfridge, it appears. is deter
mined to make O most thorough and complete
exploration; for, although his efforts so far have
been characterized by success, he will at once
proceed to relieve all doubt concerning the route
throughout the trip. The Indians showed nc
signs of hostility, being rather disposed to be
friendly than otherwise. The following is {
copy of Commander Selfridges letter.
"PAYA, interior OF Darien, january 10, 1s7O.-Tt
Consul Long: have discovered the line for the IN
ter-Oceanc canal. The height OF the dividing ridg'
is three hundred feet counting on each side. 1t i
Panama to you by the Indians. Please
send them on by first mail. Ask MI
Perry, II the Npsic has not arrives
schooner OF not less than fifty tons at REASONABLE
terms as possible, and despatch her at once to tn
mouth OF the Atrato should he hear by mail an
news OF the Nipsic having sailed from the United
States for AspinwalL Tell the captain OF tn
schooner that wish him to proceed Fith all des
patch 10 the mouth OF the Atrato.
yours, truly, THOMAS SELFRIDGE, U. 5. N"
Paya is above Bavisa, in the Puyra, whic
emptes into Darien harbor. Emerson, the sea
man who brought the despatch, sailed up til
Puyra with the Indians, haltng at Chafnga
He subsequently passed out through the Gulf O
San Miguel, and continued along the coast t
Panama, distance of over four hundred miles
Having been injured on the voyage, he wa
conveyed to the hospital at Panama, where b
party enjoyed good health, and that SO ia
everything augured successfully.
telegram was sent to Mr.. Perry, the Unite
States Consul at Aspinwall and he chartered
schooner to go to the mouth of the Atrato rive
there to await orders from Commander Sc
fridge. The schooner will be in readiness in
few days.
The survey by way of San Miguel, on th
Pacific side, will be commenced in about for
night.
The news of the discovery created quite
sensation here.