The New York herald., 1875-03-11
cease, ana the question Will be az to tho source
whence the capital must be derived.

DETAILS OF THE EXPEDITION.
Commander Lull and MIR. Menocal. the civil ep-
gineer attached TO the expedition, having con-
su ted as TO the plan OF operations IL was deter
mined to run the line nearly half way between
Aspin wall and Panama. one party under Lieuten-
ans LeutZe and the other under Lieutenant Colby.
Accompanying tne former weIe Lieutenant Very
and Masters Green and Comm. with dozen Of the
natives, aud with the latter were Leutenants
Moser and Tausg. with similar numoer OF as
sistants. At Camp AfnInen, from which my last
communication was dated, the two parties d.
vided--ihe one to run up tne Chagres River 10
ind the necessary elevation at whlcl the water
could be taken TO supply the summit level, and
tue other TO the cross sections tue location
OF the proposed vladuct. The explorers had not
lar 10 travel, Tor u short distance below the camp
the requisite spot was found which 1t Is believed
would answer the purposes ior which u mas now
this viaduct should be aoout l,500 leet in length.
the high hills at either end ahording the desired
foundations Tor such work. From the southern
end oi this cross section the line was started TO
Panama. Lieutenant ColDys party set out in
good shape ana excellent spirits, and completed
the duty assigned tnem having reached the bay
some days ago, fifteen miles from tue point or
crossing The Chagres River.
The proposed line crosses the summit at
elevation OF 2s4 Ieet ABOVE mean tide, wnch
would give depth OF cutting at that point OF l70
teet aOOve the surface OF the water In the canal.
The plan shows tnat the length OF this summit cut
1alls rapidly on both sides OF the extreme eeva-
ti0n the mean depth OF the required excavation
would not be more rnan 55 feet 1t Is well TO add,
in order TO make clear the intended operations In
case the line were selected, that from the end or
the proposed cut toward Panama the all OF the
ground Is very sudden, afording. should think,
favorable sites Tor the LOCKS, not two OF when
would be less than l, 500 ieet apart. At distance
or some seventeen miles lrom the camp at Mata.
chln Lieutenant Leutze's party founL the surface
OF the water IN the river 10 be l03 ee above mean
tide. Moreover an excellent site was discovered
Ior dam the idea,bepg TO 1t $40 It, IN length,
by " hicn the water would be raised 80 leet. From
a short distance above tue proposed dam the ex-
peditlon party proceeded TO locate the aqueduct,
when VIII be ABOUT ten miles long ana discharge
into receiving and distributing basin. to be stu
ated near ODlspo station anu short distance
south OF the entrance TO the v1aduct.
THE CAMP AT oBlSPO.
Lieutenant Colby. with MS party, will immedi-
ateiy commence running the necessary connection
Tor lhe location OF the proposed basin. As suon
aqueduct seiected the two parties Will proceed to
locate the line rom tine northern end OF the wa
Duct to Asplnwall Tue vigorous style IN which
the work mas progressed 80 far Is Indicative ot
speedy results and IL Is agreeable to think tnat
oisa9reeab.e duty Will soon Oe at an END. Camp
Ing on the Chagres River IL by no means 80 pleas
ant as might be expected, but In ali my expert
ence, nave never seen better arrangements Ior
the accommodation OF botn officers and men.
True, Surgeon Branord VINO is attached to TINS
party, mas had MS handS lull, lor our Old enemy
the lever has Deen stalking alter us since the start
but what win necessary care aud precautiOn
am nappy 10 state thaj che members OF the eXpe-
elton are Just now enjoying good health: me
camp Is q model OF neatness, despite the wild sur
roundings OF the place. and the order and dscl-
pliue preserved contribute not tlIe 10 the salts
expedition was more thoroughly organized than
this. and 1t Is sincerely to be hoped tnat the
results uay, III some measure. compensate LOT Inc
earnehtneSs anu ability which nave thus lar
marked the laborS OF tue party.
PROSPECTS OF THE EXPEDITION.
1t Is pretty wen understoou that the supply OF
water is bUuntliul. indeed, Mr.. Me nOcal assured
me that the source furnished almost nve times
tne quantity required for canal pu pose, and that
the engineering difficulties TO be encountered IN
the construction OF The Work are comparatively
slight, taxing INTO account the colossal character
OF The undertaking. IL must be borne IN mind,
moreover, tnat the route by way OF Nicaragua Is
sui higa in iavor ana 1t will need su Ds tanIlal
proofs to demonstrate the superiority OF any other
line. Commander LuIl and Mr. MenOcal are con-
different parles. wne NJ. superintendent
White, or the Panama Railroad, has afforded
every facility and accOmmo LatiOn to tue survey
ing expedition, In order, doubtless, tnat tle
veXed question might De settied once and iOr AL
tine. Whatever may De the resut-and it will be
known WITHIN lew weeks-certaln 1t Is that 40
pains have Deeu spared to carry cut the main OBJ
Ject IN vlew-to determine the best route lor an
N nfArn aluIO nl