The New York herald., 1877-02-09
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, Feb 8, 1877
THE TREATY WITH NICARAGUA-coMMoDoRE
LuILs REPORT ON THE INTERocEANrc SHIP
CANAL-No coScEs SION TO HENRY MErGGs.
Tho statement that the Nicaraguan government has
entered contract with Henry Mciggs 10 build an
in,cr.occanic canal is denied by the Minister Of that
government in Washington. Mr.. McIggs has, as many
others have DONE made proposition asking or con-
ccssons in the building Of . tho canal but
have been granted TO anybody. The oh.
ject o! that government now to get
an ampcation oi the treaty OF and nav,ga-
ton OF 1857, which will better promote tho construc.
,on OF this oceanic highway and Secretary Fish
s already assured that the Ncaraguayan government
would not at any time mako ans con-
ccssion without drst scquaint,ng our govern
mcnt with tho result What were the enlarged
privileges which asked the present time
Is considered diplomatic TO reveal, but It is
serted that the bona Of friendship between tho United
states and Nicaragua only sought strengthened
by the new treaty, and that there are no obstacles
whatever to IT'S consummaticn.
The government Of Nicaragua some tmc since &C.
credited Schor adam Cardenas as its special Minister
to effect treaty with our government upon the broad
basis the Clayton Bulwcr treaty between the govern
cnt o. the United states and Great B,iialn OF 1854
As may be readily supposed. the proposed treaty be-
tween tho government Of Nicaragua and our own has
neccsstacd great study and consideration delay
has been unavoidable IN framing proper treaty. II
is hoped, however, that this document Is now per.
and will 10 presented to the Senate for
confirmation
The proposed canal Is act'cally the work OF tho
United states government From the Official report
Of Commodore Luil, on dlc at the Navy Department,
tho following account Is condensed. showing the ma
turc and extent Of the great en- tcrprisc:-
FOR distance OF forty-two miles. and beginning at
or near Grcytown, at which point suhicirnt break
water or harbor must be constructed insure 4
smooth entrance into The canal the excavation to pro-
cccd by the iei bank OF tho RIVER San Juan n voint
near aud above the mouth of tho River san
Carlos rendered necessary by tho quantities
OF silt ana dcbfis borne by tho waters OF tho San
Carlos River into tho san Juan, hc aStua location as
made, II Is no" known, can be shortened ana mucn
improved, which was not done at the lime the survey
IN progress because the then unfnvora-
bic. From tho mouth OF the San Carlos to LaNe
Nicaragua the distance OF slack water ma cation Is
sky miles In order to elect hfs slack water
navigation Tour oi height OF twenty -nnc
feet necessary, and order lock around these
dams short canals are necessary aggreeatng IN length
three aud onchali miles Tie construction oi tho
dam nearest Lake Nicaragua rs designed 10 maintain
the level Of the water 107 6l0 feet above the level
the ocean. From tho into Lake Nicaragua
the distance TO Virgin Bay j. hfy-six and onc-haii
miles. THIS bay is Under The lcc OF u large -land
which makes ample brclkwatcr, so FAR as heavy
vessels arc concernct, 10 secure saic entrance INTO
the canal which from this point leads by tho valley oi
the RIO Del Medic. and AT distance Of five or mics
from the lake reaches the ''dvidcn and enters the
valley OF the Rio Grande which follows to tho port
OF Brlto, more properly an Irdcnation on The
This involves excavation Of sixteen ana seven
ccbths miles The crest excava,cd height or
1aj feet out Notwithstanding this altitude, the whole
excavation VIII be considerably less than upon
other route that could be chosen where height Of
forty.sx feet only would be necessary. The
advantage OF the deep and steep cut II in securing
less excavation as whole and COOL surface dram
age which tDc other vailey or Watershed does no.
AFFORD.
The construction Of this work on beth sides OF Lake
Nicaragua will require TOTAL oi twenty t locks OF
i07 ,lo feet average which can be distributed sdvan.
tagcousy nj proper distances apart a tide
lock IS supposed necessary or the Pacific
made entirely smooth IA order 10 eject
safe entrance or exit from the canal THIS is o
favored by fine weather 10 render hurbor
sells awaiting transit noi necessary but should har.
bor he desired Juan del Sur II not i've marine
miles from Brito and is good and sufficiently commo-
uious barbor
Commander Lall csirates that the cost OF the con.
sructIon OF THIS work, allowing tho usual twenty hve
per cent addition for conting ngcncies, Is nearly
500 O00. 900. The Commissioners appointed by tue
President. appreciaung I'll. dlicuics. delays and
uncertainties that are nseparnb!c from great works,
regard xlUO 900 as possible expenditure Tor the
completion and cfcctua work M OF ship canal hav.
ins depth OF twenty.six feet. should this sum be
sufficient Tor the construction OF the gi work. Is
pam tn all who are conversant with the products OF
California and Oregon and their demands from opc
Eastern coast. tDat with very low rate
Of tolls compared with the Sucz Canal cJasing
trade OF the products OF the United States alone
would make outlay o, Sl00 600 600 as
soon the work was constructed.
A FURTHER ADJOURNMENT or THE SUPREME
COURT.
Tho Chief Justice says that the arduous Iabors
imposed upon the Gve Associate Justices Of
the Supreme Court ~ho are members Of the
Electoral Commission arc such that u the
commission ends It's work by the 1orh inst, TO
which time the Court adjourned, II will be necessary
for the Supreme Court to adjourn TO later daysay
70 March Ito give Messrs. Clifford, Miller, Strong,
FAid and RrAdlss timc to recs p~raiA