The New York herald., 1879-09-30
Evidences of General Grants In
terest in the Scheme.
AN EXPRESSION FROM NICARAGUA
Americans Looked To as the Last
Hope of the Project.
THE FEELING AMONG CAPITALISTS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ]

WASHINGTON, Sept 20, 1879.
Since the return Of General Grant to the United
States of his friends in Washington have heard
anything from him the subject of the Nicaragua
Canal. II is supposed that the General is too much
occupied with the receptions and excursions to give
attention just his future occupation. but by
the mail received from Yokohama at the Navy De-
partment to-day came letters from naval officers
In the Asatc squadron stating that during the Gen
eias visit in Japan when he received letters from
Rear Admiral Ammcn, he commenced at once to talk
up the subject and inspired a new interest in the
project One of the officers says-
General Grant is thoroughly in for it, and we
satch the cnthussm from him. That seems to
assure the building OF the great interoceanic canal
via Nicaragua.
ANOTHER SURVEY PROBABLE
1t was generally understood among the officers of
the navy Asiac waters that without delay mother
expedition would be sent to resurvey the routes and
make u final report the one most available. In
explanation Of such expedition requests have
been made by officers to be ordered home that they
may have the honor and the pleasure of aiding in
the beginning Of the great work. The interest which
General Grant takes in the project of building the
canal may. therefore, be fairly judged by the tenor
of the private letters addressed to naval officers
duty in Washington and the prominence which tho
General appears to have given the subject in his
conversations after he had sent the telegram IL ap
prove" to his friend, Admiral Ammen.
EXPRESSION FROM NICARAGUA.
Additional interest is given to the subject by the
receipt of letters from the Minister of Public Works
In Nicaragua who was during General Grants ad
ministration the representative of his country here
in Washington. He writes to Engineer A. G. Mono
CAL who is TO visit Nicaragua the latter part of this
year at the request of that government, follows
After what happened in Paris last May, at the
Congress- convened to discuss the canal rontes the
government Of Nicaragua looks upon the American
people the only likely to build canal across
the country. and hopes all concentrated
i'll that work, the President of Nicaragua and all
people are anxious to grant anything that may be
required to facilitate the construction of tho canal
General Grants Willingness to identify himself
with the canal company was promptly made known
to the Nicaraguan government in advance of its
being published in the United Statcs that govern
ment might be prepared for any proposition
coming from European capitalists or project
ors. The letter of the Minister Of Public
Works speaks of the great satisfaction which
General Grants acceptance Of the proposed trust
gives to the people of Nicaragua appears that it
is nothing to them. for just before tho ending
of the Presidential term of General Grant he was
urged to become. retiring from the White
House. the head Of the Nicaragua company He
thought favorably OF the proposition but had then
partially made up his mind to mako trip around
the world, and concluded to go on the journey and
defer positive acceptance until his return to the
Untod States. Hence the news of his readiness now
to engage in the enterprise gives the Nicaragunns
additional confidence in the final success of tho
scheme to connect the waters of tho two great
oceans.
NOT SEEKING A POLITICAL OFFICE.
1t will thus be seen. already stated in these de-
Bpatches. that the subject is with which Gen.
era Grant is thoroughly familiar. and ex-
plictly confirms the other statement that during
his trip around the world he has quietly kept in
view the proposition made by Rear Admiral
Ammen behalf of the friends of the
Nicaragua route before he left Washington. and
which renewed at the earliest opportune moment
when the General ending his journey.
These facts given the friends of the General to
convince Others that his whole aspirations arc in
business direction. and that he docs not even so
much as consider the probability of again filling
political office.
THE NE cEssARY CONCESSIONS.
In regard to the concessions necessary for the
establishment of the company it is said that Nicar-
aqua has full control of the water route and that
the consent Of Costa Rica is not necessary. The
most that Costa Rica could claim would be
the location of tho ends Of three dams,
but it is contendcd that these could
be located upon ground still belonging to Nicaragua
and not yet ceded Costa Rica. treaty only par
italy ratified did propose to abandon tho boundary
of Costa Rica to tho southern bank OF the Juan
River. but it is still pending before tho Nicaraguan
government.
INTERESTED
Mr.. Menocal says that during his recent visit to
Now York he conversed with number of prominent
capitalists and leading business mon. who gave
great encouragement toward starting tho enter
prise. Very much depends upon what our own gov
ernment will give now. not in the way Of
loan. but for providing for speedy surveys and
the visit of corps of ablcst engineers
to the country through which it is proposed to
struct the canal. The general revival of business
and the desire make the United States the leading
nation in all great enterprises Mr.. Menoca thinks.
will greatly encourage capital to seek enterprise
which must forever pay the investors large per
cent on the capital stock.
ELIZABETH IN THE COURTS.