The New York herald., 1879-10-22

lean interoceanic canal as well az with the canal at
suez instructed his Minister in Mexico to OBTAIN
the concessions which the Louisiana Company had
been Obliged to let go by default. But fresiaent
Jaurez. who. next to being Mexican was an Ameri-
American company. This refusal. among other
things, led to the invasion of Mexico by the French
and finally to the death of Maximilian.
ANOTHER LAPsED GRANT.
ION the 4th day of March. 1862 President Juarez.
of Mexico, renewed to Emile La Sere of Louisiana,
the concession under substantially the same terms
were granted to the former country. This con
cession lapsed in 1871 from nonfulhlment OF It's
obligations the part of the company organized to
construct the road. Thus, we observe that tho
Isthmus of Tehuantepec has occupied the attention
OF geographers and statesmen for the past $50 years.
and as that OF one OF the natural points toward
which the commerce OF the world naturally con-
verges for Its transit between the two great oceans
And we must also observe that project after project
has been formed and yet failed to consuinate this
grand idea Nor can Mexico be justly charged with
has been made upon the most liberal terms granting
to the corporations the fullest powers and privi-
leges and endowing them with land sufficient In
itself to eventually pay for the road.
TRIBUTE TO THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT.
LET me say here. in order to correct very gen.
oral misrepresentation. that. happen what may in
Mexco--pronunciamento may follow pronunca-
mento i'll that country we so often call misgoverned-
the governing power never repudates the ooliga-
tions acts of, q predecessor. This, with the
single exception OF the debt incurred by the usurper
Maxmian. 1t is proper also to add here that ut
the present moment Mexico feels the need OF more
railroads. Only year ago the American
Minister wrote from the City Of Mexico to the De-
ect. After describing the working of the Vera
and Mexico Railway. concerning which he stated the
total earnings Of 1876 were more than S20o0.0OO
while the working expenses were only o fraction
over 81 800, ,O00 The number OF passengers carried
the road 1885, 1882. and freight. l23577 tons
He concludes his letter as follows:-'The want of
railroads is very acutely felt throughout the coun-
try This. however, is only partially true.
PANAMA RAILROAD.
1.-THE Panama Railroad built ut that. point.
First, because it the shortest route the
American Isthmus; second. because railroading
called it's infancy; third. because commerce upon
the carried mainly under sails. and
winds is tie most favorable position to reach with
sailing vessels. None of these considerations obtain
at the present time. Commerce is now mainly con-
Quoted under steam. Tehuantepec although much
the longer road, can to-day be built for less
money But. above all. the Tehuantepec route
must be opened with view to extending Amer
ican interests Whatever of European trade may
it will be incidental and need not be taken
into the account. will make o brief outline of the
probable commercial value Of the Tehuantepec
route In regard to the foreign trade prominent
Official connected with the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company IN its pamiest days. standing upon the
plains Of Chinela on the Isthmus Of Tehuantepec.
exclaimed in moment OF enthusiasm. '!f this
would have been built The Panama Railroad is
AK miles long and cost S7.50o0O0. 1t Transports
annually s6oooo;ooo s in commerce aars between
very expensive road to work, believe
I am right in saying it never has failed to
pay dividend. 1t was originally constructed
with a view of accommodating the traffic between
the east and west coasts OF the United States. At
the present time more than seventy-fve per cent of
the immense freight it carries from is des
tined to South and Central American ports. 1t
indeed is interesting fact that the Pacific railroads
do not exercise any detrimental influence over its
business SO far freight is concerned.
again. the Panama Railroad has and can have no
lateral branches feeders. local trade. since it
passes through character of country which utterly
excludes such q source Of income. 1t must for all
time depend entirely upon its through business.
1.-THE Tehuantepec Railroad will be ITO miles long,
and will cost the estimates show, 81 27O0O0, in