The New York herald., 1879-09-10
w A SH IN G. TO N.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

eINEhAL GRANT 5 LETTER TO ADMIRAL AMMEN
ON THE NIcARAGUAN cANAL-PREsIDENr
HAYES NOW READY TO FORWARD THE WORK.
Rear Admiral Ammen yesterday received letter
from General Grant in reply to his letter of July g.
in which the Admiral urged upon his friend
the Importance of his allowing the of
his name of the corporators for
an interoceanic canal company via Nicaragua.
and If elected by the corporators to assent
to the proposition to serve president Of the
pany. Deeming it important to hear from General
Grant at the earliest moment he suggested that If
the proposition met his appreciation he should tele-
graph II approve" General Grant acknowledges
the receipt of the letter and states that August
he telegraphed as suggested, in order that it might
be q sufficient basis for Admiral Ammen to
take the preliminary steps for the beginning of
movement which would effect organization for
the building of canal. He then adds that he has
given the subject serious consideration and after
two days deliberation he is fully convinced OF the
importance OF acting in the matter promptly. He IS
of the opinion that great should be exercised in
the formation of the company, and. when
properly organized, the necessary steps should be
had to secure from the Nicaraguan government such
concessions will make the undertaking prcatica
business scheme. When these secured he would
be glad of the opportunity to devote his attention
the work ana would accept the presidency of the
company with the determination to accomplish the
task and that end would exert himself to push the
work rapidly as the surveys ana engineering skill
of his assistants would permit The letter merely
repeats what the General has frequently said to
Admiral Ammen upon the importance of obtaining
the mos. favorable concessions from the Ncaraguan
government in order that the enterprise might en-
list capital and the protection of the United
States. He makes no allusion to politics whatever
in this letter.
He expects to reach San Francisco some time in
September and be IN Philadelphia in November.
when the business matter be talked
leisurey and definite arrangements made for in
augurating the comps~y
Exceptions have been taken to the statement
made in these dispatches that the quiet purpose
General Grant had in view during his tour
through Europe was to learn for him.
self what encouragement the construction of
an interoceanic canal would receive from European
capitalists if the enterprise American hands.
That statement was based upon the correspondence
which General Grant had with prominent officer
of our army and to whom he wrote fully from time
to time during his stay Europe as to
what he heard and learned on the sub
ject. In addition to this, just before he
left the United States he had long
interview with President Hayes which wholly
devoted to this interoceanic canal project He ex-
planned to his his personal interest in the
scheme an all he had done during his adminstra-
ton to forward the surveys. He regretted that he
had not been able to accomplish more than
to finish the numerous surveys, but thought
that this perfect work was great step
in the direction of settling the route
to be chosen. and that he was satisfied that the
Nicaragua line the feasible one upon which to
build the canal. He commended Admiral Ammen's
interest the President that he
had recalled him from foreign station and ap-
pointed him chief Of the Bureau Of Navigation in
the Navy Department that he might be
in position where he could give his
zeal unlimited sway in furthering the
ambition of both the Admiral and himself, which
was to determine accurately and speedily as pos
sible the best route by which the two oceans could
be connected for the purpose of commerce. He re-
gretted that he had not been able to do more, but
was glad that much had been accomplished as
would enable President Hayes take up the subject
in manner that warranted the hope that
during his term of Office something would be
done to practically utilize the abors of survey
ing parties. He explained his for wishing
impress upon President Hayes his great interest
in the subject and added that he should not lose
sight of it during his travels in Europe He
confident that his experience abroad would only
confirm the belief that this great project
should be distinctly American and would
have to be undertaken by American engineers.
favorably did the President receive the views of
General Grant that when the of the de-
cision of the Paris Congress he prepared to
iterate the idea of the General that nt=roceanic
canal must be an American project and carried out
by American enterprise. expanding the Monroe doc
trne in broader sense than had ever been thought
of by President Monroe John Quincy
Adams, who is credited with having originated
it. In explanation of the apparent neglect of the
matter, President Hayes said that he expecting
from time to time to hear of the results which
General Grant would develop in his visit to Europe
One of the results undoubtedly the necessity
which the French engineers they were
under to anticipate the American plan by
calling congress and determining before its
meeting to select another route Then came the
Invitations to our government to send delegates to
he Paris Congress. The matter was officially con
sidered by the Cabinet. and it deemed advisable
not to send delegates but to have representatives
who should merely set for;h the work already
accomplished and the conclusions formed by the
commission appointed during President Grants
administration upon the praciicabiity of the Nca-
rasua route. II was argued that If sent
delegates government might be held by the de-
cision of the Congress. which to be avoided I'M
der all circumstances, and therefore they should not
20 in official capacity. Time was consumed be-
the Congress met and then followed Rear Ad-
miral Ammens prompt action in acquaintns GEN
erai Grant with the exact situation OF affairs
and the importance of securing his cooperation.
"In other words" said President Hayes, 1--WE have
waited patiently for the time TO come when General
would give shape to this project, and now we
are prepared to do everything in power to pro-
mote its success"
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.