New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-22
INCIDENTS OF THE VISIT.
An EXCURSION 10 THE RIO GRANDE-kkcLPIIONs
AND BANQUETs.

AND BANQUETs.
PANAMA, Jan. 1.-The steamer Lafayette
arrived at Aspnwa the 30th ultimo with NJ de Les
seps Madame de Lesseps and three children formal
address Of welcome presented by Senor j. a Ces-
nedes which was responded to in brief but very
hearty manner by VI. dc Lesseps. On the morning OF
the 3lst NJ de Lcsseps and the engineers OF his party
made an examination Of the harbor from the Pacific
Mail wharf On every poiut NJ de Lesseps declared his
great satisfaction at the apparent practcabty OF the
undertaking. ana more than once became enthusiastic
I'm spealsing OF the prospect There are" sad ne'
only two great difficulties to be overcome; the Chagres
River aud the deep cutting at the summit The first
con he surmounted by turning the head waters OF the
river into another channel, and the second VIII dsap-
near before the wells TO sunk, and which will be
charged with such explosives will remove vast guam
titles at each discharge"
on the lst inst the party left Colon for Panama. The
train was met at the bridge by the President and the
Panama reception committee when addresses OF well
come were exchanged. Az the Panama station was
raced ~, omen taat in which the vernment. civil and
military officials gave the visitor hearty greeting In
tbo name OF tho State Of Panama. An official
banquet to NJ. dc Lesseps wound up the proceed
,ngs OF rne day, at which the speeches were OF
the usual complimentary character TIE city
was illuminated. Next day NJ. de LesSeps ara
the reception committee made excursion
I'm th, mouth OF the Rio Grande, about three miles
west of Panama. There an addresa was MADE Dy NJ de
Iossens in which he announced the fulflment OF his
nromse 10 begin practical work his great canal en-
tcrpise on January 1880 The Bishop then formally
bestowed his benedction upon the enterprise, and
the blessing OF ihe universal Church upon the labors
OF science for the benefit OF commerce. Adj
Iresses were subsequently delivered by others
The day was appropriately ended by Danquet IN me
Grand Hotel. On the removal OF the covers Dr Antonio
erro I'm nm interesting and eloquent Speech proposed
the toast OF the evening, tie health OF NJ ana Madame
de Insaeps, witch honOred with much enthusiasin
NJ de Iessepss reply confined TO Driet expression
of his thanks which he concluded by proposing " ihe
Press" aud order TO show no partanty' no aaded'
| The Press OF America, Europe. Asia ana AFRICA.
ON the 9th INST. the International Commission OF Engl-
nrers began sbors IL is engaged In actual surveys
from Which plans and estimates may be mode NJ dc
Lessons has made secret OF the fact that he regards
| The Panama Canal as the only available one.
The line OF survey has been divided INTO nve sections
The geological survey under the direction OF NJ Bou-
| tan. 80, --., = o., -
| NJ de Lesseps and family, accompanied by Mr.. {.
Ronue aud Mr. DsupratO, Intend 10 leave here for New
York on the Colon February q. but not until sufficient
nrnyres mas been made with the survey 10 pronounce
unon tLe yerincatiOn otherwise OF the Wyse project
To-day a number OF persons accompanied NJ dc Les
acns 10 thc Cerro CulCra when the first blast 10 make
| the deep cut to tide level was made.