National Republican., 1885-01-20
NICARAGUA vs.. PANAMA.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE
TWO ROUTES ABLY DISCUSSED.
Capt. Bedford PIN, Of the British Navy, Gives
the Results OF Ills Investigations In Ex-
tended and Exhaustive Papers, with Maj.
Powelis Geological Report.

- NO lOllOWluR IepoGt9t w zap" 4 'H't W
70 the advantages of the Nicaragua canal
project over tho proposed Panama route,
will be read with interest:
SO many conflicting reports have appeared
In the newspapers respecting the course l
have felt II right to take in reference to the
Panama Canal that I offer no apology for ask
ing space TO state the real facts in your col
umns I must ask your forgiveness for tho
egotism of the following paragraph, but II
Is explanatory and necessary to the proper
understanding of the allimportant question
now before the people of the United states, 1
mean the Nlcaraguan Canal Treaty.
/ have devoted the best years OF my life to
the practical study OF Transit, and possess
something beyond personal acquaintance
with the subject, oven to the n. W. passage, as
we'll as with the lsthmus of the Old and Of the
New World, more especially the latter, which
have crossed very often at Panama, over Costa
Rica, and no less than six times through Mica
rugua, obtaining the only scientific section
now in existence, 1919 miles from the Lake to
the Atlantic. took part in the survey Of the
Bay of Panama from Punta Corrlentes to
Punta Mala on the Pacific, and was senior
naval officer in command of Her Majesty's
Ship Gorgun on the Atlantic side of Central
America, including the Mosquito coast Us far
down rs Aspinwall, the terminus OF the
Panama railway. In short, l have spared
neither mind, body, nor money to render my
knowledge and experience OF this part Of the
world unique.
Al Philadelphia early in the month Of Sep.
tember last, learned from my gallant friend
Admiral Ammen, that the American cOncess
sion for building canal through Nicaragua
would lapse in about three weeks, namely, on
the 3Jth OF september 1884, at which msior-
tune warmly sympathizod, not only verbally
to my American friends, but also In n lecture
on the NicarHguan Canal delivered before the
American Association for the Advancement OF
SCeno. during their meeting ut philadelphia,
in September lust, when | took occasion to
express my admiration of the patriotism con-
yeyed in the Monroe doctrine" and my con
viction that the best hope for an lntcroccanlc
canallay in Its control blythe United states dis
claim emphatically any other feeling but tho
most friendly one toward the successful work.
lug out of this grand American problem by
the greatest power on this continent, II not in
the world, mean the United states. My own
efforts and expenditure of time and money on
behalf OF dear old England having failed, the
next best thing In my opinion is the ehectual
accomplishment OF the work under the shelter
OF the Stars and Stripes, ut which no one will
more sincerely aud unailectedly rejoice than l
shall
PANAMA.
/ suppose the meanest capacity can grasp
tie idea that under all the circumstances Of
Central American transit there Is not room IN
the present day for t,gO canals, however urgent
the necessity for one. twill therefore DO obvi-
Gus, how very necessary 1t was, tOascettalno on
unquestlonable authority the exact condition OF
the canal work of Panama aud the probable
period when the canal itself at The sea tcrtt,
could be opened for traffic. Mons De Lesseps
occupied four years in maturing his project,
and has now enjoyed possession OF the ground
for another four years, with the deliberate nnd
created promise Of finishing the excavation
by the year 1888 The United states have be-
hayed most generously II the matter, even to
extending its moral support, and with these
cal one OF first class Railway running along
side the work-French property, moreoyer-lt
Is easy upon knowing the exact amount al
ready excayated, and It's cost to ascertain, by
simple rule of three, when there would be
reasonable hope for the completion OF the
canal.
Thinking very seriously over this subject
came to the conclusion that II was my duty to
waive every selfish consideration, and by a
personal inspection set at rest the conflicting
reports from the Isthmus as to the progress
and prospects OF the canal. | consulted no
one; the responsibility was entirely my own,
and lost no time In putting my resolve into
execution by taking passage from New York
for Aspinwall on the 4th of last October
may be permitted TO say that l took no account
ofthe yellow fever, then by no means idle
item OF the crew of the Pixio perished in
November, aud many valuable lives have
season was not yet over, but went on
my way with the determination to sec and
Judge for myself in the hope Of being use;
ful TO the United states from whose people l
had reserved such uniform kindness.
on the Sth OF November | placed in the
hands of the Secretary of State, Mr.. Freling
huysen, the impressions made by my visit
which, as the following correspondence will
show, have his permission TO publish.
2Ol2 HILLYER PLACE WASHINGTON, d. G.,
Jan. 8, lSs5.-Dear Sir: l have Just arrived in
Washington after an extended tour around the
far west, and, as 1 tind that the Treaty you
have lately negotiated with Nicaragua will
shortly be debated In the Senate, should like,
ii you see no objection, to publish the text of
the document ON the present condition of the
Panama canal works. which presented to you
early In November last. l am dear sir yours
faithfully, BEDFORD PIN.
The Hon. FREDK ]. FRELrNGHUYsEN,
Secretary OF State, Washington, ID. Q.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON, Jan.
10, lSs5,-Dedr Sir: | am in receipt OF your
note of the 18th instant In which you ask for a
line from me In answer to your previous letter
as to the publication OF your notes on the
Panama canal.
While appreciate highly your friendly in.
terest in the Nicaraguan canal project and
your Difference TO my views rs TO the publica-
tlOn of your notes, i do not feel that am au-
thorized to influence you in this matter, over
which you have the right of absolute control.
Still, may add, that do not see any reason
10 object TO your making such use Of your notes
as you may deem wise. Believe me, my dear
sir, very truly yours,
FREDK. j. FRELINGHUYsEN.
CAPT. BEDFORD PIN, 20l2 Hillyer Place, Wash.
ington, ID, @.
The following Is the document referred to:
Private and confdential.l
REMARKS ON THE PASAMA CANAL.
OCTOBER, 1884.
[By Capt. Bedford PIN, r. NJ
Before describing the condition Of the canal
works TO date II may he as well, and certainly
will be more fair, to lead up to the subject by
abrlef resume OF the past history of this under
taking
ITS HISTORY.
In 1877 Mons. de Lesseps, whose name has
been made world wide by the leading part he
IN hts
at Sucz determined to give form and sub.
stance to one at least of the many plans fol
canalizing Central America by connecting
himself with that undertaking. He summoned
the 10th Of May. 1879, TO decide upon the best
route or rather, as 1t seemed by the after
proc edings, the route he might himself de-
eide to be the best
The conference met upon the appointed
day, aud numbered some 1856 gentlemen Ol
various nationalities and degrees OF eninence.
OF this number seventy four were French I'D
mirers OF Mons, de LcssGps
The Official Commissioners of the United
States were Admiral Ammen and Mr., Memo
cal, England was represented by Sir John
'Hawkshaw, nnd Capt Bedford PIN sent an
agent, II serious accident, breaking his knee
Cap, prevented his attendance in person.
The conference lasted from the 10th to the
2Oth-some illlccn days-durlng which time
the various technical committees did great
deal Oi work, but those whp came expecting a
calm and deliberate selection of the most ftnsi-
bic route declared themselves sadly dlSlp-
pointed for 1t was impossible to hide the fact
tnht Mons de LesscpH was master Ol the situa-
tlOn, and the scheme selected by him, hJ mat
Ter where located was certain to become the
choice of the conference. Ultimately that
cholce fell upon Panama through the adhesion
ol prolege OF Mons. de Lesseps, lieutenant
In the French navy-Louis Napoleon Bona.
pate Myse by name-a most gallant aud nc.
cOmpllshed gentleman, but whose studios on
the line chosen did not command undivided
respect AZ the conference. The faet however
that he had obtained II concession under The au,
spices OF Mons. dc lesseps kicked the beam In
his favor, especially as that concession covered
a monopoly of the routes over Colombian tor.
rltory
Mons. de Lesseps,, with very great tact
guided the action OF the conference, and the
surprise. The following resolution was passed