The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-01
ATLANTIC :. GULF CANAL
TO BE BUILT THROUGH NORTH
ERN FLORIDA
BY a Syndicate Of Capltalists-Its
Great Advantages Clearly
Shown.

NEW York, November 3O.-The Posi-
says: A syndicate is In process OF for
nation TO carry out the plans Of the
Atlantic and Mexican Gull Company,
which received fresh charters this
year from the Legislatures OF Georg a
and Florida, together with grants OF
valuable lands and water power char.
ters issued TO Gov. Geo. +. Drew, Of
Florida, and his asccates, among
whom are Gen. Finley, of Florida;
Judge II. III. Tompkins, of Georgia,
and Col. Rogers, Of the Georgia Cen:
trail railway, and Alexander Curtis, OF
Georgia. The secretary is now in this
city on business connected with the
composition OF the syndicate. Curtis
today gave an account OF the COM
pany's project to the following effect:
The route OF the proposed canal has
been surveyed by Gen. Quincy A. Gil
more and ass slant officers, OF the
United States engineers, under reso-
luton OF Congress directing measures
40 ASCERTAIN the best water line
for transportation from the mouth OF
st. Mays river, on the Atlantic coast,
through the 0kefinokee swamp and
the State of Florida to the Gulf OF
Mexico. The importance OF the pro-
posed cana as a national work, urged
by President Grant In two messages
10 Congress, In which he declared
that valuable as the opening OF this
great external water way would be in
time OF peace, in time OF war 1t would
be OF absolutely incalculable value to
the nation, and surveys made by Gen.
Gilmore extended over two years, and
their results caused him to report the
canal scheme eminently feasible. As
as evidence of the Importance OF the
enterprise to the country at large, he
stated that no less than twenty-five
States and Territories were vitality in
terested in the opening of water
way the practical results OF
which would, in value on
enormous traffic OF the Mississippi
valley and all Its tributaries. Gen.
Gilmore stated that products along
80, 900 miles of rivers and waterways
already teemiDg with commerce, could
ia this way be- borne to sale and com
modious hsrbors, and that only by
this route was 1t possible to avoid
heavy and almost prohibitory taxes
on commerce necessi,ated by the ap-
proach to the mouth OF the Mississippi
river through the Gulf of Mexico
canal, ia the language OF the COM
pany's charter, sis to be OF such d.
mansions as shall be deemed suitable
and capable of being used by all such
boats and steamboats,, tugs, barges
and other craft as navigate the Mis-
sssippi river above New Orleans"
Beginning at the mouth OF st. Mary's
river, which forms the dividing line
between the States of Georgia and
Florida, it is to run through
Okefnokee lake (which is TO
be used as a summit level supply,
thence to st. Marks on the
Gulf Of Mexico. Thence it will follow
already existing line Of waterways,
which extends almost unbroken from
that port to New Orleans. The adj
vantages Of this route will be saving
to commerce OF the heavy rates OF in
surance made imperative by danger.
our navigation Of the Bahamas and
the reefs OF Florida, and in the coast
ting service saving In distance oi
1900 to 1900 miles. Official statistics
20 TO show the average tax on com
merce through high insurance, etc.
over present route TO be about S., co.,
600 yearly. From this II would appear
that deepening the passes at the mouth
of the Mississippi by jstties, however
great local success does not detract In
any way from the Importance of this
canal, as the special fficulty to be
overcome lies in the Bahamas and
Flotida raefa