The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-04-20
NIOARAGUAN CANAL,
"r. MacauIy Tells OF the Advan.
tages TO be Derived From 1t.

lSt. Louis Republic.1
ID. B. Macauly, who has charge OF
the working model of the NIcaraguan
canal which is now on exhibition at
the Merchants Exchange, was for
nearly a year connected with the en-
gineering corps in making a survey of
the route, and is, as consequence, fa-
miIiar with the principal features of
the country.
He says: ''The climate, while il is
exceedingly warm as is naturally the
case in all tropical regions, is of a
healthy nature and free from the dead
ly levers SO common to the Isthmus of
Panama and the low districts of Mex
leo. This is attributable I'm a great de-
gree TO the fresh northeastern trade
winds that sweep across the country
from the Atlantic to the Pacific for
about 10 months in the year, clearing
away the mercurial poison. These
winds haye, also, a cooling effect upon
the temperature, which ranges through
out the year from 68 to SO degrees III
the shade. Like all southern countries,
however, the heat of the sun IL intense,
and the glare of its rays reflected from
thC w uiGC Bull 10 diuO6t
binding in its intensity.
"AlOng the Atlantic coast the coun-
try is as yet almost entirely wilder
ness with only an occasional small viii
lage here and there, but Oh the Pacific
slope the population is comparatively
dense, with number of thriving towns
OF from 10000 to $4,000 inhabitants.
The soil here is fertile, and coffee, CO.
Goa and indigo are raised for export in
abundant quantities. 1t was in the re-
gion that lies immediately adjacent TO
the western section of the proposed
canal that Walker, "the gray-eyed man
OF destiny" sought to carve out new
government, but after varying success
was driven from the country and his
band of adventurous filibusters almost
exterminated. He was defeated at
Grenada, and was compelled to cut his
way to the coast, and embarking sailed
down the coast, landing at a point just
south OF the entrance to the canal.
Forcing his way inland again be cap
tured the cities of Tola and Rivas, and
penetrated as far as Virgin Bay on the
lake OF Nicaragua. Here he was de
serted by his Costa Rican allies, and
after hard battle, in which his forces
were almost annihilated, he was COM
PEELED to make his flight as best he
could.
In this region it was, too, that Com.
modore Vanderbilt laid the foundation
for his magnificent fortune. When the
gold excitement broke out In Califor-
MIA in 1S49 the old commodore, in
casting about, realized the importance
of short cut across the isthmus, and
established line of steamers from the
mouth of the San Juan river to and
across the lake, to connect with pack
train from there to the Pacific. Thous-
ands of tons of freight and hundreds of
passengers were transported across
this route annually during the wears
that intervened between 1850 to 1856,
and the revenues, which were enor-
nous, formed the basis of his millions.
This line is still in existence, but tho
business has fallen away and the rates
have been greatly lowered.
"On high and rocky eminence over
looking the San Juan river, still stands
all old stone fort, which was erected
by the Spaniards more than 200 years
ago, and which, so the story goes, was
once besieged by the great English
sailor, Lord Nelson. 1t was during
his younger years, while serving as a
junior officer, that he conceived the
plan of capturing the fort, and in at
tempting it was compelled ito sail up
the river with portion of the ship's g
crew in small open boats. Arrived at
the spot he laid siege to the stronghold
with his usual vigor. but was CON-
PEELED, after hard fight to retreat. 1t
is claimed that it was at this place that
he lost his eye, from the effects of q
shot fired by the wife of the command
ant, who took leading part in the de-
fense. To prevent further inroads of a
similar nature, the Spamards carried
huge quantities of stone and threw it
into the channel of the river, thus form
ing an impossible barrier.
"Along the banks of the river the
natives have cleared out open spaces
at occasional intervals, where they Ell.
gage in the cultivation of bananas and
plantains, and as the soil is fertile in
resources, but little labor is required
They are idle, improvldent people, and
are ignorant and void of all energy
and ambition. They build rude hnts
of brush to protect them against the
heavy tropical rains that fall through
out eight months in the year. and sub
sist almost entirely upon fruit, with an
occasional fish taken from the streams.
| Their dress is of the most primitive
character, and is made from the fibres
of different plants growing in the jun
| giles. A native will III a few hours con-
struct, from the materials gathered in
the forests, dress that will last him,
with care, for year. They are an ad-
mixture OF the old Aztec and Spanish
its of their forefathers.
| 1.-The lake of Nicaragua, which lies
at an altitude of ITO feet above the
level of the ocean, is beautiful body
OF water, and is used as means OF
communication between the cities that
lie along its western shores. A twin
screw steamer plies regularly up and
down the lake, and carries freight and
passengers at rates that are not at all
excessive. In this lake are to be found
the only sharks that are known to ex.
ist in fresh water in any part of the
| globe, aud their pi essence in large num-
bers prevents the natives from ventur-
ing into its waters for the purpose OF
bathing, an amusement of which they
are very fond.
| "In the almost impenetrable jungles
| lying along the eastern slope Of the
mountains the rubber tree is found in
profusion, and large quantities of its
products are annually shipped to Eng
land, where it finds ready sale.
While of an inferior quality to that of
the South American countries, il nev.
ertheless ranks high, and Is destined
to be all important factor in the COM
| merce of the future.