The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-06-01
AN IRREpREss1BLE CANAL.


political system.-Rockford Star.
AN IRREPREssIBLE CANAL.
The History of the Nicaraguan Route
in a Nutshell.
From the Manufacturer.
In the early days of the nineteenth CEN
fury Alexander Won Humboldt, the great
German traveller and scientist called at
tention to the feasibility of constructing
canal across Nicaragua.
In 1875 the congress of the so-called
United States of Central America decreed
the digging Of an interoceanic canal
through Nicaragua.
In 1926, henry Clay, then secretary of
state, ordered an examination of the route.
In 1885 the senate of the United States
passed resolution in favor of the canal,
and MIR. Biddle was deputed by President
Jackson to explore the route.
In 1889, j. L. Stephens executed con-
fdential mission for the United States gov
eminent in the canals behalf
In 1848 the Nicargun government, act
ing with the approval of the United States,
signed contract with firm for the con-
struction of the canal. The concession
lapsed.
In 1s49 Cornelius Vanderbilt got con-
cession from Nicaragua for an overland
route, hauling his passengers, who were at
tracted to California by the gold excite
ment. by coach and by boat
In 1850 the Clayton Bulwer treaty be-
tween Great Britain and the United States
was signed. guaranteeing the neutrality of
all waterways across Nicaragua
In 1851, Mr.. Vanderbilt organized the
American Atlantic and Pacific Canal COM
pany, intrusting the survey of route from
Brito to San Juan del Norte via Lake Mica
ragua to Col. o. w. Cfnlds of Philadelphia.
who laid the foundations for all subsequent
surveys.
In 1867. Rear Admiral c. H. Davis,
United States navy, reported to the United
States government on the ChildS survey
He advised against the canal.
In 1869 the Vanderbilt monopoly which
had proved so valuable, came to an end by
reason of the opening of the Panama rail-
way.
In 1872 an expedition was sent out by the
United States government to report on the
general scheme of an isthmus canal
In 1928 the route surveyed and
reported on by Commander Lull, aided by
Mr.. A. G. Menocal, who has been identified
with all the later surveys.
In 1876 a report was submitted to the
president of the United States by Gen. Hum
phries, Mr.. Patterson and Commodore Am
men, who had been appointed as members
of Nicaraguan canal commission.
In 1879 the president of the United States
dispatched Admiral Ammen and Mr.. A. G..
congress at Paris.
In 1879 work was begun on the Panama
canal under De Lesseps, only to be aban-
doned a few years later.
In 1885 the entire route was examined
by Mr.. Menocal.
In 1886 a private association of Amer
lean capitalts was formed to forward the
enterprise.
In 1887 the route was relocated by an en-
cheering party led by Mr.. Menocal.
In 1888 the Maritime Canal company of
Nicaragua was organized and incorporated
by the congress of the United States.
In 1890 the construction company was or
ganized party of engineers arrived at
Greytown in June, and work was actually
commenced.
In 1898 the work ceased.
In 1895 a bill passed the United States
senate to extend government guarantee
of $70,oO0,O00 to the enterprise, but it
failed to pass the house.
In 1895 a commission was appointed by
the president of the United States to report
upon the feasibility of the route. 1t was
composed as follows: Col Ludlow, United
States navy; M. T. Endicott, United States
navy, and John Noble of Chicago. This
commission accompanied by Mr.. Memo
CAL acting in an unofficial capacity, and it's
recommendations were unfavOrable.
In 1897 the president of the United States
appointed another commission to examine
the route, consisting of Rear Admiral Walk
er. Prof. L. M. Haupt and Col. Hams This
commission made a preliminary report last
December. 1t declared the construction of
the canal to be entirely feasible" Two
members estimated the cost at 1923 900
or $124 100000, and the third, Col. Hams,
20 per cent more. The full report of the
commission has not yet been completed.
In 1898 the new Panama Canal company,
which succeeded to the interests and rights
of the unfortunate company Of De Lesseps,
sent a private commission to the isthmus,
which made report favorable to the COM
pletion of the work by constructing a sys-
tenn of dams, with locks; De Lesseps origi-
nal plan called for straight cut as at Suez.
In January, 1899, the United States senate
passed BILL by a large majority, to pur-
chase the concessions and rights of the
Maritime Canal company, and appropriating
a sum to push forward with the work, but
the house failed to concur
In March, 1899, congress authorized the
appointment of another commission to in
vestigate both the Panama and Nicaragua
routes and appropriated $1,OO0,OOO to pay
the expenses Of the surveys and the ex-
animation. At the same time the reorgan-
lied Panama Canal company chartered
ship and invited senators and members OF
congress to make journey to Greytown
and Colon to judge of the respective merits
of the two routes.