THE PROPOSED CONNECTION OF THE ATLANTIC WITH THE PACIFIC.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 194, 8 April 1848, Page 3

THE PROPOSED CONNECTION OF THE ATLANTIC WITH THE PACIFIC.

The subject of acquiring the right to construct a canal or railroad aciuss the isthmus of Tehuantepec r being now under the coHgideration of our government, we have at considerable trouble and expense piocured the original surveys which were made some years since,, at the instauce of ihs Mexican government, by Captain John D. Williamson, an eminent engineer. In order to illustrate them, and show the facilities which this istlunui possesses for connecting ihe Atlantic ocean with the Pacific, we have had engraved the map. The original surveys for a railroad, a macadamized road, and a canal, are plainly and accurately maikcd* on it; and it will bs perceived, at a gUnce, that the long talked of project, of connectiu? the two oceans, is perfectly feasible, at a comparative small cost. The rapid increase of American commerce in the Pacific, and the great extension of our territorial possessions on its ihores, have, very naturally, brought the government to a just estimate of the importance of opening a ship channel across the istumus which separates the two great oceansj whose waters wash the eastern and western shores of the American continent. In the proud and hopeful days of Spanish authority in the new world, this was a favorite scheme of the soTereigns of Spain, and their Ameucan viceioy?. BBurf r with the fall ot bpaniih power, and the depreciation of Spanish character in this hemisphere, all hope has expired of ever witnessing tb,3 achievements of this gieat work, ei'her by the present owneis of the soil, or by the mother country; although,of all other countries, Spain would, under the influence of an enlightened commercial policy, derive the most advantage fioin the facilities which such a channel would offer for carrying on a lucrative, andever increasing trade with her ancient colonies. On refeience to the map it will be seen that on the Pacific aide thsre are fourteen feet of water, but on the Gulfiidea depth of only ten feet. This disparity, however, can be remedied by damming the river Huas* acualo at the town of Lacruiz, in order to divert the river from the course which it takes in that direction, and to oblige the water to go directly across the bar, which ere long would disappear under the influence of the current, and give a depth of thirteen to fifteen feet. The estimated cost of constructing a canal according to these survey* ia fifteen mi lions of dollars, which includes the expense ot clearing out the river, and arranging the depots on the two oceans ; of constructing a railroad the whole length, viz.; one hundred antf forty two miles, and seventeen one hundredths of a mile, eighteen t millions of dollars; and the cost of constructing a macadamized road one hundred and two miles long, will be five millions of dollars. The result of these surveys establishes the fact that a canal is the best, most judicious, and cheapest means of connecting the r.wo oceans that can bd a lopted, and for two powerful reaious ; the two naYig<ibh livers and the constant supply of water to be obtained for it fiom the lake near its centre. The Rio del Pusso and Huasacuilo is navigable for vessels drawiig ten feet water us far up as Grand Village, and on the Pacific side the river Chitmlipa is navigable for the same class of Ttsssels as far as tlie town of St. Migjel de Cuamu'pa lietween those two places ihd two uveis must be connected by the contemplated canal — the distance beinsj only twenty-nine uuUs and a hall', at an expense, as we before mentioned, of fifteen millions of dollars. Whether the government will insist upon the right of way across the Isthmus or not, in treating for peace with Mexico, we do njt kuow ; bat the increasing importance of our commerce and die progress of ths iace, point to the connection of these two gieat oceans, ami to the United States to effect it, and at no distant day.