ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. [From the Jamaica Despatch.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 54, 18 October 1845, Page 4

ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. [From the Jamaica Despatch.]

We noticed the departure from this island, some time ago, of Captain Liot, General Superintendent of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company and Mr. M'Geachy, Crown Sur* veyor of Jamaica, for the Isthmus of Panama, to make a reconnoisance of that tract of country, with a view of opening a communication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We are now happy to announce the return of those gentlemen to this city, after spending nearly two months in the exploration of the isthmus ; and it affords us much satisfaction to be able to state that their report is of a nature highly favourable to the attainment of the great end contemplated. We learn that the most available parts of the isthmus have been visited by these gentlemen, and crossed and recrossed in four different directions, andthat tliegovernors,heads of departments, merchants, and inhabitants generally, have received them in a manner which leavesno doubt of the great and universal interest attached to the completion of this noble enterprise, by the people of New Grenada. A mass of information the most authentic has been obtained on the spot from observation, and from parties who very readily afforded it. The most valuable and kind assistance was rendered by W. Perry, Esq., her Britannic Majesty's, talented, hospitable, and deservedly popular Consul at Panama, who, to his own large fund of information upon this important subject, has added that of others, which he has spared neither time, trouble, nor expense to obtain ; from Mr. Lewis, a highly intelligent merchant of Panama, and twenty years resident in that country, mnch information and assistance have also been received. An easy communication, once opened across the Isthmus of Panama, we are of opinion that great advantages would accrue to Jamaica, as from its geographical position it must inevitably become the key of the isthmus, and would share largely in the advantages derivable from any European trade with the Pacific, the merchants and residents of which line of coast aie, we believe, generally anxious to promote the establishment of aj convenient means of transit from sea to sea — appreciating doubtless, in its widest extent, the benefits likely to result therefrom, as well to themselves as to every one interested in that part of the world, in China, Australia, New Zealand, and the many groups of islands in the Pacific Ocean, regarding which latter, and the rapidly increasing civilization of their inhabitants, much interesting information was afforded by Mr. Consul Pritchardj at Panama, on his way to the Navigators' Islands. We understand that Captain Liot and Mi. M'Geachy are more favourable to a Macadamised carriage-road than to a canal or railway across the Isthmus, and that it is their opinion the time is not yet arrived when such costly undertakings as the latter could be entere.l upon by a company with a hope of making them remunerative. We are disposed to concur in the soundness of this opinion, wishing at the same time every success to an enterprise of so much promise ; and from what we know and learn of the gentlemen engaged in it, we believe we shall not hope in vain. Mr. M'Geachy we all know ; and from what we learn of the ability, zeal, and untiring exertions of Captain Liot, as well in the superintendence of the Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company's interest as in the prosecution of this enterprise, we have every confidence iv its being brought to a speedy andsuccessful issue. We shall conclude this notice, then, with the expression of an earnest hope, that when the proper moment arrives, the innabitants of Jamaica will not be backward in lending their support to an undertaking from which they may reasonablyexpecl this island, and the West Indies generally, to reap the greatest benefit.