A succinct view of the importance and practicability of forming a ship canal across the Isthmus Part 2

A more immediate development of commercial enterprise cannot fail to result from the opening of a s.h.i.+p Ca.n.a.l through the Isthmus of Panama; viz., _a direct trade_ between the West India Islands, English, French, and Spanish, and the countries which have been named. From this consideration, the West India proprietors and merchants, whose property in those colonies has been of late years so much depreciated, are deeply interested in the success of this undertaking.

[3] The opinions of writers who have visited the locality, will be found in the Appendix. To those of Mr. Lloyd, who was sent by Bolivar to survey the Isthmus in 1827, in particular, great weight is due.

[4] It was formerly called the Isthmus of Darien, but that name has fallen into disuse among all persons who have any intercourse with that part of the globe, though still preserved in some of the atlases.

[5] J. A. Lloyd, F. R. S., Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, 1830, Part I. pp. 62, 63.

[6] J. A. Lloyd, F. R. S., Geographical Society's Transactions, vol.

I.

[7] J. A. Lloyd. See Appendix.

[8] The writer has conferred with several gentlemen who have visited the Isthmus, and who agree in this opinion.

[9] It may be here stated that the Caledonian Ca.n.a.l, and the Ca.n.a.l from Amsterdam to Niewdiep, the two most expensive s.h.i.+p Ca.n.a.ls which have been made in Europe (and which approximate in magnitude the Ca.n.a.l now projected), were formed at a much less expense per mile than has been allowed in this estimate.

[10] See Appendix, page 26.

[11] Probably the Farfan.

[12] Malcolm MacGregor, Esq.

[13] The Ca.n.a.l of Languedoc is at its highest point 600 feet above the level of the sea.--_M'Culloch's Commercial Dict., Art. Ca.n.a.ls._

[14] It may be possible to reconcile the apparent contradiction between the fact here stated by M. Morel, and the report of M.

Garella, by mentioning that the latter suggests the propriety of carrying the Ca.n.a.l over a hill 120 yards high, and thus shortening its length, rather than to adopt M. Morel's line of survey along the flat and low lands, which is the longest of the two.

THE END.