250 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
ence, which has been printed in the report of the Academy, is 
as follows: ” 
“ DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 
“WASHINGTON, July 12, 1866. 
“Sir: The department has received a communication from the minister of 
the republic of Nicaragua containing a note addressed to him by Mr. J. E. Hil- 
gard, in charge of the United States Coast Survey office, recommending the 
appointment of a board to consist of the members of the Academy of Sciences, of 
which you are the vice-president, for the purpose of investigating and reporting 
upon the practicability and best means of improving the navigation of the Lower 
San Juan river, and reclaiming the harbor of San Juan del Norte, in Nicaragua, 
which recommendation is fully approved by the minister in his communication to 
this department. He recommends in addition that Mr. Hilgard form a member 
of the board, whom he represents as possessing the necessary charts and reports, 
and as being well advised on the difficult subject to be investigated. 
“Tt may not be unnecessary to mention the fact that by a contract entered into 
between the government of Nicaragua and the Central American Transit Com- 
pany on the roth of November, 1863, the latter undertakes to effect a good 
interoceanic transit through the republic of Nicaragua. 
“T would thank you if you would act upon the suggestion of the minister of the 
republic of Nicaragua; and, in the event of the organization of the board, I will 
beg of you to instruct the same, that should a good interoceanic transit be found 
impracticable under the limitations contained in the contract of the Central 
American Transit Company, above referred to, to inquire into the expediency of 
effecting such transit way within the region surveyed by Captain West. 
“‘T have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 
“WILLiAM H. SEWARD. 
“ PROFESSOR JOSEPH Henry, &c., &c., &c., Washington.” 
“ SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 
“* September 20, 1866. 
“Sir: I have the honor to inform you that in compliance with your request 
of July 12th, 1866, the subject of the improvement of the river and harbor of 
San Juan del Norte, in Nicaragua, was referred to a committee of the National 
Academy of Sciences, and that this committee has made the investigation required, 
and now through me presents the accompanying report. 
“The committee, which was chosen with reference to special fitness from 
previous study and experience for the investigation, consisted of the following 
members of the Academy: A. A. Humphreys, major general and Chief Engineer 
United States Army; C. H. Davis, rear-admiral United States navy and Super- 
* Rep. Nat. Acad. Sci. for 1866, pp. 4, 5. 
