153 



* * * On both sides of the continent, dnring the wars 

 of Europe, they will enjoy as neutrals the carrying trade 

 from Europe to the one side, and from India to the other 

 side of the new world ; even in peace they may engross 

 the India trade." * * * Without recourse to that 

 violence which Sir John Dalrymple so much appre- 

 hended, the dreaded Americans will soon have accom- 

 plished all that he foresaw. We now enjoy the free 

 passage of the Isthmus of Darien by rail, and silks from 

 China as well as the precious metals of Australia and 

 California have come that way. Recently a treaty has 

 been concluded securing to us the long coveted ship-canal 

 through the Isthmus of Darien. We already reap the 

 benefit of commercial treaties with China and Japan, — of 

 friendly relations with Mexico and Spanish America, and 

 of growing intercourse with all these states in every 

 department of exchange and trade. Protections were 

 issued at this port, some years ago, to several Essex 

 County fishermen, who were on their way to the Sea of 

 Japan, to establish there with schooners to be built at 

 San Francisco, that nursery of wealth and enterprise 

 which has contributed untold millions to our material 

 prosperity, — the New England Fisheries. Steam whalers 

 from Xew England ports are ploughing the icy currents of 

 the iS^orth Pacific. By the timely acquisition of the 

 Russian Possessions in America, we have done much to 

 protect ourselves against the jealousy which the pos- 

 session of so extraordinary a naval station as the Bay of 

 San Francisco, and the completion of a railroad across 

 the continent will soon excite. Steam mail communi- 

 cation is alread}^ established upon the Pacific, and we 

 hardly anticipate events in declaring that the East India 

 Trade, as known to the Derbj^s and to the Marine Society 

 — that mighty impulse which built up the cities of Hol- 

 EssEX Inst. Bulletix. ii 20 



