323 



ON THE PRACTICABILITY AND ADVANTAGES 



or A 



COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC 

 OCEANS, ACROSS THE ISTHMUS OF CENTRAL AMERICA. 



BY W. HAMILTON, M. B. 



Almost from the earliest period of its discovery, the isthmus of Darien 

 or Panama, which connects the two vast continents of North and South 

 America, attracted the notice of the commercial world, as offering the 

 greatest facilities for opening a communication between the two seas, and 

 thus facilitating the intercourse of Europe with the East. 



Of the various projects to which this gave birth, it will be sufficient to 

 notice the memorable plan of a Scotch clergyman of the name of Paterson,* 

 who having made himself master of all the geographical features of the 

 isthmus, and of the seas on either side of it, projected the formation of a 

 settlement on this hitherto neglected spot, with the view of making it the 

 centre of communication between the shores of Asia and of Europe. On 

 the causes which led to the failure of this valuable project, and the intrigues 

 which were employed for its overthrow, it would be needless now to dwell. 

 It will be sufficient to observe that its failure is to be sought for, not in 

 any physical obstacles tending to render it impracticable, but in the selfish 

 conduct of those who imagined its success would be prejudicial to their 

 interest; and the unaccountable blindness of those who had the power of 

 securing its success. 



Since the period at which these attempts were made, the progress of 

 knowledge has tended to induce a more correct judgment as to their true 

 interests in the minds of men ; and the improved circumstances of the 

 Spanish settlements offer peculiar facilities for the accomplishment of this 

 project. The government of New Granada, having at length, after the 

 storms and anarchy of revolutionary struggles, acquired something like a 

 consistency, and directing its serious attention to the improvement of the 

 internal resources of the country, has not overlooked the enormous advan- 

 tages which may be expected to result from opening a vast commercial 

 ihorougiifare through its territories; turning the tide of wealth in its 



nward course from Asia to Europe, into a new channel across the isthmus 



f Darien, or the northern part of the province of Choc6, rich in subterra- 

 ) ean wealth, and abounding in vegetable treasures. 



Humboldt has discussed the problem of the communication between 



I lie two seas with his usual ability, and has thrown upon the sul)ject all the 



oncentrated light which his various sources of information placed within 



• See Dalrymplc'8 Memoirs of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. ii. 



