On a Communication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, 33 1 



In the absence, therefore, of 

 every thing like correct obser- 

 vation, we may safely conclude 

 that the difference between the 

 highest level at the point where 

 the bed of the Napipi ap- 

 proaches, to within the shortest 

 distance of the bay of Cupica, 

 cannot greatly exceed one hun- 

 dred feet 5 which, divided by 

 7^, the distance or nearly the 

 distance in British statute miles 

 between this point and the Pa- 

 cific, gives a slope of about 13 

 feet and a quarter per mile, or 

 about two inches and a quarter 

 in every hundred feet : — a slope 

 so trifling as not to be distin- 

 guished by the eye from a per- 

 fectly horizontal level, and op- 

 posing no difficulty either to the formation of a rail-road, for the convey- 

 ance of goods with rapidity by means of locomotive engines, or a canal of 

 large dimensions, capable of receiving vessels of such burthen as are 

 adapted to the navigation of the Atrato and the Napipi. 



To which of these modes of communication a preference should be given, 

 depends upon circumstances with which we have not at present the means 

 of becoming acquainted j all that we at present know is, that the bar or 

 shallows at the entrance of the Atrato, and the want of depth as well as 

 breadth in the stream of the Napipi during above two-thirds of its course, 

 oppose considerable obstacles to navigation upon a large scale. How far 

 these obstacles admit of being removed at a moderate expense, so as to 

 admit the passage of vessels of from 500 to 1000 tons burthen, and draw- 

 ing from 12 to I G or 18 feet of water, remains to be determined by future 

 surveys j to which also must be referred the determination of the astrono- 

 mical positions of the several landing points, by careful observations. 



Were it possible to effect this at a reasonable expense, a canal of large 

 dimensions would undoubtedly be the most eligible mode of communication 

 between the Napipi and the Pacific ; since by this means vessels from 

 Europe would be able to proceed to the distant shores of India, the islands 

 of the Pacific— many of which are already rising into commercial import- 

 ance — or the western shores of the New Continent, without the delay, 

 trouble, and expense, of shifting their cargoes. This was the object which 

 Patterson had in view, in his memorable but unhappily abortive Darien 

 scheme, in the year 1GG9, which has been already incidentally noticed. 



