208 Miscellanies. 



three thousand tons ; the veins continue about the same, but the quality 

 of the coal is much improved. We now find that the consumption is 

 but little greater than the common English coal, and it is so favorable 

 to our boilers and fire bars, that on the whole I consider it preferable 

 for our purposes to any coal from England. 



I am now expecting som.e miners from England, and intend opening 

 some new mines as soon as they arrive, so that in case of accident my 

 resources will not fail me. With the exception of a sad accident which 

 occurred to this steamer, which I have since had repaired, our steam 

 operations have gone on very prosperously. I have now the line ex- 

 tended to Guayaquil, and a sailing packet fills up the space to Panama 

 until another steamer arrives from England, of which I am in anxious 

 expectation, when the whole line will be completed, and a steam com- 

 munication established between Great Britain, Chili and Peru. 



It would be difficult to form an estimate of the value of steam on 

 this coast. On my recent return from Guayaquil to Lima, in this 

 steamer, which occupied five days, I had an opportunity of observing 

 it. One vessel sailed four weeks before us, and was thirty six days. 

 Another Baltimore clipper also sailed from Guayaquil a few days before 

 us, and was twenty five days, which I consider the average passage of 

 sailing ships from Guayaquil to Lima. From Arica to Cobya we em- 

 ploy two days. A ship which sailed from the former port we passed 

 on the passage ; — she finally arrived in twenty two days. These are 

 every day and most common occurrences, and such extremes of sailing 

 ships versus steam ships, can be found on the Pacific. 



For some years past, the subject of opening a road across the Isthmus 

 has been constantly before the public, but not a single step has been 

 taken as yet to effect it. I have written to the government of New Gre- 

 nada, offering to take the contract,— -which, if I succeed in obtaining, I 

 hope to render effective. I have the honor to remain, respectfully, 

 your most obedient servant, Wm. Wheelwright. 



5. TJ. S. Exploring Expedition. — The U. S. corvette Vincennes, 

 flag ship of the exploring expedition, arrived at New York, June 13, 

 from a cruise of nearly four years — officers and crew all well. 



The U. S. brigs Porpoise and Oregon, (bought to take the place of 

 the Peacock, lost at the mouth of the Oregon, July, 1841,) sailed from 

 St. Helena on the 24th of April for New York, via Rio de Janeiro, and 

 may be expected soon. 



The tender Flying Fish was sold at Singapore, having been nearly 

 used up in the service, and her officers and crew transferred to the 

 other vessels of the squadron. 



The Sea Gull, with all on board, was lost in the winter of 1838-9. 



