CHAPTER XIV. 



Proposed Route for a Ship Canal — Isthmus of Tehuan tepee — Nicara- 

 gua — Panama — Relative advantages of Nicaragua and Panama — 

 Navigation of the River Chagres and River San Juan — Opinions 

 of Travellers — Reason why they are often so diverse — Advantages 

 of the Harbor of Navy Bay. 



Three routes, within the boundaries of the great 

 Isthmus, have each had their advocates, claiming 

 superior advantages over the other two — the Isth- 

 mus of Tehuantepec in Mexico, Nicaragua, and 

 Panama — but I believe the last has invariably re- 

 ceived the preference from disinterested parties who 

 have correctly informed, themselves of all the facts 

 in relation to the three. 



The Spaniards explored the Isthmus more tho" 

 roughly, without doubt, than it has ever been done 

 since, and they made this part the thoroughfare to 

 their Pacific possessions, and it has remained the 

 principal crossing to the present time. Garella, 

 who surveyed the country by the appointment of 

 the government of France, chose the Isthmus of 

 Panama as the most feasible route for a ship canal 

 or Railroad, and Col. Lloyd, who acted for the Eng- 

 lish government, arrived at the same conclusion. 

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