132 
REVENUE AND INCOME. 
In our estimate of the time upon these routes, the speed of 
ocean steamers has been calculated at the rate of thirteen miles 
an hour. The average has been deduced from passages of the 
Atlantic steamers to New York, from September 21, 1850, to 
January 1, 1851. 
The time upon railroads has been computed at twenty miles 
per hour — a rate assumed from the general operations of rail- 
roads in the United States. No deductions have been made for 
stoppages. We have thought the difference of twelve days suf- 
ficient to cover all stoppages and loss of time as to the Suez route, 
whilst the time lost by stoppage upon the Panama and Tehuan- 
tepec routes would be about equal ; these routes across the Pa- 
cific being identical from a point off Tehuantepec. 
The ocean distances on the route from Liverpool via Panama 
has been taken from the report of the Hon. Mr. Rockwell, in his 
able report to Congress, from which we have before quoted. 
A writer in De Bow's Review thus disposes of the question 
of distance, as compared with Tehuantepec : 
" The advantage offered by the Tehuantepec route, to compensate for its 
increased length, is the saving of sea distances from each direction to its 
termini on the Gulf and Pacific, being 1200 miles north of Panama. This 
saving in sea distance is estimated at 1700 miles, in making the trip from New- 
Orleans to San Francisco ; the distances being stated at 5000 miles from New 
Orleans to San Francisco, by way of Panama, and as being only 3300 by way 
of Tehuantepec ; and being from New York to San Francisco, by way of 
Panama, 5858 miles, and by way of Tehuantepec only 4744 miles — being a 
saving, by Tehuantepec, of 1100 miles. This immense difference in the sea 
distances, other things being equal, would seem to be conclusive in favor of 
the Tehuantepec route." 
It is unnecessary to add any thing to this. The position is 
defined, and the immense saving in point of time and distance 
by way of Tehuantepec cannot be gainsaid. The same writer, 
after alluding to the project of constructing a railroad across 
the peninsula of Florida, says : 
" It is a magnificent idea to dwell upon, that, by tne construction of 270 
miles of railroad, New York and San Francisco are brought within 4300 miles 
of each other, and New Orleans within 3000 miles ; thus cutting off nearly 
10,000 miles of the voyage round Cape Horn. And it will not be deemed an 
