138 
REVENUE AND INCOME. 
In view of these obvious difficulties, to which might be added 
the lesser ones of distance, inefficiency of ports, and unhealthi- 
ness of climate, it seems a useless occupation of time to consider 
the comparison of Nicaragua with Tehuantepec longer. Exist- 
ing circumstances warrant the belief that even the holders of 
the canaF grant are doubtful of the practicability of their pro- 
ject ; and the increase of clipper ships within the last year, both 
in England and the United States, conclusively shows that con- 
fidence in the ultimate construction of the canal is being with- 
drawn. But without arrogantly asserting that the union of the 
two oceans is absolutely impossible (for who can use that term 
with certainty now ?), it seems but reasonable to assert, that the 
Nicaragua Canal is wholly impracticable in the nineteenth cen- 
tury. But the stern demands of commerce are only more clearly 
heard above the expiring throes of failing projects ; and man by 
the whiles of art, is diligently seeking to overcome the barriers 
of nature. If it be admitted that the Tehuantepec isthmus is the 
most available point — in respect of time, distance, climate, 
cheapness, and practicability, at which an inter-oceanic commu- 
nication can be made — it follows necessarily that the railroad 
to be constructed must secure a large proportion of the com- 
merce of the world. 
The additional gold discoveries in California, particularly in 
Mariposa county, show that the precious metal exists in that 
new State not only in " dust," as it is termed, in the valleys ; 
not only intermingled in large quantities with the native quartz 
rock, but likewise in soft calcareous slate, to such an extent as 
to produce a village, yea, a town in its vicinity, as it were in a 
single day ! These discoveries will exercise a potent influence 
in increasing the volume of emigration to that wonderful region. 
California is daily taking a deeper root in the public mind : 
already the voice of her people is heard in the Capitol, startling 
even the most visionary with the boldness, truth, and magnifi- 
cence of her inevitable destiny. Every day brings us intelli- 
gence of the strides of the young giant ; and every steamship 
that leaves us is filled to its utmost capacity with energetic and 
adventurous emigrants, each of whom leaves behind him a fam- 
ily or relations and friends with whom he will correspond re- 
