APPENDIX. 
279 
erty of the company undertaking the construction of the road. Lime- 
can be found in quite sufficient numbers to carry on the work, and at those 
points where foreign labor is indispensable, the temperature is such as to 
allow them to pursue their labor without either inconvenience or injury to 
their health. The climate, though warm, is healthy. The natives are 
mild, submissive, and tractable. There are ample sources whence to ob- 
tain a stock of domestic animals and beasts of burden. Throughout the 
whole line secured by the grant as well for the purposes of a communi- 
cation across the Isthmus as for the settlement of the country by foreign- 
ers, all the productions of the equatorial and temperate regions are found 
in the greatest abundance ; for the valley of the Isthmus produces the for- 
mer, and, on ascending the more elevated country bordering on the val- 
ley, the climate of the temperate zone is found there as well as its pro- 
ductions. At each end of the railroad are suitable' places for fine har- 
bors, as well as to depth, size, and security from storms. It is true, there 
is a bar at the mouth of the Coatzacoalcos. By different navigators the 
water has been sounded, and from twelve to eighteen feet have been found 
on it at low water. Commodore Perry, in his survey in 1847, found 
twelve feet. At a small pass at the entrance of the ocean on the Pacific 
side there is at low water seven feet. 
Your petitioner, however, is convinced, from the character of the ob- 
structions, that they can, at a small expense of time and money, be easily 
removed, and will then open an entrance for vessels of large size into ports 
equal to any in the world. He is prepared to show this to the satisfac- 
tion of your honorable body. 
Such are some of the physical advantages connected with this route. 
There are others, however, no less important. The distance from the 
mouth of the Mississippi to San Francisco, by the Isthmus of Tehuante- 
pec, is 3294 miles ; by the Isthmus of Panama, 5000 — thus showing that 
the route by the Isthmus of Tehuantepec is 1706 miles shorter than by 
Panama. The distance from New York, by the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, 
is 4744 miles ; by the Isthmus of Panama, 5858 miles — making the route 
by Tehuantepec from New York to San Francisco 1104 miles shorter than 
by the Isthmus of Panama. 
The mere statement of these facts carries with it its own importance ; 
for it is an axiom that in all human operations the saving of time is the 
saving of labor and money. This fact is already exercising its influence ; 
