APPENDIX. 
281 
tion of either political or commercial relations can ever be advantageously 
established. 
At the present moment every thing conspires to aid the undertaking, 
and to insure for it a successful result, and nothing more so than the fact 
that the inhabitants of the Isthmus have testified the greatest interest in 
the project, have given to it in all the forms required of them their hearty 
approbation, and are ready to afford all the facilities for the construction 
of a road. 
In addition, your petitioner will forthwith take the necessary steps to 
obtain all proper guarantees from the Government of Mexico for the secu- 
rity of the rights of the company which he proposes to form, in which he 
has entire confidence that he will succeed, as he knows that the Mexican 
people are not only favorably disposed to the projected road, and have a 
full perception of its importance to their country, but are anxious for its 
completion. If such guarantees are obtained, he will immediately organ- 
ize an American company for the construction of the road, and he has not 
the slightest doubt that the requisite amount of stock will be subscribed, 
and the road forthwith commenced. In the mean time he does not de- 
sire to precipitate the Government of the United States into any contract 
until full assurance is given of the completion of the road ; but he only 
asks that the Government will not hastily commit itself, without a full 
knowledge of all the advantages of the road which he proposes to con- 
struct in comparison with any and all others. 
As to the practicability of the route, it may be well to give the very 
words of the distinguished engineer who surveyed it, and all of which has 
the confident conviction of your petitioner as to its truth. He says : " The 
careful survey of the line of transit over the Isthmus demonstrates the 
practicability of the project, since it presents no one serious difficulty 
which may not be readily conquered by means of capital and science, the 
gigantic developments of which at this auspicious period seem to have 
placed at the disposal of the engineer inexhaustible and unlimited power." 
Your petitioner has brought these principal facts to the notice of your 
honorable body, in the hope further steps may be adopted, which will in- 
sure a full examination of the results of the survey, in the firm conviction 
on his part that such an examination will establish the value of this route 
to the United States in a communication with its possessions on the Pa- 
cific shore. 
P. A. Hargous. 
