240 



ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



Portobelloj to Panama, would be very beneficial ; 

 but Senor Gazo is of opinion, with many other 

 persons, that by deepening the Obispo, and the 

 Mandinga which flows into it, and then con- 

 necting these rivers by a canal with the Rio 

 Grande, at the point whence it is navigable to the 

 Pacific, into which it falls within two miles of 

 Panama, the desired object would be more prac-- 

 ticable than Mr. Lloyd supposed. The distance 

 from the Chagres, at the point where the Obispo 

 enters it, to the Rio Grande, is twelve miles, and 

 the Obispo at its junction with the Mandinga, 

 or nearly at that part, approaches to within four 

 miles and a half of the Rio Grande. The 

 interval between these two last rivers presents 

 no obstacle of any importance, and is nearly flat. 

 The broken course of the Obispo would be 

 remedied by letting in other streams which are 

 said to be near it, and also by assisting the 

 navigation with locks. At least this is the in- 

 formation I have received, and if it be correct 

 the success of such an undertaking at this part 



