WESTERN COAST OF AMERICA. 289 



moment^ therefore^ seems favourable for calling 

 attention to a similar project for the Western 

 hemisphere^ embracing regions beyond the An- 

 des^ equal in geographical extent to those of the 

 East, and, if not combining the same character 

 and degree of interest, nevertheless intimately 

 connected with the commerce and trade of 

 Great Britain, and the security and advance- 

 ment of her colonies. 



The establishment of steam navigation along 

 the southern shores of the Pacific Ocean, in 

 connexion with the passage of the Isthmus of 

 Panama to the Atlantic, has created much 

 interest, since the trade of the countries whose 

 shores are washed by that sea has been thrown 

 open ; and, as commerce and intercourse have 

 increased, a still greater interest has been mani- 

 fested. Difficulties and obstacles which were 

 formerly considered insuperable, have now been 

 removed, and great encouragements have been 

 given to the endeavour to secure the accom- 

 plishment of an object so desirable. The de- 

 crees of the governments of Chile, Peru, and 

 Bolivia, for the promotion of steam navigation on 

 their shores, evince an earnestness of purpose and 

 a force of discernment only equalled by the libe- 

 ral and enlightened policy which dictated them. 



The immense extent of the advantages, which 

 must arise from the establishment of this com- 



VOL, II. O 



