326 



MINUTES OP" PROCEEDINGS. 



chair) to take into consideration the subject of 

 opening a direct communication between Great 

 Britain and the western coast of South America^ 

 by way of Panama^ it w^as unanimously agreed : 

 1st. That the successful accomplishment of 

 such an object would be of the highest import- 

 ance to British commercial interests on the 

 west coast of South America, from its affording 

 additional securities and facilities to British 

 industry and enterprise, by bringing them in 

 closer and more frequent connexion with the 

 several ports of the Pacific coast, thereby stimu- 

 lating the industry of its inhabitants, and, con- 

 sequently, fomenting and enlarging their future 

 means of commercial intercourse with Great 

 Britain. 



2d. That, duly appreciating the considera- 

 tion already given by His Majesty^s government 

 to this object, and the formal announcement of 

 its favourable disposition to afford facilities for 

 carrying it into effect, the meeting gladly avails 

 itself of this opportunity to express its respect- 

 ful gratitude, for such an unequivocal proof of 

 the anxiety of His Majesty^s government to 

 promote, by every proper means, the commer- 

 cial interests of Great Britain, on the western 

 coast of South America. 



3d, That, with a view of furthering this ob- 



