54 



Doc. No. 75. 



in Central America as those which had flowed from the consfruction of 

 the Erie canal. In the course of this memorial I will show — 



1st. That by the construction of a canal in Nicaragua^ the government 

 would obtain advantages far more important in a pecuniary point of view 

 than those produced by the Erie canal. 



2d. That in order to carry out the scheme effectually, the alternative of 

 a loan is preferable to every other plan. 



The physical capacity of the soil both in Nicaragua and Panama for 

 building a canal of communication between the two oceans^ is a point 

 entirely out of question. If my object were to write for the purpose of 

 stimulating enterprising foreigners, although I am not an engineer, I could 

 nevertheless point out some very superior advantages which the location 

 of Nicaragua presents for the execution of such a project; but my purpose 

 being simply to submit to the consideration of my fellow-citizens the ne- 

 cessity of making most of advantages which are within their reach, the 

 tise of which is a right which nobody can dispute, I shall not enter into- 

 a discussion about points of preference, as the subject requires only to be 

 viewed through the medium of our own interests. We know that a canal 

 can be opened in our own territory, and this is all the knowledge that we 

 want to engage our energies in behalf of the scheme, convinced, as every- 

 body must be, of the usefulness of the enterprise;^ and well acquainted 

 with the means by which the object can be accomplished. Taking it for 

 granted that those who have been intrusted with the management of 

 public affairs are actuated by a sincere desire to promote the conmion 

 good, all that is necessary is simply to submit the project to their consid- 

 eration, with a calculation based upon contemplated results. I have not 

 the vanity to believe that this memorial is sufficiently comprehensive to^ 

 shadow forth the magnitude of the object in view; still, the data to which 

 reference has been made in it may enlighten others to prosecute the sub- 

 ject, and fill up the gaps that may be found in it. 



The governments of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio,, in under- 

 taking the construction of canals and railways, have not been able to look 

 beyond the pale of their own immediate territories; and in calculating the 

 advantages of the enterprise which have been so happily reahzed, they 

 had to limit themselves to a simple estimate of the value of the produc- 

 tions of their own soil, and the articles of consumption necessary to the- 

 support of their own population. The object of the Nicaragua canal is to 

 afford easy means of transportation from sea to sea to those vessels that 

 are freighted with the agricultural and other productions of rich and pow- 

 erful nations, whose immense trade is now carried on by way of Cape 

 Horn and (Jape of Good Hope. Some idea may be formed of the great 

 advantages which will accrue to commerce from this contemplated canal, 

 by taking into consideration the amount of time that will be saved in the 

 voyage, the lessening of danger, and the reduction of costs in navigation- 

 Mr. Radcliff, formerly consul of the United States at Lima, has lately^ 

 published a memorial, in which the following language, concerning this 

 very portion of my subject;, is used: 



^'The saving of above twelve thousand mi/es in the circumnavigatioi^ 

 of South America by Cape Horn, and avoiding the delays and dangers 

 of doubling that cape at all seasons of the year, would be its first great 

 general effect, which would be a reduction of distance, time, expense, and 

 risk J far estceeding what the globe admits of being effected anytvhere elss-^ 



