Doc. No. 75. 



5B 



By means of a ship canal across the isthmus, through either of the routes 

 mentioned, (which are both within the tropics, where no changes of 

 weather interrupt navigation, as well as nearly central between the most 

 populous and wealthy regions of America^, and also in the most direct line 

 from Europe and the United States to the eastern countries of Asia and 

 the islands of the Pacific,) the trade and intercourse between all of them 

 in every direction would become comparatively easy, safe, cheap ajid 

 rapid; and millions of the human race be thus brought into communion 

 with one another, who are now widely separated by nature's barriers j 

 and scarcely known to each other. 



^^But to specify its effects more particularly, (as they well deserve to 

 be,) it is apparent, from a mere inspection of the map of the world, and a 

 slight calculation of the wants and interests and desires of a large portion 

 of its inhabitants, especially on this continent — 



1 St. That the inhabitants of the western side of America, from Chili 

 inclusive on the south to the Russian possessions on the north, a distance 

 of about eight thousand miles, (as the coast winds,) together with those 

 of the numerous islands of the Pacific, would be peculiarly and most ex- 

 tensively benefited, by reason of its opening to them all an easy and in- 

 timate intercourse with the inhabitants of the eastern side of America and 

 those of Europe, and the best means of effecting their exchanges with the 

 world in general, and also facilitating the introduction among them of 

 those improvements in agriculture, arts, and sciences, and especially in 

 self-government, wherein they are yet so wofully deficient. 



^^2d. That the inhabitants of the United States would be next highly 

 benefited by reason of the immense increase of commerce in general, 

 which would result from the facility of intercourse with the western side 

 of America and the islands of the Pacific, wherein they would participate 

 more largely, and from which they. would reap greater advantages than 

 Europeans or others, in consequence of their proximity and superiority in 

 navigation. 



3d, That the very rich, extensive, and highly-important trade of the 

 United States and Europe with China, Japan, and the Indian Archi- 

 pelago, would be much faciUtated and increased by reason of shortening 

 the distance above four thousand miles, and saving time in the voyages 

 still more in proportion, from the whole route passing through the most 

 favorable latitudes for winds and currents each way. 



4th. That the immense and still growing whale fishery, and skin and 

 fur fishery, of the United States, and other nations in the Pacific ocean, 

 would be exceedingly accommodated, extended, and made more lucrative, 

 by shortening the voyages of those engaged therein above one half, and 

 enabling them to realize the fruits of their enterprise, skill, and capital, at 

 much less risk, expense, and loss of time. 



5th. That the settlement and improvement of the extensive and im- 

 portant territory of the United States bounding on the Pacific ocean, and 

 its general advantage to the Union, would be greatly facilitated and aug- 

 mented by bringing it, on an average, about twelve thousand miles nearer 

 to the seat of government and the States on the Atlantic, by way of the 

 isthmus, than it is by way of Cape Horn, and admitting of a rapid and 

 regular intercourse with it, by means of a steam navigation and otherwise. 



" 6th. That the commerce in general of the United States, and of the 

 world at large, would become more extended, and the products of agri- 



