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Doc. No 75. 



that the lake of Managua must supply the water requisite for the use of 

 the canal, from its shores to the sea, as there are no reservoirs or streams 

 of magnitude upon this line. 



8e' tio7i from Pacific to the Lake Managua— line of the Estero Real. — 

 There is still another route to which public attention has never been gen- 

 erally directed J but which, if feasible, of which I have no doubt, offers 

 greater advantages than either of the others just named, viz: from the 

 northern point of Lake Managua via the Estero Real to the gulf of Fon- 

 seca, or Conchagua. The upper part of Lake Managua is divided into 

 two large bays by a vast promontory or peninsula, at the extreme point 

 of which stands the giant volcano of Momotombo. Between this volcano 

 and that of the Viejo,to the northeast of Realejo, running nearly east and 

 west, is a chain of volcanoes, presenting, probably, in a short distance, a 

 greater number of extinct craters and more evidences of volcanic action ^han 

 any other equal extent of the continent. This chain is isolated, and 

 nearly at right-angles to the general course of the great mountain ranges. 

 Upon the south is the magnificent plain of Leon, bounded only by the 

 sea; and upon the north is also another great plain, the Llano del 

 ConejOy^^ bounded by the aurifer us hills of Segovia. This plain ex- 

 tends from the northern bay of Lake Managua to the gulf of Conchagua, 

 which is equalled only by that of San Francisco, and may be described 

 as a grand harbor, in which all the vessels of the world might ride in 

 entire security. It much resembles that of San Francisco in position and 

 form; the entrance from the sea is, however, broader. Its entire length 

 within the land is not lar from 100 miles, and its breadth from 30 to 60. 

 The three States of San Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras, have ports 

 upon it. In respect to trade, the principal port on the main land is that of 

 La Union, in San Salvador. All the adjcicent coasts are of unbounded 

 fetility, and possess an unlimited supply of timber. The sides of the 

 mountains, particularly the volcano of San Miguel, are covered with oak 

 and pine, suitable for building and repairing ships. Coal occurs in 

 abundance 25 or 30 miles from the port of La Union, on the banks of the 

 Rio Lempa, the roads to the beds leading through a level country. The 

 bay embraces several islands of considerable size and beauty, surrounded 

 by water of such depth as to enable vessels of the largest class to ap- 

 proach close in-shore. The most important of these, from the circum- 

 stance of its size and the fact that it commands and is the key to the 

 entire bay, is tlie island of Tigre, belonging to Honduras. This island 

 was the headquarters and depot of Drake during his operations in the 

 South sea. It is about thirty miles in circumference, level near the 

 shore, but rising regularly and gradually to a cone in the centre; thus 

 affording almost every variety of air and climate desirable. Upon this 

 island is situated the free port of Amapala, recently established, where 

 there are a few storehouses and dwellings. The rest of the island is 

 almost wholly uninhabited. I refer thus particularly to this island be- 

 cause the English have long regarded it with longing eyes; and since the 

 project of a canal across the isthmus of Nicaragua has been seriously 

 entertained, and is likely to be carried into execution, but particularly 

 since the large accessions by the United States of territory on the Pa- 

 cific, they have resolved to possess themselves of it. The alleged debts 

 due by Honduras to England, or rather to English subjects, constitute 

 the basis of operations. They have unquestionably offered to re- 



