82 
CHAP. VII. 
PROJECTS. 
Correction and Clearance of the Course of the Coatzacoalcos — closing 
the entrance of the Mistan — Clearing entrance to the Boca Barra 
— Deepening the Channels of the Lagoons. — First Project — Waters 
of the Ostuta and Chicapa led by water-courses to Tarifa — sum- 
mit level between the Monetza and Tarifa — Line of cuttings on both 
sides through Argillaceous rocks, marl, clay, sands, and slates. — 
Second Project — The summit level at the Portilla, and descent to 
the Chicapa, using its channel. — Third Project — Summit level at 
Tarifa, thence by the beds of the Chichihua and Malatengo to the 
Coatzacoalcos ; and by the Monetza and Chicapa to the Lagoons. 
The various plans which Sr. Moro has submitted are formed 
on the supposition of the Coatzacoalcos being rendered navi- 
gable as far as its confluence with the Malatengo; and the 
Boca Barra of San Francisco being cleared for the admission of 
large vessels ; and both these ends are, in his opinion, attainable 
without having to overcome extraordinary difficulties. 
The favourable and useful pecularities of the Coatzacoalcos 
soon attracted the notice of its early discoverers. Cortes 
speaking of the country of which the Isthmus forms a part 
says: 
" I had heard that in a very great river which runs through 
** the said province and falls into the sea, there was an excel- 
" lent harbour for vessels ; because Ordaz, and those who ac- 
" companied him had examined it, and as the country appeared 
" particularly fitted for colonization, and there being on this 
" coast such scarcity of harbours, I was desirous of finding one, 
" and establishincf there a settlement.'' 
