15 
nation seems to present the greatest obstacles for the accom¬ 
plishment of the object contemplated. 
However, notwithstanding these appearances, as a greater or 
less distance is not the only circumstance to be considered, it 
precisely happens in the three above-mentioned instances that 
the practicability of the work is in an inverse ratio to the short¬ 
ness of the distance; and thus, whilst in the present state 
of our knowledge its execution is apparently impossible at 
Panama, and attended with immense difficulties at Nicaragua, 
we find it practicable and easy at Tehuantepec, 
The isthmus of Panama has been from the time of the con¬ 
quest the object of the most diligent investigations, and it is 
an error to suppose that the Spanish Government never paid 
any attention to this subject. Unfortunately not one of the 
explorations which were made offered any satisfactory result, 
and the silence relative to this subject, which was maintained 
by the celebrated astronomers who at the close of the last cen¬ 
tury resided for some time in these regions, is the greatest 
proof that they had no favourable tidings to communicate to 
the world upon this important matter^ 
The form and topographical aspect of a country so limited 
in extent, and which had attracted a considerable share of 
public attention, could not possibly remain unknown during 
three centuries, and it was very evident that there were not in 
either of the two opposite coasts any natural harbours to which 
the extremities of a canal could be directed. It has been lately 
asserted that all difficulties had disappeared, and that it would 
be as easy to construct a canal in Panama as it would be in 
Holland. The most recent report, however, of intelligent en¬ 
gineers purposely sent thither to ascertain the facts seems on 
the contrary to point out the great obstacles which the terri¬ 
tory presents to an enterprise of this nature ; but even suppos¬ 
ing that the topographical aspect of the ground offered no 
difficulty whatever, there are others quite sufficient to render 
it impracticable, and which unfortunately cannot be remedied. 
Monsieur Michel Chevalier, while examining the circum¬ 
stances which ought to be kept in view T in selecting the most 
