94 
CHAP. IX. 
ESTIMATE OF RETURNS. 
The Isthmus the nearest unoccupied tropical country to Europe—The 
nearest and safest route to the Pacific and Chinese Seas—The voy¬ 
ages to the West Coast of America shortened by 6,500 to 12,000 
miles.—Enumeration of the products of the Isthmus.—Grants of 
Land and privileges of Colonists.—Steam Navigation and Coals — 
Salt — Free-labourers.—Commercial movement round Capes Horn 
and Good Hope.—Transit dues—Sales of Land: and Steam Navi¬ 
gation — Dye-woods, timber, and fine woods—Value of other articles 
— Total annual receipts on the completion of the communication cal¬ 
culated at £1,200,000.— Extract from a Report made to the Con¬ 
gress of the United States in 1839. 
The territory of Tehuantepec, from its position, its popu¬ 
lation, and its produce, offers peculiar facilities for the opening 
of the Isthmus. 
The advantages, which would result from the opening of 
the Isthmus, are so numerous and considerable, that it would 
be impossible to name the total amount of the returns which 
might be realised ; but it would not be difficult to prove that 
even were we to adopt for our calculations only a limited 
number of those advantages, the value of which is incontro¬ 
vertible, the result would exceed in the most extravagant 
degree that of any other speculation, even those generally 
considered as the most profitable. 
1st. It is the nearest country to Europe, yet unoccupied to 
any great extent, yielding every tropical produce. 
2nd. It is universally admitted that in consequence of the 
favourable direction of the winds and currents, ships proceed¬ 
ing from Europe to China, the Phillipine Islands, and the 
