374 APPENDIX. 
The author of " California " hints the possibility that the Isthmus might be 
ceded to some European State : if it ever should be so ceded, the nation hold- 
ing it will acquire an immense influence and power over the communications of 
the world, (supposing the above improvements in steam,) with a territory well- 
wooded, well-watered, fertile in the extreme, rich in gold and pearl fisheries, ca- 
pable of supporting a numerous population, and not, by any means, generally 
unhealthy ; while the inhabitants will acquire that wealth and prosperity, which 
the advantages of their situation secure to them. But even allowing — as is most 
probable — that New Granada will continue to retain its sovereignty over the 
Isthmus, there is nothing in the history or character of that Republic which can 
justify our fears that it will not religiously maintain its stipulations in favor of the 
route across to Panama. Of all the South American Republics, New Granada has 
shown the greatest respect to public faith ; and the Hurtados, the Arossamenas, 
the Gomezes, the Quezadas, the Paredeses, and other respectable inhabitants of 
Panama, are too much alive to the continuance and improvement of the old over- 
land intercourse, whereby their city has flourished, not to protest against any inju- 
rious imposts, or prejudicial interference. I believe that hitherto, no passenger nor 
merchant travelling across to Panama, can justly complain of any outrage, either 
to his person or property, from either the local authorities, or from individuals. 
They are all aware, that nothing short of the resumption of the old line of com- 
munication between Europe and the Pacific, can restore their former prosperity, 
and develop the latent resources of their beautiful country ; and they are prepared 
to make every exertion to secure so desirable an object. 
Had the line of steamers above suggested been now in operation, it is obvious 
that the present French blockade of the Atlantic ports of Mexico could have been 
counteracted, by sending the cargoes of vessels warned off, to Chagres, across to 
Panama, and thence to the Mexican ports of the Pacific. 
In conclusion, I may state, that I understand proposals for Steam Navigation on 
the Atlantic ports have been submitted to the Mexican government, by a firm of 
great standing in that country and in London, and that a favorable answer is ex- 
pected by the first packet. 
PANAMA AND THE PACIFIC. A MEMORANDUM SENT TO THE FOREIGN OFFICE, ON TH£ 
ADVANTAGE OF USING THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA AS A MORE RAPID MEANS OF COM- 
MUNICATION BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE PORTS OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN. BY THE 
HON. p. CAMPBELL SCARLETT. 
In passing within the last few months down the coast of South America, on the 
Pacific side, from Valparaiso, through Lima, to Payta, in the neighborhood of 
Guayaquil, and to Panama, and from thence to the Atlantic Ocean across the 
Isthmus of Darien, I had occasion to observe the truth of representations fre- 
quently made to me by British merchants in those settlements : how much shorter 
and more certain might be the communication of intelligence from those places 
to England by that route, than by the passage round Cape Horn. That passage 
in merchant vessels to and from England direct, averages 
Days. 
For Valparaiso, ----....100 
" Lima, 110 
" Guayaquil, 120 
