Richmond Enquirer

RICHMOND, MAY 12, 1820.

COMMUNICATION.

GEOGRAPHICAL

In looking over the map of North America, and observing the Nicaragua lake, lying between the Pacific and Atlantic, it caused me to consider whether or not those two great collections of water might not be partly united by cutting a canal from Nicaragua lake to the Pacific Ocean. (a distance I understand of about thirty miles) through a tolerably level country and which, by the dashing of the Pacific, would open, in time, a passage sufficient for the largest ships, which might pass from the Pacific, down the canal, into and through the lake down St. Juan river, and into the Atlantic ; and which would supersede the necessity of that circuitous route around Cape Horn, of about ten thousand miles

Now the query is, Whether it can be effected? If it can, it would be of infinite service both to Europeans and Americans, and in fact to all nations who trade with North and South America, and with the East Indies. But, if my speculations are only ideal, on account of mountains, rocks and other obstructions, (not having had an ocular view of the country.) we remain as we were before.

Buckinghan, April 21, 1820.

2.

Our correspondent has touched a very interesting subject, which has already attracted much attention from speculative men : the time is now rapidly coming, when practical statesmen will begin to think seriously of carrying the scheme into effect.— Much is said upon it in Humboldt's Essay upon New Spain. Various discussions of it are scattered through the Edinburgh Review ; one No of which (for April, 1810,) is at this moment before us. The Review states, that, " Placed as New Spain is, between Europe and Asia, it requires only five weeks to have communication with the former, and six weeks with the latter. If the China and Fur trade were directed through this channel, it would save 2000 leagues in the transport of commodities to Europe" There is a difficulty, however, arising from the deficiency of harbours, and the violent storms which blow on the coast of New Spain a great part of the year.—still, by improving the best harbours that may be found, and availing one's self of the best seasons of the year the labor that may be saved by this direct route would be immense.—Various points of connection between the two seas have been proposed..ee. On the north part of the Gulf, the river Huasacualco is represented as perhaps the best harbour for merchantmen. " One advantage attending the selection of this river for the depot of commerce, would be its situation in the narrowest part of the isthmus of America that falls within the kingdom of New Spain. Tehuantepec, in the province of Guatimala, is the corresponding harbour on the South Sea.

Taking advantage of the rivers Huasacualco and Chimilipa, as far as they are navigable, the canal would not require to be more than 6 or 7 leagues in length."

Lower down on the coast the Gulf of Nicaragua has been proposed : but, " though it should be found practicable when more accurately surveyed, it would be nearly useless for the purposes of commerce, as the coast of Nicaragua is inaccessible to shipping, in the months of August, September and October on account of thunder storms and dreadful rains, and in January and February on account of violent winds from the north east " -The Gulf of Panama is another point ; but it has never been surveyed for that purpose; yet it is apprehended the intermediate mountains present an almost insuperable obstacle to vessels of sufficient burthen -Mr. Humboldt prefers a point still further south ; to wit. the bay of Cupica, (or Cupica.)-between capes St Miguel and Corrientes. He states, that " between Cupica and the river Naipi, where it becomes navigable, is a distance of 5 or 6 leagues, through a flat, level country, perfectly adapted for a canal " Naipi is a branch of the river Atrato, which falls into the Gulf of Darien

" Between the bay of Cupica and the river Atrato, is the only point of South America where the chain of the Andes is interrupted "-It is stated as a singular fact, that there is a ravine in this quarter, in which " a parish priest has dug a small canal, navigable in the rainy season, by which canoes, laden with cacao, have passed from one sea to the other."

Though South America hath poured forth her millions into the lap of Spain : yet the important communication between the two oceans has never had one dollar spent upon it. The gigantic revolution which is now advancing both in Old and New Spain, bears immense consequences in its womb. The spirit of enterprise it will produce may in its turn generate great improvements. Perhaps a communication between the two oceans, is likely to be one of