Three routes across the Isthmus of Panama have been surveyed and
considered--two besides the one which the United States is now
utilizing; and farther south two possible canal routes have been
surveyed across the territory of Colombia. The two southern routes
would use the Atrato River as a part of their course, and from that
river across to the separating lands an excavation would be required.
[Illustration: WATER FRONT, PANAMA.]
Of these nine routes only three have been seriously contemplated by the
engineers of the various governments and companies who have examined
them. The three are the Tehuantepec, the Nicaraguan, and the Panama
Canal route.
In the year 1800 all South American territory, with the exception of
Brazil and a few colonies, was under the sovereignty of Spain, but
about the year 1811 a series of revolutions broke out in various parts
of Central and South America, having for their object the establishment
of independent republics, and by 1823 all Central and South American
countries had achieved independence. The province of Panama secured her
independence in the year 1823, maintained that independence for a short
time and then merged with the Republic of New Granada.
Panama remained a part of New Granada for several years, and then
became a part of the New Granadan and Colombian confederacy, and
continued to be a part of that confederacy through various vicissitudes
of fortune and misfortune arising out of revolutions and war until
November 3, 1903, when she seceded from the Colombian confederacy,
hoisted her old flag, and resumed her ancient nationality.
In 1825, the South and Central American Republics, desiring to bring
themselves into closer relations and sympathy so that trade and
commerce and industry might be better developed, conceived the idea
of holding a convention in the City of Panama, in the year 1826.
The United States Government was invited to participate and take a
prominent part in that convention, and in order to induce the President
of the United States to send his representatives, the subject of canal
construction across the Isthmus was to be one of the most prominent
subjects considered.
Henry Clay, the Secretary of State of the United States at that time,
was at first very eager to participate in the Pan-American convention,
but was prevented by objections of the President from sending
representatives to Panama. However, he sent a note of felicitation and
encouragement and promised the support of the United States in any
mutual project that would be to the advantage of all the countries,
and particularly pledged that support to any feasible project of canal
construction. This was the first official interest taken by the United
States in the construction of an Isthmian Canal.
Like nearly all conventions, the one that was held in Panama in 1826
met and resoluted a great deal and indulged in much oratory, but
adjourned without accomplishing very much of practical value. However,
a congress composed of representatives of several of the South and
Central American States authorized the construction of an Isthmian
Canal, and actually went so far as to enter into negotiations with a
prominent engineer for the purpose of having one constructed, at some
point to be decided upon later; but owing to revolutions and disorders
soon after developing, plans for the project were for the time
abandoned.
In 1837 the Congress of the United States authorized canal surveys to
be made and a commission was appointed for the purpose of surveying
and exploring the Central American country so that data might be
secured that would give the American Congress information as to the
practicability of the different routes that might be utilized. From
that time on, until today, the subject of Panama Canal construction
has been almost constantly before the American Congress.
Of course, action in that body was more or less sporadic. The subject
would be taken up from time to time when some pressing need for quicker
and cheaper transportation to the Pacific Coast made itself apparent.
In 1846 the United States entered into war with Mexico, which engaged
the energies of the nation for the time being and canal legislation
was forgotten. After the war with Mexico came the discovery of gold in
California, and the rush of the argonauts to the Golden State made it
necessary that quicker and cheaper routes be established than those
around Cape Horn by water, or the long trail over the plains and
mountains to the Pacific Slope. A company was organized in New York
which established a line of transportation by means of steamers from
New York to Greytown, thence through the San Juan River to the lakes of
Nicaragua, and thence by the stage lines to the Pacific Coast, where
again vessels were taken for San Francisco Bay and for the coasts of
Oregon and Puget Sound.