It has been already stated that a steam communication for the west
coasts of America, on the Pacific, has already been arranged, and is
about to be set on foot. This important object has been concerted and
arranged by that enterprising gentleman, WILLIAM WHEELWRIGHT, Esq., of
Valparaiso, after almost incredible perseverance and labour, and great
expense; and has obtained the official sanction and support of both
the Chilian and Peruvian Governments. It will extend from Panama to
Valparaiso on the south, and to Acapulco on the north; and will, as a
matter of course, for the interest of those concerned in carrying the
plan into execution, be so timed and arranged in the working machinery
thereof, as to correspond with the arrivals at, and departures from,
Chagres on the north, or the Atlantic side of the Isthmus.[14] A road
is about to be commenced between Panama and the Chagres, which (p. 058)
when completed, the communication from sea to sea may be made in half
a day. This point, as regards the western coasts of America, being
thus arranged, it becomes of vast importance to the whole plan
proposed, to extend from Great Britain to the eastern coasts of the
western world; and it now becomes of great consequence to show how
readily and advantageously the West Indian department can be made to
connect itself outwards and inwards across the Isthmus alluded to,
with Sydney, New South Wales; Canton, China, &c.
[Footnote 14: The following are the distances from
Panama to the different places alluded to:--