5. It will give an immense impulse to United States manufactures,
especially cotton and iron, and will greatly stimulate the shipbuilding
industry and development of the naval power of the United States.
6. It will cost more than the estimates show ($80,084,176.00 at that
time) but it will have a traffic greater than is usually admitted.
7. In the interest of the world it must be neutralized, and the true
policy of the United States is to forward that end and thus make this
international highway a powerful factor for the preservation of peace.
To the eminently conservative and disinterested conclusions of this
patriotic English expert, I may be permitted to give my adherence no
less than to the publicly expressed opinions of the great American
statesmen whose names I have mentioned and to the practically unanimous
approval of the Congress of the United States, after having actively
discussed the Canal question for twenty years.
With assurances of my highest esteem I beg to remain,
Sir:
Your most obedient servant,
WILLIAM LAWRENCE MERRY.