to Rialejo N. 48 deg.. W. " 450
Rialejo to
Acapulco N. 62-1/2 deg.. W. " 1180
Acapulco to
St. Blas N. 48 deg.. W. " 420
St Blas to
Cape Lucas,
California N. 73 deg.. W. " 274

From Panama to St. Blas and back could be
twenty-seven days, including four days for
stoppages.]

This connexion may be made either by Chagres and Panama, or by the
river St. Juan's, through the Lake Nicaragua, to Rialejo, on the
Pacific. The distances and courses by either are not materially
different: but there is the best reason to believe that the
communication by the route last mentioned is the best; and that, in
fact, it may, without a very great expense, be effected by water. To
carry on the communication across the Pacific, from and to the places
mentioned, by steam, would be unprofitable, unadvisable, and
unnecessary. To give two mails each month to the places specifically
mentioned, would require, even fixing a central point in the Pacific
as in the Atlantic, thirteen steamers, at a cost of 223,000_l._; while
no more than fifteen days could be gained, compared to the time that
the work could be performed by sailing packets. These results have
been obtained after calculations carefully made upon the same
principles as the calculations for a similar purpose have been made in
the preceding pages. The whole can be proved by considering the winds
which prevail in the quarters of the Pacific alluded to (elsewhere
particularly noticed), and by examining the bearings and distances
inserted in Appendix No. III. These matters being considered, it
follows, that not only no additional expense will be required on
account of the mails which are to cross the Isthmus to the Pacific,
until their arrival at Panama or Rialejo; but that resources from (p. 059)
the latter, such as parcels, packages, and passengers, will be drawn
from the Pacific department, to increase the returns in the Atlantic
department. With these observations, it is now proper to advert to the
courses and distances which must be taken, and the expenses which will
be required in this, which shall be denominated the Pacific
Department; the work to be performed by first-class sailing packets.

Owing to the win