h steamers
all would be safe.

[Footnote 2: Should the Colombian Government
obstinately and ignorantly oppose the transmission
of mails across the isthmus from Chagres to Panama,
or propose to shackle this point of communication
with unreasonable and inadmissible restrictions,
then in that case there remains a point, it is
believed, more practicable, safer, and more
eligible, where the communication could be
effected, namely, in the State of Guatemala, or
Central America, by the River St. Juan's and Lake
Nicaragua, both of which are navigable for vessels
of any size. The south-west shores of the lake in
question approach to within fourteen or fifteen
miles of the Pacific, and this distance, in one
place, through a valley nearly level throughout,
and at but little elevation above the level of the
sea. From Lake Managua, or Leon, the distance to
the sea is still shorter, being, in one place,
according to good maps, not more than eight to ten
miles. From this lake also, and the capital, Leon,
the distance north-west to Rialejo, a fine port on
the Pacific, is twenty-three miles, and through an
accessible, if not very easy country. The
Government of the Republic of Guatemala, or Central
America, would doubtless be ready to afford every
facility to open such a communication, which would
prove the greatest and most certain means of
improving their country. Moreover, if a ready
communication is once afforded, from any point on
the east coast of America, in the places alluded
to, it would speedily become the object and the
interest of the Chilian, the Peruvian, and the
Mexican Governments to watch and to see that the
communication with the world to the eastward should
not only be rendered secure, but be maintained.
Also, with a communication opened in this