Transportation
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TRANSPO.TATITON LIBRARY J
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THOMA* MeGilL & Co., Law Printera, Wsahiagnott, D. C.








CONTENTS.
PHAPTER PNE.
HISTORY OF THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WITH
THE CHIRIQUI IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, - 
PHAPTER TWO.
HARBORS AND NAVAL STATIONS ANI) THE TRANSIT OF THE ISTHMUS.   4
PHAPTER THREE.
LANDS, CLIMATE, MINERALS, COAL, ETC., --        -14
FHAPTER fOUR.
OUTLINE OF THE TITLE OF THE CHIRIQUI IMPROVEMENT COMPANY
TO LANDS, FRANCHISES, AND OTHER PRIVILEGES IN THE
UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA,  --                        33








CHAPTER I.
HISTORY OF THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES
WITH THE CHIRIQUI IMPROVEMENT COMPANY.
The question, first, of the establishment of naval stations at the most practicable points on the east and west coasts of the Americtan Isthmus, connecting the
two continents of this hemisphere; and second, of the coal supplies for our naval
and commercial marine in the Caribbean Sea, the Soutt Atlantic, and the Pacific
Ocean, has from time to time attracted the attention of the government.
Intimately connected as these matters are with the great problem of tile shortest and most direct commulnication on the central lile of tlie commerce of the
world between tle Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and involving, for the United
States especially, the utilization of the exceptional advantages of the American
Isthmlus for communication by water between its Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the
furtherance of the interests of our rapidly developing foreign commerce, and the
operations of our naval squadrons upon both oceans, they involve interests of incalculable public benefit which have enlisted the consideration of our leading
statesmen from a very early period in the history of the country.
The special attention of tile government was given to the subject during the
administration of President Jefferson, with a view to the thorough exploration of
the entire Isthmus, and in various ways-its successive phases changing in accocldance with tile development of the political relations and interests of all concerned-it has received the consideration of every succeeding administration.
Early in the administration of President Polk it was contemplated to open mail
and commercial relations between the United States and Japan and China, across
the Isthmus of Chiriqui, using the war steamers Mississippi and Missouri for the
sea routes, the then Secretary of thle Navy, the Hon. John Y. Mlson, taking a very
earnest interest in the enterprise.
The acquisition of California, and the number of passengers and the amount
of traffic for transportation across the American Isthmus ensuing thereon, together with the obligations of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, and the treaty between
the United States and New Gra.nada, requiring, on the part of the United States,
the guaranty and protection of tile neutrality and, under circumstances, the peace
of the Isthmus, interested the administrations of Presidents Fillmore, Pierce, and
Buchanan in the inquiry for locations upon tihe Isthmus, suited for naval stations,
in order to facilitate the governllment in the discharge of the duties imposed by
these treaties, and of the oblioations to render efficient protection to our citizens
in transit, and our commerce il that region.
President Buchanan's efforts extended to thie formation of tlie Cass-Hcerran
treaty; the seventh article of which, providing for a naval station at the Isthmus,




2                                  CHIRIQUI.
near Panama, was rejected by the Congress of New Granada,* a(nd the pressing
necessities of the governmefit then brought about an offer of purchase of tile
rights, grants, privileges, and property of the Chiriqui Improvement Company by
the United States for $3,000,000; and finally, during the adminlistration of President Buchanan, led to the execution of a contract between the United States and
the said company for the establishment of naval stations, the supply of coal, and
for transportation rights, executed on the 21st day of May, 1859, the fulfillment
of which, by the United States, was interrupted by the breaking out of the civil
war in the spring of 1861.
The execution of this contract, was preceded by an exploration of the Chiriqui
Lagoon, by Captain (now Admiral) Almy, commanding the U. S. war steamer
Fulton, whlose report to the Secretary of the Navy, under date of September 25,
1858, with special reference to tile recommendations of tile harbor as a site for
a naval station, and to the coal deposits upon its shores and islands, proved in all
respects satisfactory.
It was preceded also by a reference to tile Department of Justice for the opinion
of the Attorney-General upon the title of the Chiriqui Improvement Company.
On the 11th of May, 1859, the report of the Hon. J. S. Black, Attorney-General,
was made, to tie effect tlat the title of the company to the property embraced in
tile contract was in every respect valid and perfect.
Thle execution of the contract, whlich was thereupon sanctioned by tile Presilenit, was followed by a thorough examination of the harbors on botl coasts of
tile Isthmus, under authority of an act of Congress reciting tie contract and
making an appropriation for the work. A naval expedition set out from Norfolk
for this purpose in August, 1860, Captain Engle, U. S. N., in charge, in the
Brooklyn, Captain Farragut commanding. T'he commission, composed of officers
of the army and navy of the Ullited States detailed for tlhe purpose by the President, and instructed to make a hydrographical, topographical, and geological
survey of tile portion of the Cliriqui Isthmus embraced in the contract, landed
on tile 24th of the same month il the Chiriqui Lagoon, and retlurned on the 28th
of November following, having made a complete exploration of the harbors uponl
botli coasts and an examination of tle intervening country across tile Isthmus,
including the coal fields on the Atlantic side.
Tlhe expedition was fitted out with especial care for tile efficient prosecution of
tile work.  The report of Captain Elnle, made January 16, 1861, includes the
reports made to him by Lieutenant Jeffers, U. S. N., hydrooglapher; by Lieutenant Morton, U. S. A., topographical engineer, aid by Dr. John Evans, geologist.
This very favorable and satisfactory report of the results of the expedition,
sustaining in all respects the action of the administration of President Buchllana
il tile premises, was transmitted to Congress January 22, 1861, by tle President,
andll attracted marked attention.  It was followed by an urgent letter from  tile
Secretary of the Navy recommending tile appropriation of t!ie amount required
for tile fulfillment of the obligations of the contract, to enable tile government
to establisl the nlaval stations provided for, and to secure the great advantages of
tlhe coal supply, incident to their location and covered by the contract. But
the momentous questiol of tie civil war was pending. All appropriations other
than such as were requisite for the necessities of the government were precluded,
aidll no immediate action was taken by Colngress ol the report of tile commission.
T'le interest of tile government in tile matter continued, however, and in the
See Rep. of Corn. on Naval Affairs of H. R., 36th Cong., 1st session, p. 12.




HISTORY OF TRANSACTIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES.                     3
following year the report of the results of the expedition and the action takenl
by the preceding administration, having inl the meanwhile been brought to tile
attention of President Lincoln, after very careful consideration, a new agreement, embracilg, together with the stipulations in substance, of the precedilg
contract, an elaborate plan for the colonization upon tile Chiriqui Isthmus, of such
of the recently-emancipated people of thle South as might desire to emigrate, was
entered into, Congress having previously appropriated the aggregate amount of
$600,000, to be used at tlhe discretion of the President in furtherance of the plan
of colonization. The exigencies of war induced a change in the purpose of tlhe
government with respect to the immediate prosecution of the plan of colonization
set forth in tlese instruments, and fulfillment on the part of the government of
the obligations of tile contract was necessarily postponed.  It was deemed advisable to enlist the freedmen as soldiers, and to this end to defer for a time the
opportunity of emigration, and no step has since been taken by the government
looking to the resumption of the undertaking.
This agreement, including tile mutual obligations of an irrevocable power of
attorney vesting the title to a portion of tile possessions Qf the Chiriqui Improvement Company, is still a subsisting contract between the parties. It was repeatedly recognized officially during the subsequent years of the administration of
President Lincoln as existing unimpaired in any respect whatever.  Among tlie
evidences of such recognition, particular attention is due to the letter of March
18, 1864, from tile Hon. J. P. Usher, then Secretary of the Interior, addressed to
the president of tle Chiriqui Improvement Company, in which it is expressly
claimed, in behalf of the United States, that the contract is still in force, and tlat
its provisions may be availed of, by the government, for all the purposes intended,
at any time when deemed advisable on the part of the Executive. The opinion is
added, that a high estimate is entertained with respect to the international value
of the property and the benefits to be derived therefrom, by extended commercial
relations between this country and neighboring maritime States. With the postponement of the enterprise in behalf of tile emancipated slaves, tlhe establishment
of the naval stations contemplated was also againl deferred. It is known, however, that Mr. Lincoln gave the subject his continued and very earnest attention,
and that he expressed a decided purpose to resume the prosecution of the great
work he had begun, and which he cherished with so much interest and hope,
lookilg forward as lie did to the colonization of the freedmen in a land so favorably adapted to this experiment, as a step of great importance in the solution of
the embarrassing problem of emancipation, and to the possession of the Chiriqui
harbors, with their exceptional command of both the great oceans east and west,
as a measure of wise forethought for the development of the commercial and
maritime interests of the United States. Tlie interest of the government ill the
matter was renewed from time to time during the administrations of Presidents
Johnson and Grant, but no plan for definite action adopted.




4                                   CHIRIQUI.
CHAPTER II.
HARBORS AND NAVAL STATIONS AND THE TRANSIT OF
THE ISTHMUS.
The location of the Chiriqui harbors on the Atlantic and Pacific slores of tle
crleat isthmian strip which connects the two continents of the western hemisphere,
presents a remarkable combination of advanltagles.
The following decided opinion with reference to the Chiriqni Lagoon, is
expressed in the report of Captain Almy to the Secretary of the Navy, Hon.
Isaac Toucey, in 1859, with respect to the advantages of the harbor for the purposes in view:  I will take this occasion, which I do not deem  out of place, to
remark th thathe ChiriqLi Lagoon, in a national, naval, and maritime point of view
generally, cannot be overestimated in the eyes of any nation aiming at ascendancy
in the Central American States.  It is situated just half way between Aspiiwall
and San Juan del Norte, (or Greytown,) and possesses a healtlly climate.  From
my answers to the preceding questions, and from a glcance at tile chart, it will be
seen that it possesses very many of the requisites for a great naval stationl, and
any maritime nation of even limited power, onice obtaining a foothold there, would
make her influence decidedly felt in that quarter."  (Report of Naval Committee,
1st session, 36th Congress, No. 568 H. R., p. 51.)''he harbors on both sides of the Isthmus are referred to in the report of Captain Engle as unsurpassed for all maritime purposes.  Those of the Atlantic side,
with an incidental reference to the Golfito on the Pacific side, are described as
follows:
Harbors incomparable, of a size unequalled, depth of water in their three main
entrances for our largest ships to enter without pilots, and when fairly within,
can run on any course with certainty and anclor on good holdinog ground without fear of any one of the numerous injuries connected witli the life of a sailor.
The shores in most places are bold.,Should it become necessary to wharf for
the accommodation of merchant ships, it will only be necessary to give a solid,
clean, and clear place to load and discharoee; for they can now haul alongside the
banks andl secure to them. Wood for wharfin or olier lpiurposes is at lhanl. Tlis
may also be said of the Pacific harbor.  The entrance to Golfito is perfectly clear;
the harbor, for safety or in points to facilitate trading vessels, is quite equal to that
of Chiriqui, ibut ill size or'gralndelur neither tihat lnor any otler can be compared with
it. The nearest point from whence to shlip coal, I think, will be found to be at
Bocas del Drago, which is on the main chanlel to the beautiful Iand grailnd Alllirante Bay, thirteell miles long and eiglit broad, connecting with those of Bocas
del Toro, Shepherd's harbor, and the Poros and Palos lagools.  The latter are
more like large docks; their entrances are narrow, not over 100 feet wide, witli
a challlel from eillit to ten flatloms of water.  Wheln a ship is in her length, on
lookilng around you discover yourself in a land-locked basin of 3- by 1  miles.
Th'llen at tle foot of tile'Alinirante Ba:y,' so called froml its having been discovered by Columlbus in October, 1503, whmere lie remained ten days, lies Shep



HARBORS AND NAVAL STATIONS.                                5
herd's Island, cutting off one and a quarter miles of it by three and a half miles
long, forming a complete place for the terminus of a railroad.  Tllere is a channel at each end of the island, giving to sailing vessels a fair wind at all times.
lThis harbor, for its facilities for wooding, watering, and easy access, with its
natural beauties, makes its mark on the minds of navigators never to be forgotten.
The island is two hundred and sixty-four feet hilgh, and can be mnade a spot of
immense strength and beauty.  The batteries from it would command the entrances, as well as the whole harbor and terniinus of a raiload on the southern
shore.  The average height of the highest of the islands within the harbors is four
hllndred and fifty feet."  (Exec. Doc. No. 41, 36th Cong., 2d Sess., pp. 2 and 3.)
In a preliminary report, Captain Engle says, with reference to the lagoon:
"The anclorage in every part is secure.  They have no hurricanes, and no
winds that a canoe (the gondola of these waters) cannot show  itself unlder sail.
The breeze is bracing, and that from the mountains cool, giving to the sleeper a
refreshing night's rest."
The special report of Lieutenant (now Commodore) Jeffers makes specific reference to the surveys of the Chliriqui Lagoon by Captain (now Rear-Admiral) Barnlet,
of the Royal British Navy, the accuracy of which lie confirms, and adds:'In
short, no finer harbors than these can be found,"-adding, withl reference to tile
Golfito in Golfo Dulce, on the Pacific side, the following:' This beautiful.harbor,
situated twenty miles from  the Punta del Banco, on the eastern side, and midway between the entrance and bottom  of the Golfo Dulce, is unsurpassed in
natural facilities.  Favorably situated for entering with the sea breezes, and
leaving with those from  the land, both of which are regular, there is no bar or
other obstruction at the entrance, which is upwards of half a mile (1,200 yards)
wide, and about a mile in depth, with excellent anchorage, on good holding
ground, in five, seven, and twelve fathoms; having tile chart, no other guide
than the eye is necessary.  This outer harbor is separated by a sand spit a mile
in length by a few feet in width (around the northern extremity of which there
is an excellent channel eight hundred yards wide, with upwardls of five fathoms
of water) from the inner harbor, four miles in length, with an average breadth of
one mile.  The inner harbor has about one square mile of anchoraoge, with a
depth of five fatloms, sufficient for tlie largest ships, and about three square
miles of anchorage for vessels of a smaller size.  On tie northeast side of tile
harbor, opposite tile entrance, there is a range of hills several miles in length,
parallel to the coast-line, of an average elevation of about fifteen lhundred feet,
leaving a strip of level generally of but a few yards in width between their bases
and the shlore line.  On this side of tile harbor, and for a distance of upward of
three miles, not less than five fatlhoms of water is found within half a cable's
lengyth of shore, affordinlg ample room for wharves sufficient to accommiodate any
probable number of vessels frequenting tile harbor if the proposed road should be
built. Thlree streams-the'Golfito,' at the eastern, and the'Corisal':and
Cafiaza at the northwestern extremity-empty into the harbor; neither being
navioable, but either affordin   an ample supply of fresh water for tile proposed
town."  (Ex. Doc. No. 41, supra, pp. 43 and 44.)  The concurrent testimony of
every naval officer of our own navy, and of the navies of other countries, who
lhas ever visited tile Clliliqui Lagoon or the Golfito,-beginning with the discoverer
of the Western HIemisphere, who, in 1503, landed upon the shores of the magnificent bay that bears his own name,-shoxws the surpassing fitness of these
iarbors in all respects for naval stations.




6                                   CHIRIQUI.
The following extracts from official reports of distinguished foreign officers to
their respective governments add to the evidence of the great value of the harbors
of Golfo Dulce and Golfito, and of the Chiriqui Lagoon, including "Admiral's
Bay."  Captain Barnet, of the Royal Navy, in command of the British frigate
Thunderer, who made the official surveys in 1839 of the Clliriqui Lagoon and
Admiral's Bay, and the plottings of the charts now used by navigators of these
waters, states that "every part of the lagoon affords secure anclhorage, and contains
harbors within harbors, which will admit ships of the heaviest burden, where. in
many parts, they may be concealed by the side of the shore."  (Rep. Corn. Naval
Affairs, supra, p. 53.)
Captain Hickley, of the Royal Navy, who, in command of tile British frigate
Gladiator, visited the Chiriqui Lagoon il 1864, says: "'The Chiriqui Lagoon is
one of the most splendid sheets of water I ever saw, and has anchora'ge in most
parts all over it; but of tle resources wllicl abound on its shores it is impossible
to form too high an estimate."  * * * "The climate is exceedingly good.'lie
shores, tis side, are so'steep-to' that I found a place by tile side of tlhe projected road terminus where, if I had remained a weelk, I could have' hove' the
ship'downl'  with only digging the pits asllore for the Ipurchases' and laying'off anchors''off.'  **  *    The climate is European when compared to'Colon' or'Greytown,' so much so tlat, after being at tilese places, it was
quite a relief to go to Chiriqui to enjoy its bracing and delighltful climate, (I speak
of June,) the freshness of tlhe mornings and the general tone of tile atmosphere
differing as it did in so marked a way from that of Colon or Gleytown."  (See
Govt. and other Official Doe., 1866, p. 4 et seq.)
Captains Colombel and Lallier, commanding the corvettes La Brilliante
and Obligado in 1851 and 1852, in their reports to Admiral Pellion say: "The
Golfito should, properly speaking, be called a great salt lake; its waters are
never troubled; winds descending fiercely fromn  the surroundilng mountains
cannot disturb its tranquil waters; its space is too inclosed to permit surges to
be formed; never-failing streams from the adjacent highlanlds enter it. The
greatest lhngtll of the Golfito is six miles; its width a mile and a half. It is an
immense natural basin, or great bay of deep water, land would make tie finest
military port in the world."
Admiral Pellion, of tile Imperial French Navy, in his report to tile Minister
of Marine of the Empire of France in June, 1852, upon thle hydrographical explorations of Captains Colombel and Lallier, confirms the foregoing opinion in
tlie following emphatic terms:  "Its geographical position and its configuration
promise it a brilliant future, and there is no doubt that, the road finished from
the Atlantic, it will become the finest port on the Pacific Ocean."  (Report Comn.
Naval Aff., supra, p. 76.)
General Herran, the minister of New Granada, in certifying to tlme titles to the
property, says: "The magnificent entrance to this beautiful region is tlrough
the Chiriqui Lagoon and Admiral's Bay, an immense double bay, with fertile
shores one hundred and twelve miles in circumference, into wlhicll no less than
twelve rivers empty themselves,-numerous harbors, among which tlhere are two
of the most commodious and secure in the world.  Near to these are tile coal
mines, whose titles I have already certified, and they alone, in the present epoch,
would be sufficient to render prosperous, as well as an object of desire, any country iwhich may possess them."




HARBORS AND NAVAL STATIONS.                              7
In the report of the Committee of the House of Representatives on Naval
Affairs, these harbors are referred to in the following terms:
"'The evidence that this harbor (Chiriqui Lagoon) is one of the best on the
whole Atlantic coast in North and South America, is regarded as conclusive.  It
is easily identified on approaching it from  sea to sea; has water enough through
its entrance and in its interior to float the largest ship that ever has been, or is
likely to be, constructed. It is spacious enough to float the navies of the world,
and vessels of thle largest class may approach near the shole, and in some places
be moored in safety along its banks. The anchorage is good, and vessels of every
class may ride in security protected from  the ravages of the northers. Turtle
and fish abound in the waters of the lagoon, and mountain streams of pure fresh
water empty into it; and, what is of great consequence to slip owners, there is
reason for believing that none of those worms wlose ravages are so destructive
to the bottoms of vessels are to be found in tlese waters near the mouths of the
rivers emptying into it.
The Golfito is one of the best harbors on the whole Pacific coast. Its entrance
is about half a mile wide, with an interior of six miles in length and one mile and
a lhalf in width.  It is a fine basin of deep water, into which the largest ships
deeply loaded may enter safely and remain in perfect security from all danger of
storm or norther.  To examine and make a thorough survey of this harbor, tile
French Government sent Captains Colombel and Lallier there in 1850. Their
report and survey are very minute anld satisfactory.  In 1852 Admiral Pelion, of
the French navy, was there in a ship-of-war, and testifies to the accuracy of tile
chart and report of Captains Colombel and Lallier. These reports are conclusive as to tie great value of the Golfito as a secture and convenient harbor.
"Here are two of the finest harbors in the world, tlhe one oil the Atlantic and
tlie otler on the Pacific, nearly opposite each other, which can be connected by
a railroad of only eighty miles in length.*  Here a large part of the commerce
and travel of tile two oceans muist in time meet and cross tile continent.  The
commerce of the Pacific, its shores and islands, of Japan, India, and China, is
increasing every year, and will not always be content to battle with tlme storms
of Cape Horn; butt when a good avenue is opened througl a' healthy country,
connecting deep-water harbors, where fi'rst-class ships may enter with safety and
discharge their cargoes into trains of cars, on which merclandise can be takell
from shore to shore, at reasonable charges, much of the rapidly-growing commerce passing from sea to sea will seek such a channel.  The Chiriqui Lagoon
and Golfito are harbors worthy of the vast inter-oceanic commerce destined, at
some day not remote, to seek more ready markets and rapid exchanges through
their waters. "  (Rep., supra, pp. 3-5.)
The following statement, accompanying tlle papers filed in the Department of
tile Interior in connection witll the transaction between tlle Chiriqui Improvement Company and the United States under tlie administration of President
Lincoln, presents some of tlie advantages to be derived from tile establishment of
a naval station at each of these harbors.  Tile considerations then urged in favor
of tis measure, and upon which the action of tile government was promptly
taken, are applicable now with greatly increased force in every particular:
" NAVAL STATIONS ON THE PANAMA ISTHMUS.'For more than thirty years past, tlere ha' s been a growing necessity for two
United States naval stations: one in tlhe Caribbean Sea, on the coast line of tlle
Subsequent surveys show a better route. of not to exceed sixty miles.




8                                  CHIRIQUI.
Isthmus of Panama, and one, as conveniently opposite as possible, on the coast
line of the Pacific Ocean.
"The establishment of such stations requires no action of Congress. They are
regarded by all maritime powers as national necessities, to be availed of and located under executive authority whenever required, either for economy, convenience,
or protection.  In this manner, England has promptly secured stations which
have contributed laroely to the practical strength of her navy and to the extension of her commerce. The United States has secured stations at Valparaiso,
Callao, Villafranche, Japan, and Rio Janeiro. In some of these, permanent accommodations and rights are held under leases. In others, the purpose is attained
by the (]etail of supply-ships kept at anchor.
"Loolkino to the future interests of our country, as well as to economy in
maintaining the stipulations and obligations of the treaty with New Granada,
and also of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, President Buchanan souoht to obtain by
the Cass-Herran treaty a naval station at the Isthmus of Panama. The provision for this purpose was stricken from the treaty, upon the griound that the object
in view could be better obtained under a lease throughl the ownership of the lands
by any native or foreign citizen (all owners of lands, though foreignoers, being,
according to New Granadian laws, citizens of New Granada). President Lincoln
coinci(liltg with the views of his predecessor as to tlle importance of tils measure,
carried out the intenltion of the provision referred to, by a formal contract with
the Chiriqui Improvement Company, the expressed purpose of each, being the
protection of our west coast possessions and the Mississippi valley, as well as the
constanlt enlargemenlt of commerce to each of these sections, and the important
aid and security these stations would afford in time of war. The locations sought
by botlh, were the Chiriqui Lagoon on tle Atlantic, and tile Golfito on the Pacific
waters. It was well known that Great Britain and France had sought to secure
tlhese harbors, but hlad been anticipated by an American citizen who had obtained
valid titles to the surrounding lands by grants and purchases. These harbors are
nearly midway between tile Nicaragua and Panama routes, dominate both, and
are the only good harbors with deep and well-protected waters on the entire American Isthmus.
"Between these harbors is an inexhaustible coal field, fromx which supplies of
the best coal for steam purposes can be had at half tile present price paid at tile
variomus coaling stations of the United States navy. In tile possession of these
facilities, economy, naval strength, commercial prosperity, and political importance would be gained to the Unlited States. The possession of these harbors
would save annually from one-half to one million of dollars in coal and in other
lnaval expenditures, and secure forever the absolute control of political, commercial, and military advantages resulting from  the following natural and other
conditions, viz.:
"The coal basin of Chiriqui is 50 miles long, by a varying widtll of from 5 to
14 miles, and aggregates a thickness of 741 feet coal deposit, most of the vein
being 5 to 6 feet ill thickness, all being workable, and forming practically an inexhaustible supply of coal at a point more desirable for the control of commerce
and support of a great naval power than any other point in tle known world.
"A naval station at the Cliriqui Lagoon would command tile Caribbean Sea, the
Gulf of Mexico, and the West India islands.
"Commodore Engle and Commodore Almy (U. S. N.) state tliat it can be so
fortified as to be impregnable. (See printed report submitted by each of these
officers respectively.)




HARBORS AND NAVAL STATIONS.                              9
"The lagoon on the Atlantic and Golfito on. tle Pacific, connected by a road
held by a chartered company of United States citizens, (the charter legalized il
Colombia,) all the uses under it secured by leases to tile governmenlt, will afford
full protection to the ownership of the property, create an impenetrable barrier
to encroachment by other nations, and materially aid in the preservation of our
possessions on the Pacific coast.'Golfito, with a mountain on each side of its entrance, can be made stronger
than Gibraltar. Admiral Pellion, in his report to the imperial government of
France, says:'The Golfito is an immense natural basin, and will make the finest
military port in the world.'
"Naval and military supplies could be transmitted either way, over the road
between, to relieve or sustain either harbor in case of need, and fresh provisions
of every kind can be drawn from  tile interior country. Thus a naval strength
could, when required, be maintained in Chiriqui Lagoon whicl would crusl out
any attempt, by any power, to control eitller the Windward or the Mona passlage,
and tils same strengthl would seculre the pelmanent possession of Key West, the
Tortugas, as well as tile control of tile Florida passaIge, and an equal strengtih
coull be tranlsmitted to Goltito for any desired effective operation ulpon  tlhe Pacific
coast.
"Coal is, and is to coli tlle, tilhe chief element ald strengtll of naval power
and of commercial prosperity.  With a fill supply of it in the olilf, our naval
power must control all otllers il tlhe tropical regions of the Americanl continlelt.
Any fleet sent there for hostile purposes muist draw its supply from either thle
United States, Nova Scotia, Great Britain, or Chiriqui. Thlere are lno other practicable or near sources of supply. If drawn from Nova Scotia or Great Britain,
a heavy convoy force would be necessary for its protection, and tils conlvoy force
would be so much withdrawn from  the fleet, increasing its liability to defeat or
capture at its weakest moment.  Should these harbors, coal fields, and other advantagoes concentrated therein, fall into tile possession of any other great maritime
power than the United States, all these advantages would be turned against the
latter, land the new possessor would control, positively and effectually, tile shores
and waters of tile Caribbean Sea, tile Mexican Gulf, and the West India islands,
and the entrance to tlhe Mississippi valley. Tlie Cliriqui Lagoon will be strengthened and fortified to tle highest degree by any Inaritime power into whiose possession it passes, and it will thence be held as the key of commerce and the point
of naval command il tile republican tropical world.
"In addition to these considerations of economy and of political and commercial
advantage, includillg thle development of a local trade, to be turned to the United
States ill time of peace, a naval station in the Chiriqui Lagoon could be so used as
to save nearly one-half the expenses of the naval squadrons kept in tlhe tropical
seas. It shoild embrace an admiral's residence and a liospital il.the mountainis.
This would be within easy reacli of Aspinwall, Port Limoii, and Sail Juan.  A
small steam gunnboat would render all tlhe services at far less expense than is now
required. The station would lend dignity to our country, encourage ile tenlterprise of its citizens, offering an opening at once and at all times to the unemployed
and discontented of our cities, il a land where ihealth, success, and prosperity are
of the easiest attainment. Tlhe British government has found the advantages of
similar enterprises in the egress offered to redundant city populations, through
the markets thus provided and opened for home manufactures, and tlirougl the
furtller openings for enterprising individuals of private capital. Evei at Shanghai there is the nucleus of a military establishment, with an admiral andl staff;
2




10                                 CHIRIQUI.
and the success which has attended the naval enterprise of Englandl at the Belize,
which has not a tenth of the value of Chiriqui, is well known.
"The mountains of Chliriqui offer health rarely found inl the tropics, not found
at all outside of the'iill stations' in the Himalayas, or in tile Andes. A liospital at Chiriqui, 4,000 feet above the sea, offers a better security for permanent
recovery from fevers than going North, while it would avoid the enormous expense of sending a fine ship home to be put out of commission whern a few sporadic cases of yellow fever break out on board, and which would cease to occur
if the first cases were provided for in such a hospital, near at hand.'L Our commerce needs all the fostering care that can now be given it. How
scanty the provision for it heretofore has been, is a familiar comment.  Contrast
with this the example of England. She secured Gibraltar, Aden, Hoing Kong,
Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica, Grand Menlu, off the coast of Maine, St. Helena,
Mauritius, Ceylon, and otlher stations.  Everywvlere throughout the world an
Englishman may turn for protection to his flag. In every business enterprise he
prosecutes, it is before him a visible promise of substantial support. It has not
been our policy to establish colonies, but we can get all the advawn tages, witll none
of the disadvantages of a colony, by startingl  a laval station on eachl side of Cliiriqui.  On the Atlantic it is a coal center, within a radius of about 1,000 miles from
which lie tle whole gulf coast of the Spanish Main and of the Caribbean Sea, tice
Windward and Leeward islands of Cuba, Porto Rico, Jamaica, ald San Domingo.
They are our most valuable customers, and at the same time customers with whom
we lhave the most frequent controversies, and for whose trade we have tile strongest rivals.
"We olught, telrefore, always to have a naval demonstration in that quarter.
Chiriqui oflfers the least expensive, tile most practicable, the most effective, and,
in every respect, the best opening. Put a hospital and a store-thouse, with an admiral and staff, there; give the admiral two or three dispatch boats to go and come
with, a respectable sloop of war, and the facilities of coal supplies, and the whole
service of tlie West India station would be vastly better maintained ill time of
peace than it is now. Il time of war the advantages would be incomparable.'Thle number of ports included witllin the radius of 1,000 miles of these stations, as shown by the Atlas, will be surprising to any one wilo has not previously
examined tlie subject. It will also be apparent that nearly all the business of
these ports will be controlled by tlese stations at Chiriqui.
"A political consequence of importaunce, beyond all these considerations, must
not be overlooked.  By tile treaty under which autlority is to be givell for the
construction of the Isthmus canal throughll Nicalratgu, (as I am informed,) it is
provided that tile extent (ladl( and sea) within one hundred miles radius of the
Atlantic terminus of this inter-oceanic canal shall be neutral. This applies to
tlhe lnations which join in the construction of the canal. No harbor exists, and
none of any extent, or even of safety, can be created there in permanency. Tile
Chiriqui Lagooni lies about twenty miles beyond this limit of neutrality, or circumscribing line, and as it is the only harbor within convenient access, this entire
neutrality falls within its absolute control.
"Tllis fact discloses a geographical situation of vast benefit to a maritime nation
havilng, or desiring to leave, the political and commercial power to direct events
in this hemisphere. England, ill all hler forei'gn possessions, includes no station
with stucl united elements of advatltaoge as are comprised in the h1arbors of the
Chiriqui Lagooolln ad Golfito. If not controlled bythe United States, the' neutral'
sea limit of two hundred miles on the coast line, extending one hundred miles




THE TRANSIT OF THE ISTHMUS.                          1I
seaward, will, in case of war, prove most dangerous to the coast of our States
bordering on the Mexican gulf, and to the entire interest of the lower Mississippi,
and may, indeed, in some contingencies, prove dangerous to the existence of the
Union of our States."
The following extract from the report of the Committee onl Naval Affairs referred to, is inserted:
" The United States, as a government, have already established the precedent
of holding maritime stations in foreign countries; and acting uinder this fully
recognized authority, she has the right to purchase or lease snlch land as may become necessary for the support. supply, or protection of her navy. The use of
the land which she has acquired by contract with the Chiriqui Improvement Company, and the use of the coal, will prove of incalculable value to her navy, and
will afford that sure metas of protection to her commercial marine which cannot
be obtained in any other portion of tile Isthmus, or upon the coasts of the Pacific
or Atlantic in South America."  (Rep., supra, p. 12.)
Heretofore the only naval station for our Nortl Atlantic fleet was at Key West,
which, owing to tile dangerous anchorage, (tile location being an open roadstead,
unprotected from the frequent hurricanes prevalent in that quarter,) was recently
abandoled, and the North Atlantic fleet now resorts to Port Royal. South Carolina, as the nearest practicable naval station-an inconvenient resource in view of
the distance of that port from the cruisilng waters of the fleet. Tlie location of a
station at Cliriqui Lagoon would meet every requirement in this respect, and.
from this source both the North and South Atlantic fleet, and the Nortil and
South Pacific fleet also, by way of Aspinwall and Panama, would obtain tleir
coal supplies with the utmost convenience, and at a large reduction of the average cost of any contract heretofore made for the supplies of those fleets in foreign
stations.
Tlie importance to the United States of the location of these naval stations, in
view of the large accession to our naval strength, combined in the harbors of
the Chiriqui Lagoon on the Atlantic and Golfito on the Pacific, and the great
advantages which will be extended to all our maritime interests in tliat quarter,
cannot be overestimated. T'le establishment of naval stations by the government
in these harbors, will be speedily followed by the location of business interests
through private enterprise.  Our manufactures, our agricultural and other products will find profitable interchange at these convenient points for the products
of the States of Cenltral and South America and the Pacific islands, and very
much will be done in this way for the rapid and permanent extension of our
commerce abroad.
TRANSIT FROM THE CHIRIQUI LAGOON TO GOLFO DULCE.
The following important extracts from the Report of tile Committee on Naval
Affairs, referred to, are pertinent to this subject:
" Without intending to deal unfairly with any existing route, and without the
least desire to detract from their value, it must be confessed that the three routes
with which this is designed to compete are absolutely without harbors suitable for
commercial purposes."
"A Pacific railroad will in time be built within the limits of our own territory,
which will take most of the passengers, and light valuable freight, going to and
coming from the Pacific States. An Isthmian transit route then, must ultimately
rely upon so much of the commerce, the actual business conducted upon the two




12                                 CHIRIQUI.
oceans, as can be induced to pass over it with passengers to and from all the
shores washed by the Pacific and Indian Oceans, excepting those passing over
the Pacific Railroad.  It must be a business, a passenger, and freight road, united
with and terminating at safe, deep-water harbors, where freight of all kinds can
be discharged from the largest kind of freighting and whaling ships and steamers
directly onto cars, and from  freight cars on board ship, if such harbors exist
where they can be economically connected by a railroad across the Isthmus.
Your committee, after such a careful examination as its means and time would
permit, have come to the very gratifying conclusion that such a route does exist,
terminating on each side of the continent on the shores of the best harbors that
ever offered shelter to commerce.  The harbor on the Atlantic side is the Chiriqui
Lagoon, with its interior harbors; it is about two hundred miles west from Aspin%wall, and hlas until recently been almost entirely overlooked by American explorers for Istlinlian routes by which to connect the trade of the two oceans. Perhaps
the range of high lands which runs along tlhe centre of this part of the Isthmus,
dividing it into two plains, one gradually sloping to the Atlantic and the other
to the Pacific, and sending up spurs of mountains thousands of feet above the
level of tlhe sea, led the voyagers along the Caribbean Se: aand Pacific Ocean, to conclude that Nature had placed an impassable barrier to the connection of the two
seas by a railroad, or carriage road, between the harbors of Cliriqui ald Golfito.
Tle Chiriqui Lagoon, on the Atlantic, has long been known to the British Government and watched by it with care, no doubt in the hope of ultimately obtaining a foothold there."  (Report siupra, pp. 2, 3.)
"The route across the Isthmus of Chiriqui differs from  all others in its conditions of usefulness to the country. It is healthy, has deep and well protected
harbors at its termini; there is no conflict of title or conflicting grantee claimant
to it. The whole property in it and in the inexaustible coal mines is entirely
in the hands of American citizens.  The lands were granted for the purposes of'public utility.' The establishment of the road and of maritime stations facilitates
these purposes, and carries out fully the wishes of the people of New Granada.
This is evidenced by the action of the Granadian Senate when the Cass-Herran
treaty was under consideration. It was then declared that'if the United States
Wanted depots for their navy or merchant vessels, the Isthmus or its islands were
as free to them as the ocean. Our laws (do not oppose, but encourage it-that
foreign citizens have, in the whole of tlhe Granadian territory, the right to purchase or lease and possess any kind of real estate whatever.''In this point of
view, the New  Granadian Senate considers tliat for all practical purposes the
benefit of the 7th article (providing for a coal depot) might be immediately obtained by American citizens for the Navy Department, without tile aid of said article;
and tley consider the imperfect knowledge the American people possess of New
Granadian laws is the cause why such depot had not been established long ago.'
"This is conclusive as to the views of New Granada; and the precedent of the
station in the Mediterranean settles clearly the authority of tlie United States to
act for the benefit of her navy.  In securing the right of way free of tolls,
she provides independent mail facilities for thle whole Pacific coast of North and
South America, which may hereafter become of vast benefit to the commerce of
the country, and which, at the present timle, without the additional and great
benefit of the coal and maritime stations, would justify a much larger expenditure
thanl that provided il tle contract."  (Report supra, pp. 12, 13.)
No thorough exploration has ever been made of the Chiriqui Isthmus, and the
information with respect to the comparative advantages of transit routes is lim



THE TRANSIT OF THE ISTHMUS.                        13
ited. A number of hurried surveys have been made, several of them  by very
competent civil engineers, and the fact is abundantly ascertained that at least
four distinct routes for wagon travel, and a railroad of easy grade, are practicable. The engineers in charge of the respective surveys, all unite in the opinion
that a more careful investigation will result in the discovery of still more favorable grades, and every explorer who has ever reported upon the topography of
Chiriqui has expressed the opinion that this section of the Isthmus possesses unequalled advantages in every important particular for the transit from ocean to
ocean.




14                                  CHIRIQUI.
CHAPTER III.
LANDS, CLIMATE, MINERALS, COAL, &c.
LANDS, CLIMATE, MINERALS.
In a recent article in the London Times, the United States of Colombia is said
to embrace within its territory "the most beautiful, the richest, and the most
fertile region in the world," —a description which all who have ever visited the
State of Chiriqui, the northernmost province of Colombia, will unite in regarding as peculiarly applicable to the surpassing attractions of this section of the
American Isthmus.
The lands of the plains and valleys of the Chiriqui Isthmus are of high agricultural value. The residue extends through the mountain region, and abounds in
minerals, including the precious metals.
Sites for cities upon tile harbors included in the possessions of the Chiriqui
Improvement Company present advantages rarely found in tropical countries.
Commodore ENGLE says: "It is a country of gold, coals, minerals, lands
which produce every fruit of the tropics of the highest order,-coffee, cocoa, indigo, rice, cotton, oranges, lemons, limes, &c.  It is much easier to say what it
does not produce thal) wlat it does, for everything seems to vegetate and give
the best of its kind.  On the Pacific, the plains are large, and no bounds to the
scope of pasture for raising cattle."  (Exec. Doc. 41, 36th Congress, 2d Session,
p. 3.)
Lieutenant MORTON says: " The country offers thie most exquisite landscapes.
The eye is refreshed with a varied succession of green savannas, fringed and dotted
with groves and clumps of magnificent trees of every description, from the widespreading beech to the slender and graceful palmn, and intersected by an infinity
of pebbly brooks." (Exec. Doc., supra, p. 18.)
Dr. EVANS, who accompanied the expedition of 1860, a geologist of large and
varied experience, who had at that time been employed for fourteen years in thle
service of tile government, says in his special report:
Near the volcano, the soil is basaltic, resting on clays of the tertiary period.
It is very rich in. humus or vegetable mould, and contains all the saline iligredients of a first-rate soil.  As you reach the savannas the soil increases in thickness
and fertility. The clay is well suited for brick-making and pottery. In the short
distance of thirty-five miles in the upper portion of the savannas, you have every
variety of climate and soil, well suited for wheat, Irish potatoes, and other products of the Nortilern and Middle States of the United States; towards the seacoast, rice, cotton, tobacco, coffee, and all the productions of the Southllrn States,
and of tropical climates, are produced in abundance.' " Iln describing the formation of tile soil, I have briefly alluded to the productions of the country, but it
will not be out of place to refer to special localities and tlieir rich producing quali



LANDS, CLIMATE, MINERALS.                              15
ties.  On the Atlantic side there are many streams flowing down from the mountains having bordering valleys, but the most beautiful and extensive are those of
the Cricainola and of the Changuinola rivers; these valleys vary from ten to
twenty miles in width, their soil inexhaustible.  Indigenous to it are cotton,
tobacco, coffee, sugar-cane, e, ice  and all the tropical fruits.  These do not grow
by single crops, but in succession throughout the year; under the hand of the
cultivator, four crops a year could be readily gathered, and of qualities inferior
to none that earth produces.  There is a great variety of timber suitable for shipbuilding on the islands of the lagoon and on the mainland; specimens ihave been
collected of each variety; several of these woods are equal to live-oak for vessel
frlames, and others are superior to any that are witin my knowledge for planling,
owing to the quality of the wood and thle great lengtl they may be cut, these
being from eigllty to one hundred and twenty feet.  Rich specimens of gold in
quartz and in black sand, copper, iron, platinum, and other valuable minerals,
have been discovered in various localities; agates, jaspers, opals, diamonds, similar to those used in Chinese ornamients, were found.  There is no prevailing
disease between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts on the Isthmus of Chiriqui.
During the wlhole of my explorations of the shore-line of the lagoon, tile islands
adjaceit. the vlarious tributaries, and il crossing and recrossing from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, not a single member of my party, either the men from the Brooklyn or natives, was sick.  The rainy season is a succession of sunshine and showers.
If it rains in the mnornin, it is usually fine in tle afternoon. Sea-breezes prevail
during the day and land-breezes at niight. The thermometer varies from 67 to 87
degrees during the year, and towards morning it is so cool that a blanket was
comfortable every night during my sojourn on this isthmus."  (Exec. Doc. 41,
supra, p. 53,)
General HERRAN, the Envoy Extraordinary and Mii-lister Plenipotentiary of
New Granada to the United States, ill giving a certificate of the validity of the
titles, says:;'Il addition to the foregoing certificate, I avail myself, with great pleasure,
of this opportunity to give testimony that, from information, otficial and private,
worthy of all belief, or from my own information, I am of opinion that there are
few countries in tle world that possess so many elements of prosperity and
wealtil as that part of the State which forms Chiriqui.  In proof of this, it is
sufficient to mention its inter-oceanic position, the variety and comparative softness of its climate, which is most salubrious, especially in the mountain parts,
which enjoy a fresh and bracinig temperature; tie southleln part level, covered
with grass and flowers, and abounding with flocks and herds.'T'he mines of gold from wiicli Christopher Columbus carried with himn specimens to Spain, yet remain to testify to tlhe existence of that precious metal in tile
gorges and ravines of the mountains; tile mines of copper, of iron, of coal; tile
mineral springs betweel David and Bocas del Toro; the gum-elastic, tile peartls
and pearl oysters, and tile tortoise, furnishing tortoise-shell, abound oil the coasts;
the richest and most valuable dye-woods; timber for buildilng, and especially
ship timber and resinuous and medicinal woods. Besides all those resources to
make living easy and cheap, there are numerous harbors, among which are two of
tile most commodious and secure in tile world. Near to these are the coal mines,
whose titles I have already certified, and they alone, in the present epocli, would
be sufficient to render prosperous, as well as an object of desire, any country whiclh
may possess thlem."   (Rep. Corn. on Naval Affairs, H. R. No. 568, 36th Cong., 1st
Sess., p. 33.)




16                                CHIRIQUI.
Mr. JAMES B. COOK, a British civil engineer, says: (Rep., supra, p. 47.)  " Rich
and fertile plains, from wllich spring in the most luxuriant growth the coffee-tree,
yielding in abundance, after three or four years' culture, a berry of extraordinary
flavor; the tea plant, growing wild, requiring but the hand of industry to make
it most productive; cotton, rice of large grain, tobacco, flax, maize or Indian
corn, wheat, Irish and sweet potatoes, peas, beans, and cabbages; besides, there
are various spices, including ginger, pepper, and a great variety of botanical and
medicinal plants. The slopes of the mountain ranges afford pasturage of the
best description, and thousands of cattle feed wild upon tleir sides. In mineral
wealth the country is exceedingly rich. In my explorations I found indications
of gold in great abundance, in dust and scales, in river beds mingled with sand,
which slight washing readily removed, gold-bearing quartz in large quantities,
and various places wlre discovered apparently very rich in precious metal. I had
also ample evidence of platina, silver, mercury, antimony, molybdenium, barium,
copper, and iron ores."
The following article from a-number of the Panama Star, published during tile
progress of work on the Panama Railroad, refers to the natural features and
attractions of Clliriqui, and is of permanent interest:
[From the Panama Star of July 9, 1853.]
"'In a previous article we published some remarks regardingl the coasting trade
of this republic, and the advantages that might be derived therefrom by placing
a line of steamers in that trade.
"We shall now notice particular poltions of the coast, and the prospects they
open for colonization, agriculture, milling, &c., basing our remarks upon personal
observation, and on reliable information which we have taken much pains to
collect.
"The prove povince of Chiriqui, situated between 8~1 and 100 north, 83~ and 86~
west, is the most western part of the New Granadian republic, and is bounded on
the north by the Atlantic, on the west by the Republic of Costa Rica and Golfo
Dulce, and on the southt by the Pacific. So little has been known about this
province hitherto that it is only within the past two years that any definite understanding has been arrived at between tile governments of Costa Rica and New
Granada as to the correct boundary line which separates the two republics. Indeed, had it not been for the importance which Chiriqui has derived as the storehouse of the Isthmus since the California emigration, it is very probable that this
magnificent country and its immense resources would still remain neglected and
unappreciated.
"'Tle few foreigners who have visited that part of the coast during the past
two years have, however, taken so much pains to develop the advantageous position and internal wealth of the country that it is already attracting too much
attention to be neglected in future; and had the same knowledge relative to that
province been acquired four years ago, we are safe in saying that Chiriqui would
this day have been the leading route between the two oceans, instead of Panama.
Both on the Atlantic and Pacific are ports superior, both in safety and convenience, to any on the coast, and the fact has been fully established that in the
immediate vicinity of these ports are extensive beds of coal, of excellent quality,
which could be worked to great advantage if required.
"Until within the past two years no attention was given to agriculture, the
country producing almost spontaneously sufficient for the wants of the inhabitants. Up to the period mentioned, the exportation of any article beyond jerked




LANDS, CLIMATE, MINERALS.                            17
beef, hides, and sarsaparilla, was scarcely known. Since then a demand has
been created in this market for the produce of the neighboring provinces, and
Chiriqni has almost exclusively supplied the market here with cattle, hogs, and
poultry; and also exports largely to this place rice, corn, coffee, tobacco, &c., all
of which products, as well as numerous others, the country is capable of yielding,
probably in greater abundance than any other province of the republic. The
cocoanut tree, from which large quantities of oil are extracted by the n atives, is
very abundant and productive, and the ildigo plant and clocolate grow in wild
luxuriance.  These latter ploducts, together with the sarsaparilla, would, if cultivated, form a very large item for export, and are well worthy the attention of
enterprising men; and the great variety of rare timber and dye-woods would
also, if attended to, constitute an important article in the trade between the
Atlantic and the Pacific.
"The mineral resources of the province are even more deserving of notice than
its agricultural products. The mines of'''isilgal,' which were extensively worked
during the time of the Spaniards, were among tile most productive on the Pacific
coast, and the duty alone paid by the mines to the Spanish Government formled
an immense revenue.
"T'he large population which ha(l been collected ill tile locality of'Tisingal,'
purely through tie wealth of the mines, anll( said to amount to about forty
thousand souls, was driven from  the neigllborhood by the then savage and very
powerful race of Indians who at that time were quite numlerous in that province;
and it is a curious fact that, althoughl of late years these tribes have become totally
extinct, tile present inhabitants of the country are too indolent to renew the
operations so successfully carried on by their ancestors.  The natives through the
interior of the country are, at time present day, in the habit of searchillg for gold
ill tile beds of small rivers, and several samples came into our possession while in
tliat province.  Quicksilver. lead, copper, and other ores, as also coals, exist in
great abundance, and specimens both of lead'and copper are to be found without
difficulty in the beds of almost every small stream in tile country.
"In view of these facts, coupled with the desire of tills government to favor
immigration to her shores and the inducement held out to immigrants, it appears
that a good opening may be found in thle province of Chiriqui for colonizationl;
and from our own experience of tlme country, its healthfulness, its climate, the
facilities it possesses of communicaiting with thle Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, its
resources both to the Panama and Nicaratgua lines of transit, we feel confident
that any enterprise of this kild, if properly conducted, would be crowned with
tile greatest success."
The late Professor N. S. Mallross delivered an address in 1858 givilig an
account of his visit to Cliriqui in 1854, for the purpose of scientific exploration.
The address contains a very graplic description of some prominent geogralphical
features of this section of the Isthmus. Professor Mauross was occupied for more
than six months in the undertaking, and during his stay crossed the Isthmus
several times from the Atlantic to the Pacific shore and return, hlis headquarters
being at Bocas del Toro, ald the point of departure on these exclusions beilng
the mouth of the Changuinola River, which he followed up a distance of 18 miles
to a deep and large cation in the mountain range, by which he passed along a
grade entirely practicable for wheeled vehicles to the plains upon tile Pacific
slope.
He returned to tile United States deeply impressed witl the remarkable attractions of Chiriquli and a decided advocate of the superior advantages it affords in
3




18                                   CHIRIQUI.
every respect for transit between tie two oceans by ordinary wagon-road, by rail,
and for tie constructioll of a Ship Canal. Thle followillg extracts from  thie address
are instructive:
"Arrived on the narrow surmmit of tile 1moultain, we stood upoll a spot visible
from  both oceans. though tile view was hindered by the leafy roof overhead.
Fearing the clouds would gather before we could fell the trees sulficieltly to
make an opening, I selected one taller than its neioghbors and climbed to its top.
The trunk, scarcely more than a foot through, was enlarged to the apparent size
of a barrel by the moss and parasitic plants. It was slow and toilsome work, but
I reached at lengoth a view which repaid my effort in full.  Tie Atlantic, witl its
bays and islands, seemed to be lying at my feet.  A storm was bursting over it,
so darlk that I could not tell where the scowling sky joined with tile inky water.
Tul'ring southward, the Pacific lay gleaming in all the brightness of tropical
sunshine.  The glare of the water rivaled tile glow of the sky, and made it difficult here also to mark the line of tlle distant horizon.  Tie inner alnd the outer
view from tile walls of Paradise could inot have presented a greater contrast tlan
thlit toward the opposite shores'of the Isthmus.  While (all was sto'rm  and gloom
onl tile oe side, all was peace and brightness ol tile otiler. My explorations had
shown me that the date of tile upheaval of the mountain barrier oni which I sat
was comparatively recent. Time was when tllese two oceans had flowed together
unchecked by tile rocky barrier wliclh now divi(ded thlem. And why this partition?  What purpose was to be served by this peremptory non-intercourse act of
Nature?  But whatever that purpose was, its end has already been attained.
This rocky barrier is not always to stand in tile way of the world's commerce.
These two parted seas will yet be ullited by a ship callal."
"To catchl a glimpse of tile good time comilng, when the sailor shall no longer
dread Cape Horn, I took a pocket-mirror and held it up in such a way tllt I
could see the Atlantic in it, wlile I looked past it to tile Pacific.  I found that
little mirror a perfect miagic wand. By means of it I could blend the imagoes of
tlie two seas into onle. By a single turn of my hand I could take up an island of
tile Pacific land set it down, without even a splash, in tile Atlantic.  I could lead
an arm  of the Atlantic toward a bay of the Pacific till they met and flowed
tog'ether as if no envious continent hlad ever parted tllem."
The following incidental reference to tile gold discoveries at Catabello, on tlle
Atlantic slope, is contained in the report of Prof. Mlanross on tie Chiriqui coal
field:;GOLD DEPOSITS AT CATABELLO.''In the course of the excursion utp thle River Cricamutla, we visited and examined
a region where gold was reported to exist.  We saw there several smalll streams,
fromi all of whichl we obtained gold by pa:tling.  Time yield was about forty cents
per bushel.  According to Mr. Boinner's estimates, the deposits examined coiltailed about three thousand cubic yards of such sand.  Tie streams forined a
part of the head-waters of the River Catabello.  No opportunity was had of examinilng thle other streams wlich flow from  the same range of hills, but gold
would doubtless be found inl all of them.  The streams rise nlear the summit of
a ridge so situated that tihe gold could not have been transported from  any remote place. It might, undoubtedly, be easily traced to its source in tile underlying rock. Many grains of platina were found 1amo11ng tlhe particles of gold."
Amd tile following extract from the same report, is also inserted, with referenice
to the topogoraphy of the Pacific slope of tie isthlimus. at Chiriqui:




LANDS, CLIMATE, MINERALS.                             19
"After prosecuting the explorations upon the Atlantic coast as long as the season
permitted, it was decided to cross to the southern side, thlereby obtaininlg a complete
section of the rocks of tile Isthmus, and at the same time viewing the reported
coal deposits of the Pacific coast.
"Findinlg, on arriving nlear David. that the parties wllo had discovered coal upon
the Golfo Dulce were absent, and tllat in consequelce no explorations could be
und(ertaken with advantage in that quarter, we returned to tlle Cocrdillera, and
ascended a peak called tile Boquete.  This peak commanded a view of botl
seas, of tlle lagoon of Chiriqui, of David, and of thle entire line of the proposed
road from  ocean to ocean. The summit of tile peak is sixteen miles in a direct
line from  tile Chiriqui Lagoon, at tlhe mouth of tlhe Robalo River. Its place is
indicated in tlhe accompanying map.  It is consequently miuch nearer the Atlantic
than tile Pacific coast.  On the southern side a most remarkable slope of ground
extends from the foot of the Boquete cown to the slihoe of the Pacific.
"I have never seen anything in the natural-conformationl of a country more
singular thanl this inclined plane, or more silgularly adapted to the construction
of a road.  Thle average ascent is not more than three feet in a hundred, and this
is continued with tile utmost regutlarity quite tip to the summit pass. The plane
is separated from tile mountains on either side by rivers runling in deep ravines,
which catch the drainage of the hills and leave thle slope unbroken by streams or
gullies.  Only the bridges would be required from  the hlarbor at David to the
summit of the Cordillera.
Tl'he sketch of this region by Mr. McDowell, which was shown to me in tile
company's office, is a faithlful representation of this remarkable natural grade."
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS FROM CAPT. HICKLEY, OF
THE ROYAL BRITISH NAVY,
TO E. M. ARCHIBALD, ESQ., H. B. M.'S CONSUL, NEW  YORK.
"WOOKEY HOUSE.' NEAR WELLS, SOMERSET, August 30, 1864.
"MY DEAR MR. ARCHIBALD: Chiriqui Lagoon is one of the most splendid
sheets of water I ever saw, and lhas anchoragoe in tlie most parts all over it,' oood
holding ground,' &c., but of the resources whichl abound on its shore, I slhould
say it is impossible to form  too high an estimate.  Coal abounds-I understood
gold did too, and liad I the time to spare sliould llave satisfied myself as regarding
it while visiting tlhe lagoon in the Gladiator.
I was in conversation with a Mr. Sheppard, who knew the country well, and he
assured me tlat the fir'st tlirty miles (I thlilll   e said that exact distance) of rail
necessary to top the Ilighest point, previous to descending to the Pacific shore, was
easily passable, and tliat then tile remainder of the line would be as inexpensive as
possible, to' Golfito,' (or'Golfo Dulce,' as it is called, I tlink, on the charts.)
as it woul  hlave to run througll a level plailn with spurs of mountain toucllinl  in
here and tiere, clad witli most splendid hard oak timber, wlich, to cut and lay
for sleepers, was there for the cutting, and having tlhe iron and an engineer well
working, a railroad woulld be as easily made as it is possible to make it.''Thle climate is exceedinlgly good. Tile unbounded facilities of the place are
impossible to overrate."




20                                  CHIRIQUI.
" WOOKEY HOUSE.
"NEAR WELLS, SOMERSET, 1st January, 1865.'MY DEAR MR. ARCHIBALD: As you are anxious to learn, for the information
of yourself rand some friends, my experience of Chiriqui Lagoon: The note I wrote
to you two months ago, on the receipt of yours, conveyed in a general way my
impression of the place, and its wonderful capabilities as a harbor for the largest
ships to ride in, in security-its abundant slipply of coal, its general wealth in all
tlings necessary for the erecting and building- either sheds, wharves, depots,
slips, careening wharves, &c.-all those main things, in fact, that are necessary
for the end and aim (as I understand you) of establishing a line of communtication,
by rail and steamers, from London to the Pacific, via Chiliqui and Golfo Dulce.
" There is scarcely any rise and fall of tice —eighteen inches, I should say, at the
most.
"The climate is European when compared to'Colon' or'Greytown,' so
much so that, after being at these places, it was quite a relief to go to'Chiriqui'
to enjoy its bracing and delightful climate, (I speak of June,) the freshness of the
mornings and the general tone of the atmosphere differing as it did in so marked
a way from that of' Colon' or' Greytown.'
"I can say little more (in fact, I say less) than the warm encomiums passed on
this splendid region by the surveyors and others in tleir printed reports, after
sojourning here for the purpose of reporting on it. I had better refer you at once
to them, as by writing further I only trespass on them in their more comprehensive and matured statements-all of which I believe to be just representationsfor the unbounded resources of this most magnificent lagoon and situation
generally.
"It is necessary to see the place to estimate it, and there can be but one opinion
as to its merits. I believe it to be rich in all things, gold and silver included.  I
visited a silver mine myself, on the left bank of'Cabbage Creek,' and heard
reports of gold mines, which, though only reports, I have little doubt in their
authenticity.
" Having said this, I have now to wish success to such a vast enterprise as the
line of communication contemplated, and to express my unwavering conviction
that it is in all respects to be accomplished."




COAL.                                  21
COAL.
The earliest report of scientific authority upon the coal fields of Chiriqui was
made by Professor Manross, whose expedition in 1854, to whichl reference has
been made, was undertaken for this specific purpose, Professor Manross having
been employed for the work by the Chiriqui Improvement Company, upon the
recommendation of Professor Silliman, as a geologist of rare attainments and
unusual qualifications in every respect for this difficult exploration. His report
is as follows:
REPORT OF PROF. NEWTON S. MANROSS.
To the President and Directors of the Chiriqui Improvement Company.
GENTLEMEN: In pursuance of your instructions, the party under my charge
proceeded to examine the deposits of coal in the vicinity of Chiriqui Lagoon, as
soon as the necessary preparations could be made after our arrival at Bocas del
Toro. Our first expedition embraced the entire circuit of the lagoon, including
the localities of Split Hill, Endeavor Creek, Secretary, and Pope's Island. A
second short trip was made to Cultivation Creek, on Shepherd's Lagoon. The
third was to the Changuinola River. A fourth excursion to the Cricamula was
undertaken in consequence of a report that coal was formerly discovered and
used there.
I shall describe the deposits in the order of their geographical position, commencing from the east, and prefacing the descriptions by some general remarks
on the character of the formations in which the beds occur. The report of Mr.
Bonner, my assistant and companion, has been consulted in tlie preparation
of this.
From the most easterly point examined, that at Secretary, to the most westerly, the Changuinola River, there is an unmistakable uniformity in tlhe character
of tie rocks which line the coast. They consist of sandstones and limestones.
more or less indurated, and variously inclined by intruded ridges of trap. The
sandstones are mostly thick bedded, and nowhere assume tlhe form of shales.
These formations are narrower towards the east, being confined to the promontories of Valiente Point and Saddle Hill, and to the islands in their vicinity.
They were nowhere detected on the southern or mainland side of tlhe Chiriqui
Lagoon. That shore is occupied quite down to the sea by mountains of gneiss,
syenite, and other ancient rocks. At the western extremity of the lagoon the
sandstone formations join the mainland, and from that point to the Chianguinola
River, they exhibit a constantly increasing development in breadth and thickness. At Valiente Point the breadth of the formation appearing above the sea
is from two to three miles. On the Changuinola it is not less than ten. In some
parts the strata attain an elevation of more than one thousand feet above the
level of the sea. The length of the tract included in these limits is nearly fifty
miles. All the islands of Admiralty Bay belong to tlle same formation. There
was no lack of evidence to fix the age of the strata throlughout this entire distance. Many fossil shells were found of species now existing in the adjacent
waters, and trunks of trees in a partially carbonized state occurred both above
and below beds of coal.'They were apparently of the same varieties as are now




22                                    CHIRIQUI.
growing over the spot.  Leaves of dicotyledonous trees, and fruit of a modern
species of palm, were taken from  the soft strata, inl contact with one of the coal
seams.  None of the peculiar fossils of the older coal formations were detected
in these rocks.  These evidences, together with the lithological chalacter of the
rocks, are sufficient to show that the formations are not of a greater age than the
older tertiary, and that the coal of this region is therefore similar to that so
extensively worked in France, Belgium, and many parts of Germany.
The most easterly point at which coal was observed was at Secretary, a place
on the interior shore of Valiente promolltory.
There three separate beds crop out upon the beach.  The most easterly, and
at the same time the highest in the series, appears in the face of a cliff some forty
feet high.  A complete section of this bed is afforded by the freshly-broken precipice.  It is situated about twenty feet above the water.  It lhas a tlickness of
about four feet, and( is exposetl for a, length of ten or twelve yards.  A second
and thicker bed is exposed at the edge of the water, a little distance west of the
former.  The upper surface of this body lhas been laid bare by tlle action of tie
sea, and may be seen under tle water several yards from  thle shore.  It slopes
upwards into the land at an angle of about twenty degrees.  Judgoing from  the
slope of this bed, as compared with that of tile overlaying rocl anld soil, it must
crop out withii one hundred yards of tile sea, but its outcrop could not be detected
on account of tlhe dense covering of soil and vegetation.  A pit sunk tlrotigh it
at hligl-water mark showed it to be six feet in tlhickness, altlhugh tlhe lower two
feet of thiis was much mixed witli sand.  A tunnel was driven a few feet inland
in the bed, witlout bringing to lilght any new characteristics.
The tlird and lower bed is situated also at tlie edge of tile vwater, about a
hundred yards west of tlhe second.  It is two tand one-llalf feet thick.  All of
tlese beds, as also tile inclosing strata, have a direction parallel to the shore of
tlhe lagoon.  Their positions are indicated on the accompanying map.  Tlie coal
of these veins is of a soft and bright quality, and extremely interestig,, showilng
tie considerable thickness whlich tle seams may attain in this formation.  Following the course of the formations westward, in the (lirection of Saddle Hill,
coal is ag(ain met with on Pope's Island. It occurs there in a bed of from five to
six feet thick, being exposed, as usual, by the actioil of the sea.  It is of a much
harder tand better qluality than that at Secretary.  Its course is lnorthwest, with
a dip of twenty degrees northeast.  Tllis bed bears marks of disturbalice, being
bent and reduced to a foot in thlickness where it appears in tile cliff above the
water.  Whether it regains its thickness and continues on in the direction of
its strike across tle island, is a question which can only be decided by tile operations of an adequate miiing force driftingt in upon it and sinking slafts on its
line of bearing.  If continuous, it will have a length of about two miles upon tlle
island, and a "back " of from  fifty to one hundred feet.  The superior quality of
tlhis coal and its favorable location render this tlme most imnportant point in that
vicinity for further explorations.
Still furtlier west, oil tile promontory of Saddle Hill, several beds of coal occur
at distances of from  lhalf a mile to a mile from  the inner shore of tlhat promontory.  This raulge of beds includes the localities of Split  Iill, Two Serpents'
Creek, and Elndeavor Creel.  It covers an extent of four or five miles in length.
In thle first of tlese localities three beds of coal were seen, cropping out ill the
beds of streaims.  They varied from  one to two feet inl tilickness.  Il time second
locality three beds were also distinguished; onle of them  had a section of four
feet.  These two localities are about two miles apart.  At a somewhat greater




COAL.                                      23
distance occur the beds at Endeavor Creek, the most westerly locality upon
Chiriqui Lagoon.  Here, also, three beds were detlected, varying from  three to
five feet in thickness.  They, like tile others, have a direction parallel to the
shore, and dip towards it.  In this vicinity at least twelve outcroppilgs of coal
were observed ill the different creeks and gullies, all of them  referable to the
three beds above described.  It Inay be safely presumed that the coal seams are
continuous, as the inclosing strata certainly are, over the entire space included
by tile localities last named.  The coal is, however, of a soft character, and inferior to tlat of Pope's Island, or the localities hereafter to bo describeld.
Another locality of coal was examined on Cultivation Creek, about one mile
from time shore of Slepherd's Latgool.  Tile seam is about one foot ill thickness,
and exhibits a quality superior evenl to that of Pope's Island. It is lhard, brilliant, and compact, and would undoubtedly answer well for purposes of steam
navigation.  Tile small size of this particular vein precludes the hope of its being
in itself of value, but its good quality, together with its position, il strata thoroughly indurated, and risilng to tile heiight of several hundred feet above the level
of tile sea, encourIages the belief tiat otler andl larger beds will be found in tlis
vicinity.  I would particiflarly recommend this region for further examnination.
No other localities of coal are knownl to ttle westward of Cultivation Creek till
we arrive at the deposits on tle Clhanguiiola River.  The interveningo space is
unquestionably occupied by tlle same formations, as is sliowv  by the form  and
direction of the mountain chains, but it lhas never been explored for coal beds,
althougll certain to contain them.
The first locality visited upon the Changuinola is situated at a place called
Jinia.  A  single seam  is exposed at intervals, along tlie bed of a creek, for a
distance of several hundredl yards. The coal is hard and brilliant, and remarkably free from impurities. Altholugh the tlickness of this bed where exposed is
too small for successful working, the fact tlat it maintains its thickness, direction, and quality uniformly over so considerable a space, is a higlily encouraging
feature in the formations.  Still higher up the river we encountered tile largest
beds of good coal which liave as yet been discovered in this locality.  Tlhey are
exposed in the bed of a branch of the Clianglinola, called by tile Indians " Siersclick."  rThe seams cross the stream obliquely and appear ill either bank, as well
as for a short distance ip the hills.  On tlhe east banki there are seven veins, varying from one foot to eighlteen inches in thickness.  They are distributed throiugh
a mass of strata forty feet thick.  On the west bank the seams of coal are assemnbled into three veins, of from two to three feet eaci, occupying, with the intervening rock, a tilickiess of twenty feet.  The dip of the bed is a few degrees
east of nortlh, and amounts to tlirty degrees. Tlie spot is f  r hundred and
thirty-four feet above the level of tile sea. A bed of coal vwa/also visited several
miles further up the creek, at an estimated elevation of seve/ hundred feet above
the sea.  A land-slide had covered the spot, so tliat only a iew fragments of the
vein could be seell; but these were of the same bright and hard quality as the
places lower down.  Tihe coal of the larger beds described above is hlard and
compact, possessiing considerable brilliancy in its fracture, and sufficient firimness
to bear tlratsportation.  It has a specific gravity of 1.27, and contains from 6 to 7
per cent. of ash.  It burns freely, with a strong flame, but does not melt.  Tie
ashl is glrayish-wlite, without any tendency to form clinker. The analysis of it,
in tile possession of tie company, shows thlat it compares favorably with many of
tile coals of the older formations.
I have nlo doubt this coal will answer the purposes of steam navigation, as well




24                                   CHIRIQUI.
as nearly all the requirements of the arts and manufactures.'l'le three seams
described as occurring so near each otler at the principal locality, (of tile Changuinola,) if ulited in one, would form a bed suflcienltly tlhick to be takell out with
advantage.  The irregularity of the included beds of rocks seems to promise
that they may unite, or at least approach near enough to be worked as a single
bed.
It is to be regretted that the limited time allowed for the explorations, tile insufficient force of miners, and the unfavorableness of tile season, rendered it
impossible for our party to male such a thorouglh examination of the extent and
continuity of the more promising of these veins as their geographical position and
vast financial and commlercial importance dem'm ds.  Sufficient has, however,
been done to show that considerable quantities of coal of good quality do exist at
the localities described; while tle vast extent of country over wilich the containing rocks lave been shown to extend leaves ample room for tile expectation that
the discovery of other and still larger beds will reward the enterprise of your
companly.
*       * ~              *       * *  *   *                        *       *
Very respectfully submitted,
NS.. MANROSS.
(Rep. Corn. Naval Affairs, H. R.  568, p. 40.)''lie official special Reports of Dr. JOHN EVANS, to the Commander of the
Chiriqui Expedition, are as follows:
SIR: In reply to your request for a brief statement of the general results of
the examinations made to ascertain tile extent and value of the coal deposits on
the lalnds of tile'Chiriqlli Improvement Company,' I would respectfully state:
l'Tliat careful explorations lave been made along the shore line of the Chiriqui
Lagoon, the principal rivers tributary, and tle islands adjacent.  Tlhe aggregate
thickness of tile coal seams examined is 73~ feet, varying in quality in different
localities from lignites of woody structure to semi-bituminous and semi-anthracite
coals.'The thickness and quality of each seam will be stated in a subsequent report.  T'he best exposures of coals are on Sierschick and Jillia Creeks, tributaries
of Changtuinola River, and there is every reason to anticipate that the latter and(
more valuable vein may be found but a short distance below tlhe former, which
crops out on the shore of the island.  In fact, there can be but little, if any, doubt
that all the seams discovered in different localities are continuous thronghout the
entire coal field, whicl extends from  Secretary, near Valiente Point, for fifty
miles ill a northwest direction to a creek northwest of tle deposits ol Clhanguinola
River.  It varies from five to fourteen miles in width.  The coals do Iiot belong
to the true coal measures, but in some localities have been metamorphosed by
volcanic agency, varying ill quality as tley are distanit or in proximity to such
influences.
"JOHN EVANS,
"Geologist of Chiriqui Commission.
"Captain F. ENGLE.
"Corn. of tle Chiriqui Expedition."
[The following is a subsequent and detailed report.]
" WASHINGTON, December 31, 1860.
"SIR: On the 28tlh ultimo, at Norfolk, Virginia, I submitted a brief statement
of tlhe general results of tlhe examinations mal(le, by order of the Secretary of tile
Navy, to ascertain the extent land value of the coal deposits on the lands of tile
Chiriqui Improvement Company.  Since that time, opportunity has been offered




COAL.                                    25
me to have careful analyses of the coals made by a distinguished chemist, Dr.
Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, Massachusetts, and to have the fossils associated
with the coal examined by experts in paleontology, to determine tile true geological age of these deposits. The quality of tile coal proves to be better than stated
in my preliminary report. My present communication will be a simple expose of
the facts developed by these investigations, and a brief allusion to the other minerals as well as the agricultural resources of tie country explored.
"In a letter from Dr. Jackson, dated December 15, 1860, lie states:'That it is
obvious, from  tle qualities and composition of the Cliriqui coal, tlat it is well
suited for steam navigation and all ordinary uses, and it is a nice, clean coal for
grates. It prodhuces heat withl great rapidity, its flame being very large and well
sustained, while the coke is of good quality and the ashes of small amount.  Distilled in close vessels, fine and bituminous liquids or oils are obtained. In the
retort they give out an abundance of highly illuminating gas, very rich in carbon.'
In another communicatioln, lie calls it'a very fat, bituminous coal, yielding 40
per cenlt. of oil.' These coals kindle with ease, and steam can be raised in about
one-third the time required in the use of anthracite. Under some circumstances
this facility might prove of great value to the hollor and prosperity of the
nation.
"In order that the true value of these deposits may be properly understood, I
will state that all the coals analyzed are surface specimens, more or less deteriorated by atmospheric influences; and in some localities on the shores of tile islands
in the lagoon, and on the mainland, where they crop out at the water's edge, as
at Pope's Island, they are covered with salt water at every high tide. All experience in mining proves that the coals will much improve in quality as you penetrate deeper into the veins.'"These coals are almost entirely free from  sulphur or iron pyrites; in most
specimens only a trace of either can be found. The largest percentage in any of
the specimens analyzed is 11s9 of one per cent. It appears from  this fact that
the coal is not liable to spontaneous combustion.
"Deposited, as this extensive and almost inexhaustible coal field is, at the
largest and safest harbor on the Atlantic coast, opposite to another harbor on the
Pacific capable of receiving at safe anchorage all the shipping engaged in commerce between Europe and Asia; with a country rich in mineral resources; tropical fruits in abundance; with every variety of soil and climate as you ascend the
mountain ranges; abundance of turtle and fish in the waters adjacent; plenty of
game on the mainland, the islands in the lagoon, and on the Pacific coast; with
three practicable railroad routes across the Cordilleras. in addition to the canion
route surveyed by Lieutenant Morton, as I can state from personal observation,
affording the best connection for the commerce of the two oceans, this country
offers a wide field for American enterprise, and is well worthy of tile patronage
of the government.' These coals have all the marked characteristics of brown coal, and their odor
on burning is peculiar-the smell of amber or succinic acid being perceived in the
smoke. On microscopic examination of their fragments, and of the ashes of the
coal when burnt, the structure of cellular plants which formed it is discerned quite
distinctly. Tie fossil plants, leaves, &c., associated with the coal were indigenous,
allied to, or identical with those at present growing in the vicinity.  The fossil
shells are all eocene or miocene tertiary (salt water shells); none older were discovered in the coal formations.
"In the characteristics of these coals and their location and geological age, we
4




26                                              CHIRIQUI.
have a lesson in older geology of the coal formation.   It is admitted that the secondary coal formation was produced under tropical climate.  Now, the  tertiary
coals of Chiriqui were produced under exactly the same con(litions in more modern times.   In the north, vegetable matters of tertiary epoch formed lignites and
non-bituminous brown coals-for example, the Oregon coals —while the true coal
formation in the northernlmost countries, even under the Arctic circle, are bituminous, and are accompanied by plants that must have glrown in a warm   climate.
The Chiriqui coals are good illustrations of the  conditions required for bituminization of vegetable matters, so as to make true bituminons coals.
"A   careful analysis of the coals from  the variotus localities inclicated, made by
Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, exhibits the following results:
ANALYSIS OF BLANCO RIVER COAL.
Specitic gravity, 1.341.
The coal yield per cent.Wate...................................................................... 5..............00
Volatile matter, gas....................................................................... 41.60
Fixed carbon........................................................................... 43.40
A shes............................................................................................ 10.00
Ashes... 10.00
100.00
The ashes consists ofSilica and insol. silicates.................................................  6.80
Peroxide of iron and alumina...................................  0.40
Carbonate of lime....................................................................  0.52
Alkalies undetermined, and some carbon which escaped combustion....   2.28
10.00
"This  coal is black  splendient on  fracture;  is compact in  structure;  color,
when reduced to  fine powder, amber-brown.  This coal burns with a very large,
bright yellow  flame.  It is a good gas coal, and is suitable  for steam-engines and
for all ordinary uses.'It is a very nice, clean coal for the parlor grate.'
ANALYSIS OF CHIRIQUI COAL FROM SIERSCHICK CREEK AND JINIA CREEK,
TRIBUTARIES OF THE CHANGUINOLA RIVER.
Specitic gravity of coal, 1.334.
Color of powder, amber-brown; streak, the same.
One hunldred parts, by weight, of this coal, yielded by analysisWater...................................................................................  5.00
Bitumen and gas..................................................... 42.60
Fixed       carbon.................................................................................  43.40
Ashies of gray color.....................................   9.00
100.00
"This coal is well suited for steam-engines and all useful purposes; it is compact and  more stratified in  structure than  other specimens analyzed.   The  microscope shows it to  be made  up of cellular plants without any annual rings or
other markings characteristic of exogenous trees,




COAL.                                     27
SIERSCHICK CREEK AND JINIA  CREEK, TRIBUTARIES OF THE CHANGUINOLA
RIVER.
"Eight seams of coal crop out on the Sierschick Creek; six of them  are near
enough to each other to be mined together.  There are two in Jinia Creek, and
one lower down on the main Changuinola River.
"The similarity of the coal on these two creeks, and the associated rocks and
clays, render it unnecessary to make sections of each; one will suffice for both.
The same similarity prevails in relation to the Blanco River coal, and therefore
it does not require a separate section of the associated rocks.
"The coal field continues still farther to the northwest, but no opportunity
was afforded for farther explorations.
"'The aggregate thickness of the eight seams in Sierschick Creek is thirty feet;
of the six seams, which can be mined together, twenty-four feet. The seams in
Jinia Creek are eighteen inches, and two and a half feet in thickness; they crop
out at tile water's edge for a long distance along the shore-line of the creek, and
the other seams exhibited on Sierschick Creek are no doubt a short distance below
them.  The coal on Blanco River is exhibited in three seams, bearing the same
general direction as those on Sierschick Creek, and associated with the same rocks,
clays, and fossils.
"The six beds of coal referred to above are separated by seams of fine-grained
buffishl-colored clay; immediately adjacent to the coal are thin seams of slatecolored clay with fragments of coal. Above the last seam of coal is a bed of dark
slate-colored clay, then a light ash-colored compact clay, with a greenish tinge,
in some localities containing numerous fossils of the tertiary period, such as cardium, cerithium, area, obeliscus, pina, solen, natica, &c. Tlie dust or earthy
matter upon these specimens is full of microscopic speculae of sponge, which is
found in great abundance in tlie adjacent waters of the Chiriqui Lagoon.  T'he
fossil flora associated witlh the coal deposits is similar or closely allied to existing
species in tihat vicinity.
"'T'his clay becomes very hard when exposed to the sun, but when wet is quite
soft, rendering it difficult to secure specimens of fossil leaves and stems sufficiently perfect to be identified.  They are, however, no doubt older tertiary, and
similar to existing species.  Next above this clay is a fine-grained limestone;
then sandstone; lext volcanic colglomerate; then soft bluish-gray sandstone;
then slightly cemelted boulders of primary rocks; next yellowish or buff-colored
clay; tlen a very rich loamy soil from six to tel feet in thickness.  Below the
coal deposits the sandstone is of great thickness. say 500 feet; it is saliferous, and
of the same geological age as the mountain ranges bordering the Umpqua valley
ol the west in Oregool.''Below this is a fine-grained and very compact limestone, restiling on talcose
and chlorite slates, and these on or against granlitic or volcanic rocks.  The more
recent formations alluded to dip at an angle of 20~ froin these granitic or volcanic
upheavals.
"The bottom lands of the Changuinola River are very valuable for agricultural
purposes, extending along the base of the Cordilleras for thirty miles in a northwest and southeast direction. This valley is vell suited for stock raising, and as
the southern fork connects with tlhe cafion route for time proposed railroad across
the istlmus, it affords, perhaps, greater inducements for settlement tllatl any
other portion of tile Chiriqui Isthmus.




28                                          CHIRIQUI.
It is a very wrong  impression that the country is infested  with  venomous
reptiles or insects.  Durling my survey but two snakes were seen by my party
whose bite was dangerous.  This may be accoulnted for in part by the numerous
bands of two species of peccary whichl  iinhabit the islands of the Chiriqui Lagoon
and those ad(jacent to the Pacific coast and on the mainland intermediate.  On tile
banks of every creek where access to water is practicable, tlhe whole surface of
the shore is indented with fresh  tracks of tlese animals.  Their scent is very
strong, anrd can be perceived from  a long distance.  These animals, also like the
buffalo of the west, must have some instinctive klnowledge of the vicinity of the
ihuman species; for they succeed in avoidilg tile hlunter almost invariably, unless
he approaches them  against the wind.  Although we had unldoubted evidence of
their vicinity ill large bands in all the islands explored on tile Pacific and Atlantic
coasts, we succeeded in killing  but two.  It is well known to the naturalist that
thle  peccary  is impervious to  the  bite of the  rattlesnake  and  other venomous
serpents.  They search for them  eagerly, and eat them  as food with impunity.
l'The native Indians are simple in  their habits and perfectly  holiest; their
wives are kind-hearted and modest.  Their palm-leaf luts are always open to the
traveller without cost, unless he insists upon paying, anld then tlhe price is at his
own option.  You may travel from  the Atlantic to tlle Pacific Ocean, alld on all
the islands a(ljaceit, il  plerfect security, without any arms of defense.  If you
illtrust tile native Illdiall with money to purchase supplies, you are always certain
of a quick and safe return, with  prices much lower thanl  you could  purchase
yourself.
POPE'S (OR POPA) ISLAND COAL BED.' "Tie coal in this locality is of great commercial importadnce, as it is accessible
to sail and steam  navigation.  It crops out in a bay on ttle sea-shore il two veins,
dippingo unlder the water, and at a   an. gle of twenty degrees to  the northeast.
These seams are separated by slaty clay twelve feet in thlickness, and are respectively three feet and five anid a half feet ill tlickness.  Tlle coal resembles tile
brown coal of tie Western States.  It is a good coal, but the surface specimens
are muchl  deteriorated by the action of salt water, which covers the coal exposed
on the beach at every tide.  Tile specimen analyzed was taken froin the banks of
a creek having its outlet near the principal coal mine, but from  a locality more
inland, and although in some measure deteriorated by atmospheric influences, it
had not been exposed to the action of salt water.  Judging  fiom  the associated
rocks exhibited  alongo  the  shores, the  coal formation  must occupy tile entire
island.
"The associated rocks Land coals are as follows:
Feet.
o.    1.    Soil......................................................................................... 3S
2.  Yellowish clay with ferruginous bands......................................  12
3.  Slaty  clay with nodules of limestones containing fossils tertiary
period...................................................................................    8
4.  Slaty clay witll fragments of coal........................................   3
5.  Coal....................................................................................  546.  Slaty     clay........................................................................  12
7.   C oal........................................................................................  3
8.  Slatv clav...........................................................................  10
9.  Coarse gray sandstone disappearinilg under tle water.




COAL.                                                      29
ANALYSIS OF POPE'S ISLAND COAL.
Sp. gr. 1.366.
Analysis of 100 parts givesWater..................................................................                                   8.60
Coke.................................................................................   51.60
Gas.............................................................................................   39.80
100.00
OrWaterl..................................................................................    8.60
C oal    as.......................................................................................     39.80
Fixed carbonl...........................................................................   48.00
Ashes...........................................................6......0...
100.00
"This is a good  coal for  steam-engines;  it burns with a bright yellow  flame,
and gives forth the smell of amber when burnt.  Microscopic inspection shows
vegetable structure  and cells of plants.
SECRETARY COAL MINE.'"There  are  three  seams of  coal exhibited  in  this locality, in  the  vicinity of
Valiente Point.   The first is in a bluff on the shore of the lagoon, abont eighteen
feet above  the  beach, and  is three  feet in  thickness.   The  second is about one
mile to the northeast, at the water's edge, and is six feet in thickness, with  three
feet of black sand and  clay nmixed with fragments of coal below  it.   In this sand
and clay are specks of gold and platinum.  A few yards farther east a third seam
crops out on  the  shore  two  and a half feet in  thickness.   These  coals are of a
brownish color when taken from the veins, but become jet black when moistened
with water. From the dip, all these seams mnust come near the surface not far
inland.   The rocks, &c., associated  with the coal are, viz.:
Feet.
NO.  1.   Coal.......................................................................................    4
2.   Buff-colored clay......................................................................   20
3.   Ash-colored clay......................................................................    6
4.   Coal resting on thin seams of ash-colored cly.............................  3
5.   Clay of btff  color, with  ferruginous bands.................................   10
6.   Coarse-grained friable sandstone.............................................   12
7.   Slaty clay with flragments of coal............................................   2
8.   Coal......................................................................................    6
9.   Clay and black sand  with specks of coal.....................................    2
10.   Coarse-grained  sandstone..................................................   12
11.   Coal............................................................    2'
"This coal rests on a thin stratum   of clay, and is underlaid by a coarse-grained
sandstone.  This coal is similar, but somewhat inferior, to the Pope's Island coal.
SADDLE HILL COAL MINE.
"The coal on this  promontory crops out in  several localities, embracinlo a distance of six  miles.'There are three seams at each exposure, two and a half, three,
and five feet in  thickness.   The coal is of a brownish color, and  light in  weight.
This dip is from  15  to 20~ to the northeast.




30                                                           CHIRIQUI.
"The section of rock, &c., associated with the coal is as follows, viz.:
Feet.
No.  1.   Soil.......................................................................................                                   3
2. Yellowish clay...............................................              5
3.  Drift deposit, consisting of primary alnd ioneous rocks, limestones,
and   sandstones, imbedded  in  yellowish  clay..............................   10
4.    Coar'se-grained  gray  sandstone...................................................        6
5.   Clay  of slaty  structure, containing   small fragments of coal...........                                               2
6.   Coall............................................................................              3
7.   Clay  of slaty  structuree............................................................  2
8.   Coal............................................................................                   2
9.   Slaty  clay.............................................................................                3
10.   Coal.......................................................................................                               5
11.  Slaty clay to water's edge, resting on coarse-grained sandstone....'Thle seams Ihere exhibited are highler in the series than Pope's Island coal,
and somewliat inferior in quality.  The more valuable strata, no doubt, will be
found a short distance below, as indicated by tile associated rocks and( fossils.
ANALYSIS OF COAL FROM CULTIVATION CREEK, SHEPHERD'S HARBOR.
Wate...................................................................00
Bitumen  and  gas.....................................................    48.44
Fixed  carbon..........................................................................   38.96
Gray  ashes......................................................................................                                  6.60
Sulphllr traces...............................................................
100.00'lThe 6.6 quirs. ashes consists ofInsoluble  silicates................................................................................   1.50
Peroxid     e  of iron  and  al........................................................................   2.20
Carb lnate of lime...................................................   1.50
Loss  and   sulphur........................................................................   1.40
6.60
"This coal is compact, hard as desirable, llas in mass a jet-black color, but
when powdered is of a brown color.  Its specific gravity 1.316.  This coal is suitable for steam-engines, and will produce heat witll great rapidity.'The coke is
of good quality and the ashes of small amount.
ELEMENTARY ANALYSIS OF CULTIVATION CREEK COAL, BY MEANS OF BLACK
OXIDE OF COPPER, AND BY THE SODA LIME COMBUSTIONS, WITH ORGANIC
ANALYSIS, APPARATUS, AND RE-AGENTS.
Carbon............................................................................................   68.018
Hydrogen........................................................................................                                  6.480
Oxygell............................................................................................   17.858
Nitrogen......................................................................855
Sulphur................................................................................         0.189
Ashes..................................................................................      6.600
100.00




COAL.                                      31
AGGREGATE THICKNESS OF THE COAL SEAMS.
Eight seams of coal are exhibited on Sierschick Creek, tributary of Changuinola
River. The aggregate thickness of these seams is tlirty feet............  30 feet.
Of these seams, six can be mined togetler, twenty-four feet in thicknless.
Pope's Island, two seams............................................................   8 
Secretary, three seams............................................................. 11 
Saddle  Hill and  vicinity, three  seams................................................    10
Jinia Creek, two seamns.............................................   4 
Main  Changninola  River, one  seam...................................................  5 
Cultivation Creek, Shepherd's harbor, two seams..............................   5 
741
"The three seams exhibited on Blanco River are continuations of those exposed on Sierschick Creek.  The associated rocks, fossils, &c., are identical; they
are not, therefore, included in stating the thickness of the coal deposits on the
lands of the Chiriqui Improvement Company.
"'The coal basin thins out as you approach the volcanic rocks forming the
dividing ridge of the Cordilleras, between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  The
veins in this locality present more the appearance of anthracite than bituminous
coals.  They are more compact, heavier, have less bitumen, but more carbon in
coke.
"The structure of this mountain range is very evident to any one who stands
on the dividing ridge in full view of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the
intermediate country.
"T'he Chiriqui Volcano and the Boquete form centers from which radiate spurs
that overlap each other, presenting from  the Caribbean Sea the appearance of
three continuous mountain ranges, parallel to each other, barring communication
with the Pacific coast.  But from the divide you see numerous rivers, heading in
these peaks, pursue their winding course around these spurs and between them,
finding their way, by comparatively gradual descent, to the Chiriqui Lagoon.
"The dividing ridge is composed of basalt or trap.  The overflow of the basalt,
of which there have been three distinct eruptions, extends to the Pacific, and
underlies the tertiary rocks and clays on that coast and its adjacent islands.
"' JOHN EVANS,
"Geologist of Chiriqui Commission.
"CAPTAIN F. ENGLE,
"Com. of Chiriqui Expedition."
(Exec. Doc. 41, 36th Cong., 2d Sess., p. 45.)
The coal seams, or veins, have not yet been opened to any depth.  The portions analyzed are, therefore, only from  the outcrop, or most inferior portion;
yet even this part compares most favorably with some of the best known coals.
The analyses of various specimens by Dr. Cook, Professor Manross, and Professor Jackson, correspond in giving a specific gravity of 1.27 to 1.30, solid carbon
68, inflammable matter 24.33, and, according to Dr. Cook's analysis, yields of
coke 67.43.




32                                           CHIRIQUI.
The flee burning coals of the world have the following elements:
Specific gravity. Carbon. Inflammable matter.
Coals of England................................ 1.27                     83.75             13.70
Scotland............................... 1.27                   73.2              21.07
"    France.................................. 1.33                 81.12             16.35
Belgium................................. 1.27                 76.              21.24
United  States, Maryland......... 1.34                          73.1              15.80
A'' "       "     Pennsylvania....  1.26 to 1.37             68.82             17.01
" "'               "-    Virginia..................                 50.99             36.63
""     "         "     Cannel Coals.......                        58.44             33.97'    Chiriqui................................. 1.27 to 1.31        68.018            24.33
The Chiriqui coal, even at the outcrop surface, is compact, heavy; has a larger
per cent. of carbon than the free burning coals of the United  States, and greater
inflammability than all the other coals listed in the above table except two.  It is
free from pyrites or sulphur, and therefore not subject to spontaneous combustion. These facts show it to be a coal of the highest order, for ocean steam purposes.




OUTLINE OF THE TITLE.                             33
CHAPTER IV.
OUTLINE OF THE TITLE OF THE CHIRIQUI IMPROVEMENT COMPANY TO LANDS, FRANCHISES, AND OTHER
PRIVILEGES, IN THE PROVINCE OF CHIRIQUI, IN THE
UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA.
Thile Cliriqui Improvement Company, an association of citizens of the United
States, derives its corporate powers from  two special charters granted in perpetuity, one from  tlle State of Pennsylvania and the otlier from  the United
States of Colombia. Its proprietary and political riohts are derived from g'rants
of lands and privileges, and the purchase of lands on the Isthmus of Chiriqui, in
the United States of Colombia, embracinlg a section of the istlhmus extending
from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, and comprising 4,900,000 acres of land.
ORIGINAL SOURCES OF TITLE.
The constitutional rights of tle Provinces of New Granada, (now the United
States of Columbia,) as reserved to them  in the "telltl article of the constitution, were municipal power in all its amplitude," exercised by a provincial
legislature or chamber, and aan executive or governor   tlese havillg the control
over and power to dispose of the public domain or unoccupied lands.
T'he Province of Veragla held a public domain consisting of two classes of
lands.  One class, known as the'Indulto," was that portion granted by the King
of Spain to the "Ancient Province of Veragua " in 1705, and conprised all the
iplains or level lands between the summiit of the Cordillera mountain range alnd
the Pacific Oceean."  Tlhe otlher class of lands was the "Tierras baldeas," or
vacant lands, such as liad not been granted by the crown, and became, after tle
revolution, the property of the Granadian Confederation.
The Province of Chiriqui formed part of Veragua, but was subsequently separated therefrom, and became an independent province, with its own legislature
(or chamber) and governor, in 1849. That portion of the "hIndulto" embraced
within tile limits of Chiriqui became its separate property, subject to the control
andl disposal of its government.
The Granadian Congress, by a general law, in 1851, granted to all the provinces, for purposes of public utility, the vacant lands, or "Tierras baldeas,"
lying within tieir respective limits. Tlie Province of Chiriqui therefore became
possessed of both classes of lands, —the "Indulto," or level lands, between the
summits of the Cordillera motuntain range and the Pacific Ocean, land( tle' lTierras baldeas," or general vacant hill and valley land, between tle summit of the
Cordillera and tie Atlantic Ocean,-and was possessed of all tlie power for their
disposal by grant or otherwise.
LANDS ON THE PACIFIC.
Under an act or ordinance of its legislature of October 20, 1852, tle Province
of Chiriqui, in accordance with tle law of the Confederation, or Republic, of
5




34                                   CHIRIQUI.
Juie 3, 1848, granted to Santiago Aignew, andl  by ordinance of December 31,
1852, fixed the limits of, all these lands betweeii parallel lin-es drawnl from the
months of the rivers "Las Eqlinlas" and Santa Clara," the waters of Golfo
Dnlce and the summit of the Cordillera. " the territory therein conceledd to himn."
These lands were conlveyed by Aonew to the Clliriqni Improvement Company
by deeds of April 12, 1855, and quit-claim  anld release (eeds of June 8, 1855"recorded at the city of David, the capital of Chiriqui, in the treasury departmnent, at folio 32 and( over-leaf No. 56, anld at folio 36 of the Book of Deeds and
23 of Register Book."
LANDS ON THE ATLANTIC.
In accordantce with the law  of April, 1851, (tile general law by which tile
"Tierras baldeas," or vacalt lanlds, were granted by Collgress to tlhe several
provinces ald districts,) all tile residue of the above-described domain, to wit,
the lands upon the Atlantic slope, were orailted July 17, 1854, by the District of
Bocas del Toro to James Alfoiiso Morel and John Eugene Flanldin,'in full
property anld  possession."'Th'e bounlds of these lands are tile river Culebra,
Ba-nana Creek, Splithill Creek, the shore of tlle Cliriqui Lagoon, and the summit of tile Cordillera.
These ]ands were conveyed to the Clilriqui Improvement Colnpany, by said
Morel and Flanldin. by deed dated July 28, 1855.
By exainiling tile map, it will be seen tlat tile lands under these two grants
to thle Chiriquli Improvement Company meet at the central dividing lile at the
top of the Cordillera mountains. and thus formn  a belt of lands through from
ocean to ocealn, inclosing oni the ocean frlitS tile harbors of tile Chiriqui Lagoon
alld( Admiralty Bay on the Atlanltic side; and of Golfito, il Golfo Dulce, oil the
Pacific side.
COAL LANDS.
The coal lands are embraced in this last-mentioned grant —the mines lhaving
been previously' denounce d," according to old Spalish laws, and designated as
follows:'The mines of' Siege,  ""Churia,"'           Jillia," "Chaguinlola "' with its branches,
and tllose of'Balinaa," "Jones,"' Cultivation." I'Splithill," "Sandy," "Suarian," "Lunckoo," " Sierschick," afflueilts of the Chiriqui Lagoon, and also the
mines of tile river "Xixaola."  Under these same laws tile mines of Pope's
Island, iin the said lagoon, were granted by (leinoumcemneiit, in accordance with
article 13, law 10, part 4, book 5 of tile recopiliation of New  Granada, to J. A.
Morel & Co., foreignl citizens, at tle city of David, January 8. 1855.
All tle ove t)e gralts are in fee, incluldillg, accordlilg to the laws of New Granada, tie right of full an(d urnqualified possession anid absolute proprietorship.
The original papers are ill Spanisli, but authentic tranLslations into Elgllish, witl
certificates, liave beeii prilted, by authority of the Conlgress of the United
States, anld may be foulld in Report 568 H. R., 36th Congress, 1st Session.
WAGON-ROAD AND LAND GRANT.
The provincial legislature of Chliriqui, in tile exercise of tile powers conceded to it
bh  article X of the Constitution of the Republic, granted on the 20th of February,
1854, to Ambrose W. Tllompson the riglit to imiprove, own, and use tile road from
tlie Clliriqui Lagoon to tile city of David, on tile Pacific side, for sixty years. This
ordinance of tile Legislature of Clliriqui was subsequelltly (October 6, 1855) reaffirmed by a law enacted by tile State of Panmma, upon the consolidation of tile




OUTLINE OF THE TITLE.                             35
provinces comprising that State. The grant carried with it about 120,000 acres
of land granted in fee, upon the condition of the improvement of the road for carriage or wagon transportation. Ini March, 1860. the lea(ling citizens at Bocas del
Toro, certified to the provincial authorities, that the work was complete and that
the mails were transported by tis route. A claim was, however, set up by the
Panama Railroad Company, that the improvement was in conllict with the
seventh article of the Panama Railroad contract, and upon an ex-parte application of the Attorney-General of the Republic, founded upon this claim, the Supreme
Court of New Granada, on the 29th May, 1860, suspended the law of the State of
Panama, with respect to tile privilege "to make tile road" across the Isthllmus,
from the Chiriqui Lagoon to David.
T'his application was made at the instance of the Panama Railroad Company,
in support of the claim of tile company to an exclusive right to construct a road
for wlleeled carriages across any portion of the Isthmus connecting Nortl and
South America. The decision had no further purpose or effect than to affirml this
preposterous claim. The validity of the title to the land grant, which was coupled
witl the obligation to improve the road, was not in issue, and has never been
questioned.  The conditions of the grant had all been fully complied with, and
the title to the lands had vested, previous to the date of this proceeding, anld tlle
decision of the court had no bearing whatever upon this or any other title, franlchise, or privilege of the Chiriqui Improvement Company, except tle righlt to
improve, own, and use the said road.
The Hon. George W. Jones, ambassador from the United States at Bogota, at
tlle time, entered a formal protest in behalf of Ambrose W. Thompson, as a citizen of the United States, and the grantee of the road privilege, against the
decision depriving him of this privilege.
The decision in no respect whatever affects tile right of the Chiriqui Improvement Company to construct roads for transportation, of any and every description,
between the two harbors embraced within the limits of its possessions.  By a
treaty of amity, commerce, and boundaries concluded between New Gralnada
and Costa Rica oll the 11th of June, 1856, a portion of the province of Chiriqui
included in the land grant originally made to Agnew, was transferred to tile territory and jurisdiction of Costa Rica, and the entire property of tile companly on
the Pacific coast in tile vicinity of Golfo Dulce ceased to be a part of tile State of
Panama, alld of the Republic of Colombia. General Mosquera, tile minister of tile
Republic to Great Britain, expressly certified at London, (January 3, 1866,) "T'lat
accordinlg to tile contract with the Panama railroad company, it is olly prohibited
to concede privileges to make carriage roads or railways from one sea to tile other
across the Isthmus of Panama; but they mnay be constructed from Colombia to the
Republic of Costa Rica, either from the interior of the State of Panama, or from
Chiriqui Lagoon or the Bay of Almirante."  He furtlher certiiies that tlie territory
in the vicinity of Chiriqui LaTgoon did not " at the time of the concession to the
Panama railroad company belong either to tle province of Veragua or thiat of
Panama, as it is expressly said in article 7 of thle law of June, 1855, and which
territory was called in that epoch'Bocas del Toro,' ald was separated froln Veragua by the limits fixed in the Cordillera which traverses tile coltilnent, and in
which territory at that time could be and in the present can be conceded, tile openling
of a railroad from the Bay of Almirante or the Chiriqui Lagoon to the territory
of Costa Rica, on the otiler side of the river Culebra, which is tile limit of the
Colombianl territory; concerning which limit the two governments of Colombia
and Costa Rica have existing agreements of limits."  No doubt whatever exists




36                                    CHIRIQUI.
as to the unqualified right of the Chiriqui Improvement Company to construct a
road across the Istllmus, in the province of Chiriqui, and the purpose of the compally to exercise tis right was subsequently made. the foundation for the comprehieiisive grant included in the Mosquera contract, approved by the Colombian Congress, to which further reference is hereafter made in its proper place, and a copy
of tihe contract inserted.
Inl approving tile treaty of June I1, 1856, for the rectification of boundaries,
New Granadal required Costa Rica to assent to the Granadianl decree, "that the
grants of land or other properties in tle neiglborhood of Golfo Dulce, in favor of
individuals, by the corporations or authorities of New Granada, prior to silgning
of the treaty, shall be in the future as valid as if made by the government of Costa
Rica; and consequently the parties interested in such grant shall at no time be disturbed in the eznjoyment of them; " thereby securing the joint guarantee by New
Granada land Costa Rica, of the validity of tlhe title to the lands oni the Pacific
side, and of their protection by botl nations.
Unlder the instructioni of President Buchllaan, Hon. J. S. Black, AttorneyGeneral, made a careful examination of these titles, then existing,:and (May 11,
1859) reported them  satisfactory.  General Herrall, tile Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotelitiary of the Granadian Confederation near the United
States ducrilg tle progress of this examination, certified officially (April 8, 1859)
that all tlese " titles are in accolrdance with Granadian laws-are autheiltic, and
as sucl are entitled to full faitl and credit."  Subsequently, President Lincoln
directed a thoroug10    search again as to the sources and chain of title, and also
as to tile advantages, of the company's possessions, to be instituted by tile Secretary of the Treasury,,Hon. Salmlon P. Chase.  Tllese investigations were conducted by the Solicitor of tlhe Tre'asury, Mr. Jordan, and a report entirely satisfactory to thle President was made by tlle Secretary, (April 22, 1862,) who states
that "a careful and tholrogh examination " of the \whole subject has been given.
Thie following extracts from tile certificate of the Solicitor are inserted:
"From tile examination I have made, I am of opinion that this company holds
valuable rilghts in tlle Isthmlus.
" T''e possession by the Governlment of the United States of a practicable transit
route across the American Isthinus, with capacious and defensible harbors at its
termini, and with an adequate supply of coal and timber for naval purposes,
appears to me to be an object second in importance only to that of suppressing
the gigantic rebellion which at present threatens the integrity of the nation, and
witli its integrity, its power, its prosperity, and its respect in tlie eyes of tile
world.  I thillk it is important alike to our naval and military operations and to
our commercial interests.  Its importance in a naval atnd military poit of view
mnust be apparent.  It would aid materially in tlie defense as well of our Pacific
possessions as of our extended Gulf coast.  It would render us supreme in the
Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and all tle Cenltral American States.
"It would be impossible to anticipate all the commercial consequences of such
an acquisition.  The magnitude of some of them may be (limlly discerned from a
considerationl of tile extent of the countries andl tlle nuImbers and commercial
resources of the nations into more immediate and illtimate colmulnlication witll
which it would bring us —I refer to the western coast of America and the islands
of the Pacific.  Ecuador, Peru, Clili, and Bolivia have a population of about
6,650,000; Mexico, on tile Pacific, and Central America, have about 4,000,000,
makinlg an aggregate of 10,650,000.
Tllese countries liave an aregate       annual comlme'rce of about $197,000,000.




OUTLINE OF THE TITLE.                              37
Oceanica, with an area of about 4,000,000 square miles, and a population of
about 27,000,000, has an estimated commerce of about $200,000,000.
Of this vast trade, from which much of the wealth of Englal1d and of Holland
has been drawn, the United States has heretofore enjoyed but little. Nothingshould be neglected by us whichl will tend to give to us its control.
"Another consequence of t(he acquisition of such a route as I have described
would be the strenothening of the bonds which unite our Atlantic al(l Pacific
States; and certainly nothing which will produlce this result ought to be overlooked or neglected.
"That all the advantages which I have mentioned cannot be acquired at any
other point than the Istlmnus of Chiriqui, appears certain. I have consulted
many authorities respecting the character of other proposed routes across the continent, and I think there can be no doubt that all of them are deficient in some
of the most material particulars referred to.
"That some of tie advantages I have enumerated tlo exist at the Isthmus of
Chiriqui, seems as certain as that they are not all to be found elsewhere, and I
have already expressed the opinion that the acquisition of silch as undoubtedly
exist here, is an object of very great importance.
"No reasonable prospect, no means, hlowever remote, of making such an acquisition should be neglected.  The greatness of nations is attalied and perpetuated
by sagacity in detecting and promptness in seizing every means, however apparently unimportant, of increasing their influence or their prosperity. Whenever
that sagacity shall have been lost, or that promptitude shall be relaxed, tlhe nation
will surely declile."
ADDITIONAL GRANT, INCLUDING THE CONFIRMATION OF FORMER GRANTS.
By a contract entered into March 3, 1866, at London, England, between
General De Mosquera, Envoy Extraordinary an ld Minister Plenipotentiary (andl
then President-elect), of and ill tie name and behalf of, the United States of
Colombia, (late Granadian Confederation,) and Ambrose W. Thompson, in the
namne and behalf of the Cliriqui Improvement Company, approved by a decree
of the Congress and Executive of the United States of Colombia, at Bogota, on
the 22d of June, 1866, there is glranted to the Chiriqui Improvement Company,
for colonization,  *  *  *  "so soon as said company slhall establishl certain
steamers on the coast of the Isthmus, all the waste lands (''Tierras baldeas') il
tile districts formerly known as'Bocas del Toro'  and'Alanje,' with full poxve
to improve said lands and construct the roads and buildings that the colonists
may require."  This grant (equal in area to more thail one-half the Province
of Chiriqui) expressly and specifically confirms all the previous grants herein described.
Reference is made, ill support of this outline, to the certificates above referred
to, printed herein, in full; and to the original grants, in Spanish; anld the authentic
translations of each, printed in the Englislh language, in the pamphlet of "'Translations of tile several land ald other g'rants, and descent of title down to and
vestinig in tile Chiriqui Improvement Company, as reported by Edward Jordanl,
Solicitor of the Treasury of the United States, to Secretary Chase, and by him
to President Lincoln, with copies of additional grants and evidences of title."




b 8                                CHIRIQUI.
OFFICIAL ACTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA,
WITH REFERENCE TO TITLE, &C.
Certificate of General HERRAN, Minister from  the Unlited States of Colombia to
the United States of America, certifying to the validity of all the titles of the
company to its possessions in Chiriqui, and to the value of the same.
GRANADIAN LEGATION,
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
The unldersigned, Envoy Extraor'dinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the
Granadian Confedelation near the Government of the United States, il view of
the inquiry directed to this Legation by Mr. Ambrlose W. Thol'mpson, dated the 4th
of the present month, and upon examination of the documents to which reference
is made, namely:
1st. A certified copy of the ordinance issued by the Provincial Legislature of
Chiriqui on the'20th February, 1854, granting the exclusive privilege to Mr. Ambrose W. Thompson to improve the provincial road from  David to the Chiriqui
Lagoon; and
2d. The original papers showing r-ight of property in the coal mines Siegi,
Sierscllick, Jeilia, Cllanlguiola, Xixiola, Banana, Jones, Cultivation, Splithill,
Sandy, Suriala, and Luncoo, issued in favor of Messsrs. Santiago Alfoulso Morel
& Company, by the Governor of Chiriqui, on the 16th of Anugst and 3d of October, 1854, and legally transferred to the company denominated the "Chiriqui
Improvement Company."
I certify —
1st. Tlhat the aforesaid dcocuments are authentic, and as such are entitled to full
faith and credit.
2d1. That the titles to the lands granted by the ordinance mentioned are regulated by G-ranadian legislation; and in order to have granted tile titles to tile
coal mines above mentioned, they have observed the fonrmalities prescribed by
law 10, part 4, section 5, of the G-ranadian Codes; this opinion ill both its parts
being in accord with the written opinion given by Mr. Justo Arosemenia, a Granadlian lawyer of acknowledged ability.
3d. That when these concessions and grants were made "1 Chiriqui " wvas a
Province of New Granada, anld as such had a Provilcial Legislatlre or Chlamber,
and a Governor.
4th. IThat, at that time, tile Province of Chiriqui possessed twvo classes of landsthose called tle'lIndullto,"' which were granlted by tlme King of Spain to the
ancient Province of'Veragmas "' in 1705; and one part of these belonged to tlhe
Provilnce of'' Chiriqui " when it was created in 1849; and the " Tierras baldeas,'"
or vacant lands, granted by the Congress of thie Republic, to all tile Provinces.
5th.'That the Provincial Legoislature of Chliriqii had( full power to make these
grants of lands, and such privileges as tliose nmade in favor of Mr. Thlompson;
and tlme Governor of the Province had power to grant titles to the mines in tlle
form  in which they were granted in favor of Messrs. Santiago Alfonso Morel &




OUTLINE OF THE TITLE.                                39
Co., in virtue of the existing law 10, part 4, section 5, of the Granadian Code;
and
6th. That by the Federal Constitution foreigners enjoy, in the Granadian
Confederation, the same civil rights as their own citizens, being, therefore, in tle
same condition that they are, to buy, to possess, and to sell real estate. Besides,
the policy of thle Granadian Government has always been very liberal, and it has
not hesitated to facilitate and protect, as far as possible, the colmmerce of all
nations, thus at the same time stimulating that of the republic.
In addition to the foregoing certific'ate, I avail myself with great pleasure of
this opportunity to give testimony that from  my own information, as well as
from  information official and private wortlly of all belief, I am of opinion that
there are few countries in the world that possess so many elemellts of prosperity
anld wealth as that part of tlie State of Panlama which forms tlie Province of
Chiriqui.  In proof of this, it is sufficient to mention its inter-oceanic position,
the variety and comparative softness of its climate, which is most salubrious,
especially in the mountain parts, which enjoy a very fresh and bracing temperaturle, anid in tlle southern part is to some extent populated, level, covered with
grass and flowers, aned abounding in flocks and herds; while tile northern part
only awaits the lhand of civilized man to become no less ]healthful an(d desirable,
and perhaps still better populated.
Thie mines of gold from which Christopher Columbus carried witll him  specimens to Spain, yet remaitl to testify the existence of that precious metal ill tile
gorges and ravines of thie mountainss; the mines of copper, of iron, of coal, alld
the various mineral springs which exist betweel the town of " David " and Bocas
del Toro; tlle gum elastic, the pearls and pearl oysters, and the tortoise, furnishilng the tortoise-shell, abound on those coasts, in which there is already considerable commerce; tile riclest anld most valuable dye-woods, timber for building,
and especially ship-timber, and resinous and medicinal woods, besides all those
resources to make liviig easy and cheap.
Tlie most abundant game invites tlhe chase.  All the fruits and products of
the inter-tropical zone abound-the " papap," Indial corn a1(1 garden products,
cocoa, tile pilintain, arrow-root, the cocoa-nut, coffee, cottoii, sugal-cane, besides
many other products to which other countries now owe their wealth and prosperity.  The facility of commni nication is excellent on the Pacific side, whlile Panama and Punta Arenlas furiisll colvenient and secure markets for tlle stock, and
all the articles of food, from  Chiriqui, there being between tlle town of "David "
and Panama a level road, with abundanlce of water, and(1 well populated.  A
people simple in their manners and habits, and principally engaged il ag'ricultulral industry amid pastoral husbandry-and therefore peaceful andl moral.  And,
finally, the maonlificent eltl'irace to this beauitiful region wlich Providence has
arranged, andl tie Granadian Government las opened to all nations, is thrloull
Chiriqui Lagoon and Admiral's Bay, an immense double bay, with fertile shores.
one hundred and twelve miles in circumferenice, into which no less thanl twelve
rivers eipty themselves; numerous harbors, among which there are two of tile
most commodious and secure ill thie world.  Near to tliese are tile coal mines.
whose titles I have already certified, and( they alone, in the prlesent epocih, would
be sufficient to render )rosperous, as well as aal object of desire, any country
which may possess them.
A country which in only that part of it which is known, canl show such actual
advantages anld resources, cannot do less than reward most prodigally the peacefil emigrant wlho may employ ill it Ihis capital, his intelligence, and his activity;




40                                  CHIRIQUI.
and it is not necessary to be a prophet to predict with certainty that this region
will be, at no distant day, one of the richest marts in the world.
I must add that all that I have here written is confirmed by the Scientific
Conmmission which, by order of the Grlanadian Government, are now concluding,
under tie direction of General Cordazzi. a chorographical and topographical
description of the Confederation.
I cannot omit speaking of one circumstance more, which occurs to me, in
favor of Chiriqui, and that is its contiguity to a neighboring people, laborions,
peaceful, and well accredited, as are those of Costa Rica, Awhich owes to its own
efforts, since its independence, all its prosperity.
These two countries are evidently destined by nature to mutually assist and
enrii1c  each other.
WASHINGTON, April 8, 1859.
Seal of the
(Signed)           P. A. HERRAN.            Granadia 
Confederation.
Letter of Mr. F. PARRAGA, Consul-General of the United States of Colombia at
New York, to Mr. A. W. THOMPSON.
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA
NEAR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
NEW YORK, April 4, 1864.
Mr. A. W. THOMPSON.
SIR: In answer to your letter of the 1st instant, I may assure you that our
laws especially favor all emigrants establishing themselves in our country; that
owners of lands have the right to carry to them as many emigrants as they wish,
and that orants of lands made for purposes of colonization or settlement of emigrants have all the rights and privileges necessary for the prosperity of the colony
or settlement, subject, of course, to the laws of the Republic.
According to the Colombian laws, you can build on the land you possess, or
may hereafter possess, in Chiriqni, a railroad, provided it is not in opposition to
the seventh article of the contract with the Panama Railroad Company, which
has the rioght of an inter-oceanic road in the Isthmus of Panama. Whether this
isthmus extends so far as the one known under the name of Chiriqui, is a question which will soon be decided; * but whatever may be this decision, I may assure
* The then existing doubt here stated, so far as it concerns the Chiriqui Improvement Company, was entirely removed by the contract signed in the city of London March 3, 1866, on behalf of the United States of Colombia, by the duly accredited minister thereof, Gen. Mosquera,
then President-elect,) and on behalf of the Chiriqui Improvement Company, by its president,
Ambrose W. Thompson. The same was approved by the Congress of the United States of Colombia June 22, 1866, and a DECREE was issued by the "EXECUTIVE POWER OF THE UNION" to
the effect that the company, having proved the fulfillment of the condition " exacted by article
14 of said contract, the National Executive declares said company in the enjoyment of the privileges, rights, and exemptions to which it is entitled by said contract."
This contract included a grant of all the public or waste lands in the districts of Bocas deToro and Alanje, with full power to colonize and improve said lands and to construct roads and
buildings for the colonists, and in advance of their coming; also recognizing the full and complete right to construct railroads from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. The lands in these two
districts fill the space from the Atlantic to the Pacific without any intervening area; hence the
company possess every right which absolute ownership of the land gives to its owner. The
Panama grants of land and railroad right never extended into Bocas del Toro, but were limited
expressly to the line of the Province of Veragua. (See full text of the contract in pamphlet
entitled "Translations of the several land and other grants down to and vesting in the
company.")




OUTLINE OF THE TITLE.                            41
you that I lhave motives to believe that in a very brief tilme any opposition caused
by the seventh article of that contract to the construction of other railroads
must soon disappear.
You can undoubtedly make a railroad from any point whatever to the limits
of Costa Rica.
The Government of the United States of Colombia favors enterprises like that
you have il contemplation. and I have no doubt that the moment you apply to
the Executive power you will obtain its express sanction.
Your obedient servant,
(Signed)                F. PARRAGCA.
Certificate of General Mosquera.
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA.
T. C. DE MOSQUERA, Grand General of the Colombian Union, Senator, Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of Colombia.
I certify that the document signed the 8th day of April, 1859, in Washington,
by General Pedro A. Herran, and sealed with the seal of the Granadian Confederation, in two sheets of paper united with a silk ribbon, is an authentic document, and the signature thereon is that of the above-named general, who was at
that time Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of New Granada,
now the United States of Colombia.
I further certify, in the same manner, the authenticity of the letter which, iunder
date of the 4th of April, 1864, was given to Mr. A. W. Thompson by the ConsulGeneral Francisco Parraga, then Charge d' Affaires ad interim of the Colombian
Legation.
I also at the same time certify that, according to the contract with the Panama
Railroad Company, it is only prohibited to concede privileges to make carriage
roads or railways from one sea to the other across the Isthmus of Panama, but
they may be constructed from Colombia to the Republic of Costa Rica, either from
the interior of tile State of Panama or from the Lagoon of Chiriqui, or the Bay of
Almirante, in consequence of this territory not belonging at the time of tile concession of tie Panama Railroad, eitler to the Province of Veragua or that of Panama, and did not correspond, as it is expressly said in article 7 of tile Iaw of June,
1855, which territories were called in that epoch "Bocas del Toro." and were
separated from Veragulas by the limits fixed in the Cordillera, which traverses the
continenlt, and in which territory at that time could have been given, or at the
present can be conceded the opening of a railroad from the Bay of Almirante, or
the Lagoon of Chiriqui, to the territory of Costa Rica on tile other side of tile
river Culebra, which is the limit of the Colombian territory, concerning which
limit the two governments of Colombia and Costa Rica have pending agreements
of limits.
This is stated upon my own knowledge, and from having participated as a
Representative in 1855, and as a Senator in 1856,'57, and'58, in the discussion in
which the law of 1855 was passed, and later in the debates upon the subject of
the treaty limits.
The waste lands given to the Province of Chiriqui are comprised in the new
law that determines those that correspond to the State of Panama, and the legal
concessions tliat have been made by the ancient legislatures of the provinces must
be carried out and be accomplished.
6




42                                CHIRIQUI.
Besides this, the executive government of Colombia is, by the constitution of
the 8th of May, 1863, authorized to concede lands for the purpose of new colonizations.
Given at the House of the Legation of Colombia, at London, the 3d day of
January, 1866, No. 58 Lancaster Gate.  Signed with my own hand and
sealed with the seal of the Legation.
{ Seal of a             (Signed)                      T. C. DE MOSQUERA.
IU.S. of C.
This is the paper-writing alluded to in the certificate
(marked "A").
F. H. MORSE,
Consul U. S. A., London.
Letter of GENERAL MOSQUERA, President-elect of the United States of Colombia,
accepting the Honorary Title of "Honorary President" of the Chiriqui Improvement Company.
MY ESTEEMED SIR: I have received your favor, dated the 2d instant, in the
name of the enterprise of the Chiriqui Improvement Company, and you propose
to me, at the same time, that I accept the position of honorary president thereof,
with the object that it be known that it deserves my support.
Since first entering upon my public career in Colombia I have always considered as the principal aim the advance of my country in the enterprises which develop commerce and industry as chief fountains of wealth.
The opening of a road from the bay of "Almirante," or the "Laguna de Chiriqui," up to " Costa Rica," and down thence to "Golfo Dulce," on the Pacific
coast, is undoubtedly an enterprise of great advantage for the colmmerce of Europe
and of North America with the West Coast of America, Polynesia, Australia, and
Asia. Being, at the same time, of great utility to Colombia and to Costa Rica to
colonize and cultivate their waste lands, and for the exploration of the mines of
gold and coal.
Being thus convinced, and anxious to advance the interests of the company, I
accept with pleasure the title of honorary presidelit, and I am ready to do in its
favor anything in mny power, without entering into engagements inconsistent with
my duties as a statesman in Colombia.
With sentiments of the highest consideration and esteem, I beg to remain,
Your obedient servant,
(Silgned)              T. C. DE MOSQUERA.
LONDON, January 4, 1866,
58 LANCASTER GATE.
To Mr. AMBROSE W. THOMPSON.
This is the paper-writing alluded to in the annexed
certificate (marked "B ").
Signed)              F. H. MonsE,
Consul U. S. A., Lon'lon.
Certificate of the United States Consul to the authenticity of signatures.
CONSULATE OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AT LONDON.
I, Freeman H. Morse, Consul of the United States of America for London, and
the dependencies thereof, do hereby make known and certify to all whom it may
concern, that on the day and date hereof before me personally appeared and
came His Excellency T. C. de Mosquera, to me well known to be Grand General




OUTLINE OF THE TITLE.                          43
of the Colombian Union, Senator, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of Colombia at the Court of St. James, and who
signed and acknowledged the annexed paper-writings, marked "A." and "B,"
to be his voluntary act and deed.
And I further certify that the said General T. C. de Mosquera signed and delivered the annexed paper-writings, marked "A" and "B," in my presence, and
acknowledged to me that it was his signature, and that he, as President-elect of
the Republic of the United States of Colombia, further said that he would aid the
enterprise to which said paper-writings allude, and give it all the protection he
could.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of the Consulate of the United
SEAL               States at London, aforesaid, this twenty-eighth day
AMERICAN CONSULATE.  of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand
LONDON.          eight hundred and sixty-six, and in the ninetieth
year of the independence of the said United States.
(Signed)             F. H. MORSE.




44                                   CHIRIQUI.
CONTRACT,
Between the United States of Colombia and Ambrose W. Thompson, made
in London, England, March 3, 1866, by T. C. de Mosquera, Minister
Plenipotentiary, now  President of the Republic-Establishing Mail
Service on the Atlantic and Pacific-Giving Perpetual Right to a Railroad over the Isthmus of Chiriqui -Granting all the Public Lands in
the Provinces of Bocas del Toro and Alanje-Recognizing and chartering perpetually the Chiriqui Improvement Company, and confirming
previous grants.
Approved by the Congress of the United States of Colombia June 22, 1866.
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA AND TIE
CHIRIQUI IMPROVEMENT COMPANY.''. C. DE MOSQUERA, Grand General of tile Unlionl, Gelleral-in-Chief in tle
Colombian Guard, Senator, Envoy Extraorlillary a             lnd Minister Plenipotenitiary
near Her Britaniic Majesty, in the name and on behalf of the Goverluneiit of the
United States of Colomlbia, on one part, and Ambrose W. Thonipsoii, il tle name
alnd ol behalf of thle Cliriqui Improvement Company, on tile other, have concluded time colntract contained in the followilg articles:
ARTICLE I.
So sooi as the railroad shall be colmlelted tllro(-ugt   the district of Bocas del
Toln) alnd Costa Rlica., from  tlie Atlantic to thle Pacific Oceanl, by the Chiriqui
Imprlovmenlt Comlpally, tlie s:id( coinlpany sha1ll establish a line of steamers
betweein the terminls of said road on tile Atllantic a:   d Santa Martha, toll(hing
at Cart lhaena, Colon, andl at other interlmediate ports, if the Governiment of the
United States of Colombia require it, lalcd also, if requirel by tlie Colombian
Government, the said company shall establish a line of steamers upon tile Pacific, and from the Pacific terminlus of said road to Buenavelntura, touchling at such
other ports as niay be required by the said govelrnment.  The del)arture of said
steamers from eacl terminus shall not b4e less than two in each month, and an
interval of noot less thal  te  (ldays shall elapse between thle said departm-e, and
whensever other steamers of the aforesaid company slhall make weekly trips from
the Atlantic terminus of tie aforesaid railroad to any port in tile United States
of America, then the service between tile said terminius anl ( Slanta Matlha shall
also be weekly. so as to conlect with the aforesaid northern trips.
ARTICLE II.
As compensation for tile said service, tile said company shall receive all the
postaoes arising ftro-t the mail matter carried by the company's steamers.
The mail rates and postages, and the manner of collectilg themn, shall be fixed
by tile Government of tlhe United States of Colombia, which, if it deems it convenient, slall ave an agent on board.
The service may, at the option of said company, commence before thle completion of tile railway.




CONTRACT BETWEEN U. S. OF COLOMBIA AND A. W. THOMPSON.   45
ARTICLE III.
The steamships for the said service shall be capable of carrying not less than
four lieavy lguns each, or one heavy rifled pivot gun in lieu thereof, and the said
steamers shall be subject to the use of the United States of Cololnbia whenever
required for war purposes.  But when so taken, the Government of the United
States of Colombia shall either pay the value of said steamsllips or a stmn satisfactory for their use. If said value or suln cannot be mutually agreed u1poln, the
sum sltall be fixed and determined by arbitrators, olne chosen by each party; and
if these cannot agree, they shall choose an umpire, whose decision sllall be final.
ARTICLE IV.
In consideration of the establishing of the said litle of steamers, thie Government of the Unlited States of Colombia hereby grants to tile said Ciiriqui Improvement Company tile waste lands that may be required for colonization in the
districts formerly known as Bocas del Toro and Alanje; with full power to improve said lands and to construct the roads and buildings tilat the colonists may
require.
ARTICLE V.
If the company constructs a railway or macadamized road traversilng the said
lands before tile colonists are established, with the object of preparing tile way
for their establishment, the said company shall be entitled to a strip of land on
the sides of the railway or wlheelroad, not exceeding 60,000 hectares.
The said strip shall be parallel to the road, and shall be divided into lots of 400
square hectares, each of which every second lot shall belong to tlie company,
and the remainder to the United States of Colombia.  The duty of determining
the waste land by means of surveys shall devolve upon the company.
ARTICLE VI.
In the land destined for colonization, a portion, nlot less tihan a tlirty-fifth part
of the lot bestowed upon the colony, shall always be set aside.
This portion sliall be in the hands of trustees appointed by the government,
and all the revenues or profits thereby derived shall be exclusively employed in
establishing and supporting public schools for the children of tle colony.
ARTICLE VII.
If at any time the capital of the Republic of the United States of Colombia
should be removed to tile State of Panama, the Chiriqui Improvement Company
shall, as soon as the railroad is completed from ocean to ocean across tlhe districts
of Bocas del Toro and a portion of the territory of Costa Rica, contribute two
llulldred andl fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the purpose of constructing
capitol buildings of the said government.
ARTICLE VIII.
The company also binds itself to convey gratuitously by its railways and
steamers, members of Congress and all persons in the service of the Government
of the United States of Colombia, as also tile mutnitions of war that may be required in an international war or to preserve public order.
ARTICLE IX.
As soon as tile contract shall be approved by tile National Congress of tile
Unioln, this company shall be recognized as such, and shall be invested with tlhe
Colombianl national character. It shall Imave the riglht of establislhilg lines of
steamers carrying the national flag, and it shall enjoy all the riglts and privileges titat correspond to such associations, and it shall be recognized as a coin



46                                CHIRIQUI.
pany for the improvement and colonization of waste lands, and its colonists shall
enjoy all the privileges, exceptions, and guarantees that the laws extend to emigrants.  In the same manner the company has a right to be represented through
its attorneys, agents, and directors, and it shall be known as the Chiriqui Improvement Company, under which name it was established in Philadelphia, and
incorporated by the' legislative acts of April 27 and 3May 6, 1854, and May 3, 1855.
ARTICLE X.
The said company, or civil industrial corporation, shall have the right of establishing its owii regulations for the preservation of order in the management of its
affairs and colonization, in all that will not affect the national authority of the
States, and the said regulations shall require the approval of the National Government in what relates to general business, and tile approval of the State Government of Panama, through which State tle road crosses to the Republic of
Costa Rica, in what relates to special or interior arrangements.
ARTICLE XI.
The said company may issue stock representing the capital of the company,
in the manner that is or may be determined by law.
ARTICLE XII.
The said company shall at first, or at a subsequent meeting, appoint nine
directors from among its members, and as such they shall be able to transact business, by an absolute majority of five, whether all or only some be present, during
the time for which they have been appointed, the duration of which shall be
determined by the regulations of tie company, as also the manner in which they
are to be succeeded.
ARTICLE XIII.
If doubts or differences arise between the Chiriqui Improvement Company and
the National Government, or that of the State of Panama, with regard to the
fulfillment of this contract, the question or questions that may arise, if it is not
possible to come to an understanding, shall be submitted to the national courts
of justice, or to those of State, in accordance with the Colombian Constitution,
and the company shall, under no circumstance, allege immunity or claim protection from a foreign government, since citizens and subjects of other countries are
interested in the undertaking. The contract shall cease to have an effect if this
stipulation is violated.
ARTICLE XIV.
If this contract is not carried into effect before the termination of the year
1867, it is by that fact annulled.
That is, that if before the close of the year 1867 the company has not been
completely organized, and work commenced for the opening of the railway from
Chiriqui to Costa Rica, and if the company's steamers shall not commence as
destined to run between Colombia and the United States of America, or between
the Colombian ports on the Atlantic and on the Pacific, as hereinbefore said.
Done at London, the third (lay of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-six, in the house of the Colombian Legation, No. 58
Lancaster Gate.
(Signed)                  T. C. DE MOSQUERA.
i Seal of Estados Uni- 1
dos de Colombia.
(Signed)                  A. W. THOMPSON.
Seal of 
I A. W. Thompson. l




CERTIFICATES.                              47
A DECREE approving a contract for the establishment of steamers in the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The Coingress of the United States of Colombia have decreed as follows:'The contract celebrated in London on the 3d day of March, 1866, by General
T. C. de Mosquela, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the
United States of Colombia near the Court of Her Britannic Majesty, and Ambrose
W. Tlompson, in the name of the'Chiriqui Improvement Company,' established in Philadelphia, for the oroanization of a line of steamers betweenl the Atlantic
and the Pacific Oceans, is hereby approved."
Given in Bogota on the 20th June, 1866.
The President of the Senate:
SANTOS ACOSTA.
The President of the House of Representatives:
JULIAN TRUJILLO.
The Secretary of the Senate:
AURELIANO GONZALEZ.
The Secretary of the House of Representatives:
FRANCISCO V. DE LA ESPRIELLA.
BOGOTA, 22d June, 1S66.
Let it be published and executed.
[SEAL.]                                T. C. DE MOSQUERA.
The Secretary of the Treasury:
FRANCISCO AGTTDELO.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF WORK.
VERIFIED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF BOCAS DEL TORO.
We, residents of Fish Creek, certify that the Chiriqui Improvement Company
have commenced building a railroad across the district of Bocas del Toro, towards
Chiriqui, in conformity with the contract approved by the decree of the Congress
of the "United States of Colombia" at Bogota, the twenty-second day of June,
of the year eighteen hundred and sixty-six; that said work hlas been formally
commenced by the agent of the company, Senor Santiago Alfonso Morel, before
the twenty-third day of December, 1867, and that under his direction said work
continues on the line projected by the Chiriqui Improvemeut Company. Consequently, and as witnesses, we sign with our hands and seals this present certificate.
FISH CREEK, December 24, 1867.
The Commissioner of Fish Creek:           REMISSO AGUIARE.
Witnesses:
MANUEL DE JESUS GOMEZ.
JOSE EMILIO.BERMER.
FISCAL AGENCY OF THE TERRITORY BOCAS DEL TORO.
I, Joaquim Pizarro, Register of the Territory of Bocas del Toro, certify in lawful and due form that Messrs. Remissio Aguiare, commissioner, Manuel de Jesus
Gomez, and Jose Emilio Bermer, are proprietors and residents at Fish Creek,




48                                 CHIRIQUI.
Chiriqui Lagoon; that tley are personally known to me; that their sigllntures
signed to this document, as also their declarations, are truly theirs; and that they
deserve entire confidence and credit.
Given in Bocas del Toro on the 21st day of February, 1868.
The Register:           JOAQUIM PIZARRO.
Jose Moreno G., prefect of the Department of Colon, in thie State of Panama,
certifies that the signature which precedes and which says "Joaquim Pizarro," is
the same which said gentleman uses and is accustomed to use in all official subjects
which lie has to authorize in his claracter of Register of tlhe Territory of Bocas
del Toro.
At the request of the party interested, I issue the present in Colon on the sixteenth day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-eight.
JOSE MORENO G.
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AT
ASPINWALL, March 24, 1868.
I, the undersigned, Consul of the United States of America for the port of
Aspinwall and the dependencies thereof, do hereby certify that the foregoing is
the true and genuine signatulre of Sefior Jose Moreno G.., and that he is prefect
of the Department of Colon.
Given under my hand and seal of this Consulate the day and date above mentioned,
F. W. RICE.




OFFICIAL LETTERS, ETC., WITH REFERENCE TO TITLE.                   4I)
OFFICIAL LETTERS,
WITH REFERENCE TO THE TITLE OF THE CHIRIQUI IMPROVEMENT COMPANY.
Secretary Chase to President Lincoln.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, April 22, 1862.
SIR: II compliance witli your request, I directed the Solicitor of the'lreasury
to examine the papers relating to the claims of the Chiriqui Improvement Collpany to territory in New Granada, and to its character and adaptations.
He has accordingly given a careful and thorough examinatiol to the wlhole subject, and I have now the honor to submit its results.*
Witl g1reat respect,
S. P. CHASE.
To tlhe PRESIDENT.
Secretary Usher to Mr. Ambrose W. Thompsol.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Mlarch 18, 1864.
SIR: I am in receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, statilng your contemplated visit to England, for the purpose of making arrangements to open, via the
Isthmus of Chiriqui, steam communication between New York and California,
also to develop the coal mines and other property of the Chiriqii Improvement
Company thereat, and requesting me to give you the result of the investigations
as to the value of this property, and the validity of its titles, as shown by the archives
of the Government.
In Executive Document No. 41, of the Thirty-sixth Congress, House of Representatives, Second Session, you will find the results of the surveys and geological
examinations made under orders of the Executive.  In this it is stated that a practicable railroad route, but of high grade, exists between the two great harbors;
tliat there is an almost inexhaustible supply of coal. and that tile lands and climate are favorable to population. Based upon this information was the consideration of the President to secure a portion of these lands for such colonization as
the results of the present war should, if at all, make necessary.
The titles were referred to the Solicitor of the Treasury, who, after careful
examination, made a report thereon, stating that there was satisfactory evidence
of title, that the Chiriqui Company holds valuable rights in the Isthmus, and is in
a condition to comply with any contract into which it may enter with the Government for supplying coal from  its mines; for the transportation of nails to the
various regions of the Pacific Ocean; and for the colonization of any emigrants
the Government may be desirous of providing for, beyond the limits of the United
States. For the purpose of identification, I send herewith, under seal of the Department, a printed copy of each of the documents named-the first, No. 41,
printer by order of Congress; the second, the report of the Solicitor of tile Treasury, printed by order of the Executive.
The result of the examination, geographical and legal, was the contract now
* See Cabinet Document, printed by order of President Lincoln, April 22, 1862,
7




50                               CHIRIQUI.
existing, by wlich the Government may avail itself of colonization and supplies
of coal, wheiiever the Executive shall order the commencement of service under
its provisions.
I entertain a high opinion of the international value of tills property, and of the
benefits to be derived therefrom, by extended commercial relations between maritime nations, and wish you the fullest success in your contemplated visit.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed,)         J. P. USHER,
To AMBROSE AV. THOMPSON,                            Secretary of the Interior.
New York.
Solicitor Jordan to Mr. Ambrose W. Thompson.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SOLICITOR'S OFFICE, March 22, 1864.
SIR: In reply to your note, (lated 19tlh inst., asking me to state the sources of
ilformation upon which my report respecting the titles of the Chiriqui Improvement Company to property on the isthmus of that name was made, I have to say,
that the report referred to was the result of an examination made by me in obedieiice to orders from the President of the United States, and that in respect to the
titles I was furnished with properly authenticated copies of the original grants,
alld either the original deeds of transfer or copies thereof duly authenticated.
These I compared with the constitution and laws of New Granada, copies of which
were procured for my inspection. In regard to the titles to the lands on the Chiriqui Lagoon, with the coal mines thereon situate, and the right to improve the
provincial road from " David " to the lagoon just mentioned, there was also a certificate from tle Granadian minister near the Government of the United States
affirming the validity thereof.
In respect to the country, the mines of coal, the harbors, and the road route,
I consulted a report of explorations made by a scientific commission sent out
under a law of Congress by the Executive. together with many other books and
documents,
I send you twelve copies of the report which was printed by order of the President,
Respectfully and truly,
(Signed,)     EDWARD JORDAN,
Solicitor of the Treasury.
A. W. THOMPSON, Esq.,
New York.
OPINIONS OF EMINENT LAWYERS WITH REFERENCE
TO TITLE, &c.
Letter of Hon. WILLIAM M. EVARTS with respect to the rights and interests vested
in the Chiriqui Improvement Company.
LONDON, August 4, 1864.
AMBROSE W. THOMPSON, Esq.
MY DEAR SIR: I regret that I am obliged to leave England so soon, and am,
therefore, unable to give my aid upon any questions which may arise in the




OPINIONS, ETC., WITH REFERENCE TO TITLE.                    51
progress of your proposed nlegotiations in behalf of the Chiriqui Improvement
Company.
As you know, before I left the United States I made an examination of the
papers connected with the rights and interests now vested in thle Chiriqui Improverment Company, and was satisfied with the basis they presented for tile
proposed organization and the investment of capital.
The act of incorporation of the company is valid and effectual, according to
our law, to create a corporation for the purposes and with tile forms thereil
stated, and its effect is that slareholders ill the company are under no personal
liability upon its transactions.
In any negotiations you may find occasion to make ill England, you will of
course constantly bear in mind that the motive and object il seekiong tile mioney
here is to take advantage of tlie favorable rate of exchange between Lonldoll and
New York, and of the expectation that tile debt to be contracted can be discharged to the pecuniary benefit of tile company upon a more equal condition of
the currency of the countries.
I remain, very truly yours,
WILLIAM M. EVARTS.
Second letter from  Hon. WILLIAM M. EVARTS on the importance of opening
the Chiriqui route across the Isthmus of Chiriqui and developing its coal.fields.
49 WALL STREET, September 16, 1867.
A. W. THOMPSON, Esq.
DEAR SIR: I entertain tile same opinions as to tile importance and probable
profit of the enterprise of the opening tile Chiriqui route across tile Isthmus ald
developing the coal fields there which I have always expressed to you and to others.
If a suitable number of substantial business men will unite for this purpose, I
shall be happy to give any aid and countenance to the enterprise in my power.
Yours, very respectfully,
WILLIAM M. EVARTS.
Letter of W. R. DRAKE, of London, on examination of titles, corporate authority of
the company,  Cc.
LONDON, 46 PARLIAMENT STREET,
WESTMINSTER, S. W., 21st December, 1864.
DEAR SIR: At the request of Mr. Thompson, I beg to inform you that in May
last I made a very careful examination into the constitution, corporate powers,
and proprietary rights possessed by the above company.
The various documents handed to me by Mr. Thompson satisfied me that the
company wele duly incorporated mulder the laws of the United States, and that
the titles to the property held by the company had been investigated by tile
direction of the President of the United States, by the Solicitor of the Treasury,
who had satisfied himself that tle property was duly and properly vested in the
company in accordance with the Constitution and laws of New Granada, ill one
of whose provinces the lands are situate.
I further satisfied myself that Mr. Thompson had a full and valid authority
from  the company constituting him its representative in Europe, with all the
powers and authority vested in tle board of directors, and especially with power




CHIRIQUI.
to execllute any sale,  nortgage, oi hylpothecation of the companly's property witl
1 view to secure-tl e paymenrltt of any bollds which lie migllt issue on belalf of tle
company, 1and enabling Mr. Thompson to carry out any financial arrangements
in reference to the company which he mlight consider desirable.
I do not here mention tlhe peculiarly valuable character of tile property possessed by tlie company, because oil that point I assume Mr. Thompson has given
you full itiformation.
The (locuments in his possession oi this poilt, I may mlention, appeal to me to
hlave a peculiarly autlhentic character, inasmuch as they give tlie results of special
inquiries made, niot by thle promoters of the company, but by the govelrminent
authoriities of tlre United States, and of EIgland iand France.
I shall be \very happy to give you, either personally or otherwise, any further
information w\ihici you may desire, Mr. Thompson intelnding to deposit witli me
the wllole of tlie origin;al documents in his possession.
I am yours, faithflllly,
(Signed)                               W. R. DRAKE.
ROGER EYKEN, Esq.
[Mr. Drake is one of the most eminent solicitors in London.]
Certificate of Hon. EDWARD JORDAN, former Solicitor of the Treasury of the
United States.
WASHINGTON, ). C., August 31, 1878.
I hereby certify that I have examiiied tlhe prilted pamplllet hereto attached,
and entitled "'Translations of tile several laid and other grants, and descent of
title dlownl to and vestiig ill tle Chiriqui Imlprovement Company, as reported by
Edward Jordan, Solicitor of tile'reasilry of the United States, to Secretary Chase,
an(d by him to Presidleit Lincoll, witli copies of additional grants and evidences
of title; "* tlat I find said pamphlet to contain true copies of tile grants and other
muniments of title vwhichl were submitted to amid exlamiled by me as Solicitor of
tlie Treasury of tlie United States, at(id uponl which I made the report mentioned
in said pamphlet, ani( that I believe tlhe title to the lands and privileges in said
granlts and papers described, to be, by virtett thereof, legally vested in tile said
Chiriqui Improvement Company, ini acccordance with tile laws of tile United
States of Colombia, late New Granada, as certified by the envoys extraordinary
of tlhat government, copies of whose certificates are contained in said pamphlet.
EDWARD JORDAN.
Ti'e following extract froim the carefullly-prepared and exhaustive report of tile
Committee of the House of Representatives on Naval Affairs, made May 24, 1860,
to which frequent reference has been made in preceding pages, is added as an
attestation of the highest authority upon the subject of tis chapter:
"Tile Committee onl Naval Affairs  *  *  *  report as follows:
"That on the 21st (lay of May, 1859, Hon. Isaac Toucey, Secretary of the Navy,
entered into a contract with the' Chiriqui Improvement Company' for the supply
of coal for the use of tlhe United States steam vessels of war attached to the Gulf
aml(1 Pacific squadlrons, and for nlaval depots in thie same latitude opposite each to
the otiler upon the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  Assuming the policy of this
* See pamphlet of same title, with this certificate attached, at office of the company.




OPINIONS, ETC., WITH REFERENCE TO TITLE.                    53
contract in other particulars, the first question which presents itself for determination is one of title. Had Mr. Thompson a clear and indisputable title to the
possessions, rights, and privileges claimed by him and his associates in the province of Chiriqui and Republic of New Granada?  The original grants in the
Spanish language, with their translations, were laid before your committee, with
the certificate of the New Granadian minister to the United States to the authenticity of the same. and that.they were all proper, legal, anll binding instrumelts,
according to the laws of New Granada. The opinion of the Attorney-General of
the United States [Hon. Jere. S. Black] has also been pronounced in support of
the legal soundness of the rights of the' Improvement Company,' through Mr.
Thompson, to all the property and privileges ceded to them. A copy of the
opinion of the Attorney-General, together with the certificate of the New Granadian minister, are herewith submitted.' One of the conditions of the grant of lands, mines, and harbor-rights to the'Improvement Company' was, that the company should open a good carriage
road from  the shores of the Chiriqui Lagoon, on tile Atlantic, to the town of
David, on the Pacific, across the Isthmus of Chiriqui, within the time specified in
the grant. There is testimony from New Granadians, officers and people, that
a portion of this road is already completed, and the public mails of New Granada
now carried over it.
*      *       *       *       *       *      *       *       *      *
"Facts like this, showing large expenditures of money to fulfill the conditions
of the grant; with the indorsement of the soundness of the title by the President
of New Granada; by the law officers of the two governments; by the minister
of New Granada to the United States, and by the government official in the
province of Chiriqui, ought to be sufficient to remove all doubt on the question
of title." (Report, supra, pp. 1, 2.)