Mr. Warren to Mr. Seward
Sir: Since my last I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 12, in reply to my unofficial note of an earlier date.
In a former communication I referred to a granted commission for the construction of a road from Santo Tomas to this city. The enterprise contemplates the use of the Motaqua river for 40 leagues, or about 120 miles. The distance to the point of the river where navigation terminates is also 40 leagues, to which is to be added 5 leagues from the river to the initial point. I am assured that a boat, similar to the light-draughts used on the upper Ohio, can navigate the river at all seasons of the year. I regard this project as of much importance to the commerce of the United States. The whole coast is well calculated for both sugar and coffee culture, and the whole slope toward the Atlantic is covered with primary woods and groves of the India-rubber tree. There is and will be an emigration from the United States, and, after all, the construction of this road is only a step toward a railroad, which must before long cross the continent somewhere midway from Panama to Tehuantepec.
There is no change in the political state of the country. Trade is fairly active, and the good promise of the harvest has induced liberal arrangements for importation.
I am, Mr. Secretary, with high respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.