Gold Seekers of '49

1814--Spain authorizes the construction of a canal through the Isthmus, but by a revolution loses her Central America provinces.

1825--The Republic of Central America requests the assistance of the United States in the construction of a canal through Nicaragua.

1826--Aaron H. Palmer, of New York, contracts with the Republic of Central America for the construction of a canal across Nicaragua. This project also fails, and so does an English plan.

1827--President Bolivar of the Republic of Colombia (formed by the States of New Granada, Ecuador and Venezuela, and thus embracing the Isthmus) commissions J. A. Lloyd to survey the Isthmus with a view to a rail-and-water route across. Lloyd recommends a canal from Limon Bay to the Chagres River (as now), the river route as far on as possible, and a railroad thence to the Pacific coast.

1835-1841--The United States further debates the subject of a ship canal across the Isthmus or