The Isthmus of Tehuantepec 1852 - From the Library of Daniel
Webster
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec: being the results of a survey
for a railroad to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, made
by the Scientific Commission under the direction of Major J. G.
Barnard, U. S. Engineers. With a resume of the geology, climate,
local geography, productive industry, fauna and flora, of that
region. Illustrated with numerous maps and engravings. Arranged
and prepared for the Tehuantepec Railroad Company of New Orleans,
by J. J. Williams, Principal Assistant Engineer. New York: D.
Appleton & Company, 200 Broadway, 1852. This rare volume
is one of the earliest publications to explicate the possibility
of constructing a railroad across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in
southern Mexico. It is even more exceptional because it bears
a bookplate from Daniel Webster's library. Webster (1782-1852),
New Hampshire born lawyer, statesman, member of the U. S. Senate,
and U. S. Secretary of State, gained fame as a distinguished orator.
It is reasonable to expect that as Secretary of State he had
an interest in the scientific studies being conducted in Mexico
and South America that could have an significant impact on American
trade and expansion. The 295 page book is leather bound. The
spine and the edges of the covers are faded. There is foxing
on the frontispiece, the title page and scattered throughout the
book. There are 17 tissue-guarded color lithographic plates in
the book in addition to a large fold out map. Numerous tables,
charts and drawings provide detailed data about the geography
and geology of the Isthmus. There is an entire section devoted
to the statistical analysis of the various areas of interest of
the survey. (Stock number 003Tehuantepec) $650.00
Back to Index
Back to the-forum Home
To order
©2005 IAACF Ltd.