Root to Mr. Ibañez, September 4, 1872

Mr. Root to Mr. Ibañez.

Sir: In view of the fact that the navigation of the sea, while doubling Cape Horn, has been and ever will be fraught with great danger to the commercial interests of the world, always causing great anxiety in the minds of all parties interested in the fate of ships of every class whose voyages oblige the traversing of the waters lying south of the bleak and inhospitable shores of Tierra del Fuego, and also in view of the fact that a much shorter and safer route for steamers lies through the Straits of Magellan, and, if the same can be made available for sailing-vessels, an untold advantage would accrue to the commerce of the world, I, therefore, desire, if not inconsistent with the views of your excellency, and if not too much trouble, to learn what, if any, efforts have been made toward placing a line of small steamers, usually called “tugs,” in said straits for the purpose of towing sailing-vessels through from one ocean to the other; also, if it is known what the probable expense of such an enterprise might be, and whether it is supposed that it would be self-sustaining, or whether it would at first require the fostering care of such philanthropic commercial nations as might desire to assist such a most laudable undertaking, which, though at first initiated in the interest of humanity, would speedily, in my opinion, prove a very profitable investment to any parties having it in charge, and of incalculable importance to the commercial interests of the world. I would, also, like an estimate of the time it would take to tow sailing-vessels through the straits, and any facts or suggestions bearing upon this subject which can be readily obtained, my object being to lay this correspondence before my Government, hoping that thereby something may eventuate in the interest of so important a matter. In my opinion, the direct benefit to Chili of this enterprise would be very great, and, when is taken info consideration the vast saving of life, time, insurance, interest on money, wear and tear, and loss of shipping, delay, vexation, annoyance, anxiety, &c., &c., which would result from a successful navigation of the Straits of Magellan by a proper and economical system of steam tow-boats, it would seem that a project so urgently demanded and apparently so feasible should soon be put into operation. I improve this opportunity to offer renewed assurances of the sentiments of distinguished consideration and esteem with which I have, &c.,