" Bruxelles, Meline , Cans et Cie., 1853, in-8°, 18 cm, x pp + 414 pp, bound in contemporary green half roan, raised gilt spine, marbled boards and endpapers, binding with traces of use, some small stains at the inside but still a fine/good copy. First and only edition of this study on the possible construction of a canal to link the US east coast with the west coast. The author advocates Panama after considering several alternatives. He travelled extensively in the region and a large part of the book reads like a travel guide. He also goes to great lengths to explain the need of a canal for the further development of California. The author was a US citizen of Polish descent. In 1981 a Polish translation was published in Warzawa ( Bylem przy narodzinach Kalifornii ). See Sabin nr. 32497 ; Howes H586 (rating aa ).."