The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-12-17

RAILROAD TO THE PAcIFIc.-We have no doubt
that the time viii come when there will exist a great
railroad communication between the American
shores OF the Atlantic and the shores of the Pa
ciic ocean; when a citizen of New York will
be able to start for Astoria or Monterey, or St.
! Francisco, or some city on the Pacific ocean.
and be found, after few days absence, on the Ex-
change in New York again. or taking his daily saun-
ter along Broadway. This, if ever accomplished,
will be by means of railroad crossing the Rocky
mountains through the great Southern Pass.
Our readers will perhaps remember that some
time ago we gave account Of the discovery of a
new pass through the Rocky mountains-an easy
communication by deep and continuous ravine-
which rendered these hitherto inaccessible heights
and steep crags almost easy to traverse as our
own Shangunk range in Orange and Ulster coun-
ties. This remarkable pass was first brought to pub
lie notice by that enterprisng explorer Captain FIRE.
mont. Through this pass we are crediby informed
it would be practicable, at great expense compa-
ratively speaking, TO carry a railroad But the
pense is not the question, nor even may say are
the difficulties to be overcome, the queston-but
wrH 1t pay?" That is the first necessary element
in all calculations relating to plans Of new railroad
tracks AT first view, the amazing distance to be
versed by such railroad cover 1000 miles) would
appear TO solve the problem; and we incline to the
opinion that IN rejecting upon the subject, this
NOUS distance is by the generality OF people the
great, chief and almost only consideration held in
| view. But this is an error. The true data which
to construct saie calculation, are the erni,ni TO
/ be connected, and not SO much the distance be-
tween them Let there be any two given termini
at any distance and let there be sufficient quan-
ty OF merchandise and people at each terminus
wanting transfer, desiring to change places, then
a railroad connecting the one terminus with the
other would certainly pay, and the distance, be it
more or less, forms minor element in the cacula-
ton.
ed for the suggested railroad across the Rocky
mountains I!
The enquiry is very extensive, and would to do
justice to It, lead beyond the bounds of an article
We will, therefore, dismiss this part of the enquiry
by simply remarklng that at one terminus-namely
that upon the Pacific, would be concentrated all the
merchandise now Imported here In New York from
China-a the objects OF trade In the vast extent OF
the Pacific coast, viz. from the western ports of
Mexico and South America, the Sandwich Islands,
and the no less important trade in furs from the
Russian territory north OF Nootka Sound Such
would be all collected at the Pacific terminus. AT
the other, we might say all the trade which has
hitherto passed round Cape Horn, would henceforth
pass along this rail road; added to this population
OF travellers, passengers and emgrants seeking the
genial and delightful shores of the hitherto neglect
ed Pacific.
The question then, whether there are termini of
sufficient Importance to warrant such railroad, as
ed in the affirmative.
AS the plan, let 1t once be settled point, that
such rail road would, If efficiently put in opera
ton by company having sufficient capital and eff
Gent agents and officers only pay, there would then
be no difficulty to the plan the execution.
There Is nothing wonderful or mertorious in the
mere suggestion Of such plan We think the cal
cuation we have made, and the only true data for
any calculations which we have here pointed out,
tar more important than the mere suggestion of
mere idea. All well know that we have been the
first among the public journals OF the age to suggest
ideas Of this kind, tending to the advancement and
progress OF our great commercial interests.
We think, however, notwithstanding the barren
ness OF mere ideas and naked suggestions, that
much, very much credit Is due to those gentlemen
who have been prominent IN urging the practicable
hty and expedency OF this great measure upon the
American public. Three different plans for this
great railway have been proposed. The first is that
OF Mr. Whitney, who proposes that the Atlantic
terminus should be at some point on or near Lake
Michigan; this would, by the lakes, and our own
railroads, present direct communication with
New fork. The next plan proposed Is that OF Mr.
Douglass, of Illinois, and is, we believe an extern
sion amplificaton of the ideas thrown out by Mr.
Whitney. Another plan, we learn, was also pro.
posed by DR.. Carver, OF our own State, who many
years ago before the time ripe, endeayored to
direct the public attention to the subject.
The subject Is vast, 1t deserves every attention,
and II Is of The highest importance to trade and
commerce. that this great road from New York to
China should pass through the United States rather
than through South America, by the Isthmus OF
Panama. This consideration, more perhaps than
any other, renders the subject OF national import
ance lnasmuch as II Involves the question OF the
whole carrying trade between China, this country
and Europe, by causing the great highway to pass
through our own country
yrt-