The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-29
co M M UNIC Alto Ms.
OUR OWN CoUNTRY-PoLYNESIA-
ASIA-EURoPE.
To The Editor Of the Union.

ASlA-EUROPE.
To The Editor Of The Union:
DEAR SIR: | was in Manchester in December,
1872 soon after the tidings of the ratification OF
peace between Great Britain and China WAS received:
and then foresaw, and SO expressed myself 10 you,
that Louisiana was not more valuable to the United
States at the time of the acquisition than Oregon
at that moment. II required no stretch of the i'm
aginaton to perceive that it was become the great
central highway between Europe and North America
TO Polynesia, the East Indies. and China. On the
9Th of January, l543-neary three years ago-l
wrote 10 you as follows
''lf should live to number three-score years and
ten, am persuaded / shall witness larger trade
between the United States and China than they now
have with Great Britain. Our communication, by
way of the Rocky mountains, will be SO direct that
tidings will be conveyed from Washington to Can
ton in little time required TO transmit in
telligence from the former place TO St. Louis in
1912. One of the first matters which should deserve
the attention of the nation, after territorial govern
ment is established in Oregon, is the opening Of
post-road TO the Columbia river; and whether from
its great importance, in national point of view, ii
should not be railroad, is worthy of great consid-
Grafton. If such measure is constitutional its poll
icy cannot be questioned"
millions upon millions of our cotton bags, and
our various other agricultural products, would be
transported on that highway; for the Chinese as |
already remarked, are 10 be distinguished as the
most successful manufacturing people on earth. In
anticipation Of such events England is frightened;
and well she may he, because when they iranspire
her dsys will be numbered. The true origin of
the groundless crusade against China the ambi-
ton Of Great Britain TO make herself Independent Of
America She wanted to dep,ire us OF a market for
chief staple, by growing it in the East lndies
and she wanted 10 create market for the products
Of her industry, and she felt no hesitation in ma
king the END Justify the means Mischief is
swift to enter the thoughts Of desperate men, and
the remark is applicable TO nations to ndivid-
uals. Noihiag but desperation could drive Great
Britain TO the contamination of such wicked deeds
have characterized her actions for the last few
years. Deeaying totterng, falling, she entertains
the most desperate hopes, and executes the most
daring designs. Her selfshness, in her peculiar
diton, might be overlooked, but her hypocrisy de-
serves universal condemnation. Processing to be
the great civilizer of the human race she commits
acts Of barbarity that would have astonished the
world in the darkest ages. The scenes which oc-
CURED in Affghanstan on the withdrawal finer ar
my, were terrific beyond description The destruction
of property by mischievous and wicked s0ldery is
without parallel. The natives who threw them
selves on their mercy were sacrificed with fendish
fcrocity; no quarters were given. Human blood
the blood Of an ignorant, untutored people--was
wantonly split by this nation ofphiianihropisis."
Without doubling, from such evidences as were
before me, that claim TO the achoie Of Oregon
was clear and unquestonabe-an opinion which
remains unchanged--l called the attention of the
German reading public to this important region,
through the medium Of the first commercial gazette
on the continent Of Europe in series of articles
which were republished in many influential papers.
They were written in the latter part of September,
1Si3; and although they may be considered to some
extent out of date at this PERIOD must, neverthe-
less, request the insertion of Them
From the Hamburg Borscn.Halle of Oct. 49, Isas
OREGON TERRIToRY.--No
I'll
lying between the Rocky mountains and the Pacific
ocean, extending from 42o to $40 40 north latitude,
although not definitely adjusted with Great Britain,
seems to be generally admitted. II is founded
upon discovery, by being explored originally by
citizens Of the United States and their government;
and by purchase and ccssion from those whose pre-
tensions to ownership were regarded as the most
just. As far back as 1923, Mr.. Monroe, then Pres
ident Of the United States, stated in message to
Congress that, benceforward, the American conti-
nenis are not to be considered subjects for future
colonization by any foreign power; and this senti-
ment highly valued at the period Of its utterance,
continued to be in universal favor among the people
of the States. Indeed, there is but one opinion
among them Us to its justice; and it will be
enforced, If necessary, let the consequences be
so painful The immediate occupation, there
fore, of Oregon by the American nation may
be considered as certain. bill for this pur-
pose will asstiredy pass Congress during the
approaching session Under this belief the tide Of
emigration is already beginning to flow over the
Rocky mountains. A single expedition OF 900 per-
sons--men, women, and enthusiastically left
Weston, Missouri TO take up their abode in the fer
tile valley Of the Columbia river. They will be fol-
lowed in muttudes by their conntrymen--ihe hardy
descendants of the pioneers of the North American
colonies-indivduals who have been Graded in the
forest and who have the energy to "follow the sun
from his rising to his sitting"
No field was never opened for bold enterprise
more extensive than Oregon. Whether it be view
ed with reference to its fitness for agricultural pur-
suits, its mineral wealth, its fur trade, its fisheries
or the peculiar commercial advantages Of which il is
destined to become the medium it presents unequal
led inducements for adventure. The territory 10 suf-
fccnty large to form three respectaby-sized States
such, for instance, Kentucky. The length Of
the Columbia river from chief source to the Pa
cifc, is 1000 miles. The tide at its mouth rises
eight feet and half, and extends 900 miles upwards.
Shops ascend as high the falls and vessels Of
800 tons to Multuoneah The number Of miles
traversed by Lewis and Clarke, from ST. Louis to
the Pacific ocean, was estimated by them to be
1855 They followed the Missouri river 2,575;
thence across the mountains 10 the navigabe waters
Of the Cooskootska; and down this stream IS miles
TO Lewis's river, 154 above its confluence with the
COLUMBIAN; from thence to the ocean, 4l3. But u
route has latterly been discovered 800 miles
shorter, which is represented as being more access
sIble, and IN other respects preferable, and which
brings st. Louis within ! $50 miles of the mouth
river at the mouth Of the Kansas, 600 miles from
81 LOUIS and crossing the southern fork Of Platte
river continues over the mountains in latitude 400
north. near the Mexican line, through what is
termed the great Southern Pass to the waters of the
Columbia. This pass is valley 80 miles long, and
varies in width from 5 10 30. The ascent il de-
scribed as being sngnIarly gradual-so much so,
indeed, as to be scarcely perceplible The traveller
experiences change in the atmosphere as he APP
proachcs the summit Of the hitherto frghtful bar
rier which separates the waters Of the Missouri
from those Of the Columbia He knows he is in an
elevated region when he looks around and beholds
snow-capped mountains three miles high and feels
the piercing winds which arise from them.
The distance between New York and the mouth
of the Oregon river, il is confidently believed may
be reduced to 2,4O0 miles by pursuing the most
direct practicable route. From the Missouri where
the Kansas disembogues itself the head Of navga-
ton on the Cooskootska lake. the intervening space
does not exceed 800 miles Between these points,
the surface of the country is admirably suited for
nF n a.. &. i