The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-16
Pan for inducing emigration 10 Oregon-proection
emgranis on their march--signal stations and light
houses on The pfaiyies,


PAN for inducing emigraioni 10 Oregon-protection to
emigrans on their mdrch--sgnal stations and light
houses on The praiyies.
One Of the great drawbacks to the speedy settle
ment of Oregon is the vast and wild country that
must he raversed by the parties mmigrating to tho
Far West. In crossing the great prarles, there Is
loneliness and want of security that deters many
of our best and most hardy countrymen from ex-
tending their migratons to Oregon.
The small force of our regular army, distributed
Us il necessarily must be along an immense Indian
frontier and such long intervals, does not afford
to the traveller that feeling of security that is neces
sary to induce emigration. What il the remedyi
and what shall we do to bring our public lands in
greater demand?
The answer. is simply this-and which has for
several years suggested itself to the writer of this
article, during moments of leisure, while his mind
has wandered far away among the prairie scenes Of
Arkansas, where some few years OF his life have
been successfully passed; and now that he has re-
III ned to the Of his childhood. enjoying all
the blessings Of happy home, and meditating upon
the trials and dangers he has encountered and heard
related by the western pioneer, he may be pardon
ed for suggesting the following means for the pro-
lection of the immigrant and the speedy settlement
ofthe Far West:
The plan proposed is the construction, at intervals
of 10 or II miles, Cor greater distance if practca.
ble) Of suitable block-houses picketed in, upon the
summit of which elevated signal-stafs, or suita-
bic seaphores for the transmission of signals each
block.house to be furnished with a good glass or
telescope for observing the signal stations within its
range. The stations, or block-houses to be garri-
soned by 10 or - dragons, or mounted rihemen.
AT every tenth station, or about 100 miles distance
a company Of mounted men TO be stationed to
reinforce the block-houses if necessary.
In this way each signal station will represent a
posted sentinel; and each 100 miles posted guard,
(giving protection to the Oregon immigrant,) COM
mencing at Fort Leavenworth, or some more suit
able starting point, and carried to the Rocky NOUN
talns.
This would give security and protection to the
whole frontier; as, by the daily and hourly exchange
of signals indicating words and sentences the move
ments of parties of immigrants, as well as the situ-
alton Of the Settlers may be known at the different
stations composing the line of semaphores.
The great protection and feeling of security thus
given would cause an immense immigration west
ward, which otherwise would not probably extend
their march to that country.
Each station might be erected at intervals embra-
cling days march; and the protection thus afford.
ed would soon draw in the vicinity of the stations
settlers, who would furnish supplies to the immi-
grants on their march.
Along the seaboard and lakes we have our light
houses Is not the daring and lonely traveller enti-
tied to some beacon, some landmark to guide his
long and weary way, as well as the mariner Is
he entitled to his prairie lighthouse and beacon,
to indicate his true course, to renew that feeling Of
confidence inspired by some familiar and desired
object Show him the star-spangled banner float
ing the prairie breeze, among the wilds Of the
Rocky mountains, and he will not require any other
guarantee or inducement to settle in Oregon or on
the shores of the Pacific All this may be done by
two regiments of dragons, or one Of Dragons and
one of rifles. .a
BY the daily exchange of signals from station to
station along the line, the Executive could be post
ed IN regard to every movement on our frontier; and
the influence it would exercise over the various
tribes of Indians, would more than compensate the
government for the small sum required for its sup
port, Ii would have a tendency to bring an i'm
mense quantity of the public land Of the Far West
into early Market the protection given and fa-
cilities offered by the block-houses or signal sta
tons, would induce immigration.
Bya grant of public land in the vicinity Of each
block-house, a settlement would soon be made, and
those settlers could attend the intervening signal
stations and operate them between the larger posts
cantonments.
This plan would not be as expensive the for
mer, but would lack that punctuality and discipline
SO highly important in all military operations.
Each station being furnished with signal lamp
(Which is now about being brought before the pub
lic) the traveller will then find his lighthouse the
prairie, whereby communications by signals can be
made at night with the facility as during the
day.
The foregoing remarks are made by one who has
passed more than three years in the wds Of Mis-
eouri and prairies of the Far West, and who has
seen some ofhe DARING and hardship incidental to the
life OF ploneer--weli knowing how to appreciate
the security of picket, if he encamped on
the outside. H. j. r.
NEW-CRoP SUGARS, MoLASsES, &c
IN This day received
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