Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-14

ment, and still occupies Its attention. Numerous
squadrons have been sent out, and repeatedly at
tempted the passage, sometimes from the northwest by
Behring's straits, sometimes by the northeast through
Hudsons bay and Davs's straits The multiplied CT
forts TO discover this passage show the value which the
English place the discovery of direct route TO Asia
But they have not confined themselves TO voyages
Taking up the idea Of La Sale, they have sought
inland passage by means of rivers and lakes. This
project was entrusted to Mckenzie. Confined to the
northern parts of continent, he could only prose-
cute his discoveries north of the heads of the Misss-
sipp aud Missouri rivers. He was confined to high
northern ATTITUDES, but succeeded in pointing the
existence of water communication, with few
portages, from Hud -ons bay, north latitude 80 to
the Pacific ocean in the north latitude 46. The
Mississippi, the Peace river the Columbia, and some
lakes, formed the means Of his communication, and
little useful it would seem to us in a latitude so
high, 1t was deemed discovery of great moment by
the English. Mckenzie received the honor of knight
hood for his enterprise; the British fur traders imme-
dIately began to export their furS to China by the
direct of the Columbia, and the privilege OF
navigating that river for ten years has been secured
to them by treaty.
The Missouri river above the Mandan villages was
yet unknown. From the mouth of the Mississippi a
man of genius projected its discovery. In 1896 the
Baron de Carondeet, Governor General Of Louisiana,
planned expedition 10 the of the Missouri
and thence to the Pacific ocean. He obtained the
appreciation of Charles w. King of Spain. A liberal
compensation was offered by the King, and the Baron
announced an additional reward of three thousand
dollars the persons who should first see the great
ocean. The expedition was undertaken by Don
Jacques Clamorgan, enterprising citizen of St.
Louis, who prosecuted it some distance up the Mis-
souri,, at great expense, but without accomplishing
the views of the Spanish Government
A few years afterwards Louisiana changed its
master. The eyes of Mr. Jefferson taking the drec-
of al.
Pacific ocean, and under his auspices the labors of
Lewis and Clark have demonstrated the existence Of
water communication, with few portages, through
the heart and centre Of the republic from the Atlantic
to the Pacific. The rivers Columbia, Missouri, and
Ohio form this line, and open channel to Asia,
Short direct, safe cheap, and exclusively American,
which invites the enterprise of American citizens.
and promises to them splendid participation in the
commerce of the East
VI. Prdcticobility Of This Route.-The new route
will consist of four parts: /. sea voyage across
the North Pacific Ocean. 2. A river navigation up
the Columbia 3. A land carriage the Rocky
Mountains. 4. A river navigation descending the
Missouri. The practcabiIity of each will be briefly
considered
1.-The voyage across the Pacific. This would be
neither long nor difficult The Pacific ocean between
Asia and America is not broader than the Atlantic
between Europe and The United States, and vessels
often sail between these in eighteen twenty days.
Inc navigation OF the racine Is almost entirely Tree
from danger. Its name indicates its peaceabe and
tranquil character. 1t is called PACIFIC, because
comparatively free from the storms and tempests
which agitate other seas. The most inconsdera-
bic and crazy barques may navigate it in safety.
Vessels of sixty tons (not half the size of those
which navigate our rivers) have repeatedly crossed
it in safety The British have many vessels upon il
engaged in the fur trade between Asia and America
The expense of running ship on this sea is also
inconsiderable The voyage being almost direct east
and west, and but little danger to be apprehended
from tempests, few more hands are wanted than
sufficient to set the sails at the commencement and
to take them down at the termination Of the voyage
Steamboats, especially would be we'll adapted TO the
navigation of this placid ocean, and when schooner
rugged, would have the combined advantage of steam
power and sails.