The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-06

usree Of the ,oord There is nothing like il in eilhe
hemisphere The reader has but 20 turn 10 his geo
graphy and maps, and examine the eon6guraiion o
the globe, 10 be impelled irresslibly 10 the same
conclusion. He will find on this continent a con-
tinuous range Of mountains which pervades il from
one end TO the other, known IN South America by
the name of the Andes at the equator the Cordill-
ras, and in the northwest the Rocky mountains.
The only opening through this extensive range
which presents a practicable communication between
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, s the one Just men
tioned--situated where il would be most desirable
10 have H. at the southern extremity OF our Terrific
ry Of Oegun and The whole Of IL within our line of
separation from Mexico. | have ever appreciated
the diseorsy # this great pass second only in im-
porlance 10 the people OF this country, 10 the dis.
e0rrry Of the continent itself by Columbus II Ap.
pears il divine Providence had designed to con-
fer more signal dressing on the United States, in
this respect at least than any other country had ever
enjoyed, or could possibly embrace; having given
them local facilities for the accumulation a Geslti,
and the advancement Of their gsneral prosperity,
which existed nowhere che the earth; and which
IL Improved to the extent il might DE, wonld insure
them immense commerce, and grca'fr by Gsr than
any other nation has ever possessed. All that
has been necessary 20 realize 20 Us the fall fruton
of such a hleSsng was appropriate and adequate
action on the part Of our government, by ex-
tending our national Jurisdiction and hwH over
the Oregon Territory twenty-seyen years ago,
when possession thereof was formally restored
TO il by Great Britain, under a provision Of
the treaty Of Ghsnti and thereby aekno wledging
our positive, and exclusive right thereto. Yet
nothing has been done by our government with
view To secure that momentous object in the long
lapse Of time that has interviewed. Strange and unac-
countabe apathy and blindness! Present indica-
tons however, favor the belief that something more
worthy OF appreciation is now about 10 be done;
and the people must console themselves with tho
old adage-"belter late than never" Tk- 29th
Congress appear 10 take hold Of the subject as If
they were in earnest and like patriots and states
men; and SHALL in oil probability, be soon in pos
session Of our own just rights, so long kept in abey
ance.
FRIDAr, Jan. Q, 1886
have set down this morning to.wrie a brief post
script 10 my article ofast evening and have made IL
much longer than the article itself Ii contains
iucts and views growing out Of their combination
which | hope may possess some interest for the
reader. | have some others in connexion with this
great subject, deemed still more important, which
should be glad TO present herein; but constrained
desist Ivy desire to send IL TO you as early as
possible and by absolute WEAKNESS physical ex.
hauston. | could show that New York and China,
by the route ! propose, could be brought within
5000 miles, and less than that of one another that
a line from New York TO connect with Columbus
Ohio, and st. Louis, Missouri; thence TO the mouth
of Kansas, in the Missouri river thirteen hundred
miles JeO,c uhers Mr. Whitney proposes 10 strike IT, and
three hundred miles below the mouth of the Platte;
thence through the valley Of the Kansas and the
PawBee country in that direction, and a prairie re-
gion throughout to the South Pass; the whole route
from New York, almost on a direct line due west
thereto, and no obstacles intervene to prevent
the construction Of a railroad thereon; that such
facilities exist along that line; that such
road could be made cheaper than any considerable
length of railroad ever has been in the United
States; that the route by the mouth of Kansas is
altogether preferable, even to that by the Platte
being thrOliqhOut m N dell0htfu climate nd
level country and fertile SOIL and would save a
distance Of several hundred miles; that applying
the steamboat speed that is made between Liverpool
and New York TO the distance Of navig~ble watsrs
that intervene between New York and China and
the railroad speed of eastern railroads to the
distance railroad would be necessary to complete
the line, trip could be made from New York to
China in twenty-five to twenty seven days; that
the distance from New York TO China, round Cape
Horn and by the mouth of the Columbia is Is, 500;
miles; much Of which, especially in and near the
latitude Of Cape Horn, is a dangerous navigation;
that the article Of tea, Of which consume near
ly "a 900 annually, would be reduced in
price to the consumer in this country more than
IS per and all other trade in the Pacific in
the ratio and that foreign nations, instead of
taking theirs from the East Indies, China JAPAN
&c, round Cape Horn the Cape of Good Hope
would negotiate with our government, and secure
the privilege, by paying duties on debeRture, of
transporting their trade home TO Europe through
that great thoroughtare Of nations. | can show
that in the last twenty years together, have paid
more than $40 900 900 more than we need to have
done had the above line Of communication been in
operation. | wish to show the whole amount of
our trade upon the Pacfc-tonnage, capital, re-
turns, seamen, &c. I have only thrown out some
rough hints Of what l can and wish to do in some
future number numbers.
Yours, most respectfully,