The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-13
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
THURSDAY NIGHT, MAY 10, Is47
Southern Railroad,

Southern Railroad.
We published, few days SINCE an intimation OF
good route for railroad to the Pacific, from the Lower
Mississippi through Texas, to the Rio del Norte
FL Paso and from thence by the valley of the ella TO
San Diego on the Pacific Since then have the
following letter from resident the Del Norte, de-
scrbing the productiveness OF the valley of the Paso
near which the railroad would pass Although this let
ter has reference different route, yet IFS account OF
the productiveness OF that region makes OF value to
any route We therefore publish it.
For the consideration Of the War Department at Wash
ngton city
Ell PAso, January 25, 1877
The United States forces, under command OF Col Alex,
ander w Donphan, took possession OF the city OF ri
Paso department of chihuahua, on Sunday the 27h De-
cember 1876 days after the battle OF Bracito, the
strength of his command being about 900 men,
My object in this communication is to give the war
Department, and the country at large some idea OF the
resources of the fruitful valley of FL Paso and of its i'm,
portance TO the United States. The settlement OF III
Paso extends from the falls OF the Rio Grande, on the
north, TO the Presdo on the southa distance OF y miles
and is one continuous orchard and vineyard embracing
in ample area, industrious and peaceaole
population OF at least 5000. This spacious valley
is about midway between Santa Fe and Chlhua-
hua, and is isolated from all other Mexican set
Elements BY the mountains that rise on the east and west
and close into the river on the north and south Inc
breadth OF the valley is about 10 miles The falls oil the
lie square, and afford sufficient water power FOR gris
and saw mills enough to supply the entire settlement
with flour and lumber. The most important producuoh
of the valley is the grape, from which are annually man
ufacred not less than 200 900 gallons of perhaps the
richest and best wine in the world This wine rs worth
81 per gallon, and constitutes the principal revenue OF
the cty The FL Paso wines are superior III richness OF
flavor and peasantness of taste to anything OF the klnu
ever met with in the United States, and doubt not that
they far superior TO the best wines ever produced IN
the valley OF the Rhine, or on the sunny nils OF france
Also great quantities of the grape OF this valley are dred
in clusters and preserved for use during the winter IN
this state regard them far superior to the best rass
that are imported into the United States.
IL this valley cultivated by energetic Amefl-
can population, would yield, perhaps, ten tunes the
quantity of wine and fruits at present procured were
the wholesome influences and protection OF our repuoi-
can institutions extended beyond the Rio Del Norle, IN
American population possessing American feelings ana
speaking the American language would soon spring up
here To facilitate the peoping OF tins valley by me
anglo American race, nothing would contribute 80 uch
the opening OF communication between this rich val
ley and the western States bya turnpike railroad or some
other horoughfare which would afford market Tor the
fruits and OF this river country. Perhaps the most
feasible and economical plan, though not the most
direct, of opening an outlet to the grape valley oil me
Rio GranGe would be the construction oil a grand
canal from this place, following the meanderngs oil
the river TO its highest navigabe point II communi-
cation by either OF these routes were opened tins valley
would become the seat OF wealth, influence, and re-
nement 1t would be of the richest and most lash
onable parts of the continent communication between
the valley Of the Mississippi and that of the Del Norte
one for those of the other, will do more than anything
else to facilitate the westward march of civilization and
republican government 1t would be act of charity TO
this people to rid them of their present governors, and
throw around them the shield of American protection.
That the idea of canal following the course OF the
Del Norte may not appear impracticabe, may not be
amss to state that country the world Is better
adapted for the construction of canals than this valley
AS the earth is sandy canals easily constructed bat
there is kind of cement ntermXed with he sand that
renders the banks OF canals firm as wall There is
already grand canal acequa" leading out from the
river above the falls extending through the entire length
of the valley of Ell Paso igatng every farm and yne-
yard to the Preside, where it reoins the river
Pears, peaches apples, ounces, and gs are produced
the greatest prouson. The climate OF this country
most salubrious and heathful The inhabitants here
suffer more from the depredatons of the Apaches than
from any other cause They frequently robbed OF all
they possess in night, by the ncursiohs OF these
lawless punderers. A few companies OF dragons
would however, soon drive them from their hiding
places in the mountains and put end to their depreda
tons.
Add to the fruits and wines of this rich valley vast
quantity of corn wheat and other small grain and the
surplus productions of the place WILL under its present
state agriculture amount TO one million OF dollars
per annum What then, would be the amount OF the
surplus under the advantages of American agrculture
have thought proper to make these suggestions to the
War Department as there corps OF field and topo-
graphical engineers with this branch of the western
army whose duty would have been TO make such re-
port Respectfully, &c, .
His excellency WIN. L. MARCY,
Secretary of War.