Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-09-18
! COMMERCE OF THE PAcIFIc-No. II.


on the commerce Of the Pacific in connexion with naona
highway to that ocean, from which make few extracts
that will be read with deep interest by our citizens
opng statistical facts and proving the great value of the OBJ
ect under consideration The report opens with exam
nation INTO 1.-THE power of Congress the entire subject
IN all its bearings" and this is satisfactorily proved
lhe most scrupulous, (says the repo in according to
congress power TO construct roads and canals have not doubt
ed the propney OF exercising this territory beyond
the jurisdiction of State sovereignty as the constitution de-
cares that the Congress shall have dispose Of and
make all needfu rules and regulations respecting the ero
~ or other properly belonging to the United States This
power is universally admitted"
Again. on the exPedency Of appropratng portion of the
public lands through which the road would pass the
srucon of the same committee introduces the opinion Of
can eminent statesman" (Aber Galatin when Secretary
Of the Treasury in the following words
Amongst the resources of the Union there is which,
rom s nature seems more particularly applicable to internal
improvement It is believed that nothing could be
more gratifying to the purchasers and to the inhabitants
the Western States generally or better calculated remove
popular objections and to defeat improper efforts than the APP
caon OF the proceeds of the sales improvements confer
ring general advantages the nation and an immediate be-
neh on the purchasers and inhabitants themselves II may
be added that the United States considered merely
ers OF the so are also deeply interested in the opening
nose communications which must necessarily enhance the
value of their property"
And, adds the committee
| oAPcuicncy,
tons Of the public lands works internal has
been often affirmed in the forms of law from
the earliest period Of the Government the present day.
would be rejecting upon intelligent minds to argue in them
a want Of knowledge of this fact"
The result Of such improvement upon the public lands
through which this road would be extended adding to
their value and inducing rapid demand for the same by ac
ua settlers, would be evident; for the
mences large force Of workngmen would be employed,
who will require ample supplies from the products of ag
culture in that vicinity but the completion of that road"
observes the committee, and the establishment of the
Of conveyance and transportation upon it, will open new
and extensive demand for the products agriculture in all
parts of the country
The climate through which this road would pass and term
nate in the productive and delightful in the world in
vng population that would trade the rich
est character " may be seen from the of trade
with China and Australia that cotton exported
countries from the possessions of Great Britain there and in
large quantities that flour exported from the United States
to the British East Indies, to Maurus, Australia China
Chill Peru and to Asia and the South Seas generally that
tobacco is exported from the United States the British pos
sessions in Asia, to China, to Chill and other parts of the
Pacific In the present state of transportation ohose ar
cle long and dangerous voyages have be undertaken
may conclude therefore, that the opening of this road would
immensely enlarge the agricultural and manufacturing inter-
ests Of our country.
The committee justly remark that such highway across
the American continent would the attention of the
world would establish short the riches and the
marves OF the Indies and aunt throughout this route
would be accomplished, and comparatively free
from DANGER that the merchant and the traveller and the Gu
rous from all quarters of the civilized world would crowd the
and the steamships employed upon This crowd must
pass through the heart of country, witness its improve
ments, the increase Of population the activity the ge
he and he
wisdom and the advantages of those free institutions which
shall have produced such glorious effects 1t would certainly
not be unreasonable suppose that this would have
extensive influence upon the opinions and the feelings of
the people of the civilized world in favor Of free institutions
and upon the cmbarbaans who would be drawn by these
facilities of intercourse from the other side this line Of com
municaon the sautay effects would also be produced
The principles of true liberty and of Christianity twin
sisters, would present their engaging forms the admng
straDger- attracting his attention by their simplicity, and
then engaging his affections by ther virtues and intelligence
And last though not least would be the happy effects that
would be produced by the opening Of this great highway Of
nations through the heart of our country. Il would bring
into active all other of communication throughout
of people every branch and form Of business Agr
culture commerce. and manufactures would equally prosper
supporting each other, growing and grow imparng abun
dance and infusng spirit of happiness and peace
ing the bonds Of union, and placing them firm and inn
pehabe basis and thus rendering national power SUI
Preme for all purposes of happiness protection and defence
The following political well considerations
(when road shall reach the of the Pacfc) are a
vered to by the committee
is the probability the that as The Territory
Of Oregon distant from u.s. fills up with an ndustr
people from the several States they will attract to them
settlers from different parts Of Europe and may also say
lnda all wishing to share in the benefits of our free Gov
ernment and claiming its protecting care which cannot be
enjoyed bestowed in full by of the Difficult
y of by land and by water. wegrounded appe-
henson then to exist that unless some means like the
proposed Of rapid communication with that region be de-
vised and completed that country become State of
vast proportions and Of immense political Importance by rea
son OF It's position, its wants. unattended by this Gov
crdment, will be compelled TO establish separate govern
menta separate naton-wh its cities, ports and hal bos
inviting all the nations Of the earth free trade with them
From their postion they will control and monopoze the vau
able fisheries Of the Pacific control the trade Of Mexi
South America, and the Sandwich Islands, and other
lands Of the Pacific Of Japan of China and of Indie and
become most dangerous rival in the commerce of the
world In the opinion of the committee this road will bind
these five great geographical sections ndssouby together
their mutual advantage, and be the cement of union which
time will but render durable and make the admra-
ton Of the world"
We will exhibit brief statement of the geographical
and commercial position, advantages resources Of Asia
Tor an extensive commerce with the Pacific, the
r. q.