Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-08-05
Another Route 10 the Pacific Ocean.

Few persons are aware, says writer
IN the National lnleiligencer, that, by
fhc annexation Of Texas, we have se-
cu'ed 10 Us the shortest and best route
across the continent for national and
eomincicial highway TO our possession
on The acihc, surprising those either OF
Panama, the lsihDus Of Darien, or Te-
husrHcpec, where a distance Of several
thousand miles woAld have to be steam
ed or sailed over between The difIeren-
ces Of latiiudes of these points on either
ocean. II will be scarcely credited IN at
hire ire bmthree hundred miles of separa-
tion beiween Me napigabie waiers (suita-
6h for sieamboais) emptymg into The i,oo
oceans, which, IL a good roadway was
made may be run over with steam pow
rr in Twelve hours. "The route of the
RIO Grande," says Gen. Il. j. Green, OF
Texas, "would be the shortes. and most
rxfedient route from the United States,
Ms weA 10 her Oregon settlements as to
her other numerous interests on the Pa
c,fic. Taking New Orleans as the
mos; convenient point Of embark alton,
we End ihat sixteen hundred miles of
steam navigation, TO the mouth OF the
Tiver Conchoes, upon the Rio Grande,
can be mnde IN about the same time, and
taking the year route) with the same
facility that Cincinnati can upon the
Ohio and from the hand Of steam navi-
CATION upon the Rio Conchoes across
the Sierra de Carcay TO steam naviga-
hon upon the Rio llIagui, "A distance Of
shres hundred miles by railroad, the port
of Gnaymas, upon the Gulf Of California
could be reached in eight or nine DAYS,
saving a distance Of four thousand miles,
aud twenty additional days. steamiDg via
Panama canal, provided that was com
phrrd, and saving a distance of twenty
four thousand miles, via Cape Horn, and
the average economy OF one hundred and
twenty days sail, steamng such dis
lance being too expensive. 1t would save
also -four months travel, the present
renie across the country, from steam
navigation Of the Missouri waters to
Oregon. This short and expeditions
route To the growing, and soon to be
'mpor'ant settlement of Oregon, and at
present many other int lerests 10 the Paci-
hc would he the smallest reason for the
Accomplishment of this route. The most
desirable portion Of this continent lies be-
tween the iwenty-ei!hih and forty second
degrees. OF North latitude, upon The Pa
clic. Ii presents more than a thousand
miles oi sea coast, With the important
ports ol Guayamas, San Diego, San Ga
br"l, Monterrey, San Francisco, and
many others, with soil and climate OF
unsurpassed capablity for grazing and
agriculture, aud mineral wealth sup
posed To be equal If not superior TO any
~ the world This vast country, OIL
mnie than one million of squire miles,
lying. due West Of the settled portions.
oi The United States, between the iroZenI
reg IONS al The North and the vertical sun
ol the South, between the gentle inllu
erGrs oi the Pacific ocean aud the great
back bone of the continent, capable OF
giving wealth and happiness to one hun.
drrd millions Of souls, is now in posses
sr,n Of roaming tribes of unhoused Indi-
aus and few settlements uf less than
two hundred thousand Mexican sub
jerls."
Here is fact Of the most important
character TO our interests, as giving us
the most speedy communication Ia our
Oregon territory, and insuring to US the
commerce of the world.