Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-01-28
The Trade of the Pacific.

We copy the following extracts from a letter of
The wel-nformed Washington correspondent of the
Philadelphia Ledger. They will be read with in
terest:
However jealous the Eastern States may be of
their political influence and power, the fact cannot be
disguised that the sway of empire travelling west
ward and must eventually arrive on the borders of
the Pacific. We are but one of the great nations
which share the trade of the Atlantic; but we are
destined 10 be The dOmneerlng power in the Pacific
Ocean, and although many Of us may not now
realize the magnitude of national destiny, yet
the instincts of the people trUer than the specu
ations of our politicians, and strkingly exhibited
in their disposition to leave the settled portion of
country for the daring and adventurous life in the
Far West. The possession of the western coast of
America is necessary TO the wealth, power and
grandeur of the United States, the possession of
the mouths OF our great western, or now, rather
central rivers was indispensable to our national indie
pendence of Europe. We have reached the
Pacific Ocean; the question is whether shall es-
tabllsh our power there!
The Pacific ocean is sea 5000 miles square, bath
ing the shores of the wealhest empire of the world,
admirably adapted to navigation. But the most re-
markabe circumstance consists in this fact, that no
navigating State upon that Of European origin.
This is of immense importance, when we consider
the amount of coast which the United States
bound possess in that sea, and is well deserving
few passing remarks.
The Spanish Americans the west coast Of our
continent with the exception, perhaps of Chilli have
next to no maritime commerce-and certainly neither
ships nor sailors that deserve the name. The Spanish
commerce in the Pacific is almost entirely in the
hands of foreigners, while that of Mexico, Central
America, New Grenada, Ecuador, Peru and Chill,
all bordering that sea- is principally In the hands
OF Engshmen or our own enterprislng navigators
of the Eastern States On the other side of that
ocean are China and Japan, whose trade, though of
great Importance both regards the tonnage of the
vessels employed and the value of goods transhipped
is altogether coastwse neither of those people being
disposed for ventures on the ocean, while the Moha
medan and Malay States in Sumatra and Borneo, are
far enough advanced in civilization be other
wise employed than in the coasting trade.
The English and Dutch have little trade in that
but it only such as is derived from their colo
MES, and depends entirely the interests of those
nations In Europe; and constitutes, therefore, no
indigenous source of navigation. As to the British
Colonies of New Holland and New South Wales,
they are not yet in state to develope any consdera
Bile maritime resources, and their progress besides
crcumscribed by their very colonial charter. Both
these colonies will have to 90 through a series of
very important changes before they can appear
maritime powers in the Pacific. Thus then we have
an Indigenous wealthy population of more than fire
hundred millions Of people, double the population Of
Europe, bordering sea icich there as, as get,
not single maritime pOloer, IN the European or
American Of the loord!
Looking forward but fifty years, which is but
short interval in the history of the world behold
the Anglo-Saxons of the United States occupying
Oregon and California, and the Anglo-Saxons Of
England in possession Of New South Wales and New
Holland, sharing between themselves the navigation
and trade of that most fertile and beautiful part of
the globe; the United States being the principal
maritime power of the North Pacific, and New Hol-
land and New South Wales having the trade of the
Southern portion of that ocean. These nations will
not be carriers as the Dutch and English now
are but exchange their own productions, the great
source Of all real and permanent commerce.
But even at the present moment, without single
maritime nation its borders, the trade of the Pa
cific employs tonnage of thirty millions OF
tons, independently of the trade from Great Britain
and Holland to China, which is European. To the
United States belong already twenty millions of dol
lars of the capital afoat that ocean, the largest
part of which consists of whale ships. In addition
to these there are trading ships for the whole West
coast of America, from Valparaiso to the mouth OF
the Columbia river. Is it not important under these
circumstances place that trade and Its legitimate
increase and progress on secure basis! Is 1t nos
Important then, for the United States early to take
the initiative in the great questions which must be
solved in the future stages of our national ex-
istence, and which will involve the happiness and
civilization of half the inhabitants of our globel
The trade winds in the Pacific extend for thirty
degrees North and South of the Equator, and the
nent to the coast of ASIA is covered with paradsica
islands which the navigator meets from every to
twelve days. North and South of the latitude Of 80,
the prevailing winds are westerly; that the am
plest provisions made by for certain and
reliable passages from and to the American conti-
nent in the Pacific either by steam or canvass. The
japanese and Chinese had, long before the first
European navigators appeared IN their seas, very
distinct knowledge of the Western Cor to them East
ern) continent and the wrecks Of Chinese and ia
panese Junks have been found the coast of Oregon
and California Steamers from Asia to America
would require two stoppages, so that which ever ma
ton carries the commerce. must possess two
the repair of vessels.
The only steamships which now ply on the East
India side of the Cape of Good Hope are English
England. The English constantly sending out
-Suez, Alden, Bombay, Point de Gale, Calcutta,
Singapore and Hong Kong; but an abundance of
btuminous coal exists in the Island of Borneo, on
the Asatic side of the Pacific, and IN Vancouser's
Island on the American side. Of one of these, Van
couvers island the English hold already possession
the other they are in fair way to cheat the Dutch
out of, who lay claim to it by discovery and early
settlement But if all geological indices do not de-
ceive US, California is not destitute OF blumlnous
coal. and from its geographical position and the
abundance of its excellent harbors, is destined to be-
come at distant day the great mediator of ex-
changes between the Eastern and Western world.
Whoever holds California will be master of the Pa
cifc-whoeyer possesses the harbor of San Francis
co NAV dispense with the Island Of Vancouver,