Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-12-13
(cosr,surp FROM FOURTH PACED


VI Fuca, of six huudred and fifty miles; making
the whole extent VI seacoast on the Pacific one
thousand six hundred s. twenty miles, 1.-The whole
extent on both the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico
two thousand and twenty miles. The length of
the coast on the Atlantic from the northern limits
Of the United States, around the Canes of Florida
TO the Sabine, on the eastern boundary OF Texas,
Is estimated to be three thousand Que hundred miles;
50 that the addition OF seocost including Oregon,
Is very nearly two-thiFds as great as all we pos
sessed before; and excluding Oregon is an add
tion OF one thousand three hundred and seventy
miles, being nearly equal to one half of the extent
OF coast Which we possessed before these acquisi-
lions We have now three great maritime fronts
--on the Atlantic, the Gulf Of Mexico and the Pa
clfic-making in the whole extent of seacost ex-
cceding five thousand miles. This is the extent
Of the seacost of the United States, not including
bays, sounds, and small irregularities of the main
shore, and Of the sea islands If these DO included.
the length OF the shore line Of coast, estimated
by the superintendent of the coast survey in his re-
port, would be thirty three thousand and sixty
three miles.
1t would be difficult to calculate the value Of
these immense additions to territorial posses
oons. Texas, lying contiguous to the western
boundary OF Louisiana, embracing within its limits
part OF the navigabe tributary waters Of the Mis-
RisSippl and extensive seacost could not lonu
have remained in the hands of u foreign Power
without eniangering the peace Of our southwestern
,aries ofthc Mississippi must have sought market
through these streams, running into and through our
territory, and the danger of irritation and collision of
interests between Texas foreign State and our
selves would have been imminent, while the en-
barrasSmcnts III the commercial intercourse between
them must have been constant and Unavoidable
Had Texas fallen into TIE hands or under the in.
huence and control ola strong maritime or military
forega Power, she might have done these dan.
gers would have been still greater. They have
been avoided by her voluntary and peaceful annex
alton TO the United States Texas, from her posi-
ton, was natural and almost indispensable part of
our territories Fortunately she has been restored
TO our country, and now constitutes Of the
States Or our coniedcracy, ''upon cqaal footing
with the original States" The salubrty of CT,
mate the fertility Of soil, peculiarly adapted TO the
production of some of our most valuable staple com
inodilies, and her commercial advantages must soon
make her one OF our most populous States.
New Mexico, though situated in the interior and
without seacoast, is known 10 contain much fertile
land, to abound in rich mines of the precious metals
and to be capable of sustaining large population
From its position it is the intermediate and con
meeting territory between settlements and our
possessions in Texas and those on the Pacific coast
Upper California, irrespective Of the vast mine
raj wealth recently developed there, holds al this
day, in point of value and importance to the rest of
the Union, the same relation that Louisiana did,
when that fine territory acquired from France
of latitude along the Pacific, aud embracing the on
ly safe and commodUus harbors on that coast for
many hundred miles, with n temperate climate
and an extensive interior of fertile lands il is
scarcely possible TO estimate its wealth until it shall
be brought under the government of our laws and
It's resources fully developed. From its position
1t must command the rich commerce of China, of
ASA, OF the islands Of the Pacific, of Western
Mexico, of Central America, the South American
plates, and OF the Russian possessions bordering on
that ocean. great emporium will doubtless speed
ily arise on the Californian coast, which NAV he
destined 10 rival in importance New Orleans itself
The depot Of the vast commerce which must exist
on the Pacific will probably be al point on the
bay OF San Francisco, and will occupy the same
relation 10 the whole western coast G.: that ocean,
rs New Orleans does TO the valley of the Miss;s-
s'pP! and the gull OF Mexico. To this depot our
numerous whale ships Will resort with their car
goes, 10 trade, refil, and obtain supplies. This oft
Sell VII! largely contribute to build up city, which
would soon become the centre of a great and rapid
ly increasing commerce. Situated on safe har-
Dor, sufficiently capacious for all the naves as well
rs the marine of the world, and convenient to eX-
cellent timber for ship building, owned by the u
niled States, 1t must become our great western ma
val depot.
1t was known that mines of the precious metals
existed TO a considerable extent in California nj the
time Gifts acquisition. Recent discoveries render it
probable that these mines extensive valua.
y
ance OF gold that Territory oisuch an exraord;-
nary charact er as would scarcely Command belief
were they not corroborated by the authentic reports
OF officers IN the public service, who have visited
the mineral district, and derived the facts which
they detail from personal observation. Reluctant
10 cred the reports in general circulation as TO the
quantity Of gold, the officer commanding our forces
IN California visited the mineral district in July
last, for the purpose of obtaining accurate iniorma-
ton on the subject. His report 10 the War De
partment of the result of his examination, and the
facts obtained on the spot, is herewith laid before
Congress. When he visited the country, there
were about four thousand persons engaged in collect
ing gold. There is every reason To believe that
the number OF persons 50 employed has since been
augmented. The explorations already made war
rant the belief that the supply is very large, and
that gold is found at various places in extensive
district of country.
Information received from officers of the navy
and other sources, though not so full and minute,
confirm the accounts OF the commander of our mill
tary force in California. 1t appears, also, from these
reports that mines of quicksilver found in the
vicinity of the gold region. One Of them is now
being worked, and is believed 10 be among the most
productive in the world.
The effects Produced by the discovery of these
rich mineral deposes, and the success which has
attended the labors of those who have resorted 10
them, have produced a surprising change in the
state of affairs in California. Labor commands a
most exhorbtant price, and all other pursuits but
that Of searching for the precious metals are aban-
doned. Nearly The whole Of the male population
Of the country have gone TO the gold district Ships
arriving on the coast deserted by their crews,
and their voyages suspended for want of Sailors
Our commanding officer there eniertains apprehen-
sions that soldiers cannot be kept in the public ser
vice wihos, large increase Of pay. Desenions