The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-13
no. FOR CALIFORNIA:

OF the United states-The Way to get
there.
The Mexican war, the revolution in Europe, and
every cher interesting event which has caused much
excitement in their turn, fall far short of the inte-
rest with which the people Of the United States view
the discovery of gold mines, that, some three hun
dred years since, known only to q few adveu-
turous Jesuts It has been Incorrectly asserted, in
many the papers, that the bay Of San Francisco
first occupied religious Sect called Fran else in
ITO The gold mines of the Peninsula of California
were known have existed in the 10th century; for
early 1875 about the time Sir Francis Drake made
voyage to the coast the Jesuits in possession
of certain tracts which they knew to be of than
ordinary value, and employed to dsprecate the
country by reports to the Spanish govern
ment At last their expulsion the court of Madrid
appointed Don Joseph Calves, commander of small
feet made ready to explore this region. His reports
to his government made favorable mention Of the
country and Of his discovery Of gold mines Of pro-
missing appearance.
The intelligence, however, did not appear to com.
mand the attention of the Spanish court, and its
existence allowed to pass from age age apparently
unnetced-reserved till this late day, 1t would seem,
Tor discovery, by a Yankee mechanic, in pursuit Of
material to build mill. The revolution, social and
commercial consequent upon the building Of this MILL
will form epoch in the history of the world upon
which ages yet to come may learn and profit Already
the active and the enterprsng. in which country
happily abounds, in full chase to obtain the
earliest advantages the field offers. From all
directions they pouring In with vgor and spirit;
and the only check which reaches the universal desire
TO dig for god is the want of knowledge and of
to lead them to the spot wherein is their
hopes Of future greatness. Yet, with the disaivan
tages arising from present limited of travel
and the heavy expense attending journey to the
Pacific, the population of that section of Cafor MIA
will reach in six months the number of 150 900. In
creased to this large number the important advantage
Of combination of exertion with the aid of this gold
Is at obtained and things that needed to give
character to the place and render land and trade
more rapidly productive. become simple and practi-
cable A formation OF society and a Of trade,
resembling that existing in the Eastern States,
will follow this mania; and when the gathering of gold
ceases to offer the inducements it does and the
glittering which daZzled the senses of 80 many
fhall become dimmed by toll and disappointment, the
thousands still in expectation Of wealth. will, of
cessity, turn their thoughts upon occupations and
other of concentrating their anticipated hap
piness.
Our government in order to promote this thirst for
enterprise conspicuous in the national character
and to further the general interest OF the country
should at offer such inducements to the gentle
who have proposed to build railroad across the
Hthmus of Panama, to enable them to complete
their project without delay. Such road may be con-
struoted at comparatively small expense, and With
little labor and, when in full operation would.
shorten the journey to China some thirty days.
by sailing vessels but with steamers on
each ocean, forming q continuousI line from New
York to Asia, the whole voyage would occupy but
about thirty-f days, or perhaps less. Various
points have been proposed and submitted to the
public for constructing this road or canal; but the
most asble Of any, and the which attracts most
attention s the Isthmus of Panama. Although the
lance across greater than at other points, vet
the advantages which the Bay Of Panama offers for a
terminus, gives it the import 1t now holds The
Isthmus is but fifty miles wide, and Is trsversed
crossed in two days, by means of canocs which
propelled by natives thirty miles up the Chagre
river, leaving the remaining twenty to be performed
the backs Of mules ofcourse, with such facilities
for travel little else than small amount of baggage
be transported to the Pacific, unless at an enor
nous expense and great delay.
Twenty miles Of railroad Is all that Is wanted to
unite the two oceans the Chagres river thirty miles
long navgabe almost to its source and has sufficient
water to steamers, Of a moderate draft from one
end to the other These steamers, made to communi-
cate with the railroad the distance would then be
in three hours and, with the steamers in opera
ton, both the Pacific and on the Atlantic, under
government contract, the whole voyage from New
York to California could be accomplished In about
thirty daye; England then would necessarily look to
us the latest sdvces from China and her Indian
possessions because this road is instructed
charce is at offered to merchants to extend
line Of steamers to Canton touching at the Sandwich
Islands. This line would comma nd the greatest ad-
vantages Of any yet formed, and would ~
all the trade in silks and light goods now carried
between Asia and the United States Passengers and
mails It would also command being the most exps
ditious by many days.
The Bombay route, via Marseilles, bringing the
India mails to England, takes fifty and sixty days and
often more, with advantage beyond the mere for
wsrding the malls while that that have mentioned
via the Tsthmus of Panama, would require but about
half the time, with the facilities of carrying any
amount Of freight and baggage European travellers
then might and would take passage for New York,
thence to Panama and reach China In forty days.
joyipg the whole time the conveniences and comforts
ofa home. The benefit growing out Of this avenue,
touching trade with ASIA not Of greater impor-
tsnee than Its effect upon our own commerce with all
the countries bordering upon the west coast Of Ame
ricA; all that is wanted to give an impetus to COM
mtrce here and to stimulate the desire to emigrate
to the northwest coast Is the construction Of this
rosie.
There thousands in the United States yearning
to reach California and the territories who are
teo poor to pay the cost Of passage, and who know
nothing Of the means Of transportation or travel To
render these places easier Of access that all who are
indusriously dispoted, particularly mechanics and
armers, might participate in the advantages and
assist in the formation Of the governments to be
established, requires some movement the part Of |
Congress; and In no way can 1t be eGe ctcd with so |
much certainty Of success In the construction Of
this Tsthmus road and acquisition Of additional
number Of steamers or sailing vessels to connect
both ends The present force Ia inefficient in this
ct onlv. led tn beeva from, nrenara-
lions going forward, that private enterprise will
supply, in measure. the want We speak Of
The valley of Sacramento Is probably the most fertile
the Pa ci6c cold wall tha various nroduc-