The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-12-19

louu'S VI L ueut VI Wv iHhOo, IuahiuS tut
whole extent Of sea coast on the Pacific
1920 miles, and the whole extent on both
the Plciic and the Gulf Of Mexico 2030
miles. The length of The coast on the At
lantc, from the northern limits Of the United
States, around the Capes Of Florida 10 the
Sabine, on the eastern boundary Of Texas,
is estimated to be 5000 miles, so that Me
addition Of sea coast including Oregon, is
very nearly two thirds as great as all we pos
sessed before, ard excluding Oregon for an
addition Of 1870 miles; being nearly equal
TO one half the extent of coast which we pos
sessed before these acquisitions. We have
now three great maratina fronts on the At
lantic, the Gulf Of Mexico and the PAcfc,
makingi in the whole, an extent Of sea coast,
exceeding 5000 miles. This is The extent
Of the sea coast of the States not including
bays, sounds, and small Irregularities Of the
main shore, and ofthe sea Islands. Ifthese
be included, The length Of the shore line Of
coast, is estimated by the superintendent, Of
the coast survey would be 33,083 miles.
II would be difficult 10 calculate the value
Of these immense additions TO our territory
possessions--Texas, lying contiguous to the
Western boundary of Louisiana, embracing
within its limits part Of the nayigable tri-
butary waters Of the Mississippi, and an ex-
tensive sea coast, could not long have re-
mained in the hands Of foreign power
without endangering the peace of our south
western frontier. Her products in the vicin-
ity Of the tributaries Of the Mississippi must
have sought market through these streams,
running into and through our territory, and
the danger o. irritation and collision Of liz
teress between Texas as foreign State and
ourselves, would have been imminent, while
the embarrassments Of commercial inter
course between them must have been con-
slant and unavoidable.
Had Texas fallen into the hands, or under
the influence and control of strong mari
time or military foreign power, as she might
have done, these dangers would have been
still greater. They have been avoided by
her voluntary and peaceful annexation 10
the United States. Texas, from her posi-
ton, was natural and most indispensable
part of our territories. Fortunately, she
has been restored TO our country and nez1
l'constitutes one ofhe States of our confasl
racy, Hupon an equal footing with the ID
nal States" The salubrity of the climsst
the fertility Of soil, peculiarly adapted TO th4,
production Of some or our most valuable
staple commodities, and her commercial ad-
vantages, must make her soon one Of our
most popuous States.
New Mexico, though situated in the in,e.
rior, and without a sea coast, is known TO
contain much fertile land, TO abound in rich
mines of the precious metals, and 20 be ca
pable ofsustaining large population. From
its position, it is The Intermediate and con-
meeting territory between our setlem ments
and our possessions in Texas, and those on
the Pacific coast.
Upper California, Irrespective Of tlie vast
mineral wealth recently developed there,
holds at this day, in poiIzl Of valde and i'm
porlance to tho rest of the Union; the same
relation that Louisiana did, when that fine
territory was acquired from France As yeas
ago. Extending nearly ten degrees Of lati-
iude along the Pacific, and embracing the
only safe and commodious harbor on that
coast, for many hundred miles, with tenn
perate climate and an extensive interior Of
fertile lands, il is scarcely possible TO est-
mate its value, until it shall be brought un-
der the government! Of our laws, and It's re-
sources fully developed. From its position
| il must command the rich commerce of
China, of Asia, of the Islands of the Paci-
fic, of Western Mexico, Of Central America,
the South American States, and of the Rus
sian possessions bordering on that ocean,
A great emporium will doubtless speedily
arise on the California coast, which may be
destined TO rival in importance New Orleans
itself. The depot Of the vast commerce
viii h must exist on the Pacific, will be at
some point on the bay Of San Francisco, and
will occupy the same relation to the whole
western coast Of that ocean, as N. Orleans
does to the valley oflhe Mississippi and the
Gulf Of Mexico. 10 this depot our nums-
rous whale ships win resort with their car
goes 10 trade, reflt and oStaitf Supplies. This
trade will largely contribute to build up a
city, which would soon become the ceutre
of great aud rapidly increasing commerce.
Situated on safe harb6t, sufficiently capa-
cious for all the navies; as well as the marines
Of the world, and convenient 10 excellens
timber 70, ship building, owned by the U.
States, it must become a great western
depot. f9e
il was known, that mines Of the precious
metals existed TO considerable extent in
California at the time of its acquisition
Recent discoveries render it probable that
these mines are more extensive and valuable
than was anticipated. Tho accounts Of the
abundance Of gold in that territory, are 81