Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1848-12-12

correspondingly increased. This will be
the more obvious when We consider the
vast additions which have been recently
made TO our territorial position and their
great Importance and value. s.a.
Within less than four years the annex.
alton OF Texas to the Union has been
consummated; all conflicting title to the
Oregon Territory south Of forty nine de.
grees north latitude. being all that was
ever fasisted On ny any of my predeces.
sOrs, has been adjusted; and New Mexi.
co and Upper California have been &C.
CURED by treaty, the area Of these seve
raj territories according TO a report care
iully prepared by the commissioner of the
General Land Office from the most an
thentic information ia his posse <yfon. nd
which is herewith transmitted, contains
ninety three thousand & sixty.one square
miles, or seven hundred and sixty three
millions five hundred and fiity nine thou.
sand and forty acres; while the area of
the remaining twenty nine States, and
me territories not yet organized into
States east Of the Rocky Mountains con.
tanning two million fifty nine thousand five
hundred and thirteen square miles. mr.
thirteen hundred and eighteen million
one hundred and twenty. six thousand and
htiy-efght acres. These estimates show
that the territories acquired, and over
which our exclusive Jurisdiction and do
tninion have been extended, cor sfitutinp
country more than half as large as all
that vas held by the United Srares he.
tore their acquisition. 1t Oregon be ex-
Guided from The estimate, there will still
remain within the limits Of Texas, New
Mexico and California, eight hundred and
nifty. one thousand Eve hundred and ninety.
eight square miles, or FIVE hundred and
forty five million twelve thousand seven
hundred and twenty acres; being an ad-
dItIoR equal 20 more than one third of all
the territory owned by the U. States be.
fore the acquisition. and including Oregon
nearly as great an extent of territory as
the whole of Europe, Russia only except
ed.
The Mississippi so lately the frontier
ut our country. is now only its CENTRE
With The addition OF the late acquisitions.
the United States are estimated to he
nearly as large as the whole of Europe.
1t is estimated by the Superintendent
of The Coast Survey, in the accompany
ing report, that the extent of the Sea
coast Of Texas. on the Gulf OF Mexico. is
upwards Of400 miles; oflhe coast of Up.
per California on the Pacific, 970 miles;
and of Oregon, including the Straits of
Fuca, of6SO miles, making The whole ex.
tent OF the sea coast on the Pacific 1920
miles, and the whole extent of both the
Pacific and the Gulfof Mexico 1920 miles
The length ofthe coast on the Atlantic
from the Northern limits OF the United
States. around the Capes of Florida to
the Sabine ION the eastern boundary of
Texas is estimated to be 3, 100 miles: so
that the addition OF Sea Coast, including
Oregon, is very nearly two thirds as great
as all we possessed before; and exc iud-
ing Oregon, is an addition Of 1870 miles,
being nearI one. half Of the extent of the
coast which we possessed before these
acquisitions. We have now three great
marine fronts. on the Atlantic, the Gulf
of Mexico, and the Pacific; making in The
whole an extent of Sea coast excee ding
5000 miles. This is the extent of the
sea coast of the United States, not inclu-
ding Bay, Sounds. and small Irregular
lies of the main shore, and ofthe Sea Is
lands; ifthese be included, the length of
the shore line or coast, as estimated by the
Superintendent of the Coas. Survey, in
his report. would be 1868 miles. @
Il would be difficult 10 calculate the
value OF these immense additions to our
territorial accessiOns. Texas, lying con
tiguous to the western boundary of Louisi
ana, embracing within It's limits part of
the navigabIe tributary waters Of the
Mississippi, and an extensive sea coast,
could rot have long remained in the hands
OF foreign power, without endangerinp
The peace Of our south western frontier.
The products in the vicinity Of The Missis-
sippi, must have sought market through
these streams, running into and through
our territory; and the Danger Of irritation
and collision OF interests between Texas
as q foreign state, and ourselves. would
have been imminent. while the embar
easements in the commercial intercourse
between them must have been consiapt
and unavoidable. Had Texas fallen into
the hands, or under the influence and
control of a strong maritime or military
foreign power. as she. might have done,
these dangers would have been avoided
by her voluntary and peaceful anne xation
to the United States. "a F'aaaa
Texas, from her position, was natural
and almost iT1disDe nsahle mart of fy,.b fossr-
ritories. Fortunately she has been !, re.
stored to our country, and now constitutes
one ofthe states Of our confederacy, upon
an equal tootiDg with The original Stale.
The saluhriiy of climate, the fertility
Of soil peculiarly adapted to the production