Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-05-20
COMMERCE WITH ASIA, &c.

A paper Of much commercial and geographic'
interest was presented to the Senate some tw
months ago. and was printed by order of that body
1t is memoir on the productive resources and ca
pabilities for commerce OF various countries OF As
and the Asiatc islands, by AARON HI. PALMER, ESQ
Of New York, and comprises rs printed pages
The annexed letter to the President and extrac
from the memoir will give the reader an idea q
its nature.
addressed to the President Of The United State
New YoaK, JANUARY 10, ls4s.
SrR have the honor Of transmitting you herewith br
memoir the present state productive resources and cap
bes for commerce. of several of the comparatively unknow
countries Of the East which daily becoming of mpo]
us in political well commercial point Of view
and where world may be opened to the trading ene
prise Of our countrymen.
The territories Of Oregon and California, in rapid pr
gess Of settlement by entepisng citizens Of the United States
together with the great and increasing value Of American
vgaion employed in and the whale fishery in th
northern Pacific emineny entitled to the fostering
Of Government and require the early adoption Of
prehensvo system Of policy both for their protection and dc
veopment and the permanency Of commecia
and maritime supremacy that Early should
be taken for the and survey OF the most feasible
route for ship to unite the Atlantic and Pacific and
for railroad from point the mississippi San Francisco
San Diego, in California to accelerate inteIcommuncaior
between the different sections Of magnificent and mighty
republic on both oceans
It is estimated that the American whaling vessels alone
the Pacific exceed in number 600 and give employment up
wards 20 600 nan and that during the ending th
3lst December, 647 the whole number OF merchant
sells which cleared for ports in the Pacific and to ports in th
East Indies, amounted to l8l.
would also take leave to suggest the importance an early
r. ~. 49,
5l7h April 1924, for the admission Of our flag into tn,
ports of Siberia, Kamtschatka, the Kure and Aleutiar
Islands, in the northern Pacific ocean, well as those OF thu
Russian colonies the northwestern Of Americas
which new and profitable may be opened mu
tualy beneficial 10 both nations.
consider it equally important that our Government Should
insist the right of navigating the great Manchuan
Amur and its auents, and Of trading with the colonial de-
pendences OF China upon the footing the Russians
and that we claim the further privilege Of commercial
at Tinghae in the Chusan Archipelago The fayoa
bic position of thatpo with its safe anchoages accessible
the largest ships at all seasons lying the embouchure
the great Yangtsekang river and within days sail Of Japar
and Corea superior advantages every other po
in China for ade and depot and hating station for h
American line ofseamers which is contemplate,
to establish between Panama and China in connexon viii
the line now in progress from Panama to Oregon.
The memoirs extracted from my forthcoming work, enti
tied "The Unknown Countries of the East and is arranges
under the following heads, viz
!. Siberia, its valuable products and rich gold mines.
?. Russian overland trade with China at Kakta, &c.
8. Manchuria and the river Amur, &C.
A. Island Of Tarakay, or Saghalien.
5. Russian and Japanese Kurie Islands, &c.
6. Steam communication with China superior commercial
advantages Of Chusan, &c.
T. Special mission the East navigation on the
Indus and Brahmapua, &C. Extensive caravan trade with
Northwestern and Central Asia, &c.
g. Policy of encouraging immigration Of Chinese agrcutr
raj laboers to California Railroad from the Mississippi th
bay of San Francisco.
g. Ship from the Atlantic TO the Pacific which
appended outline chart Of the of Northern Asia and
the adacent islands in the Northern Pacific, and map
the sthnus of Nicaragua together with prospectus Of h
work above mentioned for which your patronage and thu
aid of Congress is most respectfully solicited to enable
complete under the auspices Of Government according
the plan therein indicated.
have the honor to be, with the highest respect sir, you
excellencys most obeden servant,
AARON H. PALMER. /,
His Excelency JANIS X. Polk,
President Of the y. s., Washington.