Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-12-14
MONTPELIER, VERMONT,

Y,
port, that the extent of the seacoast of Texas the
Gulfof Mexico is upwards of four bundled miles Of
the coast of Upper California, the Pacific, of nine
hundred and seventy miles and of Oregon, including
Straits of Fuca, ofsiX hundred and fifty miles making
the whole extent Of scacoast on the Pacifco thousand
six hundred and twenty miles, and the whole extent on
both the Pacific and tie Gulfof Mexico, two thousand
and twenty miles. The length ofhe coast on the At
lantC from the northern limits of the United States,
around the Capes Of Florida to the Sabine the
Elm boundary of Texas, is estimated to be three Thousand
one hundred miles that the addition of seacoast,
including Oregon, IS very nearly two-thids great
all we possessed before and excluding Oregon, is
addition of thousand three hundred and seventy
miles being nearly equal to half of the extent of
coast which possessed before these acquisitions We
hive now three great maritime rOnts-on the Atlantic,
the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacfc-makng in the
whole an extent of seacoas exceeding five thousand
miles. This is the extent of the seacoast Of the United
States not including bays, sounds, and small irregu
Iarties OF the main Shore and of the sea Islands If
these be included, the length Of the shore line Of coast
as estimated by the superintendent ofthe survey,
in hsrcpor would be thrty-three thousand and sixty
three miles.
1t would be difficult calculate the value of these
immense additions to territorial possessions. Tex.
as, lying contiguous to the western boundary Of Lousi
ana, embracing within its limits part Of the navigabe
tributary waters Of the Mississippi, aud an extensive
seacoas could not long have remained in the hands of
foreign power without cndaugering the peace of our
southwestern frontier. Her products in the vicinity Of
the tributaries Of the Mississippi must have sought
market through these streams running into and through
territory and the danger ofirratinn and collision
oil interests between Texas as foreign State and our
selves would have been imminent, while the embarass
meuts in the commercial intercourse between them must
have been constant and unavoidable Had Texas fallen
into the hands, under the influence and control of
strong maritime 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 po
son, was natural and almost Indispensable part of
territories. Fortunately she has been restored to
country,and constitutes of the States of our
conedercy, upon an euual footing with the original
States" The saubry Of climate, the relt ty Of sail
peculiarly adapted the production of some of our
valuable staple commodities, and her commercial advan
tages, must soon make her one of most popuous
States.
New Mexico, though situated in the INTERIOR and
without seacoast, is known TO contain much fertile
land, to abound in rich mines Of the precious metals,
and to be capable Of sustaining a large populaon-
From its position, it is the Intermediate and connecting
Territory between our settlements and our possessions
ia Texas, and those on the Pacific coast.
Upper California, irrespective Of the vast mineral
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 required from France (orty-ye years ago
Extending nearly ten degrees Of latitude along the Pa
cic, and embracing the only safe and comm1dous har-
bors on that coast for many hundred miles, with tenn
peate climate and an extensive interior OF fertile ands
it is scarcely possible to estimate its wealth until it
shall be broug hit under the government of laws and
its resources fully developed From its position, it
must commend the rich commerce of China, of Asia, of
the Islands of the Pacific, Of Western Mexico of Cen
trail America, the South American States, and Of the
Russian possessions bordering on that ocean. great
emporium will doubtless speedily arise the CaIilolni-
coast which may be destined to rival in importance
New Orleans itself. The depot ofthe vast commerce
which must exist on the Pacific will probably be at
some point on the bay of San Francisco, and will
py the relation to the whole coast of that
as CIV IOnst tn fbp vnIa If tho
sisspp, and the gulf of Mexico To this depot our
whale ships will resort with their cargos to
trade relt, and obtain supplies. This of itself will
largely contribute to build up city, which would soon
become the centre of great and rapidly increasing com.
merce Situated on a.eharbor, sufficiently capacious
for all the naves well the marine of the world and
convenient to excellent timber for ship building owned
by the United States, it must become great western
naval depot
1t is we'll known that mines of the precious metals
existed to "A considerable extent in California at the
time Of its acquisition. Recent discoveries render it
probable that these mines more extensive and val
liable an ,"tiIated. lie accounts Of the abund-
of gold IN that territory Of such extraordinary
character would scarcely command belief we're they
corroboraed by the authentic reports of officers in
the public service, who have visited the mineral dis
tric, and derived the facts which they detail from per-
sonal observation, Reluctant 10 credit the reports in
circulation to the quantity Of gold, the officer
handing our forces IL California visited the mineral
district in July last, for the purpose of obtaining
rate information on the subject. His report to the War
Department ofthe result of his examination, and the
facts obtained on the spot is herewith laid before
gress. When he visited the country, there about
four thousand persons engaged in collecting gold There
is every to believe at the number Of persons
employed has since been augmented. The explorations
already made the belief that the supply is very
large, and that godi found at various places in
tensve district of country.
Information received from officers Of the navy and
other sources tough not SO full and minute confirm the
accounts Of the commander of our military force in Cali
forna. 1t appears, also, from these reports, that mines
OF quicksilver are found IN the vicinity OF the gold re-
gion. One of them is now being worked, and is beiey
ed to be among the most productive in the world.
The effects produced by the discovery Of these rich
mineral deposes, and the which has attended
the ahors OF those who have reSortcd to them, have
produced surprising change in the state Of affairs in
California. Llbor commands most eXorbitant price,
and all other pursuits but that of searching for the pre-
cous metals are abandoned. Nearly the whole Of the
male population of the country have gone the gold
district. Ships arriving on the coast. are deserted by
their crews, and their voyages suspended for want Of
sailors. Our commanding officer there entertans APP
prehensions that soldiers be kept in the public
service without large increase of pay. Desertions in
his command have become frequent, and he recommends
that those who shall withstand the strong temptation,
| and remain flithlu, should berewarded
This abundance Of gold aud the all-engrossmg pur-
suit, Of it, have already caused in California unprec
edented rise in the price Of the necessarieS of life
That we may the speedily ant fully avail our
selves Of the uIdeyeuped wealth oil these mines, it IS
deemed Of vast importance that branch of the mint of
the United States be authorized be established at
yourpesent session, in California; Among other sig
nal advantages which would result from such an esIab-
smeut would he that of raising the gold to its par val
in that Territory. branch mint of the United
States the great commercial depot the west coast
would convert into coin not only the gold de-
rived from our own rich mines, but also the bullion and
specie which om commerce may bring from the whole
west coast of Central and South America. The west
coast of America aad The adjacent interior embrace the
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