Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-12-09

the Gull OF Mexico ls upWdrus VI TOv AT'
Of the coast Of Upper on ncudOr mS
ths Straits of Fuca, of650 miles making the |
,Shole extent of seacoast on the Pacific 1920 |
m;les and the whole extent on both the Paci- |
fic and the Gulf Of Mexico 2,O2o miles.
The length of the coast on the Atlantic |
from the northern limits of the United States,
around the Capes of Florida to the Sabine, on
the Eastern boundary Of Texas, is estimated
to be 100 miles so that the addition of sea-
coast, including Oregon, is very nearly two
thirds as great as all we possessed before
and excluding Oregon, is an addition OF 1870
miles; being nearly equal to one half Of the
extent of coast which we possessed before
these acquisitions.
We have now these great maritime fronts
--on the Atlantic, the Gulf Of Mexico, and
the Pacifc-making in the whole an extent
of seacoast exceeding 5000 miles. This is
the extent of the seacoast of the United States,
not including bays, sounds, and small irregu-
larities 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 of the coast survey, in his re-
port, would be 33,063 miles.
Such an immense sea coast in the hands OF
a foreign power would be, he says, dangerous
to our peace.
The depot of the vast commerce which
must exist on the Pacific will probably 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 New Orleans
does 10 the valley of the Mississippi and the
gulf of Mexico. To this depot our numerous
whale ships will resort with their cargoes, to
trade, re6t, and obtain supplies. This of it.
self will largely contribute to build up city
which would soon become the centre of a
great and rapidly increasing commerce. Stu
ated Oh safe harbor, sufficiently caracious
for all the navies as well as the marine of
the world and convenient TO excellent timber
for ship building owned by the United States
it must become our great western naval depot.
| 1t was known that mines of the precious
metals existed to a considerable extent in
California at the time of its acquisition Re-
cent discoveries render it probable that these
mines are more extensive and valuable than
was anticipated. The accounts of the abun-
dance of gold in that territory are of such an
extraordinary character as would scarcely
command belief, were they not corroborated
by the authentic reports OF officers IN the
public service, who have visited the mineral
district and derived the facts which they de-
tail from personal observation. Reluctant to
credit the reports in general circulation as to
the quantity of gold the officer commanding
our forces in California visited the mineral
district in July last, for the purpose of obtain
ing accurate information on the subject. His
report TO the War Department of the result
of his examination, and the facts obtained on
the spot, is herewith laid before Congress.
When he visited the country, there were a
bout 1000 persons engaged in collecting gold.
There is every reason TO believe that the
number of persons so employed has since
been augmented. The explorations already
made warrant the belief that the supply is ve-
ry large, and that gold is found in various
places in extensive districts of country
Information received from officers OF the
navy and other sources, though not so full and
minute, confirm the accounts of the comman-
der of our military force in California. II
appears also, from these reports, that mines
of quicksilver are found in the vicinity of the
gold region. One of them is now being work
ed and is believed to be among the most pro-
ductive in the world.
The effects produced by the discovery OF
these rich mineral desposites aud the success
which has attended the labors of those who
have resorted TO them, have produced sur
prising change in the state of affairs i'll Cali.
fornia Labor commands a most eXhorbitani
price, and all other pursuits but that of search
ing for the precious metals are abandoned
Nearly the whole of the male population oi
Ships arriving ON the coast are deserted by
their crews, and their voyages suspended fol
want Of sailors. Our commanding officer
there entertains apprehensions that soldiers
cannot be kept in the public service without
large increase of pay Desertions in his
command have become frequent, and he re.
commends that those who shall Withstand the
strong ten ptations and remain faithful, should
be rewarded.
This abundance of gold, and the all engros
sing pursuit of it, have already caused ir
California an unprecedented rise in the price
of the necessaries of life.
That we may the more speedily and fully
avail ourselves of the undeveloped wealth O
these mines, it is deemed of vast importance
that branch Of the mint of the U. States be
authorized to be established, at your presen
session, in California. Among other signal ad
vantages which would result from such an es
tablishment would be that of raisiug the golt
to its par value in that Territory. A brancl
mint Of the United States at the great com
mercial depot on the west coast, would con
, vert into our own coin not only the gold de-
} rived from our own rich mines, but also The
bullion and specie which our commerce may
bring from the whole west coast of Contra
and South America. The west coast of A
5 merica and the adjacent interior embrac,
: Grenada, Central America, Chill and Peru
The bullion and specie drawn from thes'
7 countries, and especially from those of West
t ern Mexico and Peru, TO an amount in valu,
f of many millions of dollars, are now annuall
3 diverted and carried by the ships of Great Bri
: tain to her own ports to be recoined or use,
: to sustain her National Bank and thus conri
!; butte to increase her ability 10 command s
;, much of the commerce of the world.
[The acquisition of California, the settlemen
n of the Oregon boundary, and the annexation
C of Texas extending to the Rio Grande, are re
It suits which combine one of greater conse
: quence, and will add more to the strengt
and wealth of the nation than any which hav
n preceded them since the adoption of tn
l. Constitution, but to effect these great result
j. il is our solemn duty to provide for New Mex
h leo and California organized territorial Gov
II enments.
d THE causes of the failure to do this at tn
n last session of Congress, are well known an
+ deeply regretted. In view of the high an
y responsible duties which we owe to ourselve
Il and to mankind, you may, be able, at til