The Daily spy., 1849-06-14


at the North
queer "coalition !" ga new frm," with
vengeance Will anybody be good enough to
inform US what are Wing principles in Alabama
WESTERN AMERICA -oR CALIFORNIA
AND OREGON.
Charles Wilkes, U. 5. NJ, has Just published
memoir OF California aud Oregon, with maps
Of those regions, and OF the Sacramento valley,
from actual surveys
The information impaired in this valuable book,
was gathered by Capt Wilkes, whilst command
ing the exploring expedition on the North West
coast and the descriptions of parts OF the country
not visited by the expedition, he has copied from
the official reports of 1t. Coils. Emory and Free
mont, and father De-Smets.
1t is gratifying, amid the trash poured out
about California and Oregon, to have memoir of
th character; so clear in outline, and so accu-
rate in detail; aud with maps, too, worth treble
the cost OF the memoir. The climate and pro-
ductions OF Western America its harbors and
rivers; its fisheries and game its Indian tribes;
routes OF communication between California and
Oregon and the Geological structure of these
Territories are all admirably explained in terse
style, and brief compass, with such facts as are at
all likely to interest the enquirer, and enIighten
the emigrant.
Capt. Wilkes urges the importance of Rail.
way connection between the Atlantic and Paci-
fc and considers the practicability Of the routes
proposed. Theytr
l. Toe Northern route, with terminus at
Lake Michigan, or some point on the Mlsslssip.
pi.
2. From some point on the Missouri
3. From ST. Louis, by the way of the Gila.
From New Orleans across Texas.
S. By Tehuantepec, through ship canal or
Railroad
6. Over the Isthmus of Panama.
These he speaks of in reverse order.
The route by Panama offers hsany diff culties
That part is one of the worst on the Western
coast to arrive at or depart from, owing TO the
character OF the seasons, which are divided into
dry and rainy.
The dry is the summer, and extends from De.
cemher to May, and is the only period advisable
to approach the coast. The rainy season is the
winter, and extends from June to November,a ,and
is marked by hard gales, tornadoes and heavy
squalls, succeeded by calms and deluges of rain,
and the most dangerous lightning.
Sickness begins in March, and continues to
December. From December to May, the pre-
vaing winds from the North and North
west; the remainder OF the year they blow from
the East, the North East, South East and the
West; but are at all times uncertain. This route
therefore, may be OF greater length for vessels,
than that which is now followed by the China
trade.
AS means Of communicating with South
America, Capt Wilkes thinks the value of
Railway across the IsthDus cannot be overated !;
but that it will not satisfy the wants of the Ma.
ton, or effectsuch connection between Western
America and the United S. as is needed
The route by Gila is next considered, and this
is thought to be impracticable for two reasons :
first, the altitude of the mountains, and, second,
the sterile character Of the country.
The greater part OF il must forever remain un-
inhabited, and the objection applies-whethert er the
terminus on the Pacific, be at the port of San
Diego (Which could never accommodate the
trade) OR a: San Francisco. So that whether the
Road starts from St. Louis or New oreans-it
being necessary to follow the Gifa Tor both-these
routes are considered impracticabe.
From the 33d TO the AID parallel, there is no
track by which the mountains, or the great arid
plains can be avoided. There are three ranges
OF high mountains traversing from North to South
three parallels; the Anahuac, Wahsatch and
Californa-all equally impossible and the last
! in particular, shuts out all communication with
"the Eldorado'' and its port.
This brings US to the Northern route, and this,
Capt W. pronounces the only practicable one.-
The reasons in its favor, are:
The distance is the shortest
1t has few, if auy, difficulties to overcome,
The lands it would pass through are all rich
The greater part of the whole distance can be-
come densely populated.
1t opens up new country towards which our
own population and emgrants, are even now
winding their way rapidly.
The Northern route has delightful climate
and every accompaniment, for the full develop
ment OF the human frame. 1T is practicable
throughout While the great barriers on the
other route are rent assunder, or modified into
gentle hills, it crosses all the head waters of the
great rivers, yet touches the limits of their navi
CATION. Thus the iron way over this track would
put our inland commerce within range. At once
OF the Mississippi, and its tributaries the Lakes
and their country, Canada and the sea board of
the AtaLtc.
The ternnous, on Lake Michigan, would ena
bic supplies OF men and material TO be sent in for
500 miles in safety and with economy. A mas.
sage here could be easily obtained now through
the mountains. Then the terminus on the pa
cIhc-Puget's Sound-one of the nobest estua.
ries in the word-could be easily reached, The
route beginning in climate we'll known. and
ending in region unsurpassed in salubritv. with
harbors sale and TIT Tor navies to ride in in every
season OF the year, and affording every kind Of
supply.
Capt. w. presents another view. II is our in
terest to secure the quickest and safest way 10
China and the East Indies. The course from, Pu
gets sound is that way No vessel is safe a,
Panama; the climate renders voyageing unsafe
one hall the year, and the port is the world San
Diego will not answer. Nor will San Francisco
But from Pugets, the passage could be made to
Cnlna Dy the I, ddes and the return voyage heln
eu Dy tne UGTtd6les Qhese are winds so called bv
sallors) In the higher latitudes. And al M sea.
son need ship or steamer stop from dangers whic,