The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-31

The PACIFIC RAILRoAD--WoNpEaFuL De-
vELoPEMRNTs OF RESOURCES IN THE PLAINS AND
DEsERTs.-The greatest impeachment to the con-
stiucton of railroad from the Mississippi over
land TO the Pacific, has been considered 10 be in
the nature OF the country over which the road
must he carried. From twelve TO fifteen hundred
miles, in the selection Of any route north of Mex
leo, must be traversed over plains, mountains, and
deserts, without timber, without population, with
out materials or supplies, and thought 10 be without
anything TO contribute to the support of the road,
sholt OF The Pacific. THIS has been Justly consi-
dered the most formidable drawback to any enter
prise of such magnitude that has ever presented
itself in the history of the word-ihs tlmberess,
mountainous, and desert region OF from twelve to
fifteen or seventeen hundred miles.
But recent discovery near the foot hills OF the
Rocky Mountains, Of PRIME article OF commerce
and cash, opens a mine of capital on the way IL
appears that there is no longer any doubt OF the
existence of inexhaustible supplies Of camel coal
near the sources Of the Nebraska or Platte river,
which is the route of the overland >emlgrants 10
California, via the South Pass, the Salt Lake, and
the Great Basin. The restitution Of timber in the
great plains, were there no substitute for fuel,
would render them incapable of settlement even to
cattle ralseis; for there the SHOWS deep and the
winters cold. The coal supplies the iuel-it also
supplies an article of trade with the Mississippi
river, and will thus contribute to coonize the
plains, and to the sale of the public lands along the
route to settlers, who will soon produce all the
cessary provisions for the worhmen.
Il is known also, that iron is fouad from the
frontiers of Missouri TO the Rocky Mountains; and
with the coal on hand, the means are on the
Il. IL al
OF the wonderful capacities of tn. Mormon valley
of the Salt Lake, the reports from that quarter
would be incredible If they not all consistent
In few years more, at this rate they will be able
to raise bread and cattle for the subsistence of
100 900 souls. Their valley is the halfway station
Oh the grea! central route; and thus all tears on
the score Of provisions for the workmen are OBJ
waited
With the road finished TO the Salt Lake, another
important commercial article comes into market
the article Of salt. Il exists in the heavy brine OF
the great lake TO an inexhaustible capacity of sup
ply; 1t exists IN crystalline formation at the bot
tom, and forms an incrustaiion Of salt for a hun
dicd miles along its shores. Rock salt exists in
the surrounding mountains, and copper and gold.
But with the completion of railroad, the New
jerusalem will become great place of resort
to the fashionable world, account OF Its wonder
iu natural cunosities, the singular saubrity of its
climste-the valley being 1000 feet above the sea-
and particularly on account Of the number and va
riety of lis medicinal springs.
Such are some of the intermediate advantages
in favor OF the construction of the Pacific railroad
via the Platte, the South Pass, and the Salt Lake
Valley. The completion of the work to the Sscra-
menio will give the road the exchanges between
Europe, America and Asia. What a hundred
millions to the contamination Of such work.