The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-20
(From the Corpus Christi (Texas) Star, 3D. inst.1
ROAD TO CALIFORNIA.

Nearly every paper we open contains something
touching the shortest and most practicable route
our recently acquired possessions on the Pacific
Rich as they surely are, taking the single ground
that to them alone we are to look for great advan
tages and wealth, the subject of a speedy communi
Cation, and that within own territory must fl
the serious attention Of legislators but there
are other and equally cogent reasons why a grea,
national thoroughfare should be erected, irres.
pectlye OF the mere fact that the precious metals
abound to degree surprising the dreams of the
most visionary mind. This subject has been taken
up and enlarged upon by hundreds of public jour.
snasts, and although their opinions are various as
to the route great national road should traverse
yet they all agree upon the paramount importance
Of its speedy construction
For some years past the project of Mr. Whitney
Tor the construction of railroad to Oregon, has
been before the Union, and formed to some degree
subject of legislation its merits and dement's have
been fully discussed, and its feasibility set down as
prOblematical and as the extension of our boun-
dairy still farther south and west, has entirely
changed the necessities of government and com
merce, this stupendous chmera must vanish and
sink to rest in its visionary birth place. That a
railroad should be constructed through an unin-
habited-save by hostile Indians-and to a great
extent barren wilderness, and over mountains white
with perpetual SHOWS, is a scheme too ridiculous
to be entertained by men having the least preten-
sons to sober reason
In constructing a railroad to the Pacific, that
natural obstacles, combining the advantages of
general utility, saubrly of climate fertility of SOIL
and density of population with the greatest degree
of civilization. The road across the Isthmus will
doubtless be speedily constructed; but that will be
far, very far, from subscribing our great national
interests; individual enterprise will be rewarded,
and the ends of general commerce subserved; ali
nations will derive equal advantages with ourselves,
and our great competitors will stand on an equal
footing with us in time of peace, while in war our
maritime commerce can be threatened our mer-
chants will be forced to employ the vessels of
foreign nations, and seek the protection of foreign
flags. Nothing surely could be more humatng
to American pride, than to suppose our own broad
stripes and bright stars should ever cease to float
above our commerce.
The Whitney scheme is visionary, and the 18th
mus road too far from our controlling power to be
relied on for uninterrupted national uses. The in
curry then is, as to what portion of own terri
tory should be chosen affording the greatest
advantages and presenting the feWest obstacles
The answer can be found in the representations of
men who have traversed continent from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, and who, if men are to be
believed under any circumstances, are entitled to
the fullest credence. The project of a railroad
having eastern terminus on the Mississippi river,
has been proposed. The distance would be unne-
cessarily increased, and consequently retard it's
constr uction. II has been suggested that this road
should pass through Santa Fe, New Mexico, and
thence TO San Francisco. In order to traverse this
route, any road, having for its western terminus the
city of San Francisco, must pass down the upper
Rio Grande, TO near San Diego, ION the Rio
Grande,) and thence down the Gia in the drec-
ton of San Diego, ION the Pacific. To undertake
a crossing, on direct line from Santa Fe to San
Francisco, would be as chimerica the Whitney
vision, inasmuch as the range traced and well
known as the Sierra Nevada, or Snow Mountains,
on the west extend for hundreds of miles from
north 10 SOUTH without single pass except ut their
southern depression. This route, then, would in
crease the distance at this point more than six
hundred miles.
To our mind, the most practicable route, COM
bining the greatest natural advantages, is through
or near the valley of the Rio Grande. The confor-
nation of this country is familiar subject to all,
and there is not single point left to conjecture
lime and money will not have to be squandered in
ruitless explorations, and national interest Ian
guish from dull delay, when our crowded wharves
and busy transports should attest the work as done.
From Corpus Christi to Paso del Norte, road
would pass over level fertile country, with wood
md water in abundance, and but little deviating
from straight line from Paso del Norte it would
pursue equally as direct a line to San Diego on the
Pacific, the entire distance being only 1850 miles
from San Diego to San Francisco is but little over
$50 miles, or from Corpus Christi to San Francisco
ess than 1900 miles, We are fully convinced that
40 route be found possessing 1.-THE part the
advantages of this. There's is no harbor on the
coast of Texas presenting the same natural advan-
ages as Corpus Christi bay, and there is no place
Is favorably situated for communication with the
entire valley of the Rio Grande up to Paso del
Norte the town Of Corpus Christi, and through |
Paso del Norte to San Diego on the Pacific. Steam
RS can leave our wharves and in fifty hours reach
New Orleans, and in ten days make moorings at |
my of the Atlantic cities A road constructed from
his point to the Pacific would he practicable al all
easons of the year, with mild climate, and pass
ng through fertile country much of it under cul-
ivation. |
That this subject is deserving the attention of |
Government there can be no doubt, as it would |
actate the transportation of supplies, not only |
or troops on the line from here to San Diego but |
or our naval and military stations the Pacific.