Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-08-27
CAMELS FOR THE PRAIRIES.

The National IntelIigencer, of Tuesday, con-
tans very interesting and instructive commit
nication from its we'll known correspondent, VIM.
Darby (Tactus,) on the subject OF the introduce
ton OF the came ,on the boundless plains between
the Mississippi and the Pacific. II is in answer
TO a note from Mr.. f. G. Skinner, Of the Patent
Office, asking his opinion upon the practicability
and expediency of the measure He sets out by a
calculation of the distances between Washington
and certain points on the Pacific. From Wash.
inglon to the mouth of the Columbia, via ST LOU
is, air line, the distance is 1888. From WASH
mgton to San Francisco, also via St. Louis air
line, 2462. Between these points, for any avail
able route, by land or water one-hird should be
added, which would make the distance to the
mouth OF the Columbia 3,777 miles, and to San
Francisco $3.50. Perhaps no practicable route
can be made under 1000 miles to either point
He shows that the corresponding attitudes of the
Eastern Continent have enclosed for ages most
numerous population whilst in North America
the country is just now to be settled. He est-
mates our Pacific possessions at | 155 900 square
miles, and the area of the country lying between
them and the Mississippi at one million more
so that West Of the Mississippi, the United States
have territory far larger than all Europe, ex-
elusive of Russia and capable ofsustaining pop
ulation, at the rate of only 80 to the square mile
OF 81, 600, 600. He then remarks
|
t. Introduce The camel as aid to man. To attempt
IN brief article to give dissertation on the physical
htness OF the animal IN the region before us, would be-
out OF place but so far we must to obviaie some
error as 10 the range of that animal The eastern conti
nent. In parlancp, whenever the camel is nam
ed sandy deserts and airy and desoae region s, our
lmaenaln n. These ideas are deceptive, if we even
cohne our views TO the countries where that noble ami
nal has accompanied in all recorded ages and come
into The class Of vulgar Bactriana Sogdana Aa
tlIuraSfnla
ern provincial names for the region he and south
east OF the Caspian and extending northward and
nhward Of latitude 400. The Bactrin camel 50 nam
ed, Is IN use more than two Thousand miles still further
t. the northea>tward, into regions of northern ASIA as
high as latitude 500 In brief the different species Of
the camel exists the continent from the recess
es OF tropical Africa notheaswads than len ihous
and miles, regions diverse in climate as would
be found in America from the basin Of the Onoco to that
OF the sea Of Canada.'
He thinks half million of dollars would be
well employed in undertaking to introduce the
camel in country of such magnificent distances,
and resembling, in so many particulars, regions
in which it is the sole means of locomotion and
commerce. Railroads and Turnpikes will doubt
less, in due time, be made-but years must elapse
before continuous connection by either will
stretch from the Pacific to the Mississippi. IN
the meantime, trade and travel will demand sol
thing Swlfter and more reliab lie than the mule l.,
the OK. The camel meets all the requirements,
and why should it not be brought hither2 The
horse was unknown in South America when the
Spaniards made their settlements. We hope it
will engage the attention OF Congress. In the
meantime, the papers say company is forming
III Boston to import Camels. We believe five
years will not eapse before mail will be carried,
on the back of the camel from the head waters of
the Missouri toSan Francisco, in Is or IS days.