The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-12
New York, wednesday, December I2, ls49.
Steam Navigation between America and
China-The Treaty with the Sandwich

Steam Navigation between America and
China-The Treaty with the Sandwich
Islands.
The Prime Minister, DR.. Judd of King Kane
hameha, and the two royal Princes of the Sandwich
Islands, will sail to-day IN the Canada for England.
This vsi, to Europe is not only for the purpose Of
having the young Princes educated, but to ncgo-
tate, probably, with England and France, new
treaties Of amity and commerce. After the recent
high-kanded course of the French Admiral at the
Islands, such treaties are rendered absolutely ne
cessary, to prevent repetition OF the late outrage
OF the Fresch, and perhaps, more serious conse-
quences than have followed the seizure of the forts
at Honolulu.
Now that a treaty has been made with the
United States, we presume that the commercial
powers of Europe will not long hesitate in effect
ing some arrangement with DR.. Judd. 1t Is to be
expected by this new treaty with King Kane
hameha, that the relations between the United
States and the Sandwich Islands, will be much
more intimate than they have heretofore been,
and important advantages of a commercial and
friendly character will no doubt ensue TO both
therefrom.
The growing importance of the Western coast
OF the United States since the acquisition of Cali
fornIa the wonderful discoveries of gold In
that celebrated region; and the immense emigra-
ton tbither, together with the construction of
the railroad across the sthmus of Panama.
connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, render
1t very essential to the Interests and conve-
nience of the people of the United States, that
the friendly feelings which have from time inn
memorial existed between us and the Sandwich
Islands, should be promoted and maintained. In
the cold season in California the weather is for
months dsagreeable, raw and chilly, rendering 1t
an unsafe place for invalids. Persons of wealth,
thus afflicted, will prefer living in Honolulu during
he inclement season in California, and the pro-
liability is, that il will likewise become fashion
able resort or watering place for them, as well
as for wealthy persons in California. No healthier
place exists than Honolulu, and the frequent In
tsrchange Of friendly relations which this would
create, would make Honolulu to all intents and
purposes part of the United States.
But in another point of view the negotiation of
this treaty will confer advantages on the United
States, Of very important character The COM
pleton Of the railroad across the Ishmus OF Pana-
ma is now a certainty, before two or three years.
As soon that great undertaking is thrown open,
and connection between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans formed, the whole trade of the inexhaus,-
bic and prolific East, including China and Japan,
must leave the old beaten channel, and instead of
passing around the Horn as it has done from time
lmmemoral, it must cross the Panama railroad,
and through such additional in,eroeeanic commu-
nicsnons as may hereafter be formed The con-
nmplsted ship canal at Nicaragua WILL when
completed, undoubtedly secure a large share of
this trade, but the Panama railroad being the first
connection that viii be completed, will for years
flfzs n all Tha oh he traHe ho.
tween Europe and the East, will render necessary
the establishment Of lines Of steamships between
our Western coast (say San Franciseo) and China
and India and the geographical position Of the
United States is such, that almost tn, whole Of that
carrying trade will be in the hands Of Amencans
Already arrangements for constructing steamships
for this trade are talked OF, and the probability 49,
that by the time the Panama railroad is completed
we shall have several American steamships, ofthe
same dimensions and spendor of the OHIO, Cres-
cent City, and Empire City, in operation on the
Pacific waters. Those vessels will convey. all the
costly productions Of the East to Panama, thence
they will be transported across the railroad to
Chsgres, and thence distributed to the Atlantic
porte, and transhipped to the whole Of Europe.
From the Atlantic, we could ship our wheat, rice,
cotton, tobacco, corn, and other productions, and
Holland and Japan, at a rate which would defy
competition, in consequence OF the advantages
which we possess from our natural position.
In the trade which will thus, as a matter Of GER
tainty, spring up between our Western shores and
China and the East, il Of the greatest importance
TO steamships to have stopping place, or half
way house. on their long voyage-long in point Of
distance, but not time, for the Pacific Ocean is
beautifully adapted to steam navigation. We
would need such depot for coal, and for repairing
any damage or accident which our steamships
might meet with. Honolulu affords those iacilI-
ties. Coal, In great abundance, has been found
near Panama, at Santa Cruz, near Santa Barbara,
at the Bay Of San Francisco, as well at Vsncou-
ver's leland, IN Oregon From any Of those poiats
IL might be shipped in sailing vessels to Honolulu,
ana there deposited, as to be always at command,
In case Of need. On the other side il abounds, at
Shanghai, in the island Of Formosa, in Borneo,
where the English steamers in the Chinese wa
ters obtain their supplies IN the island Of Ceram,
IN the Indian Archipelago; the west coast Of the
Malaysn peninsula; in the bay Of Bengal and
other places. In fact, there is no scarcity OF that
most necessary and useful article and it can be
had at any Of those places in great ali undance and
at very moderate prices. All we need for this
trade, which will certainly spring up in compare
lively short time, are facilities at Honolulu, which
is almost in direct line between Shanghai, in
China, Ito which port, probably, we shall FIRST dl-
rect our stesmsnps,) and San Francisco, in CALI
fornis.
Such facilities az we have referred TO, are all
we are IN need Of TO commence this grand revolu.
zion in the commerce of the world, and we are
srstIsed IN beng able to announce that they have
beer secured bv the treaty between Honolulu and