The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-19
Railroad between the Mississippi and the pas,as.
To tie Editor Of ME Union:

Railroad between the Mississippi the Pacific.
To tie Editor Of me Union:
\ Sir The Senate of the United States having enter
tanned the resolutions OF General Sam Houston in rea.
ton great national railroad between the Missssinpi
valley and San Francisco bay. beg leave offer The
following reasons for such location OF that all import
ant work
No steamer can lay her course direct from Panama 10
Japan without keeping up steam all the way and il she
does she will be divided between coal 6ukers and steam
boilers, and must leave her freight to follow in the
sailing vessel bound 10 her destined port.
The natural across the Pacific is from San Fran
cisco via tie Sandwich Islands and Japan to China,
keeping the tradewnds and currents going and return
hg further north, the latitude OF variable winds, and
within the influence of the polar current that
from Japan past the Aleuan islands TO the northwest
| coast OF America.
The mouth of the bay of San Francisco oa the coast
OF California is in latitude north about 80 dO'; and ac
e9rdsg to Col Fremont is the golden gate OF commerce
The Sandwich Islands, about 1000 miles from coast
IN about 200 north latitude, the direct route TO
China and, by of the northeast trades can al
ways be approached at half steam in good time by steam
ships outward bound. These islands, if NAV use the
term, are 1meriean'-ed and if the golden opportunity is
not suffered to pass by unmproved by government
naval station may be secured at the mouth OF Pearl river
IN Honolulu forever. This spot, highly recommended
by the officers OF the exploring expeditions possesses ad
vantages over every other island in the Pacific is
sufficient to contain the navies of the world secure from
every wind and of ready ngress and egress all tides 1t
the post office and rendezvous of the whaemen the seal
ers aud the hunters OF BIRDS nests and bece of the
Pacific and Southern 1t haswhat is dear the
ocean wanderers-an abundance of fruits, vegetables,
and crystal waer il has its climate OF surprising mild
ness ITS hills and wales OF Eden beauty its groves of
estic palms, ITS affairs OF Christian worship and its
toned Sabbath bells.
From San Francisco to this island at the rate of ten
miles per hour, II will take nine days IT, however the
steamers run at the speed required by government of
the sLoo line to wit twelve miles per hour. it will take
seven days from harbor to habor This forms the first
link in the chain Of commerce between the golden gate
OF the New Werld and the gate of ivory of the Old
Proceeding thence towards the Asatc shore next
nun fupf ha
and OF Japan, distant about 1000 miles from the Sand
wich islands, and about 5000 miles by this route from
San Francisco And here, in this home of 5ooO0ooO of
busy bustllng, industrious people, where in one port
the port Of Jeddo1 600 vessels ride anchor at one
time where the Emperors annual revenue is OOo
OOO and the value of the trade beyond conception the
adventurous steamship, armed for war; with an efficient
crew, would find welcome rest bearing cross of
the propagandlst crosier of the established church.
no crescent OF the inhde and idol OF the Paganbu
throwing TO the winds of heaven the stars of civil and
religious freedom, that interfere with no rite, cover no
tyranny, desire no stronghold, and exclude friendly
power
This intercourse once established with Japan, the
teacher OF China and the mother of nations, there would
be opening for the 500 whaemen whose occupation
will soon be gone in the great hunting grounds of the
ocean, Levathan himself cannot contend with and
nurse his young even in the wilderness of waters and
at the present moment capitalists engaged in the whale
fishery are seeking for new channels for their enerpri
sing seamsn whose prowess and perseverance, have lit
up the lamps OF world, until Nantucket has become
home OF merchant princes, and Marthas Vineyard the
garden of Gul.
The trip from Honolulu to Niphon, at 10 miles per
hour would require days and at - miles per hour,
would require Ia days-or but three weeks from San
Francisco to Japan
The next and final landing on the route would be a,
the Gate of lvory-Shangha the port OF Nankin, in
miles from San Francisco requiring days more or in
all % days to complete the voyage from San Francisco
to China, via the Sandwich islands and Japan.
Thus would the great waters be bridged, and civza-
ton and Paganism would meet in the masterpieces and
hold council nhe company OF merchants In the eighteen
provinces OF China there were few years since 400
and in the adjoining territories and neighborng islands
about 2s9 millions more making in all about 700 mil
shores of the dreamy Pacific; where, if our cotton
was ginnsa not to bend the fibre, ready
market could be found for whole crop per an
would be consumed in the Innings of chests and other
manufactures of the busy hive and where 1000 vessels
under the American flag, would and in less than
two years after its mpleion-changng the manu- |
features of the North and the rich staples of the South
and West-the crops OF the agrcuurst, and the pro- |
ducts OF the mnerhe urs OF the trapper and the scaly
porcelain of China, the ivory work and gold dust of ia
pam the rich goods of India, the coriage of Manila the
coffee OF Java the precious stones OF Ceyon the spices
OF the Mouccas, and the sandal wood Of the islands OF
the Then would the British government be power
less in the East. The military posts of Good Hope,
Madras Pondicherry, St Helena, Cape Coast, and the
Falkland islands, would be longer watchtowers upon
the path of commerce, The islands of the equator
would turn away from the main land, and the monopoly
of London would sink forever. BY this contemplated
road connecting, as | have shown it, with direct and
practicable communication for mercantile purposes with
China and the Asiatc isles, the distance will be-
From London to Chesapeake bay 5000 miles |
From Chesapeake bay to San Francisco 2,4O0 miles. !
And from San Francisco to Shanghai $500 miles
Total 1000 miles
And the tmeOn the Atlantic 10 days
An And in on 'a 'hs Pacific IS days. days.