Washington telegraph., 1850-01-30
Route of the Pacific Railroad.

Route of the Pacific Railroad.
| Lieut. Maury in comm munication to
the National Intelligencer, gives the fol-
lowing opinion in regard to the route OF
the proposed road, and most suitable
point on the Mississippi river for its cas-
tern terminus.
| The southern route is the best for ma
tional defence, because it will not be OBJ
structed by the SHOWS Of winter, and will
therefore, be available Cor the purpose of
its creation at all times of the year. This
route is better than one further to the
north would be, because it would enable
the Government, at less cost of money
and with less risk of life to preserve the
nations faith, solemn!y pledged before
the world by treaty, to protect Mexico
from Indian incursions.
With or without their road, military
| posts must be established along that from
tier to carry out this article of the treaty.
! Having the road, smaller force will be
required for this service, and the same
posts can execute the treaty, protect the
road, and assist to keep it in repairs also
Therefore as matter OF efficiency, as a
work of national defence, and as meas
ure of economy to the nation, this route
is to be preferred, always supposing it to
be practicable as regards topography
Another consideration in favor of the
southern route Is to be found in the i'm
pulse which the road by that route would
give to the working of the silver mines
of Mexico, and to the commerce with
that country, for which it would serve as
a channel, and to which allusion has al
ready been made.
This work is to be built by the States,
out OF general fund.- and for the common
| good. 1t should, therefore, commence at
some central point Oh the Mississippi river
and which should be that point, which
is the most convenient to all the States for
access. Nature and the internal improve
ment of the States indicate clearly enough
where this point is. 1t is that point which
is on the Mississippi river, and is midway
the valley, between the head Of the gulf
and the foot of the lakes. 1t is that point
which the people of Iowa, Wisconsin,
and Missouri can reach with the advan-
tages of down stream navigation. 1t is
that point which is accessible to Illinois,
Michigan and the lake country, through
the Illinois canal, and which is also of
convenient access to Indiana, Ohio, and
| Pennsylvania, and parts of Kentucky and
| Virginia, by the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers. 1t is that point towards which
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, the two Car
olinas. and Virginia are projecting aud
extending their railroads. 1t is that point
the route from which should be accessible
! to Texas and Arkansas, as well as all the
States; and that point is the city of Mem
phis. in the State of Tennessee. Mem
2his is $50 miles from the Gulf, and 40O,
from Lake Michigan 1t would be more
convenient for Missouri. Iowa and Wis
consin to meet the terminus Of the rail-
road at St. Louis; but it would not add
SO much to their convenience as 1t would
take from the convenience of Texas, len
uessee, Arkansas and other southern
States
Pennsylvania extends from the sea to
the lakes, and the peop!eof all the States
to the east of her who wish to travel
by railroad must cross her borders to get
to the terminus of the Pacific road; and
whatever terminus and route be most
convenient also to the citizens OF the
States to the east of her.
The routes of travel and channels OF
communication between Pennsylvania
and the Mississippi river are various, and
they are increasing in number; and as
matter of convenience to her people and
those of New England, it will be about
the same whether they have to come to
Memphis. or to 90 to St. Louis to get up
on the national road. II they come by
the lakes they will finG St. Louis most
convenient; if they come by way OF Pitts
burg, the will find Memphis quite as con-
venient as ST. Louis. But if they come
bv sea to New Orleans or Charleston, or
via Baltimore and Washington. over the
Virginia and Tennessee railroad, the peo-
pie of New England and New York will,
in every one of these cases, find Memphis
the most convenient point of departure
for California.
-OOOOoOOO~>ooO~~
PRESERVE THE UNION.
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