The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-18

OF the few fanatic madmen in the Ohio Legislature who
have sought to eknde these rebrands, when contased
with these States! The wronged are calm and adigni-
fled in adopting Of defenceihe aggressors vo
lent. vindicve and INSCRIPTIONS in their assaults No
doubt which side the great body OF the Amer
lean people will be found. @ a4 siBs3 .es,r
Views In tho HAST.
We are indebted to Dr. Davis, late Speaker Of the
House Of Representatives, and more recently the Com
missioner OF the United States China for the following
letter touching the very interesting subject OF steam
muncaon between China and California We earnestly
request him TO continue his correspondence No man
has returned from that extraordinary region who from
the advantages Of his official position, his acquaintance
with the most intelligent in the lower part of the
empire, his superior talents Of observation and
reflection is better charged with important information
concerning the country We shall therefore claim the
ful6ment Of his promise. and throw open columns
freely to the productions Of his pen. 3a
BRows's HOTEL, Washington. Dec 10, 1850
DEAR SIR: The importance Of opening steam com
muncaon between the west coast of the United States
and China is becoming obviously interesting, that any
Information relating to such an enterprise may be desira
My residence for two years on the southeast coast of
China brought to my notice some facts that may not be
The chief obstacle opening up such steam communica
ton is the supposed difficulty OF obtaining fuel But the
magnitude OF this difficulty is over estimated BY those I'M
acquainted with the trade and mine raj OF China
Coal OF fair quality is found in great abundance
the north end the island OF Formosa which state
ton and Shang Hail. so that this coal might be trans
ported to either point with little trouble and at moderate
expense. During the winter OF 1s4s and ls4s, soon
procured a sample Of it, and forwarded il to the
Department Of State, with request that II should be
analysed and, if found of good quality, that might be
authorized negotiate for the right work these mines.
in other way to the United States govern
ment the control OF their product; but regret 10 say
any authority upon the subject The result was that
short time prior to my leaving Asia, was informed that
the British authorities Hong Kong had made arrange
that point for the sum Of seven dollars, or seven dollars
and fifty cents per ton. But whether that government
has obtained any more immediate controlo the mines
than the purchase OF part OF their products add
vsed This engagement however proves that the For
mosa" coal answers the purpose desired English coal Is
delivered at Hong Kopg-which is situated about eighty
FIVE miles south of Cantonby merchant ships, at from
five to eight dollars per ton for transportation and
three fourhs Of the American vessels that 60 direct to
China 20 ballast but hall laden there doubt but
that coal might be sent out this upon advantageous
terms Another Of fuel in Asia has, within few
years fallen under the control the British government at
the island OF Labusn the coast OF Borneo These
mines said be nexhausble and 10 afford coal OF
superior quality, which be delivered al Hong Korg.
or mt other contiguous POINTS, al from seven 10 eight dol
lars per ton, including the entire cost for material and
transportation II these mnes when fully devoloped
shall produce the quantity anticipated the product would
be amply sufficient for all the wants oil steam vessels OF
both naiions in Asia and in the Pacific; and the pre-
sumption is that arrangements might be made 10 supply
at least in part, the steamers Of both countries short
tine before leaving Canton, coal was being delivered In
that city o apparently good quality which said by
the Chinese to have been obtained from recently dscov
cred mine the city II this be true, and the coal
should prove abundant and Of good quality, Il affords
another OF supply to steamers navigating the Pa
chc as have doubt be made either
claiming the mines TO furnish any quantity OF coal that
might be required upon very reasonable TERMS Tor may
not be Inappropriate to remark that whatever can be ex
peeed obtained by other governments their citizens or
subjects may with great proprety be expected and OBJ
tanned by government, or lis citizens. The cit
OF country known 10 the Chinese occupy more
position the estimation OF that people than The
Americans, for the very cogen that American resi-
dents in China pToverbal for their integrity frank
ness, and kind intercourse with the natives. in all their
dealings, and possess, in an eminent degree their conf
dence and friendship II may not be amss 10 inquire for
into the facilities for obtaining fuel IN
termediae point between San Francisco and China II
the route should be established between these points ac
cording 10 Lieut. Maurys system o circle sailing, The
most convenient point would be the Fox ISLANDS, y
direct line is established, and especially II Canton be
made one of the iemin the Sandwich Islands would be
the most convenient point, being also Tree IRON the OBJ
ieciions to depot situated ~ high northern latitude as
that OF "A!euian Fox islands But, in either event,
there are two means that IL 10 may be relied on
for obtaining coal one is by the immense feet oil Amer
can % ss s snsI Islands and Although he cargo
f such il might be caed) OF these vessels, outward
bound, occupies much space Yankees ingenuity would
soon devise plan carry barrels in the form Of hoops
and saves he could thereby add to the profits OF Bis
voyage by taking part OF cargo Of coal Again, the
rapid augmentation in the number oil sailing vessels
the coast Of California must furnish The OF trans
porting coal IRON the neghboag OF Oregon any
point that might be desired, direction TO China upon
reasonable terms The great abundasce Of coal IN that
region would necessarily force ts way any reasonably
contiguous markets and the state OF trade now exists
vessels constantly passing from the west coast OF the
United States to China, with little or no ffeghi. most
generally touching on their voyage at the sandwich
Islands, and would doubtless carry coal Tor moderate
compensation.
From this statement il is obvious tina, cool can be
supplied 10 line OF Pacific steamers al rates iarkom
being exorbitant at least such is the fact when
pared with the cost OF coal OF the lines Of Bit
lsh mail steamers For examples the "Peninsular and
Oriental Steam Navigation Company" that carry The
British mail from Epgland 10 CHINA, are compelled
Ito pay al several OF their depo,s in Western Asa,
prices varying from twelve 10 thirty more dol
lars per ton At"Pont de Galle the island Of "Cey
on Zone OF their depots,) the cost OF coal 10 the
pany is from twelve 10 eighteen dollars At"Adeh"
ianotber OF their depos the expense is sl greaer and