Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-05

would decay on the passage. This would be the case
particularly with all kinds OF vegetables and undred
fruits Until some more speedy mode of communica-
ton shall be established by which produce can be
erred the farmers and planters of the old States will
not realize the full value OF this market the Pa
cific.
Many other important interests will be kept back es-
pecialy the consumption otcoal. The American steam
ers now on that ocean, those their way there and
others shortly be sent ont will consume not far from
one hundred thousand tons OF coal per annum. The
scarcity of wood in California will bring coal into gen.
eral use fuel as it can be obtained reason
able prices Suppose there may be- three years hence
forty thousand houses, which shall consume five tons
each per annum. This with the steamers would be
consumption three hundred thousand tons If dev-
cred at 500 per ton it would compete successfully with
the coal from Vancouvers Island and New Holland
and amount to $6,O00,000
The construction ola railroad across the Isthmus of
Panama would secure the market tor those articles
against all competition
Some idea may be formed OF the demand for them
from the prices paid in San Francisco last autumn
Coal was sold at $50 to 500 per ton; potatoes SIG
per bushe tunps and onions for Is to GA cents each
eggs from $40 to Sl2 per dozen.
The distance from Chagres to New ork has recent
w been in days. The same speed would car
ry steamboat from Panama to San Francisco in ten
days Allow three days to convey freight across the
Ishmus railway, and both passengers and freight
will be conveyed from New York to San Francisco in
twenty days.
This celebrity ofmovement would secure for American
produce the entire market OF California Sailing ves-
be successfully enplOyeu DetWeen our fAuanIlc
and Gulf ports and the terminus OF the railway this
side OF the Ishmus; and propelers from Panama to San
Francisco. These latter vessels will be found peculiar
y suited to that trade; they their steam through
the Gains o. the bay OF Panama and against head winds
and currents going north and their sails with favorable
winds and currents coming south.
These modes Of conveyance, in connexion with the
railroads the isthfnus would be sufficiently ex-
pedous and economical turn the tide OF commerce,
between the Atlantic and Pacific States OF the Union,
in to that channel The tendency OF our commerce on
the Pacific to promote tile employment OF ocean steam
ers is OF much Importance connected with the defence
of our extensive line OF coast from latitude 81 deg, to
40 deg, the protection Of the whale fishery and other
branches OF trade OH that The establishment
these Objects increase intercourse with that
try, and probably be the means OF opening communl-
cation with Japan. Money wisely employed in pro-
noting these objects, it is believed would add more to
the power and prosperity OF the country than its expen
dture any general system OF tortfcaton at the pres
ent prices OF labor and materials. There is point,
however, of such vast Importance that time should
be lost IN taking the necessary steps to render per-
fecy impreguablethat is, the entrance the harbor
OF San Francisco. On the strength of the works
which may be erected to defend that passage will
depend the safety OF California in time of war with
maritime power. Permit hostile fleet to cast anchor
in the harbor OF San Francisco and the country would
be virtually conquered.
The coast has not been surveyed, has its outline
been correctly ascertaned There are Nancy rocks
above and below the water line and small islands not
mentioned indicated of any chart, which render
gation near the land. especially at night, extremely
dangerous.
An accurate survey of the coast to commence at the
most important points, the construction OF lighthouses
and the placing OF buoys proper positions objects
OF much Importance and it is no doubt, will at
tract the early attention OF Government.