The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-03

This Is ,9l2 tons, then, is the amount of the Pa
cifc commerce in these quarters which might pass
over the isthmus by railroad or canal, and which
cannot be greatly increased.
The question here presents itself as To what will
be the products of the Pacific slope, which may be
wanted either in Europe or on the Atlantic slope
Certainly none Of the products OF the soil, because
the Atlantic slope will always produce the very
same in greater abundance, at much less cost; and
this view applies to all latiudes north and south,
and TO all the Pacific islands. But there the
gold, the silver, the quicksilver, precious stones,
and the common minerals. The common mine
rals-iron, coal, copper, and lead-cannot be
brought this side for a market, because, like the
products Of the soil, they cheaper here; and the
precious metals as they do not enter largely into
commerce, except in their passage from the mines,
to be employed the medium of trade, and 10 set
tie balances in the commercial world, will soon
find their level, based chiefly upon the value of the
labor which produces food for man; and this spe-
cies OF labor employs more than eight of the
population Of the globe
The next two steamers TO arrive here (this letter
is dated January 10, lS50) will probably bring
from California nearly tho whole remainder of the
produce OF the mines for two years. These two
years have probably been prosperous any that
may succeed. The whole amount received here in
the United States, will not, then, probably exceed
81 100000, reckoning by the mint account, the
only reliable rule, which is actually less than the
esna ted amount of gold and silver coin sent there
from this quarter In addition TO this, we have sent
TO California $50, 100000 OF other property.
NOW, tnere mas Dccn no OtDcr pfOuuCt, OF llttlc
other, than gold in California, and the popula-
ton has been almost exclusively males, we have
only TO take the estimated population OF each year
TO ascertain what should have been the actual pro-
duce Of labor per diem for each individual. For
the first year Il was estimated that there were in
all more than twenty thousand souls, which, at one
dollar per diem, for three hundred days. would
amount 10 S6,000,000. The second year, the popu-
aton has been estma ted al one hundred and twen-
y thousand, which, at dollar per day, above,
would amount 10 $50 900 900; for both years,
S42 900, 900; reduce the per diem 10 fifty cents,
and it will even then probably exceed the amount of
gold produced.
The principal wants Of such population will
always be food, with comparatively small amount
Of clothing, and their supply must ultimately come
from the Pacific slope itself, their teas from China,
their coffee sugar, &c, from Japan, Java and the
Pacific islands, that the Atlantic slope, as well
as 10 Europe, their gold must be import, TO be
purchased in competition with all the world, and
limited in amount TO the few articles Of clothing
which their wants, and the necessities Of a tariff
system in the benefits of which they cannot par
ticipate, compel them TO take from us The com
merco and intercourse, therefore, between the two
slopes must in the end, be very limited, and more
particularly So because. tho Atlantic slope has no
surplus population TO dispose Of. and labor general
y will be far more productive, comfortable, and
prosperous here than there. The emigration TO
Oregon and California, therefore, must in the long
run, go directly from Europe and China, and the
cmigrants from Europe, to save expenses, would
20 round the Cape.
The geographical position of Oregon and Califor-
MA with the sources Of production, both ON the sea
and land, opens field Of enterprise which cannot
fail, almost Immediately, 10 draw off an immense
amount of the surplus population Of both Europe
and China; and il will not be long before all the
branches OF industry, in the produce Of the SOIL in
manufacture, in commerce, and in the fisheries,
equal 70 tho supply of almost all their wants will
be chiefly occupied by their own population. Can
England or the Atlantic slope be Benefited by thisi
and to what estsnt very important branch Of
the industry Of the eastern slope has been devoted
to the whale fishery in the Pacific, and its products
have been counted domestic, amounting to an
| ANNUAL return of over SS,0OO,OO0. This must soon
cease 10 be product Of the eastern slope, because
the fisherman will transfer his residence 10 Oregon
or California, and will there build and fit out his
small vessel, and make several cruises in year
the fruits Of his labor will be, expended with his
family where produced; and IL the Atlantic slope
4 Europe purchase his oil, il would be the same x
both, AN import, and not domestic product; and NJ
Il could not bear the cost of transhipment and tran
sit across the isthnus il would stll go round tn,
! cape. Another and immense source Of production
for the future population Of the Pacific slope will b
a cod fishery, extending from Oregon TO Tsrtary