Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-04-25

used in providing the comforts and Injuries
of life, for half million ofpeople, who will
have transferred themselves TO country
which is to produce, comparatively, nothing
except minerals ard the precious metals,
and whose pursuits will enable them to pur-
chase, at any cost, whatever may be neces-
sary for their purposes. 1t is difficult to I'M
agine or calculate the effect which will be
produced on all the industrial pursuits of
the people of the old States of the Union,
by this withdrawal from them Of half
million of producers, who, IN their new
homes and new pursuits, will gicc existence
to commerce almost equal in value to our
foreign trade. Let no one, therefore, sup
pose he is not interested in the welfare of
California. As well may he believe his in
terests would not be influenced by closing
our ports and cutting off Intercourse with
all the world.
The distance round Cape Horn is SO
great that breadstufls and many other artl-
Giles of food deterorate, and many others
are SO perlshable in their nature that they
would decay on the passage. This would
be the case particularly with all kinds of
undried fruits. Until some more speedy
mode of communication shall be established
by which produce can be transferred, the
farmers and planters of the old States will
not realize the fall value of this new market
on the Pacific.
Many other important interests will be
kept back, especially the consumption of
coal. The American steamers now on the
ocean, those on their way there and others
shortly TO be sent out will consume not far
from one hundred thousand tons of coal per
annum. The scarcity of wood in Califor-
ma will bring coal lato general use as fuel
as soon as it can be obtained at reasonable
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 a consumption
OF three hundred thousand tons. If delv-
cred at $50 per ton II would compete sue
cesslully with the coal from Vancouver's
Island and New-Ioilaud aud amounts So
900 900
The construction of a railroad acrors the
lsthmus of Panama would secure the mar
ket for these articles against all COMPETE
ton.
Some idea may be formed of the demand
Tor them from the prices paid in San Fran
cisco last Autumn Coal was sold at 500
to SIOU per ton; potatoes $40 dollars per
bushel iurnIps and onions for % 90 10
cents each; eggs from from SO TO Sl2 per
dozen.
The distance from Chagres to New York
has recently been run In seven days. The
same speed would carry steamboat from
Panama to San Francisco in ten days
Allow three days 10 carry freight across the
lsthmus, on railway, aud both passengers
aud freight would be conveyed from New
ork to San Francisco in twenty days
Tins CELEBRITY of movement would secure
Tor American produce the entire market of
California. Sailing vessels may be success
fully employed between our Atlantic and
u ult ports and the terminus of tie railway
on THIS side Of the lslhmus; aud propehers
from Panama TO San Francisco These
latter vessels will be found peculiarly adap-
ted to that trade; they can use their steam
through The Gains of the Bay of Panama,
and against head winds and currents goIng
north, and their sails with favorable winds
aud currents coming south.
These modes of conveyance, in connex-
ion with the Railroad across the lsthmus,
would be sufficiently expeditions and eco
nomlcal to turn the tide of commerce, be-
tween the atlantic and Pacific States of the
Union, INTO that channel. The tendency
at our commerce on the Pacific to promote
the employment of ocean steamers is of
much Importance as connected with the de-
~
latitude - to 40 the protection of the
90, lie ,ee, fishery, and other branches of trade
e r., IAN. The establishment of line
all these objects 'H %. CHINA would promote
with that country, and pr III 's, ,n'eI oou'se
means of opening cominunicatiolis De ."o
an. Money wisely employed in promotiHSgs
these objects, 1t Is believed would add
more TO the power and prosperity of the
Country than lis expenditure on any general
SysteIa of Fertilization al the present prices
oil labor and materials There is one point,
however, OF such vast Importance that no
tin should be lost III taking the necessary
steps to render 1t perfectly lmpregnabe-
that is the entrance 10 the haroor of San
Francisco. On the strength of the works
which may be erected to defend that pas
sage will depend the safety Of California in
time of war with a maritIme power. Per-
nit hostile fleet to Cast anchor in the har-
Dor of San Francisco and the country would
be virtually conquered.
The coast has not been surveyed, nor has
It's outline been correctly ascertaned. There
are many rocks above and below the water
/ line, and small islands not mentioned or In
dlcated Oh any chart, which render naylga-
tion near the land, especially at night, ex-
tremely dangerous.
An accurate survey of the coast, to com.
mence at the most important points, the
construction of lighthouses, and the plac,
ing of buoys in proper positions, are objects
oil much Importance, and, it is not doubted
will attract the early attention'of Govern
ment. F
METALLIC AND MINERAL WEALTH.
/ The gold region Of California is between
/ 400 and 500 miles long, and from Az to 81
miles broad, following the line Of the Sierra
Nevada. Further discoveries may, and
probably will increase the area. II embra'
ces within its limits those extensive range:
of hills which rise on the eastern border o.
the plain Of the Sacramento and San Joa
4 cu;n and extending eastWardlv from fifty