The weekly Placer herald., 1852-09-11

policy were at the bottom of IT, and JuStl-
fed it. The contracts with the California
lines were made to open the commerce OF
the Pacific p,ore freely to our people, to
enable the American contractors to build
their ships and furnish facilities equal to
those furnished by British steamers on the
Southern coast. The contract with the
Collins line was not to secure the trans
portaton of the mail to Liverpool, but to
place American steam commerce on the
Atlantic. upon an equal footing with that
of Great Britain.
The Collins line of steamers required a
capital of about 81 100000. The Pacific
perhaps as much. If upon these invest
ments, and upon these inducements Con-
gress is justified in paying these sums per
annum, what per annum should she con-
tract to give for the transportation of the
mail in five days over the iron road from
the banks of the Mississippi toSan Francis
co? road that wbtld not merely facili-
tate, but would command the commerce
of the Pacific and centraliZe the traffic of
the world
| have assumed figure, and it is IA
small one, in comparison with the sums |
have mentioned, and the ability Of the
Government. The Government paid
$l5, 100000 for california after we had
conquered it, and when, according to Mr..
Webster, it was land "abounding in
rocks and rattlesnakes." propose that
the government shall contract with our
parties to pay $2,50O,O0O per annum for
twenty years for carrying the mai! across
the continent. Will Congress refuse the
terms? Will Congress dare refuse? 1t
is nothing compared with the ability of
the government. 1t is nothing compared
with the importance of the enterprise.
believe the terms will he granted'prompt-
y and cheerlully if it is believed it will
secure the accomplishment of the work.
There is still another point. For years
the public lands have been donated for
the purpose of promoting works of intern
al improvement. Here Is work IN which
every State, and every citizen of every
State is deeply concerned. The Federal
Government is not in need ofthe proceeds
of the public lands, why may not these
proceeds be Immediately directed to the
prosecution of this work, and the
amount credited to the postal accounts
with Government.
We find the expense Of building the CEN
tral section on the Southern route, 675
miles, $27 100000. If this contract can
be made it will be bonus which in twen-
ty years will be equal to about twice the
t-of the central section of either line,
and if we can secure the proceeds of the
public lands we have instant aid in the
prosecution of the work.
Now fpllow citiZeuS. are Nor these dis
inct propositions practicable. If severalIy
practicable are they not all practicable
together? If not so, | wish some one to
place his finger upon tie inn ,cticable
point. First, cannot CalfJrnia take the
initiative through her Legislature? This
no one doubts. Second cannot she hiiild
this section of the road? Who will an
swer in the negative? For the credit of
California | hope no one will answer it in
the negative. Next, cannot Atlantic rail-
road capital be brought to build the East
ern section? Ifnot, louisiana and Texas,
or Missouri will do it. And next, will
Congress refuse us the S2,5OO, 900 per an
mum! If any man says no, reply to hin,
that there is not politician from Maine to
Texas that will venture to say no, if we
present the matter before Congress i'm
proper shape.
Nothing more is required then but the
present capital. This capital possesses a
sort of fluid quality, and there is a law
which compels it to flow where it is most
needed and can best he used. 1t s be-
cnliarly favorable fact, that there never
was time when so much capital was
laying idle and waiting for employment.
There is now $l50, 900, 900 of dead capi
tai in the vaults of the Bank of England
alone. In fact my attention. was particu-
lar'y called to this subject from the fact
that EnnGiiisn capital is now seeking invest
ments in rail road stock in this State.
Their engineers are now here, and they
say that any amount of English capital
can be had if they can only secure the
right to build roads.
Here the question arises, would the
road pay? The postal contract would
pay near five per cent on the entire cost of
the route. This is but a small item. Let
US look at its business. If you will ex-
anime the estimate of travel for this year,
you will find it estimated that $4,000 per-
sons will have arrived this year by the
South pass; 10000 persons will have gone
TO Oregon by the same route, 5000 will
have arrived by the Southern route and
through Mexico. | have not consulted
stat sites, but assume that 25, ,OO0wil have
come from the Atlantic States by sea. and