The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-11
Southern Emigration to California.

The following very interesting letter from q
welknown citizen of South Carolina, appears
in the Shreveport O.a.) Caddo Gazette. E I'M
foldsa plan now in progress for the colonization
of part of California by body Of planters
with their slaves, provided favorable response
'Se given by the legislature of California to a
memorial now before them.
CHARLEsToN, Is. c. Dee 10, 1851.
NJ. Estes, esq.--Dear Sir: am in receipt,
through you, of the proceedings of the railroad
meeting held at Shreveport. AS far back as the
Memphis convention, took an interest in the
continuance of our railroad communications 70
the Pacific; and then indicated the route, which,
it seems, is now engaging the attention of your
ctizens--by the valley of the Red river and
Paso del Norte--as probably the one most prac-
ticable to California The route likewise by
Vicksbnrg and Brandon, | adverted to as mast
favorable to connect with the Atlantic. Mem.
phis, which is very natural, seems to favor the
route by this city and the. valley of the Arkan-
sas. The preference is to be decided by exam.
ination and survey, and ] am therefore gratlfied
at the initatory you taking to induce the gen
eral government to institute, under scientific
professional engineers, reconnaissance of the
country and the avenues easy Of access to the
Paso del Norte. | am the more pleased, ndvd-
ualy, as | may possibly be the pioneer in the
bazes and tracks of the engineers who precede
in leading colony Of planters, with their slaves,
to the rural districts of California.
We are in part organized--T we can get a
favorable response to a memorial now before the
California legislature to introduce our domestics
md our Southern ultivation--indeed our colo.
ny, protected by a government force, might be
the means of opening wagon road to the head
waters of the Red river, and from thence to the
Paso del Norte, and westwardly by the ella to
the Pacific This route has long attracted my
attention as the most practicable to California
and, although somewhat advanced, the vigor and
energies of manhood would be renewed on an
expedition SO exciting and 80 full of hope.
Would you, at your convenience, advise me of
the accessibility by steam to Shreveport, or to
the highest point on Red river and an account OF
| the character of the country INTENTIONALLY up to
the sources Of that stream and from thence TO
| the Paso del Norte. tt appears to me that by
| keeping within the valley, many of the difficult
| ties OF n land passage west would be removed
and, from the sources of the Red river crossing
the elevations which divide the waters of the
! Mississippi from the Rio Grande, we might fall
upon some tributary of the latter leading us into
its valley.
Now, if in connection with your canvassing OF
the parishes and districts of the adjacent inter
ested States, you could urge on Congress the
organizing of corps of engineers, under. ade
quate military force for protection, and tender
the same protection to a colony such as pro.
pose, with condition that as a return for this
protection, superadding probably subsistence
that the efficient force of the colony should be
employed in making and opening road for
teams and wagons, there would be no difficulty
IN the organizing of such an expedition, Will.
! the protection rendered might be a stimulant
"a small advanced mounted corps could proceed
ahcad with the engineers examine and spy out
'ne in'ricacies OF the country; mark avenues
which will be opened by the axe-men of the ag-
rlculturlsts who follow, under the protection OF
an armed force. Open such way, and the
railroad follows, while the enterprise of our
frontier settlers would proceed, and at interval
rear up their cabins, so az to make this highway
almost Immediately available as stage route
When took up my pen, TO acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter, enclosing the proceedings
at Shreveport, was not aware that it wou7d
lead me 80 far into project, and specuaticns
on it; but have almost become an enthusiast
in that railway system which is interesting our
Southern and Atlantic sections, and which must
extend West until they become the iron bands
connecting them with the Pacific. SO ardent,
that am willing to be an actor in the enter.