Grass Valley telegraph., 1853-10-06
ooMMERcE OF THE PRAIRIEs.


is nosU iB contemplation between this and the
StlsIleic States, has never existed. Consd-
eriag tee difficulties under which they labor
cd the land trace between Mexico and the
Atlantic States aetFeen the years 1920 and
1912 has been a4l remarkable, perhaps un-
equaled b any Il hg of the kind up to that
tin.e
But Ihis as d matter of little consequence
compared to the land trade which is now car
ried on between the Western States and Cali
fornia ; and no circumstance in the history of
this continent ever more clearly elucidated
the value and necessity of commerce, than
does the uncompromisings wants of each
State, in respect to the relations they sustain,
one with another, and this is equally appli-
cable between those of the Atlantic and Pa
cifc.
Had it not been for the Western States, the
people of this State could have scarcely sub
sisted, and those on the other hand, would
have found sluggish outlet for their vast
productions Of Agriculture and the none
tary condition of the country for great
number Of years must have remained exceed
ingly poor and inadequate. Six years ago,
COWS in Missouri, that would not sell for five
dollars in cash, will now command twen-
ty dollars, ready money and all other kinds
of stock have increased in value, in nearly
like proportion. In this space Of time, too,
land in Missouri has more than doubled in
value. Thus, productions and property that
at one time possessed only nominal value,
commanding scarcely any thing in money, is
worth more than three times as much as it
was, and will readily bring the cash. What
can more strongly impress our minds with the
beneficial effects which California has brought
about, than the reflection, for example, that
the wealth Of such States as Illinois, Iowa
and Missouri have more than doubled in con-
sequence and wealth since the discovery of
California; gold and California wealth.
The following estimate of the land cn~o-
merce batween this State and the western
border oP Missouri, will give the reader some
idea o. IS value and Importance. We make
our calculation from the statistics given us
by the western papers, and the inflammation
we haS obtained from intelligent gentlemen
that have crossed the plains this season. and
likewise from the accounts that have been
kept at he different crossings and bridges in
teryening.
Then, quitting the live stock, composing
cattle, horses and mules at 10000 in num-
Der, to say nothing of sheep, as well as wag-
ons and other articles, in which money is in
vested, the value Of the Commerce of the
Prairies this season, cannot be less than eight
millions of dollars
This commerce, in point of proftableness,
when the extensiveness is taken into
view, as well as the length of time it has been
sustained to say nothing of the future, is per-
haps unsurpassed by any thing known before.
And in consequence of the vast amount of
Beef consumed in California, and necessarily
the high prices of the same, the stock trade is
destined to be both lasting and profitable.
However, the number of COWS driven across
the plains this season justifies us in the opin-
ION that in six years from this time, we shall
raise our own cattle just as in the year 1854.
we will raise our own wheat-and grind our
own flour. In this way, our State must even
tually become the wealthiest in the confede-
racy.
Besides raising cattle in this country, TAX
ing ten years together, with 1000 cows. is a
better business, as we'll as vastly more plea
SAINT and less hazardous one, than driving
from the States Young agrieulturists can
not do as well at any thing else, if they can
but buy fifty cows, as to settle on a ranch
and raise cattle.
1t is with feelings of pride that we contem-
plate the interest that is everywhere felt
throughout our country in the sublime pros
pect of placing in direct physical alliance all
parts of this vast continent, by the construc-
tion of a National Railroad from the Allan
tic to the Pacific ocean.
When that glorious period shall be at hand
when science and art shall stretch their
magic wand over the western wilderness
when the hills shall be leveIled, the mountains
graded, and the monotonous plains taught the
of their condition-when the
iron ways shall be contrived and finished, and
the Iron Horse equipped and caparisoned for
the race. Then shall have been accomplished