The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-05

general system OF preconcered action. every import
ant point between Washington city and san Fran.
CISCO Is occupied ~ some devoted friend to shIa
imaginary route by the head waters of the Arkansas,
Little Salt Lake. and Walkers Pass. Since the arst
OF this route in l549 Colonel Benton
has repeatedly and urgently pressed it before the
public. Fremont, Beale Heap and Edwards have
perilled beI lives in snow water and sandy deferts
TO fId this supposed pass through several chains al
the Rocky mountains; and four long years of utter fall
still leaves the question 10 the hands Of the same
uDyelding champion who, in the face of the most
conclusive testimony, airms the truth OF this unor
tunate delusioD.
One Of the Mormops had pencil, and painted views
of the only known mountain passes east and south
east of the Salt Lake valley; but there was none
showing q pract cal roadway through the south
eastern region Of that great valley. Is it probable
that the MormoDs and emgrants that pass yearly -
and from the Salt Lake valley would overlook such
But beyond the Little Salt Lake, in the direction
Of walkers Pass, the obstacles are still more for
midabie, desert OF drifting sand impossible by a
rallrt ad because OF the ruinous consequences to
machinery as well as its entire restitution of water
aud fuel and anything that could justify railroad
very important consideration in locating national
trunk across this continent. In finding the central
and short line from ocean to ocean, regard should be
he'd to the great circles OF the EARTH but lakes and
mountains intervene impossible barriers and the
rough face Of the earths surface excludes the mathe
NAUTICAL argument relates to the sections through
the sphere. The 6epressions In the mountains and
trolling influence in seeking the central and nssiona
advantage The Plat Valley and South Pass route
is central In view Of east and west roads already
constructed and in operation; central in view Of
ra,s most likely soon to be made; and 90 1trsl
am Dg the lines surveyed by direction of the War
Del artment, which are all to extend between
laatudes 80 AID 40, the middle or meridian
being Al saeg the point where .s our Platte
1t s only necessary for the great national trunk to
occupy the region of country beyond or between the
Ststes the branches or connections will be made BY
the usual appliances that are now 30 rapidly aug
neDtiDg the network of iron rails. The roads or
the Southern aud Eastern States are, many of them
bearing towards st. Louis, and all Of them will fad
easy connections with that city. road from st.
Louis can, by coed grade aud easy curve, follow
up the west side OF Missouri 10 the mouth Of tue
Platte, and thence up the Platte, or it take the
line of Kansas river and follow near the emigrant
route, and unite with the Platte, where the emgant
ley. This branch would accommodate most Of the
Southeastern States, and the roads they have pro-
Jccted. But western connections with great trunk
should also be carefully provided for. The South
Pass is situated near the head Of streams which flow
into the territories northwest. From that point
branches can be made to Utah, California Oregon,
and Washington, by patural channels.
As no accurate surveys have been made. we can
only estimate distances the western portion Of the
route. The Platte valley and emigrant route az far
as Salt Lake valley has been measured by Rodomi-
ter; and using these measurements, my own measure
ments through Iowa, and the known dist snces on
railroads East, can form pretty correct idea OF
the whole distance from New York to San Francis
Miles.
New York to the Mississippi. .............. LAT
Mississippi to Council Bluffs. ............. 2S0
Council Bluffs to Great Salt Lake, as measured
by the Mormons. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 0lS
From Salt Lake, by emigrant route to San
Francisco, (may probably be shortened).. 9ls
Total distance from New York to San Fran
Total oistsnce for the national work from '''''
Missouri to the Sacramento, deduced from
OF this 800 miles California would construct 200
mies-s0 that the great work required is reduced to
try where thousand miles is remarkably easy of ooa
strncion, being the das plains Of the Platte and Hum
boldt rivers.
After the reading of the report it was unanimously
adopted, and the convention adjourned, to meet
again at the same place upon the following day.
Upon the 18th of November the convention re
assembled, and passed variety Of resolutions hay
ing reference to this great eLterprize.
Amongst others it Was
Resolved That railroad across tho central part of the
United aes connecting the two gre.t oceans would b
road frave SEQ by the world ana national bond that
would unite Statea, and extend fratetuai
attachments around the globe
feasible route in the opinion Of tnia ting the route
through the Patts Valley and South Pass is the pre-
line uniting the eastern ard western termni Of route
between the chief emporiuDs of the Pacific and Atlantic
seaboards Because the great net work Of rail .aJ con-
ttruced ard in between the and the west
converees toward It. g. Because is the most healthy
and agreeable latitude, Al degrees north A. Bscsussit
passes threr gin the easy asc ndng grades e the Platte
vaey-fol ows the routs generally preferred by emf.
grants and mountain men, AMI paxes the most
easy deprtssons known in the tso great ranges Of
the Rocky Mountains 5. Because it the only route
that affords good gr und for branches westward w
accommodate Oregon. Washington Utah and California
RI of hal
With Iowa, provision producing State, and running
through the NJ settlement where provisions and
following tie great channel OF raveAhd trade which
Hows wess ard, and therefore promotes the interests OF
these who have involved the money q, means IN
the Internal commerce II The nation.
Resolved, That commits. OF three persons from each
State represented in this 90 appointed to
respond on hs sube ita such gel emen they DO
lievs most likely to engage in such enter Use, and
cit their operation also TO induce by sponess
cthsrws the holding OF public meetings in ths
ley route.
The meeting then adjourned.
rSrolTAN1 MEETING IN NEW MExIco-sUppoar OF
THE CENTRAL LINE.
A public meeting Of the citizens Of the couusy of
Laos New Mexico was held in the town of Don Fer.
nsndez di Laos on Saturday Oct o. for the purpose
Of expressing their views and sentiments in re-
gard to the best route for the great Pacific Rail.
road
On motion Of Mr.. c. WILLIAMS, Mr.. Autonie Lee
was chosen President of the meeting, and Senior
Jose B. Martin Vice President
On motion Of JAS. Il. QUINN, Esq, Messrs. J. w.
Dunn and E. N. De Pew were appointed Secre
tares
On motion Of Mr.. I, MIGNAuLT, the chair appoint.
cd Messrs. Wootton, Williams, Stewart Beaubien.
Duvall, Lafabfe and Piles, committee to draw up
resolutions expressive Of the objects Of the meeting
The following preamble and resolutions were read
by Mr.. c. Williams, Chairman Of the Committee, aud
unanimously adopted -
whereas public opinion throus hout the United States
in to the require msnts Of national oonsdera
tons founded upon commercial and political reasons,
we'll as the &c ommodaon Of the whole people of the
United States in order to facilitate fasy, cheap and
expeditions intercourse Of the people or the Atlantic
border with the western shores of grst republic,
demand that railroad should be ructed from
point the Mississippi river westwaIdy to San Fsan;ts
CO. California
And whereas 1t teems the only great d5iculty, grow