Washington telegraph., 1853-07-27

~ i.o hoIeHefH ihe, tne WINDS III the Pacific
| blow continually from the east, while in the
latitudes north of 30 deg. the prevailing
winds are from the west, becoming more
northerly as the American continent is ap-
preached: and near this coast they are found
to be northwest and even N. N. w.
Ships bound from the American Pacific
coast to Canton. must therefore, to avoid the
westerly winds of the northern ATTITUDES.
proceed south IN order to take advantage of
the eastern trade winds, while returning
from Canton, to avoid the calms and head
winds below the Tropic of Cancer, as we'll
as the northern winds of the American
coast, they are compelled to sail north until
they reach point somewhat north of the
port to which they are destined. A shin
sailing from San Francisco to Canton would
therefore pass to the south of San Diego.
and on It's return would proceed to the north
OF Its port of destination, taking advantage
OF the winds of the coast of China, while
one from San Diego to Canton would gain
in distance, nearly the difference in latitude
between it and San Francisco, on its out
ward passage; and returning, would not be
i obliged to make SO much northing, and
would have the additional advantace of a
more free wind when once on its homeward
course.
Your committee, therefore, without claim
ing for these observations the merit Of en-
tire accuracy, are Of opinion that they are
sufficiently correct to show that Il voyage
from San Diego to Canton, and back, can
be made n five sxths, if not three fourths
of the time required for the same voyage
from San Francisco that a steamer can
make the trip there and back from San Die
60 in less time by five days than from San
francisco clipper i'll a shorter time by
from nine to twelve days, and an ordinary sail
| ing vessel will accomplish it in from TWEEN
ty to thirty days less.
The statements as to the maritime advan-
| tages of San Diego as a seaport, are based
upon information derived from books and
charts showing the course of the prevailing
winds of the Pacific, and upon the authority
of Commanders in the T. S. Navy, and of
experienced shipmasters.
San Diego is also much nearer Australia,
the Sandwich and Society Islands, countries
which in future must fill prominent place
in the history and commerce of the Pacific
| Ocean.
| These considerations are rendered still
more important in consequence of the exer-
| tions which England and other nations are
making to open communication with India
and China over the American continent,
and without the limits of our territory In
formation is collected and routes are explor-
ed, not only through Central America and
New Grenada, but through the British pos
sessions at the North. to accomplish this pur-
pose Your committee, therefore, feel them
selves warranted in urging that 10 interests
of local nature should divert this great
work from that line Of location which is not
only the most feasible and direct, but upon
which the work may be completed with the
least delay.
The precise route, therefore, that your
committee would recommend to your zeal
Gus support, is that, which passing through
Ell Paso, will strike Cooks route near San
Bernardino, thence near the river San Pc
dro, to a point on the Gila river, some twen-
ty miles above the Pimo villages thence
down the left bank of the Gila to its june
ton with the Colorado Of the west, and
thence across the Desert to Nalccito. From
this place Railroad can be easily construct
ed to San Diego harbor, over either of two
practicable routes One by the way of San
Jose and Pala and the other by the way of
Santa Maria, and Santa Monica, the Gis-
tance by either not being over one hundred
miles
This route, south of the Gila river, is that
which is exclusively used by the Southern
emigration and wagons are passing over 1t
daily. The settlements whica would spring
up throughout its whole extent, and espe-
cially along the Gila and Del Norte rivers,
will by the time the road can be completed,
be sufficient to prevent the aggresslons of
the Indians upon the citizens of Mexico.
and relieve the Government from the neces-
sity of keeping the troops on that line, and.
consequently, avoid large increase Of the
army, which must necessarily occur, If the
Government does not repudiate its treaty
stipulations. Let the Railroad be construct
ed on this route with the utmost expedition
by the General Government, and California
Will connect with it the bay Of San Francis
co, by Railroad along the coast, as soon as
the main road can be opened, as well as aid
the Government to continue the road north
to the Columbia river, thereby forming
line of military defence unexampled IN the
history of nations.
The Atlantic coast is admirably defended
by system of Notifications, which were
very necessary at the time they were project
ed and are now important as afPording protcc-
ton to the larger cities and the vast amount
of property there accumulated But it will
not be denied that their importance has
been considerably diminished on that coast
by the construction of the network of Rail
WAYS which now cover the country The
Publications finished, and those to be COM