Butte record., 1853-11-26
Communicated 7
rAc1y1c Ra1LRosD-SoBLEs rass.


world al large, IN q Christian, political ag~i-
cultural, mercantile, and il every ether view
pertaining 10 the wants and relations Of ha-
man society, Is % obvious that II seems almost
superfuous TO urge is consideration On the
people Of this age n general, and cur own
countrymen N particular But while there
is great interest displayed and anxiety mani
tested by the good people throughout the
length and breath Of our land regarding the
construction Of this important national enter
prise, yet VIC perceive there has been, in Ger
tain quarters, s. selfsbness exhibited. an un
fairness practised- that can neither be justified
or warranted by any facts or circumstance,
thus far, since the idea Of & railroad was first
started and If such g course Is continued, it
viii, without doubt, greatly delay the work,
postpone II for many years. or may be defeat
II outright. at least so far as the Congress Of
the United States Is concerned
The charge Of selfshness and unfairness Is
perfectly legitimate; and that both have been
practised by somebody, i most Ianifestly
shown by the manner in which the appropria-
ton Of Congress has been applied to the ex-
ploration and survey Of the different passes
Of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Those
passes have been entirely neglected which
present fewest obstacles TO the construction
Of a road, and which besides, from their geo
graphical position, afford facilities for commu-
nication, and advantages generally, TO people
On the Atlantic side, as well as TO intermedi-
ste settlers, and by which the people Of Ore
gon, whenever they see fit, or their wants re-
Quire it. can readily connect, by 8 branch,
Their territory with the eastern States and
California Moreover, by bringing the road
through a high northern pass. not only would
the aforementioned advantages accrue, but
likewise our own State be better accommO-
dated and vastly more benefited. This will
te made plain when II Is clearly shown that
the mountain counties, beginning at the north
ern line Of the State, and running south with
the Sacramento valley 10 It's Termination,
together with this valley, contain two-fhirds,
If not more, Of the population and wealth Of
the State; and the amount Of travel between
the northern and southern portions Of the
State 10 the great centre Of attraction. San
Francisco, Is 50 obviously in favor Of our po-
sltlon, that II Is unnecessary to urge it.
Besides, It Is well known that four -ffths Of
the immigration finds its way into California
by the high northern passes and all tn Sc
immigrants, and others who have passed and
repassed the Sierra, by both the northern and
southern routes, give the passes north the
preference, particularly that known as - No
ble's Pass declaring that they were not
aware during their passage through that part
q Of the mountains, OF any ascent or descent,
except by the few Of the water 1t Is more
the object Of this communication 10 complain
Of the manner IN which the appropriation Of
Sl50oo0 by the last Congress has been ap-
piled, how the interests Of this portion Of our
state have been overlooked and neglected
than TO press the subject Of any particular
northern pass, although no doubt exists, in
the minds Of those well informed and unpreju-
diced. that this viii, upon examination, if fair
play be shown, offer, independent Of geo
al
inducements than any other route Now il
Is d Unknown fact, that several surveys Of
the Sierra Aeyada, 10 the end that the best
and most suitable pass might be selected
were ordered by Congress TO be made, and.
under the direction Of the President, those
surveys are now being made, and in localities
which, in point OF geographical position. to-
getber with many other disadvantages, are
unfit for the great object contemplated, TO the
exclusion OF routes which offer every advan-
tage. The question Is frequently asked,
How is this Why has preference been
given 10 one part Of the State, and the other
teen entirely neglected Is the President
partial, has he been misled OF imposed
upon Certainly one OF the other must have
been the case. Whichever ii IS, it IS hoped
that i viii be discovered in time for correc-
ton Bat in the meantime it l. cheering TO
sec that the press has taken this matter in
Aauus anu are eXhOrtlng the mountain coun-
ties. and all interested, in the Sacramento
valley and elsewhere, to have an eye to this
matter, Is being to them Of paramount i'm
portance.
1t appears, from the Marysyiile Herald,
that 5 ~ bic meeting was held at Bidwels
rancho, al which resolutions were passed
complaining Of the administration at Wash
ington for neglectiBg TO survey the northern
passes, and expressing their indignation
thereat. This IS as it should be. and If all
interested VIII thus hold public meetings, and
freely express their views regarding the treat
ment they have received. remedy viii yet
be applied It's hoped that, as recommended
By the Herald, the people, not only OF Msrys-
vile, but Of ali parts OF the State most inter
ested, VIII, early practicable, raise by
subscription funds sufficient to equip al expe-
dition, consisting Of scientific men, IL explore
and survey MOBILES, or any other suitable high
and northern pass, during the coming months
of December and January. and report their
labors in time to be acted upon by Congress
at its next session. and in the meantime to
instruct our Senators and Representatives TO
oppose the selection Of s route until such
ume-as the one contemplated shall be reported
upon. This viii be nothing more than our
night. and what our interest imperatiyely
demands. JUsTICE.
LYNCH Law N CoLUMBIA-The Gazette
contains an account Of an excitement in Co