Polynesian., 1854-09-09
From the Washington Union, Of July II.
Quickest Route from London to Shanghai


Collins has won for the United States greater
victories upon the ocean than ever did Nelson for
Great Britain. His line of steamers has contribu-
ted more to establish our supremacy in steam nayi-
CATION than any fleet which this government can
ever arm and equip. The crossing of the Atlantic
Westward under his auspices in nine days and 4
half, the time OF the Batics last rum gives TO our
nation substantial EIme-one that will prove
valuable to it than would the storming Of Sc
bastOpOl to the allied powers
We believe that in a few years Collins, or some
other of our enterprsing citizens will build steam
ers that Will make the voyage from New York to
Liverpool in seven days and by making his line
Il weekly one, carry two-thirds of the mail matter
that crosses the Atlantic Cunard has a decided
advantage over him at present by having weekly
contract with the British Government, for which
he receives per annum S750,00U or thereabouts.
In consequence of this persons are in the habit of
transmitting their communications regularly by
the line which departs once week, and IN this
manner mOnopOlizes the carrying.
The present age is a practical one Our coun-
trymen are acknowledged to be an eminently prac-
teal people. Steam is the persOnifcation Of the
real, since it produces positive results. 1t is the
agent that is to make this nation powerful as to
cast all others, respects agriculture commerce,
and navigation; into deep and perpetual shade.
The opening of relations with Japan, was all that
wanting reverse the existing order Of things
IN lnter-cOnmunlcatIOn with Europe ana the TAR
East. The entire travel and transportation be-
tween London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Vienna, St.
Petersburg, with Southern China is to cross this
continent, and at no distant day 1t can be con
veyed in less time, by ten fifteen days, than by
the overland route. Shanghae dates are, upon the
average, sixty-fiye days old when they reach Eng
land This speed is not likely to be greatly accel-
Grated
Now, let us see in what time we can take them
to London: From Shanghae to San Francisco, via
Jeddo and Honolulu, twenty days; from San Fran
cisco to New Orleans, via the Isthmus of Tehuan-
tepec, eleven days from New Orleans to New
York by railway, five days; from New York to
London, ten days-total forty-six days. We be-
ieve that in ten years this result viii be witnessed,
and when there shall be continuous rail lines from
one ocean to the other the time will be reduced at
least six days The influence that it is to exercise
morally, politically, socially and commercially, on
the destinies of the world great stretch of the
Imagination is required to determine.
The able and indelatigable Senator from CalifOr-
MIA has succeeded in getting the body Of which he
is a member to consent TO the establishment of a
monthly mail line from San Francisco to Shanghae.
If the measure shall be approved by the House,
this will be a promising beginning in the Pacific
for the perfection of object which is to accom-
plish that which in by-gone days would have been
regarded as the performance Of miracles.