, 1855-03-10


probation than the one for the establish
ment of Wagon Route across the Plains.
Three months have Scarcely elapsed since
the idea was first broached, and at the
present time, Committees appointed by the
people in the principal cities in the State
in San Francisco, Sacramento, Marys-
vile, and Stockton-are working together
for its accomplishment. 1t is a popular
project. For some time back the excite
ment consequent upon the discovery Of gold
on these shores, and the realization Of CO.
lossal fortune in day, has been gradually
dying ont, and things are seeking their pro-
per level We are now beginning to re-
view our position and future prospects as a
State, with calmness and dclibcration. In
gold producing countries, the fact that mere
gold, unaccompanied by industry, commerce
and manufactures, docs not constitute
wealth, cannot be too forcibly impressed on
the minds of the people After its South
American conquests, Spain was gutted
with gold. An exclusive policy was adopt
ell by narrow-mindcd government, and
measures were taken TO keep the precious
metals in the country. The consequence
was that costly articles of plate conld be
found in almost every peasants house, but
the people starved, and the metals could
not afford them sustcnance The State of
California, at the present time, languishes
for want Of population. The cities have
ovcrgrown themselves, while her broad fer
tile valleys, untouched by the hand Of man,
bloom in primeval luxuriance. At the
present time, q sturdy and thrifty popula-
tion would contribute more to the future
prosperity of our State than placers Of un-
heard Of richness and mountains Of aurfer-
ous quartz For some time past, the peo-
pie Of the State have been looking forward
to the construction of the Great Pacific
Railroad, and grounding all their hopes Of
an increase to our population upon the COM
pletion Of this gigantic enterprise, have
thus far remained quiescent, and have taxi
en- no steps to promote immigration; but
on reflection, it is apparent that years and
years must elapse before such an immense
project could be carried out, even il it were
commenced now and all obstacles were re-
moved. 1t is no wonder, then, that the
proposed Wagon Route, Of the feasibility
Of which no doubt can be entertained, should
have taken such deep hold upon the minds
Of the people Of the State at large, for by
it alone can we hope for that speedy aug
mentation Of our population which il is con-
ceded at present, is SO vitality necessary both
for our present and future prosperity
Several bills have already been introduced
in the Legislature for the establishment Of
the Wagon Route, but the appearances at
present are that the project will be ridden
to death, as so many have made it a hobby
by which they expect to mount TO fame;-
but VIC would remind our legislators that
the time is fast passing away-the present
Congress IS rapidly drawing to n close, and
if some action be not taken by the State
of California in the premises previous to its
adjournment, no appropriaiiouwill be made
for the construction of Military Road
through the Territories. The Bill introdu-
ced by Mr.. Farwell is in the main an ex-
celleht one. The outline is good, and prob
ably the only objection which can be offer
ed to it is as to its inde6nteness. No re-
striction is placed on the Commissioners to
he appointed as to the amount that may be
drawn from the treasury, and no time is
fixed for the completion of the work =
too much is left in the hands Of the Com
missoners. In connection with the subject
of the Wagon Route, it may be proper to
mention that the Bill for the importation
Of dromedaries and camels has again been
introduced in Congress, and there is every
prospect of its passage. 1t will he recol-
iected that during the administration Of
Taylor, u gentleman was sent to Morocco
to ascertain if it were possible to import
animals of this description. This gentle
man, who at present resides in this city,
visited Morocco, and had an interview with
the Emperor, who informed him that be
would give all the assistance in his power
for the prosecution of the project. He al
so visited Tunis, Algiers, and Egypt, and
ascertained that dromedares and camels
could be purchased at 500 to $3.50 each;
on his return, an amendment was made to
the Appropriation Bill, for the purpose of
importing large stock Of these animals,
but the amendment was lost by a small ma
jority against it. Most of our readers are
aware that dromedaries and cames can
travel over greater space, suffer more pri-
vations, and subsist on less food, than any
other animal at present used for the pur-
pose Of transportation. With them hun
dred miles u day can be made with perfect
ease, and it is known that dromedaries in
some cases have travelled upwards of two
hundred miles In twenty-four hours. They
can be much more easily imported than al
most any other class OF animals, for they
accommodate themselves to the motion Of
the vessel, and rise and lie down with as
much ease as when on land At the time
this idea was first broached, it was thought
that these animals could not bear the rigor
of winter in the Rocky Mountains or the
Sierra Nevada, but it is a well ascertained
fact that the mountains Of Syria are much
colder, and the winter much more severe,
than in any part Of the American CONT
nent embraced by the United States. For