Washington sentinel., 1855-03-17
MAIL ROUTES ACROSS THE PLAINS.

MAIL ROUTES ACROSS THE PLAINS.
| We learn from the San Francisco Ne,os that
movement has been set on foot in the Califor-
MIA Legislature, to obtain restitution Of the
excess of postage which has been paid by the
citizens of that State. The law fixes the charge
of carrying letters any distance under three
thousand miles at three cents, if prepaid The
| Californians contend, says the Neaos, that the
distance from the Eastern States, overland, to
San Francisco, does not exceed three thousand
miles; and that it is the duty Of the Govern
ment to transmit the mails by the nearest route,
if practicable. If the department chooses to
select circuitous way, and thereby exceed the
legal distance, it is its own affair. 1t has no
right to ask the people of this State to pay them
double the tax, because Of its own failure to
take advantage of the nearest road. To assume
any other position, it is contented, and allow
the Government to choose what route it may
please would be giving the right to send our
letters around the globe-to forward them via
the Cape Of Good Hope-and call upon us to
pay the additional expense.
"The movers in this matter, then, lay it
down as the correct rule that the mail cannot
depart from the direct road, to travel a circuit
cable--or at least unless great saving of time
is effected. The department cannot pretend
that the overland route is, or has been, imprac-
ticable. SO much light has lately been thrown
upon it by the agitation of the proposed wagon
road, that such position could not be sus-
tanned moment, if attempted. The only re-
naming excuse is, that the conveyance upon
steamers, by the Isthmus route, was preferred,
on account of its adding to the speed or GER
tainty Of transmitting the mails. Both Of these
positions are disputed. 1t is claimed that ex-
actly contrary is the case. And another fact
is urged with effect. AS long ago as 1851,
responsible parties, now in this State, proposed
to convey the mails by the overland route, and
offered to give satisfactory security for its spec
dier and safer transmission than by the steam
ers. These proposals the Government failed
to consider. And, now, it is asked, offer our
people have pointed out the nearer way, and
prayed to be allowed to carry their mails by it,
because the Government chooses to continue
sending it three thousand miles miles out Of
the way, ought it to ask them to pay her
large gratuity annually for SO doing2 1t is
onerous enough that her bad management COM
pels us to wait two or three days longer for our
letters, without having to pay twice as much
for this inconvenience"
| 1t seems to us that these complaints Of the
people Of California are not destitute of founda
ton. Indeed, Congress has recognized the ne
cessity and importance Of establishing post
routes across the continent; but whether the
service authorized by the establishment Oft those
routes has been properly performed we cannot
undertake to say. We understand, however,
that portion of one Of those routes, and ofthe
one which we believe the best, has thus far
been unattended TO. We trust, however, that
this oversight, omission, or delay, will be speed
lily remedied.
Congress has authorized three routes across
the continent.
|. The northern route from Independence,
Missouri, to the Salt Lake, and thence to Sacra-
mento city.
2. The middle route from Independence,
Missouri, to Santa Fo and Albuquerque, and
thence to Woodville in Tulare county, Calfor-
MIA.
The southern route from Texas to Frontera
near III Paso on the Rio Grande, and thence
to Los Angeles in California.
The first or northern route has been in ope-
ration about three years, and the second or
middle route has been in operation as far as
Santa Fe for a considerable time; the mails
being>carried once month. The extention of
this line from Albuquerque across TO California
by the Indian town Of Tuni is..now advertised
to run weekly. The third or southern route
has been in operation as far as the Rio Grande
for several years, and the Post Office Depart.
ment is authorized TO extend it from the Rio
Grande TO Los Angeles. We trust that this
extension viii be promptly made, so that the
complaints Of California may be deprived OF
any just foundation.
These mail routes will be productive of much
good. They will make MS better acquainted
with. the country lying between the Missis
sippi valley and the Pacific coast They will
show very soon where the great line Of com
munication must be made. They will at once
establish an express line so much desired, and
test the practicablity Of carrying the mail,
from the Mississippi valley across the cont