San Andreas independent., 1856-12-27
For the San Andreas Independent
CalaveraS Wagon Road.


Calaveras Wagon Road.
Mr.. Editor The Sacramento Union
of the 10th inst, publishes an article on
The Calaveras Wagon Road" the object
of which is to show that the distance from
Careys Mill to Stockton, is as great, if not
greater, than to Sacramento. The Union S
estimates are based upon the distances
given in o. B. Powers Report and the let
ter of a Mokelumne Hill correspondent
The distances as given by Mr.. Powers are
the result of my own observations when
exploring for the route Since then
have passed over the Road several times,
(being one of the contractors and see no
reason for changing the estimate of dis
tances, except that in opening the road
we cut off mile or two of the worst of
the road by avoiding Indian Valley; so
should lesson rather than increase the dis
tance as given by Mr. Powers.
! l have never been over the Mokelumne
Hill and West Point Road, but know it
connects with the Big Tree Road near the
Black Springs, which are only 10 miles
from the Big Tree, instead of Is, as was
published in the Union. Now from Ca
rey's Mill to this point the road is the same
say 40 miles-from here, according to
the figures of the Union, it is 16 miles to
West Point, thence to the "Hill' Is
miles, and Sc to Sacramento-making
127 miles from Carey's Mill to Sacra-
mento; or 12O by way of Volcano, instead
of Mokelumne Hill. The distance to
Stockton is as follows: From Carey S
Mill to Murphy's 65 miles, from Muir
phys to Angels 8 miles, and thence to
Stockton, by the new road 40 miles in
all l IA miles. Even you 90 by West Point
and Mokelumne Hill to Stockton, the dis
tance is no greater than to Sacramento, as
the following figures show: From the
Black Springs to West Point 16 miles,
from thence to the HIP 15miles, thence
to Stockton so miles; making III miles
from Carey's Mill to Stockton. The road
by Murphy's, however, IS through much
more level country than any other route.
The correspondent of the Union is GER
tainly wrong in saying that the road from
West Point runs northeast; as the point
of intersection is directly northeast from
the Big Tree, and West Point northwest
from the Tree.
In the Surveyor Generals Report you
will find that Careys Mill is put down in
Lat 3S deg. Al min, Long. 119 A.
From Carey's, the road, according to the
best of my judgment, makes about 81
miles southing, and 20 miles westing be-
fore you reach the junction of the West
Point and Big Tree roads; which would
make that point in Lat 80 deg 13 min,
Long. 120 deg. min The difference of
Longitude between this point and Sacra-
mento, would be | deg. 10 min. and be-
tween it and Stockton, deg. IA min,
while Sacramento is II miles North, aud
Stockton | I miles South; showing the diff
ference of distance, such as it is, to be in
favor of Stockton
Another advantage to be gained by COM
ing to Murphy's, is its close proximity to
Columbia and Sonora, through which places
immigrants can pass to the southern conn
ties. There are some steep hills on each
side of the Stanislaus, but the road is
travelled by a line Of daily stages; showing
it to be not rcyy bad. Besides, any one
in crossing at Abbey's Ferry, on looking
up the river, will observe about mile
distant, high and abrupt precipice on
each side of the river, and but little if any
more than hundred yards apart, the tops
of which are on level with the surround
ing hills. Nogreat outlay of money would
be required to throw bridge across at
this place, by means of which anearly level
road from Murphy's to Sonora, could be
obtained.
From these facts, it would seem to be
true that all parts Of the Valley of the
San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers, should
be equally interested in the Calaveras
route; and that the only rivalry that should
exist between Stockton and Sacramento,
should be as to which should have the
honor of doing most towards the early
completion Of the road.
Yours respectfully, L. W. MOVES.