San Andreas independent., 1856-12-13

These tables have been prepared with
great care, by Mr.. Patton, and are worthy
of being classed as the best authority in
such matters. The amount of lumber ca,
pable of being turned out per day, is 105,-
500 feet, which alone would contribute
largely to the facilities of building rail
road, and to the profits of the road after it
is built.
From De Bows Commercial Reviear
of June 1917, printed at New Orleans,
we copy the following-the writer is in fa-
vor of the route and his statistics serve our
purpose:
"Thc Mississippi Valley comprchends a larger
extent OF fertile, cultvatible lands than the
same area in any portion of the world. Upon
careful computation Of the richness and ex-
tent of the great Mississippi valley, | give it at
l,320,0 900 square miles. Mr.. Darby, the ven
erable American geographer, estimates the val
ley at 100000 square miles, with circuit of
6,l00. Seven-eghts of this area is habtable
and cultivatable, the greatest proportion of it
yielding luxurlantly the products necessary to
human subsistence and happiness. Only one
half of this area is included in the States,
(omiting Iowa and Wisconsin, and its popula-
ton is about 8 000, 900, whereas its capacity to
sustain 100, 900, 900 within the present organ
lied States, may not be questioned. The whole
valley, when its resources are developed, will
sustain population Of two hundred millions Of
souls, furnishing them the comforts and even
the luxuries Of an Independent and happy
people.
To populate rapidly this vast extent of
idle domain, and to assume among the nations
of the earth the proud position which great
population, great wealth, and great enlighten-
ment must command, is our highest interest
While we would benefit the commerce of the
world, then, by connecting the trade of the
two oceans, and ensure to ourselves an easy
and rapid transit to our distant possessions on
the Pacific, let us bring that commerce through
the valley itself, empty what we need into its
lap for distribution to its distant extremes, and
retain from that we do not need the compensa-
ton for its transport by a shorter route than
hitherto known.
The question at once presents itself what
work would answer these vast purposes, and
by whom and how shall it be constructed?
The answer propose is, Il great rail road
from the Atldntic to the Pacific, IN California, to
be constructed by private stockholders, the
United States being shareholder, for military,
mail, and other national purposes
The American public are familiar with the
magnificent schemes of Mr.. Whitley, who pro-
posed to construct such q road, a distance of
two thousand four hundred miles. The cost of
constructing and completing the road. he esti-
mated at S65, 100000. The Land which he
required, at Sl.25 per acre, would if sold, raise
fund of Sll3,o00,oO0; but supposing only
threc-fourths to be saleable, it would produce
about S7o,ooo,ooo as government contribu-
ton to the work"
Giving Dir. Whitney the credit proper
ly due, to man of great energy, foresight
and practical knowledge, there are still
strong reasons for viewing the enterprise
in much more favorable light than he
did. The discovery of gold in California
upset all former ideas in reference to the
greatness of the undertaking and the wants
and wishes of the people. The discovery
of the Big Tree route, done yet more, to