The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-03

simultaneously lines Of such length and embracing
such an extent o. latitude Z work Of greater magni-
nation and its results have only proved
rate with the amount Of work DONE but possess value
peculiar to the scale which II has been conducted
riding basis the determination of questions
Of science which number of smaller detached sxplo
rations could have furnished The facts developed BY
these surveys added to other information which
suggest considerations Of great interest with
gard TO territory the Pacific. They exhibit it
slope of average width of less than $50 miles
of cultivatabe land skrng the for distance oil
thousand miles, itch In those mineral productions
which are tempting even beyond their value, and which
would be most readily turned to the o! invader
drained by two rivers Of widespread branches and With
seaports lying directly upon the ocean that hostile
within few hours after being deserted from land,
fortified nst attack few In number that compare
lively few ships would suffice to blockade them.
This territory Is not more remote from tue princip
European States than from those parts Of
Try 1t would derive its military supplies and
Of those States have colonies and possessions on the
Pacific which would greatly facilitate their operations
against It, With these advantages and those which the
an mas a'n
could with comparatively little cost to himself subject
TO enormous In giving to Pacific frontier
veinment to afford.
In the first years of . with any great maritime
power the by could not be relied
the transportation Of supplies from the Atlantic to
he Pacific States. Our naval peace establishment would
not furnish adequate for the number Of store
ships which would be necessary to employ and store
ships alone, laden with supplies, could undertake
voysge Of COO mies passing numerous neutral ports
where enemys armed vessel Of the smallest size
night lie in wait to intercept them.
The only line Of communication, then, would be over
LAND, and by this it would be mpracticable with any
heretofore used to furnish the amount of supplies
required for the defence Of the Pacific At the pre-
sent prices the best part Of the route the
Of land transportation alone for the annual supplies
Of provisions, clothing, camp equipage and ammunition
for such army 1t would be necessary to maintain
there would exceed 20 600 dollars the land
at ammunition for year would cost ~ 800; of each
"a pounder and ammunition 50 600; and Of coast
soss expenses s'A fa
At the rates that were paid on the Northern from.
tier during the last with Great Britain, the
above estimates would be trebb!ed The time re-
CURED for the overland Journey would be from four to
six months In point OF TACT however supplies for such
army could not be transported the continent
quantities of water and grass would be exhausted
by the numerous draught animals required for
een not Be- carried for their S
the other hand, the enemy would send out
bis supplies at from one-sevenh to onetweneth the
above rates and in less time, perhaps in oneourth the
ZINE, If he should obtain command Of the Isthmus
routes.
Any reliance therefore, upon furnishing that part of
frontier with Of defence from the Atlantic and
interior States, after the nent of hosties
would be vain and the next would be
mulae there such amount Of stores and supplies
would suffice during the continuance OF the contest
until we could obtain con mand oy the sea- Assigning
expense
yet be enormous The for iicatons depots and store
houses would necessarily be the largest scale, and
the cost Of placing supplies there for five years would
amount 10 nearly $lC0 100000. In many respects
the cost during peace wonld be equivalent
to that during war. The perishable character
Of articles would render it perhaps imprac be
to put provisions in depot for such lepgth Of time
and in many there would be deterioration amount.
ing TO Sc me millions OF dollars year.
These considerations and others of strictly military
character the Department examine with interest
al projects promising the accomplishment of railroad
sissipi and those Of the Pacific As military OPP
eraiiops depend in greater degree upon rapidiy and
certainty OF movement than other circumstance,
the ntrod action OF railway has i'm
proved the Of defending Atlantic and
inland frontiers and to give US sense Of
security from attack upon tho exposed portion
our territory it requisite that the aciy Of railroad
transportation should be extended to the Pacific
Were such road completed our Pacid: coast ins.eal of
beng further removed in time and less accessible TO
than enemy, would be brought within few days Of
essy Communication, and the cost Of supplying army
him. would be about equal We would be relieved Of the
rtcssty Of accommodating supplies that coast to
waste perhaps through long Of peace and could
~ht may before hostile expedition could reach that
exposed frontier pie force could be placed there
iep.l any attempt at invasion.
IRON the the surveys horized by Congress
derive at least the that the work prac
able and dismiss the apprehenaons viii b previous
could NOT but entertain 10 the possibility of de-
tending Pacific territory through long with
lowerful maritime enemy.
If s eton, must control future plans for the
military defence OF that frontier an any plan for the
purpose which should leave that consi esation out of
view would be imperfect If 1t should disregard all
those other with which and aid
the operation Of mics.
Whether shall depend on private capital and
plise alone for the early establishment; Of railroad
mupicston shall promote its construction by such
aid the general government may constituonaly give
whether shan rely upon the continuance Of peace
until the increase Of the population and Of
Pacific States shall render them Independent of aid from
thoie Of he Atlantic slope and Mississippi valley;
whether shall adopt the extensive Of defence
aesve referred to, are questions Of public policy shih
belong to Congress to decide.
Beyond the dire: employ ment Of such road for mill
tary purpoes it has other relations to all the great in
forests Of cur confedcra:y-pocal, commercial snd
ocs-,he prosperity of which essentially contributes to
the common defence Of these it is not my purpose TO
treat fun Their than to point TO the addiJna
WI ich would develope and the increase OF population
which must attend upon giving such facility of com NUM-
Cation to country feupng to enter prise, much Of
which having most valuable products, is beyond reach OF
market.
refer to the reports Of the officer in charse of the
Capitol and Post Office extensions for detailed infor nation
regsrd to these works Ths Progress Of the former has
supply Ct marble for the exterior. The work Is how
ever, far advanced, that the interior finish must
lie considered. The original plan AMI esti nate was
',r finish similar TO that Of the main building, bur
his style would not be fair sample OF the pcesent
architectural skill and supposed would fali
u wish Of Congress Il has therefore bean thought pro-
20 have prepared for inspection specimens o.
Ii fling, instead of brick ard sandstone for the foor
ceilings these and other contemplated III provement4
ot included in the original plan and estimate may be
induced to greater less extent Cong may
Medifca iors have alreaey been mads such the
Introduction Of ornamental iron ceilings in the principal
the substitution Of iron for wood in the frames of
tie OFFS and the doors and tho WINDOWS of the basement
y, increased thickness Of tie marble in the walls,
81 ecally provided for by the law, and costly and
en,ive corridor required by the psn but not contained
IL The ORIGINAL estimate.
st the last session Congress adopted plan and made
appropriation for dome to the Capitol. No es.
ate OF the cost of the work bad been submitted has
any set been prepared. In fact at that time only the
tesior bad been studied and sketch made sho wing the
general ee.t Of the whole building completed The
study Of the details has since been entered into and
fer The report OF the officer in charge for narrative Of
Lie operations well for full description Of the
structure, which promises to be object
- are architectural beauty The resources exhibited Ia
lie machinery des9rcd to raise the enormous Of
iron IMPOSING the dome and place them accurately
10 their elevated po icns refec the highest credit upon
the caT acity ard skill engineer Of tho officer 10
charge Of The work.
notwithstanding very unhealthy season, the work
lie aqueduct de ien.d to supply this city with water,
La leen nj gsfuv and Ia ~ a.