The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-16
pRorBcrloN no THE OVERLAND MAI.


We have the pleasure of laying before our readers
to-day from the able pen, second article upon
the importance and value of thorough protection to
the overland mail about to be put into operation in
accordance with the recent law establishing it. The
national importance of this subject aud the attention
given to it by the public press in all parts of the
country induce pursue it to-day at length
BY examining the printed sheets of the unpublished
surveys we have been able to obtain many facts
which we hope viii prove interesting to our readers
To our mind nothing is clearer than that thorough
protection will speedily call into existence fine settle
ments in all the fertile valleys along line of travel
between the Mississippi river and the Pacific coast
Such line if thus protected, viii speedily exist,
and be speedily settled between ST, Paul and Pugets
Sound another between Rock Island and San Fran
CISCO another between San Francisco and ST. Louis;
and yetanother between New Orleans and San Diego,
or some other town in Southern California. Such
lines Of travel and of settlement would be invaluable
in times Of war as well Of peace; and when thor
oughIy established, viii prove far more effective
curbs upon the Indians than present inadequate
system of military posts.
To connect our settlements upon the eastern side
of California with those upon the west bank of the
Mississippi and 10 render the travel and trade
between the two speedy, safe, comfortable, and
cheap. are objects worthy Of the most considerable
efforts of our most exalted statesmen and patriots.
That that great military, commercial, financial and
social object viii receive that deliberate and wise
attention Of which it is pre-eminenty deserving,
may be confidently believed
Al AL.
ing in California, Oregon, and Washington, and the
most western settlements now existing west of the
Mississippi river several lines of roads and of set
Elements are much needed; several routes are fully
practicable even for railroads accomplished cngi-
neers have reported after careful instrumental
vey But money has been appropriated for the sup
port of an overland mail upon but oar Of these
routes
Under such circumstances, the friends of the sew.
era routes must allow the administration to examine
imparall the claims Of each and to select that one
which, everything considered, shall seem to be the
most practicable, and for the best interests of all
The Paci6c-raiload committee Of the House Of Rep,
resenatives wisely remark shat in selecting route
for this line regard should be had to the geographi-
cal position Of the thryone States Of the Union rel
atively to each other they now formed and
settled and also to other lines of railway now lead
ing to the Mississippi valley"
After speaking Of several routes, the committee
add:
4sIt Is believed however that no route can he made
generally satisfactory under the present Of things
which does not contemplate san Francisco the terminus
CA the west spsl a az goSrs srsy u- b az
co~sselals ~ groaas asauf y F@ara ass sS~ss cua
In all ~
the same rule OF action should he Observed which lies al
the great contres of commercial enterprise and industry
Keeping this dca in view, il viii b az once co1ceied
that other things being equal this ri ii built all
should he built through such districts Will he most
likely 10 Concentrate the largest amount Of population in
the shortest time
Senator Gwin Of California, fOroibly remarked ia
his reply to Col, Benton in 1855:
4sIGa kr ~ bcS rnr ~ sxSszipai u ~ 5ssS saaapr
Let guides, and travellers and all men having local
kDoNeige, SNass known and supposed routes but Let
silence ssE1 their length diretion grades t the mile
attitudes ahrye the climate waters soss proiuc
tons Sc in 50 exact precise and ample manner as 70
Command our implicit ooahseNe- Nv constituents want
rod with good grades and curves that can BE travel
he'd without hindnce every day Throughout the year
fA,r ursf r.aS frz-s Szs FhFpnsN Nsr TsrR asi a,
&sx loszni % ssals tAo~ eSalg au5 sANlyss
Nes ovirz~s 10 Ar.S spS Canga - a. SsAE,
Wheeler the mOss central and convenient route
thus desired Is sufficiently easT and practicable to
justify It's adoption, or whether it is 50 dEea and