San Andreas independent., 1857-08-08
The Overland Mail Route.

at one time thought by many to be impractical
BILE, has been declared by Government within
the bounds of possibility. The monster petit
ton which was sent from California-contain-
ing about one hundred thousand names-show-
ing the wants, the necessities and requirements
of the California public, has been duly consid-
cred by the central government, and ii, in its
magnanimity, has been disposed to be generous
to the people of the Pacific coast. And doubt
less, we should all shout hosannas, and shower
blessings and praises upon the Post Office De-
partment for its extreme liberality. But we, as
forming very small fraction of the petition
ers," are disposed to reserve our gratitude and
our praises till the practicability of the route
selected has been established and then, and
not till then, shall the exuberance of our joy
burst forth in gratitude to the dispenser of good
gifts in the way of mail route" conveniences
The people of California in desiring an Cover
land Mail" were anxious it should be estab-
lished as the forerunner of railroad from the
Mississippi river to the Pacific, and as opening
conveniences for immigration to our State, act
ing as wholesome competition and check to
the exorbitant prices charged passengers on the
steamers. These are of more Importance to the
interests of California than the mere matter of
an overland mail and it was supposed that
the Government would have had sufficient re-
spect for those interests, to have permitted the
route to enter California in the inhabited and
settled portions of the State, and not upon the
extreme southern border, amid sand plains,
thence to travel four hundred miles north to the
commercial emporium. Had the one selected
been the only practicable, or even the most fea-
sible route, no one could have complained
But we are compelled to believe, from the best
not the best, but is actually the worst of the
three routes contemplated. Of the commence
ment and terminus, no fault can be found; on
the contrary, great praise is justly due, as St
Louis and Memphis, the starting points, are
best calculated to accommodate the great COM
mercial and travelling interests of the Atlantic
public but of the route itself, every Calfor-
nian has just cause to be indignant
OF the Northern, Middle and Southern routes
contemplated in the bids, the Northern, which
passes up Platte river through South Pass and
Salt Lake, appears to have been lost sight of
almost entirely, on account of the altitude of
the South Pass and the amount of snow which
is said to fall there and over a considerable sec
tion of country East and West But perhaps
its neglect was owing less to this fact, than to
the prejudice which had been created against
it by the special influence which was well
known to exist in and about :! the Court-a
power behind the throne, more powerful than
the throne ITSELF And even if it is impract-
cable during the winter mouths we still be-
lieve it better and more available one than
that which has been selected on the thirty-sec-
ond parallel of latitude, and for which we can
discover but one recommendaton-that it has
been the especial favorte of Jeff. Davis and GER
tain southern politicians But let the Govern
ment make f;ivorite of what route it may, still
the great overland travel from East or West,
will continue to flow through the South Pass.
Settlements will be made along the whole length
of the Platte river and its tributaries, in the
Green river country, and in fact upon the whole
route. Territories will be established, States
will spring into existence mail route will be
located to satisfy the wants of the people, when
this Southern Route, upon the thirty second par
auet will be known only for its arid, sandy
plains, and its parched and burning deserts
vi the three routes, the middle, undoubtedly,
is the most available and presents less obsta-
cles and greater inducements than either of the
Others. Starting from ST. Louis and runnino
to Little Rock, thence to Fort Smith Albn-
querque, TETON Pass and Tulare Valley extend-
ing along the thirty fifth parallel of north lati-
tude, on elevated table land, and which is
far enough south to escape the SHOWS which
make the Northern Route Objectionable. and
yet avoids the sandy deserts through which the
Southern Route passes. This Middle Route
passes along what Col. Davis several years ago
noted as "the interlocking tributaries of the
Mississippi, the Rio Grande and the Colorado
of the West;" and Lieut.. Whipple says, in his
survey of this route: q For great portion of
the route from the Mississippi, we followed
natural channels, where streams flow nearly
East and West Again he says: q One of the
most important advantages claimed for this
route, is the salubrious climate of the region
through which it passes. There is no long Sc
ries of parched plains, rendering the summer
heat intolera5le nor do those dreaded winds,
termed northers," reach this latitude. The
mountain ranges that are crossed are not blocked
up in winter by ice and snow, sufficient to in
terrupt travel From July to January, and for