Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1857-09-03

TIE recent decision Of Postmaster General
Brown adopting the Southern route as the one
over which tie United States mail shall be
carried between the Mississippi valley and
san Francisco, in California, has attracted
considerable attention and many com tents
from the press OF the country. The decision
Of the question as to which was the best route,
where all the lines that come into competition
and comparison with each other were bsset
wi b counteTbslanciEg advantages and dissd-
vanteges, vas one Of considerable Derplexity.
But as proof that the Postmaster General m
THIS matter has been guided BY ths prudent
foresight and eminently practical good sens
which characterize ali hiI official acts, We are
glad to have the testimony OF q gentleman
whose accurate knowledge Of the subject in
ali its bearings makes him entirely competent
to pronounce upon the superior eligibility OF
he Southern route. We sllude to John r
Bartlett, Fsq, who was one Of the commits
siOners appointed 10 run the boundary between
Mexico aud the United States under President
FllmCre's administration In the years 1S50-53,
VITO has written an elaborate parer, which
appears 10 the Providence Journal IN which
Be takes decided ground in favor Of the South
err line, near the 32d parallel Of latitude which
has been selected. Mr.. Bartlett gives this
route the preference On account Of the many
advantages which be saws his observation
a1sA4EE AAA AAah r. r4cofcaEEs AE AAhEAcA
with seven loaded wagons, many packed mules,
p oxen aud $50 sheep, over a considerable
portion Of tie line, and may therefore lay
claim with good reason to know its character
istics. He thinks the Southern line has a mar
rsser belt of wcodless and waterless region
to traverse than any other; while tie summit
level Of The sea, at Ell PIso, is only 3 500 or
1000 feet sbeve the level Of the see; the sum
nit level Of the central or Albuquerque route.
near the 35th parallel, is reported to have IN
elevation Of about 1000 feet. Between the
Rio Grande and Colorado water was always
found-if not visible on the surface it could
be obtained BY digging for it-snd the whole
extent was passed BY the entire train without
Gripping a wagon.
TIE region Mr.. Bartlett pronounces sdmira-
bly, adapted for a wagon road or railway. Be-
yond the Colorado Is the California desert,
having d breadth Of about I0g miles. which
must be crossed. This is very hard and level,
with occasional spots Of sand. i is e-tiis els
destitute Of wood aud nearly 30 Of grass. Wa
ter in the dry seasOH can only be had by dig
ging; but it could probably be obtained IN any
desirable quantities BY opening large wells,
an6 by providing reservoirs TO catch the over
fOwings Of the Colorado. CaTisa creek fur
nishes water in the dryest season. From this
point to San Diego, water is found at conven-
lent distances. and also an abundance Of grass
Emigrsnt parties from Eastern Texas in large
numbers have passed over this route, making,
however, an unnecessary detouT 10 one place,
which ~lengthens their journey 100 miles. Mr.
Bartlett, on his return, met numerous parties
upon the road, and in one instance a flock Of
Il 600 sheep, all bound for San Francisco. He
appeals to bis published reports and dispatches
to support bis present statements, and asserts
that although the region through which this
road passes is no Paradise, and is poor ia many
respects, yet it is Infinitely better and presents
more advantages for a great national highway
than any yet discovered 20 Caiifornia.-Nash-
rifle CHi0H.