The Washington union., 1857-04-21
PACIFIC WAGON RoADs.


We learn that the Secretary of the Interior, Hon
Jacob Thompson, has nearly completed the arrange
ments with reference to vigorous prosecution OF
the Pacific wagon roads recently provided for by
Congress The country is looking forward with
eagerness to the completion of these great highways
across continent, and the prompt and energetic
measures adopted by the Interior Department will
their early construction and aid in rapid de-
velopment of our boundess western domain, with its
rich pastures and its fertile valleys.
In connexion with these roads, the great overland
mail, which is soon to be PIT through" under the
auspices of the able Postmaster General will serve
to bind firmly the bonds of union with Califor-
MIA, Oregon, and Washington, and put forever at
rest all fears of their estrangement from great
family of States The successful issue of these two
great national projects will reflect the highest credit
upon the present administration. These projects are
to be placed the hands Of able practical and ener
getic men, who peculiarly well qualified for the
arduous and even dangerous duties assigned them.
The gentlemen who have been selected for super
ntendents are w. f. Mobiles, oftinnesota, who will
construct the road from Fort Rdgely TO the South
Pass, and return over the Platte road to Fort Kear-
ney. Mr.. Mobiles was already the superintendent of
the former road, appointed under the late admins
tration
Mr.. M, r. Magraw Of Missouri, who will construct
the Fort Kearney and Honey Lake road as far the
City Rocks
John Kirk, of California who will complete this road
from City Rocks to Henry Lake valley, working from
the California side.
The road from Ell Paso to Fort Yuma has been
placed under the supervision of Mr. James b. Leach,
of Texas
The appointment Of superintendent of the road
from Fort Defiance to the Colorado by clause in the
bill was left to the President, and it is understood
that the Secretary Of War to whom il was assigned,
has rendered it to Mr. Beae, and that the service of
the cames will be employed by him on his division.
For facilitating the business which these roads will
necessarily create, the Secretary of the Interior
time since established new bureau for the i'm
mediate charge Of the same, and we are graied to
learn that Mr.. A. H. Campbell, civil engineer, has
been placed at its head. This is highly important
and responsible position to be conferred upon young
a man, and is only accounted for by his admirable
fitness for the place. Mr.. Campbell combines the
edge of the topography Of the country through
which these roads are to be opened. He has been
connected with two of the three Pacific railroad
veys across the continent---the central or Albu-
querque route, and the route the 32d parallel
from San Diego in Fort Yuma and the ila river, to
Ell Paso
The estimation in which Mr.. Campbels services
are held by the typographical department. may be
understood by the fact that he had just been select
ed by Lieut. Parks, designated to run the northwest
boundary as engineer of the expedition, which APP
pontment, under other circumstances, he probably
would have accepted.
We have every reason to believe that the above
details correct and that the complete organiza-
ton will soon be made public. The country may
congratulate itself on the sound judgment displayed
by Mr.. Secretary Thompson in the selection of the
above-named gentlemen and the emgrants for the
next year need feel apprehensions in their over
land journeys to the Pacific