The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-03
THE OVERLAND MAIL ROUTES.



The subject of the great overland mails from the val
ley Of the Mississippi to California has recently elected
much attention, not less account Of the Importance OF
these great enterprises than of the eminent success which
has attended the contracts of the present administration
In The midst OF the rejoicing and congratulations how
ever which going up from end of the land 10 the
other there is dscordant voice. like that OF John
Hook, crying BEEF beefP'
The St. Louis Democrat of the 18th instant has a
characteristic article exhibiting at immensely of
spleen and ignorance. II that sheet half indie
fatgabe in the pursuit of truth and information il is
TO ind fault and misrepesent, il would never have put
forth the article in question After any amount OF
Lightly displayed towards the President and Postmaster
General Brown in regard TO the St. Louis and San Fran
cisco route, find the following First, it is very
certain that the present overland route could be
much shortened by proceeding westwardy from Spring
field, instead Of southwardly through Texas Quite
roundabout journey could be avoided and the mail time
could be reduced 10 less than twenty days Second the
ay-book of the late experimental trip does not show
such advantages of location to repres all attempts at
lettering it,
The impression is here sought to be made that the
mail is diverted out Of its natural and easiest direction
for no better than TO crafty sectional southern
prejudice This Is wilfui or ignorant msrepresenta-
ton. If the writer of the above had been well in
formed he who sets himself up for should be-
he would have known that the route designated by him
proceeding westwardy from Springfield, instead of
southwardly into Texas, has not been neglected. A
large portion of the country ravesed by the route thus
indicated has hitherto been not only INFESTED but alb
solutely unexplored and is marked upon the map
What propriety then, could there be in attempting
expensive experiment semi-weekly mail over such
route Butthe administration has done what accords
far better with and prudence. contract for
monthly service at comparatively small sum, en-
tered into with Messrs Barrow, Porter, Co. for carry
ing the mails from Kansas City, the Missouri river, to
Stockton, California the main portion of the route being
over that vast region directly westwardly of Spring
field"
On account Of the totally UNEMPLOYED condition Of the
route and the want of anything ike protection against
hostile Indians the Postmaster General has been
peed for the present. to permit the contractors this
route to diverge from the direct line and to accept
service by the way of Albuquerque, crossing the Rio
Colorado the 35th parallel of latitude whereas that
via Fort Smith holds its whole further SOUTH
crossing this stream below the SD parallel This
trail route is of much Importance and has already
ceived much attention 1t in attempt TO explore
it that the amented Gunnson met his fate and again
we find efforts being made to it regular mail
service monthly at first but if found practicable to be
ordered up to meet the demands of the country.
Notwithstanding Postmaster General Brown under the
present administration, has achieved for the West
than all those which have preceded him notwhstand-
ing success perfect and unequvoca has attended all his
efforts to connect the valley of the Mississippi with the
Pacific find that he does not escape the vituperaton
of an INSCRIPTIONS opposition Indeed, this not to
be expected. But the country will and appreciate,
unless greatly deceived the vast benefits growing
out of the three present great overland maro from
ST. Louis, Kansas City, and St Joseph, to California.