The Placer herald., 1858-11-13
The Overland Mail Routes.

tno NottoNot LHtetttyeHte| III oV'y ieo', w
as there seems to be general lack of in
formation as to the exact location of the
several overland mail routes, we give it a
place in Our columns at the present time
knowing that it will be read with interest
1st. From New Orleans, Louisiana, by In
dianola, to San Antonio, thence by Ell Pasc
and Fort Yuma, to San Diego, on the Pacific
twice per month. This was the Pioneer
Line, demonstrating that an overland mail
route was practicable. 1t is now in success
full operation, the last trip from San Antonio
to San Diego having been performed in
twenty-three and one-half days.
2. The great overland mail route from
Memphis and st. Louis, forming junction at
Fort Smith, near the head of navigation on
the Arkansas river; thence in the direction
of Preston, on the Red river; thence to Fort
Fillmore, above Ell Paso, on the Rio Grande;
thence to Fort Yuma, on the Colorado, and
thence by the Tehon Pass to San Francisco.
The contractors, Messrs. Butterfield & Co.,
have examined the route, fixed on their sta
tons and will soon have the service in ope-
ration. When the service commences, it
will supersede the San Antonio line between
the Rio Grande and tie Colorado rivers, but
leave it in full operation on the balance of
the route.
The above line is now in successful oper-
ation-the mails being carried over it in the
schedule time of twenty-five days.
Sd. TO give similar mail and travelling
facilities, the Hon. A. V. Brown, Postmaster
General, established another great overland
route, and to be run weekly, to accommodate
the northwestern States and Territories, above
St. Josaph's, on the Missouri, to Salt Lake
and from Salt Lake through Carson Valley
to Placerville; thus penetrating California in
her most populous region and furnishing an
emigrant route of the highest Importance
The contractors, Messrs. Hockaday on the
east, and Chorpenning on the west, give as
surance by their experience and ample means,
that this great route will be speedily and
successfully carried into effect. So soon as
the roads can be improved, and actual ex-
perience shall show within what time the
service can be performed, the time will nc
doubt be reduced to the very shortest that
it can be run in.
4th. From some point on this line west
of Salt Lake four-horse coach service will
be put on It's now advertised) to the Dalles;
thus establishing most important communi-
cation with the Territories of Washington
and Oregon. Both General Lane and Gov
Stevens, if elected to the next Congress,
have announced their intention to pass over
this important route.
9th. From Independence on the Missouri,
to Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico,
weekly in four-horse coaches.
9th. From Santa Fe, by Albuquerque, to
Stockton, California, or falling into the But
telfeld or Ell Paso route, at Tehon Pass,
above Stockton. Connected with the route
is monthly fourhorse coach service from
Niosho (or Fort SMITH to Albuquerque.
7th. The new Tehuantepec route from New
Orleans, Louisiana, to San Francisco, con-
Meeting with the Panama route at or near
Acapulco. This route has been long desired
by the people of the United States. 1t is
the one nearest our possession on both oceans,
the easiest protected and kept open in time
of war. The Gulf of Mexico is destined
hereafter to be emphatcally an American
sea, over which, from necessity, the United
States must have preponderating and con-
trolling power. Contracts have already been
made by the Postmaster General, whereby
mails and newspapers can be conducted by
railroad from New York to New Orleans in
three days and ten honrs; this improvement
taken in connection with the route by Tehu-
antepec, must greatly shorten and cheaper
the communication between the Atlantic and
Pacific States.
Sth. The coast service of the Pacific has
by no means been neglected. In August
last much-needed line Of steamers, for the
benefit of the coast towns and settlements
between San Francisco, Astoria and Olympia,
was established at a cost of $l22,500 per
annum, and soon after contract for steam
boat supply of the officers on Puget Sound,
once each week, at cost of S22, 400 per
annum.
The above routes connecting the Atlantic
with the Pacific, have been established in
the face Of the most appalling revulsion of
trade and commerce, which reduced the re-
venues Of the government in most unpre-
cedented degree. In the face of that revul-
sion, prostratng the means of the govern
ment as we'll as Of individuals all over the
world, Congress would not venture at present
on the construction of railroad to comment
the two oceans. But, with a lberalty hard
ly to be expected under the circumstances,
the Administration, through the Post Office
Department, has opened up many overland
routes which must soon develop the riches
of the intermediate country, and contribute
largely and Immediately to the wealth. popu-
lation and general prosperity of California,
Oregon and Washington. The establish
ment of these six or eight great overland
routes will be well calculated to throw a
flood of light on the great question over
what particular route a railroad shall here
after be constructed, when the country shall