The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-11-04
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC MAIL ROUTE.

1 loihou q fcPofs upon tDiS euUJCS1 y =
| special agent of the Government, which fully
confirms previous accounts as to the poverty
| and aridity of the region through which the
mail route has been established. The following
are the material statements of the report, and
| it will be seen that, from beginning to end, we
have nothing but long stages over rocky and
desert plains, without water, and, as a matter
of course, without grass; and the prospect is
not at all enlivened by glimpses of hostile bands
of savages, who are driven by the sterility of
nature to resort to rapine for the means of sub
sistence. =.
Bat all this must be borne, without regard to
expense, in order to pave the way for South
ern Pacific Railroad and the extension OF Sla-
| very 1t is peculiar feature Of this business,
that the real interests of majority OF the South
ern people have been sacrificed, to say nothing
| of the whole North, in order to crafty the ST.
mon Pure Southern Sectonalists. The route
| adopted by the Government runs far south Of
the southern centre, which would be by way of
Albuquerque, on the 35.h parellel of latitude.
This route would accommodate the majority Of
the Southern people better than any other, and
regarding the Administration as being entirely
Southern, having no Northern sfinities or obi
cations, this 35th parallel route should have
been selected. But so intensely WAS Mr.. Bu-
chanan and his Cabinet devoted to the cause of
Extreme Southern Sectionalism, that even Vir-
ginia, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina,
Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas, must be
sacrificed, in order to CRAFTY the Gulf States.
Their policy has been founded upon the maxim
that man cannot be too sound upon the Sla-
very question, and they we're determined to err,
| if at all, upon the safe side.
The long extract we make from the report of
Mr.. Bailey will repay perusal
| "Herewith is enclosed a memorandum
marked Az of the stations on the route, show
| ing the distances between them, and the time
made on each division. This was compiled with
great care, chiefly from data obtained on the
road. and although it doubtless contains come
errors, may be regarded as approximately
correct.
| at will be seen that the aggregate of these
| distances greatly exceeds that specified in the
| contract with the Overland Mail Company.
This is accounted for by the fact that the double
necessity of keeping within reach of water and
dams has compelled the company to follow, on
the first, second, fourth. and fifth divisions, a
route VARYING materially from that contempla-
| ted in the contract.
"The first of these divergences occurs in
California. Crossing the Sierra, not at the TIE
ion Pass, but through the Canada de las Twas,
twenty miles to the southwest, the road skirts
the edge of the desert, crosses the San Bernar-
dino range through the San Frsncisquito Ca
non, and thence runs by the San Fernando Pass
to Los Angeles. Thence the road runs south
east, crossing the mountain at Warmers Pass
and connects at Garlic creek with the old San
Diego trail, which it follows to Fort Yuma
The route specified in the contract runs by Sar
but, as the attempts heretofore made to fine
water on it have proved unsuccessful, the pres
emit route was necessarily adopted.
at was reported at Los Angeles, on the Stf
ult., that an exploring expedition which had
been fitted out by the citizens of San Benardine
had succeeded in finding good road, with al
ADEQUATE supply of water, on the east side Of the
San Jacinto range. Whether this prove to BIZ
the case or not, would respectfully sugges
that q small amount of money might be judi
ciously expended in making line Of water sta
tons from Vallecito to the Colorado. Apart
!, from the obvious advantage of shortening the
, |
other considerations to justify an expenditure
!, for this purpose. This is the route by which
: Southern emigration seeks the Pacific and the
s. ehaa1aasdz RaGopS. the caEcassess and tn.
the emigrants by the scarcity Of water.
The most material variance from the contrac
, route occurs in Texas. An inspection of tn,
accompanying map Of the route marked b
will show that saving nearly one hundred
} miles might be made by running directly from
Hopes camp, on the Pecos, to Fort Belknap
along the route followed by Lieut.. Garrard anc
Capt Pope, in 1854. 1t is alleged, however, BY
the company, and with reason, that unless Gov
eminent should interpose for their protection by
establishing line of military posts along the
northern frontier of Texas, it would he impos
sible for them to maintain the necessary ste
tions.
I" From Fort Belknap, the road follows Capt.
Marcy's trail, portions of which the company
have greatly improved at their own cost, and,
passing through Gainesville and Sherman, cross.
es Red river at Colbert's Ferry. From Colbert's
Ferry there is q direct road to Forth Smith,
| which would seem to be the natural terminus
| of the route on the east
[" At this point the route branches as You are
aware, the mails being forwarded simultaneous
ly to St. Louis and Memphis. 1t had been my
intention to return by the Memphis branch, az be.
doned the idea on learning at Fort Smith that
I should probably be subjected TO some delay.
1t is to be regretted that the contractors on this
route have exhibited so little energy in meeting
the comparatively trifing difficulties they have
had to encounter. 1t is impossible that any
road could be worse than that from Fort Smith
to Springfield, Missouri, and a glance at the
map will show that, 30 far as distance is CON.
cerned, theirs has greatly the advantage of the
St. Louis route, yet they have been behind time
on all their trips from Memphis to Fort Smith.
So, at least, was informed while at the latter
place.
"In conclusion, have to report, that, with
the exception mentioned above, the company
have faithfully complied with all the conditions
of the contract. The road is stocked with sub.
stantaly built Concord spring wagons, capable
of carrying conveniently four passengers, with
their baggage, and from FIVE to six hundred
pounds of mail matter. Permanent stations
have been, or are being, established at all the
places mentioned in the memorandum before
referred to; and where, in consequence of the
scarcity of water, these are placed far apart
relays of horses and spare drivers are sent for.
ward with the stage, to insure its prompt arrival.
The various difficulties of the roulette ecan,
supply of water-the long sand deserts-tbe
Inconvenience of keeping up stations hundreds
of miles from the points from which their sup
plies are furnished-all these, and the many
MINOR obstacles naturally presented to the sue
cessful management of so long a line of stage
communication, have been met and overcome
J BY the energy, the enterprise, and the determi
nation OF the contractors. Thus far the exper
iment has proved successful Whether this
/. success il to be permanent, whether this grea