The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-24

to our readers the arrival of the first overland
mail at st. Louis from San Francisco in twenty
three days and nine hours, bringing eleven
days later news from that place, without any
hindrance on the route, and many hours ahead
of the regular time. Thus is solved one of the
greatest problems Of our day-the practicability
of safely crossing our continent by a convenient
route within stated period Of time.
The great overland route to India, SO much
lauded by the British press, and which owed all
its fcla to the establishment of a line of
rude carts across the Isthmus of Suez by Lieut.
Waghorn, has been entirely thrown into the
shade by this enterprise and that gentleman's
well earned reputation unfortunately the only
valuable legacy he was able to leave
his family-must now pale before that of
John Butterfield, to whose energy we owe the
completion of the present undertaking This is
not the place to eulogize this remarkable man,
who, from hubble origin, and an early connec-
ton with the mail coach lines radiating from
Utica, subsequently with the canal packets, so
famous and SO thronged in their day. and latter
| ly with the management of express companies
has risen to the first rank among his class, and
the possession of an ample and well deserved
| fortune.
| The present administration has taken deep
interest in this enterprise throughout, and the
telegraph from the President to Mr.. Butterfeld
sagaciousy foreshadows the advantages which
are to ensue TO the country from the realization
Of this project. There r no doubt whatever that
MI. Bucharans anicipations of its benefits are
perfectly Just, and that in short time there will
be succession of settlements along this road in
vting emigration, both foreign and domestic, to
the cultivation Of some Of the finest tracts of land
in the world. In the last able report ofthe Post
master General on the mail service of this coun-
try, he spoke of this route as the pioneer move
ment in the establishment Of a railroad to the
Pacific.
The present contract has been made merely for
the transportation of letters but the proprie-
tors offer to carry in addition such passengers as
desire to make the land journey One Of the
greatest services rendered to commerce, says
well known writer on political economy, is the
safe and speedy conveyance of letters; and simple
as the idea is, it is most undoubtedly true that
trade cannot flourish without written advices
documents, instructions and requests, inviolable
in their transit and carried with promptness to
their destination. The government which does
not recognise this principle, or which binders the
transmission Of letters by unwise and onerous
charges, is pronounced by the same authority as
hostile in the extreme to the commercial interests
Of its people
In connection with this service of the govern
ment mails a system of parcel carriage was de-
vised some years ago by few enterprising men,
led by Mr.. Harnden, by which az much speed
WAS given to the transmission Of parcels as Of the
mails themselves. Out Of this simple design
arose the great express companies Of the present
day, with large capitals, routes thousands of
miles in extent, hundreds of stations, and batta-
lions Of agents all in harmonious and orderly
connection. A large dealer in wool in this city
has declared that with the telegraph and the ex-
press he does not require any other facility for
the transaction Of his immense business than an
Office capacious enough to contain writing desk
Such being the character and extent of these
companies, il is not strange that they should
change in the management of steamships which
has been inaugurated by John o. Lever. the
founder and principal proprietor Of the Gal
way and New York line. Mr.. Lever having had
the sagacity to perceive that while steamship
companies were projecting lines for all the prin-
cipal ports Of the world, there was none between
those Of Ireland and the United States, although
they are nearer than any others divided by the
Atlantic, and have greater inducements in the
constant supply Of emigrant passengers, with an
emigating population, purchased steamers,
formed line from Galway to New York and
Boston, and soon found his calculations realized
in every respect. The trips Of this line have not
only been highly remunerative, but the Prince
Albert was obliged to leave behind her on her
last outward voyage ninety first class passen-
gers and large quantity Of freight. Mr.. Lee
YER to meet his increasing business. has pur-
chased eight first class steamers, Of which four
have been navigated successfully to our shores
A fortnightly line is already established, and In
all human probability weekly one will soon fol
low.
But what we particularly Intended to direct
attention to il the discernment Of Mr.. Lever In
consigning bis ships to one Of the great modern
express companies the American, which is in
part the Overland Mail Company also. In doing
this he has secured for himself the influence Of
body Of heavy capitalists centralized at this port,
and four hundred agencies on their various routes
each Of which become an Office Of the Galway
steamers, free Of charge. AT these the Irish peo-
pie Of the interior already do what may be fairly
called their international " business, in sending
tves abroad Here the friends Of emrants will
consequently receive authentic advice and assis-
lance. by which they will save time money and
anxiety. All their own business and all they can